plans for commercial and large residential projects, the president of the Institute of Bermuda Architects said yesterday.

Mr. Neil Sloan said non-registered architects are "not qualified'' to submit drawings for major projects.

"The main concern is the health and safety of the public,'' Mr. Sloan told The Royal Gazette . "By allowing these non-professionals to practise, Government is placing the public at risk.'' Some people offering architectural services on the Island "don't even have a college diploma'', he said.

Non-registered architects should not be able to submit drawings for commercial work, residential developments higher than two storeys, or "anything that is used for public gatherings'', he said.

The 30-member Institute has called a special June 10 meeting to discuss the issue, he said.

Meanwhile, non-registered architects have put together a war-chest which could be used to fight any such restrictions in court, the chairman of their association confirmed yesterday.

Mr. Henry Ming, chairman of the 30-member Architects Association of Bermuda, said his group wrote Environment Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons and said it was prepared to fight in Supreme Court any such policy change at the Department of Planning.

"We did say that in the letter, but I don't think it's going to go that far,'' said Mr. Ming, who has a Master's degree in architecture and believes Government will reject the Institute's recommendation before it reaches court.

He confirmed members were asked to contribute $250 each at a recent meeting, but said the funds would cover expenses other than a possible court fight.

To be registered as an architect in Bermuda, one must be registered in another jurisdiction, following years of university study, on the job training and intensive exams.

Those who are not registered can do the same work, but are not permitted to call themselves architects. Their qualifications vary widely.

Both registered and non-registered architects are subject to the Building Officials and Code Aministrators (BOCA) standards adopted by Planning last year, Mr. Ming said.

He said architects and designers go to civil engineers for the engineering work on building plans.

Mr. Sloan said there are "numerous examples'' in Bermuda of retaining walls collapsing following work by non-registered architects. "About a year ago, a whole house collapsed'' during renovations, he said.

Mr. Ming said his group is also concerned about work by unqualified people.

But he said the suggestions made by Mr. Sloan are "ridiculous''. Very few of the association's members do commercial work. On residential work, the Institute is "suggesting anything over two storeys -- which includes the basement -- should have a professional registered stamp on it,'' he said.

"It means that the general public would no longer come to us.'' Mr. Erwin Adderley, Director of Planning, said it is now up to technical officers in the department to decide in each case whether to require a registered architect or engineer to sign drawings.

"The policy is presently under review,'' he said. There was concern that some who submitted drawings felt treated unfairly under the present arbitrary policy, he said.

Also, "the projects which have been submitted by non-registered people have gotten bigger and bigger and bigger,'' Mr. Adderley said.