ARCHITECTURAL FIRM

An 'architectural firm' is a company which employs one or more licensed architects and practices the profession of architecture.

Contents

History

Licensure and legal form

Organization

References

History

Architects (master builders) have existed since early in recorded history. The earliest recorded architects include Imhotep (c. 2600 BCE) and Senemut (c. 1470 BCE). No writings exist to describe how these architects performed their work. However, as nobles (and later demi-gods) it is reasonable to assume they had staffs of assistants and retainers to help refine and implement their work. The oldest surviving book on the subject of architecture ''De architectura,'' by the Roman architect Vitruvius describes the design and construction of buildings, towns, clocks, and machines, but provides no information about the organization of the architect's assistants. It is generally accepted that throughout most of human history, most architects were wealthy individuals who derived their primary income from activities other than design and who practiced design as a part-time pursuit, employing assistants on a project-by-project basis.
It was only in the nineteenth century that architecture began to be practiced as a full-time profession. In the US, Charles Bulfinch is the first person believed to have worked as a full-time professional architect. Henry Hobson Richardson may have been one of the first to have an established office and McKim, Mead, and White may have been among the first to resemble the large, modern architectural firm.^[1]

Licensure and legal form

In the US, architects are licensed by the individual states. Licensure is usually achieved by a combination of formal education, internship, and examinations. Although architects are licensed individually, state laws allow them to join together in firms. All US states allow architects to form partnerships, most allow corporations or professional corporations, and some allow LLPs or LLCs. Some states require the firm to obtain a registration to provide architectural services. Others merely require that the architectural work of the firm be performed under the direct supervision of an architect licensed in the state. A few states allow corporations to provide architectural services provided that a licensed employee of the firm serves as architect of record for any project.^[2]

Organization

Small firms with less than 5 people usually have no formal organizational structure, depending on the personal relationships of the principals and employees to organize the work. Medium-sized firms with 5 to 50 employees are often organized departmentally in departments such as design, production, business development, and construction administration. Large firms of over 50 people may be organized departmentally, regionally, or in studios specializing in project types. Other permutations also exist.^[2]

References

1. ''Stanny: The Gilded Life of Stanford White'', Paul Baker, 1989
2. ''Architects Handbook of Professional Practice'', American Institute of Architects, 13th Edition
3. ''Architects Handbook of Professional Practice'', American Institute of Architects, 13th Edition