# State architect > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/State_architect > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/State_architect.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_architect > Source revision: 1269337675 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Refimprove|date=August 2010}} {{Globalize|date=August 2010}} Many national governments and states have a [public official](/source/public_official) titled the '''state architect''' or '''government architect'''. The specific duties and areas of responsibility of state architects vary, but they generally involve responsibility for the design and/or construction of public buildings in the state. The state architect and subordinates typically form an organizational unit variously named the '''Division of the State Architect''', '''Office of the State Architect''', or similar.{{Cite web|title=Division of the State Architect|url=https://www.dgs.ca.gov/DSA|access-date=2021-07-16|website=www.dgs.ca.gov}} == Functions == {{Unreferenced section|date=March 2024}} Specific functions vary from state to state, but may include: * Preparing designs and [specifications](/source/specifications) for small and moderate-sized state-owned [building](/source/building) or [renovation](/source/renovation) projects * Selecting and overseeing the work of [architectural firm](/source/architectural_firm)s contracted by the state to prepare designs and specifications for larger state-owned building projects * Reviewing and approving designs prepared by private-sector architects for "critical" buildings owned by political subdivisions of the state such as [schools](/source/schools), [police stations](/source/police_stations), [fire stations](/source/fire_stations), and/or [hospital](/source/hospital)s * Participating in the development of state [building codes](/source/building_codes) and [regulations](/source/regulations) * Developing and managing [capital budget](/source/capital_budget)s for state building [construction](/source/construction) programs * Providing or coordinating [inspection](/source/inspection) programs for state building projects The Division of the State Architect is typically separate from the [licensing](/source/licensing) board that examines and licenses practicing architects in the state. == History == ===United States=== [Isaac G. Perry](/source/Isaac_G._Perry) is considered to have been the first state architect in [New York](/source/New_York_(state)). In 1883, governor [Grover Cleveland](/source/Grover_Cleveland) appointed Perry to oversee construction activities at the state capitol. Although his official title was "Capitol Commissioner", by the mid- to late 1880s Perry had oversight responsibility for all state government building programs and he was commonly referred to as the "State Architect". The state legislature officially created the Office of the State Architect in 1899, and after Perry retired that same year, governor [Theodore Roosevelt](/source/Theodore_Roosevelt) appointed [George L. Heins](/source/George_L._Heins) to fill the position. Heins served until his death in 1907, and was succeeded by [Franklin B. Ware](/source/Franklin_B._Ware). Ware held the position until 1912, when he was removed from office and replaced by [Herman Hoefer](/source/Herman_Hoefer). [Lewis Pilcher](/source/Lewis_Pilcher) was appointed to replace Hoefer in 1913, and held the position until 1923. New York created an official Department of Architecture in 1914, during Pilcher's service.Nancy L. Todd (2006), ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=0I7efjujcFQC&pg=PA215 New York's historic armories: an illustrated history]'', [SUNY Press](/source/SUNY_Press), 2006. {{ISBN|0-7914-6911-5}}, {{ISBN|978-0-7914-6911-8}}. Pages 215-216. In [California](/source/California), the Office of the State Architect (now Division of the State Architect) was created by the [Field Act](/source/Field_Act), which authorized the new office to develop design standards and quality control procedures for architectural work. George Sellon was the first State Architect for California. [http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/person/4236/]. Chester (Chet) A. Widom was the last state architect but retired in early 2019, and the current acting state architect is Ida Clair. [http://www.dgs.ca.gov/dgs/About/ExecRoster/ChesterWidom.aspx] ===Australia=== Currently there is a government architect in each Australian state, with the exception of [Tasmania](/source/Tasmania). Although their role differs from state to state, it generally includes the general objective to improve the design of public buildings and spaces and to enhance the quality of the built environment.[http://www.gana.gov.au/ "Government Architects' Network Australia], retrieved 30 March 2014 Since 1832 in [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales) there was a position of Colonial Architect responsible for public works. In 1890 it was renamed to [Government Architect](/source/New_South_Wales_Government_Architect).{{cite web |url=http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/guides-and-finding-aids/colonial-government-architect |title=Colonial (Government) Architect |publisher=NSW State Records |date= |accessdate=30 March 2014 }} The [Queensland Colonial Architect](/source/Queensland_Colonial_Architect) position was established in 1859. A government architect position named [Principal Architect](/source/Principal_Architect_(Western_Australia)) was created in [Western Australia](/source/Western_Australia) in 1891. The [Northern Territory Government Architect](/source/Northern_Territory_Government_Architect) role was first established in 2004, while in Victoria the role was first established in 2005.[http://www.smh.com.au/news/business/money/planning/profile-geoffrey-london/2008/12/01/1227979934075.html "Profile: Geoffrey London"], in ''[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)'', 3 December 2008 == Requirements == Requirements vary from state to state, but usually state architects are required to be [licensed](/source/Occupational_licensing) to practice the profession of architecture in the state in question and to be a legal resident of that state. Because the job often involves managing large staffs, projects, and budgets, state architects are usually senior members of the architectural profession. == See also == * [Chief Government Architect of the Netherlands](/source/Chief_Government_Architect_of_the_Netherlands) * [Chief architect (Sri Lanka)](/source/Chief_architect_(Sri_Lanka)) * [Guðjón Samúelsson](/source/Gu%C3%B0j%C3%B3n_Sam%C3%BAelsson) (a state architect of [Iceland](/source/Iceland)) * [State Architects of Ohio](/source/State_Architects_of_Ohio) == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == * [http://das.ohio.gov/Divisions/GeneralServices/StateArchitectsOffice/tabid/305/Default.aspx State Architect of Ohio] * [https://www.tn.gov/osa Tennessee State Architect] {{DEFAULTSORT:State Architect}} Category:Architecture in the United States Category:Architecture occupations Category:State government agencies in the United States Category:Government occupations --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [State architect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_architect) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_architect?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.