We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Construction

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is an Architect of Record?

Andrew Kirmayer
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 21,394
Share

An architect of record is a firm or individual architect listed on a building permit for the construction project they are contracted for. The permit is attained by sending an application, project drawings, and building specifications to the regulatory authority that is responsible for the area where the construction is to take place. There can be more than one architect of record if different architects plan to work on a single project. A large firm can also set up a working relationship with a local architect, whose name would appear on the application and permit.

Special skills may be needed for construction in certain areas, such as those that are seismically active or have a specific type of terrain. The local architect can oversee project operations, and therefore becomes the architect of record. In the United States, for example, such status means that the firm is in control of the project, according to the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). The NCARB requires that architects make sure the proper legal requirements for registration are followed, even when they outsource document preparation. It also outlines criteria for being responsible in their control over projects.

Under NCARB guidelines, an architect of record should always be in control of what goes into the documents, knows the contents, and be professional in preparing them. They should also keep records to make sure that these criteria are met for a minimum of five years. Quality of communication is also emphasized and, with the establishment of building permits, email communications should be set up between all parties involved in the project.

The architect should also be open to sharing technical files through File Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers for the fastest communication. Meetings and reviews over the Internet are the best way for all parties to stay updated on projects. The NCARB Model Law and Regulations guide architects on how to follow these rules when documents are prepared elsewhere. An architect of record must also always be responsible in handling its documentation professionally.

Any architect of record is also responsible for ensuring that all safety codes are met during a project. This holds whether they are the primary firm for a project or are contracted by a larger architecture company. Regardless of control over record-keeping, most states in the United States have applied the NCARB standard, and some have added requirements defining how the architect of record identifies itself on documents.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Andrew Kirmayer
By Andrew Kirmayer
Andrew Kirmayer, a freelance writer with his own online writing business, creates engaging content across various industries and disciplines. With a degree in Creative Writing, he is skilled at writing compelling articles, blogs, press releases, website content, web copy, and more, all with the goal of making the web a more informative and engaging place for all audiences.
Discussion Comments
Andrew Kirmayer
Andrew Kirmayer
Andrew Kirmayer, a freelance writer with his own online writing business, creates engaging content across various...
Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-an-architect-of-record.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.