Small Project Design

To Cheryl Noel:
Most states have architectural practice laws that (hopefully) spell out project types / sizes that require an architect's seal.  You could file a complaint with your state Board of Architects if someone is providing design services (i.e. the contractor) without a license for a project that may require an architect/engineer's seal.  Finally check to see if the municipality reviewing the plans uses the IBC or other model code that also requires buildings to be designed by licensed professionals. WV's license law even obligates architects to report violations to the BOA if we become aware of them.

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Edward Tucker AIA
Principal
Edward Tucker Architects, Inc.
Huntington WV
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In our situation, the developer terminated our contract and handed our work over to the GC to complete the project as 'Design Build', and they refused to pay our licensing fee for the continued use of our work. A clear violation of our contract and misappropriation of our intellectual property.
The General Contractor claims to have been an architect, we do not yet know if he is actually licensed or not. Even if he is, however, it seems like a clear conflict of interest on a public facility to have the contractor defining the scope of work - whether he is a licensed architect or not. 
At least on publicly funded projects, I believe the AIA should be advocating for the involvement of an architect independent of the contractor or developer. How else can anyone be sure that Health Safety and Welfare is truly being protected?

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Cheryl Noel AIA
WRAP Architecture, Inc.
Chicago IL
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