Bureau of Architecture

Architects (or chief builders) appeared at the beginning of the history of mankind. The earliest mentions of architects date back to Imhotep (c. 2600 BC) and Senmouth (c. 1470 BC). There is no written mention of how they performed their work. Nevertheless, given their noble origin, it is reasonable to assume that they had assistants and servants who contributed to the improvement and implementation of their work. The oldest surviving architecture book, Ten Books of Architecture , by Roman architect Vitruvius describes the design and construction of cities, buildings, mechanisms, and watches, but does not provide information about the people who helped the architect. It is generally accepted that for most of human history, most architects were wealthy people who received the main income from activities not related to design, and engaged in architecture in their free time as entertainment, hiring assistants from project to project on an individual basis.

Only in the 19th century did the profession of an architect become a full-time profession; architects could undergo special training and receive accreditation . In the United States, is considered the very first professional architect. Henry Hobson Richardson may have been one of the first to have an officially approved office, and the architectural bureau McKim, Mead & White , may have been among the first firms like modern ^[2] . The oldest US firms today are Detroit , Michigan and ( Louisville , Kentucky ), founded in 1853. In the UK, the oldest continuing architectural bureau, , was founded in 1750 in York , England .