How the profession of Architecture was born in America
The profession of architecture in America owes much to the Vermont-born, Beaux Arts educated Richard Morris Hunt. When Hunt returned to America after 8 years in France, he really was a French architect. You may have visited the Vanderbilt mansion in Asheville, North Carolina which was and, maybe still, the largest and most expensive home ever built in the United States. But more importantly Richard Morris Hunt is responsible for the professionalization of architecture:
'His first client refused to pay his 5% percent fee, arguing that he was accustomed to paying builders for their time and labor, and that he had never had occasion to pay an architect. Hunt took him to court in a landmark case that established for the first time that an architect enjoyed a professional status, similar to that of a doctor or lawyer, and that the value of his service consisted in his advice. Richard Upjohn, the architect of New York's Trinity Church, testified on Hunt's behalf, and had the best line of the trial: "You as a lawyer," he told the client's attorney, "when you give your opinion, do not charge for pen, ink and paper, but for your opinion."'
Hunt prevailed and our profession was born. And BTW, we give valuable advice.
The attached scan is the east elevation of the Borden Mansion that stood on the northwest corner of Lake Shore Drive and Bellevue Place until 1960.
–Taken from Michael J. Lewis's book review in the March 2025 #thenewcriterion #architecture #aia #americaninstituteofarchitects #associationoflicensedarchitects #alatoday #architecture
The profession of architecture in America owes much to the Vermont-born, Beaux Arts educated Richard Morris Hunt. When Hunt returned to America after 8 years in France, he really was a French architect. You may have visited the Vanderbilt mansion in Asheville, North Carolina which was and, maybe still, the largest and most expensive home ever built in the United States. But more importantly Richard Morris Hunt is responsible for the professionalization of architecture:
'His first client refused to pay his 5% percent fee, arguing that he was accustomed to paying builders for their time and labor, and that he had never had occasion to pay an architect. Hunt took him to court in a landmark case that established for the first time that an architect enjoyed a professional status, similar to that of a doctor or lawyer, and that the value of his service consisted in his advice. Richard Upjohn, the architect of New York's Trinity Church, testified on Hunt's behalf, and had the best line of the trial: "You as a lawyer," he told the client's attorney, "when you give your opinion, do not charge for pen, ink and paper, but for your opinion."'
Hunt prevailed and our profession was born. And BTW, we give valuable advice.
The attached scan is the east elevation of the Borden Mansion that stood on the northwest corner of Lake Shore Drive and Bellevue Place until 1960.
–Taken from Michael J. Lewis's book review in the March 2025 #thenewcriterion #architecture #aia #americaninstituteofarchitects #associationoflicensedarchitects #alatoday #architecture