Because in 1770 we had very few architects, but we had a good supply of 
builders.  Builders provided most of the services we assign today to 
general contractors and architects.  Also, we require an architect for 
a bedroom addtion in 2004 because we have created social contracts to 
protect our real estate investments from the creative streaks of our 
neighbors (as well as their corner-cutting).  But, you must live in a 
pretty fancy neighborhood if an architect is "required" for a bedroom 
addition.  Its my understanding that architects aren't generally 
required for much of anything at the residential scale.

-jc


On Jan 7, 2005, at 8:26 AM, Met History wrote:

> In a message dated 1/7/05 9:23:08 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
>
> An architect may understand the nature of the problem and design a 
> solution responding to the need, and recognize a Home Depot need when 
> he/she sees it.
>
>
>  So why do we require an architect of 2004 to add a bedroom to a 
> non-architect building of 1770?    c