General contractors and architects in nineteenth-century America
Author(s): |
Brian Bowen
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Medium: | conference paper |
Language(s): | English |
Conference: | 6th International Congress on Construction History (6ICCH 2018), July 9-13, 2018, Brussels, Belgium |
Published in: | Building Knowledge, Constructing Histories [2 vols.] |
Page(s): | 383-389 |
Year: | 2018 |
Abstract: | The introduction of general contracting into the American construction industry began in the last half of the nineteenth century, following the same pattern that had developed in England earlier in that century. Meanwhile in 1857, the American Institute of Architects was formed, and its members took control of awarding construction contracts trade by trade and superintending the work on site. This paper follows the historical evolution of both parties up to and during this period and how they interacted with one another. In particular, the reaction of the architectural profession is examined as the new contractors assumed more and more of the architects' responsibilities and attracted the confidence of the owners. The story concludes with the formation of the Associated General Contractors of America in 1918. |