A house may be a home, but don't call it Architecture

In New Mexico anyone can design a home - for themselves or for others.
You don't need a college degree or a license or anyone's approval.

That is the law.

Several years ago my "Residential Design" webpage was named
"Architectural Design" because, regardless of what you call it, that's what it is.

And it was called that for many years.

Then one day I recieved a letter in the mail from the New Mexico Architectural Board of Examiners Office containing printed copies of my webpage, a copy of the New Mexico law which states that only licensed Architects can do "Architectural Design" and a very intimidating letter stating that I had so many days to remove "Architectural Design" from my webpage - or else !

I was somewhat baffled (stunned would be a better description) since I had been told by several people who designed homes professionally, but who were NOT Architects (or Engineers), that no license was required.

So, I called the New Mexico Architectural Board of Examiners Office to get the facts.

Below is an exact record of that conversation:

(Red= them Blue = Me)

"Hello Architectural Board of Examiners Office."

"Huh, yes … Good Morning.
I’m calling regarding an intimidating letter which I received from your office.
It says that I can’t say that I do Architectural Design.
Is that purely a matter of semantics, I mean if I call it Solar Home Design would you be ok with that ?"

"Yes, That would be fine."

"So, I can go on designing houses, I just can’t call it Architecture ?"

"Yes, just don’t use the word Architecture."

"OK, thank you, goodbye."

I have my own theory as to why this happened.

But, if house are not architecture, what are they ?

Truthfully speaking, I have rarely met an Architect who, in my opinion,

didn't think he wasn't God's gift to the world, who didn't think his work

wasn't the greatest contribution to mankind since the Ten Commandments

and, quite frankly, who wasn't a horse's ass.

On the other hand, I have never met an Engineer I didn't like.

And I have never met an arrogant Engineer.

That is why I will NEVER be an ARCHITECT.