WELCOME TO THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ARCHITECT

Mission Statement Both the Office of the County Architect and the Division of Architectural Services provide professional architectural design, planning, and construction management services to County agencies and assist in the implementation of the Board of County Comissioners' Capital Plan. Click here for Selection Process Sample. The complex issues and the problems experienced with the construction of the Justice Center complex in 1976 had created a need to organize a professional architectural office within the County government organization. In 1978, the Board of County Commissioners mandated the institution of the Office of the County Architect, serving subordinate to the Director of Central Services (then the Superintendent of Buildings).

CONTACT PERSON Berj A. Shakarian AIA, NCARB, CSI, County Architect 216-443-5959 (phone) 216-443-5050 (fax) bshakarian@cuyahogacounty.us

GOALS:

• To prioritize projects in the Capital Plan.
• To establish and maintain a realistic schedule for Capital Plan projects.
• To allocate and monitor both "in house" and consultant resources in implementing Capital Plan projects.
• To be "customer driven" in providing architectural services to County agencies and to communicate clearly to all participants as to project schedule and status.
• To provide state mandated professional residential inspection services for Olmsted and Chagrin Township.

DUTIES of the County Architect include the following tasks:

1. Provide for architectural services in house.
   
   The scope of work is for projects under $500,000.00 construction value.
   
   
2. Provide for construction services in-house.
   
   Utilizing the County trades force, for projects under $500,000.00, the work is mandated by the County Architect and overseen by the construction superintendent. Sometimes, depending upon availability, others are recruited form the union halls.
   
   
3. Provide administrative oversight services to outside architectural firms.
   
   The scope of work is for projects over $500,000.00 construction value and specialized A/E services. The professional selection is per Design Professional Selection Law - Ohio Revised Code (O.R.C.) 153.65 -.71.
   
   
4. Provide for administrative overseer services of outside construction firms.
   
   Included are construction efforts over $500,000.00 which require general and specialized contractors. Bidding/award process is an 8 to 12 week process.