Professional life

The architectural profession entails numerous responsibilities and compliance with a series of standards. Only architects who have obtained the Habilitation à la maîtrise d'oeuvre (HMONP) qualification can register with the Ordre des architectes, set up an agency or sign plans and building permits.

The Ordre des architectes was created under the law of 3 January 1977. It reports to the Ministry of Culture. It is composed of 22 regional councils and a national council, whose mission is to defend the title of architect and ensure compliance with the code of ethics.

The Ordre is also the privileged interlocutor of national, European and international institutions. It is empowered to settle disputes between architects, but also between an architect and their client. 

Contemporary developments in markets and society provide architects with rich and varied assignments that go beyond the traditional field of new residential and non-residential building construction.

Development, existing buildings

Ecological and energy requirements are leading architects to become increasingly involved in sustainable urban and regional development projects, as well as in the renovation of existing unprotected buildings (refurbishment, conversion, extension, restoration or other transformations), while respecting their heritage value and paying particular attention to their integration into the urban environment and landscape.

Architects can lead restoration projects for protected architectural heritage as Architects of Buildings of France or as Chief Architects of Historic Monuments.

The rise of digital tools is also producing new forms of collaborative project design based on digital models (Building Information Model or BIM).

Architects' skills in designing forms and spaces enable them to develop a professional activity in the fields of urban planning, scenography and design.

Due to climate change, architects are also increasingly involved in the prevention of major risks in the construction and development of cities and territories.

Legislative changes and the increased complexity of operations are opening up opportunities for ‘project management assistance’ (PMA), i.e. consulting and research for project sponsors, particularly semi-public companies and local authorities such as regions, departments and municipalities.

Research and consulting

Finally, architects can choose a career related to research, teaching or the dissemination of architectural and urban culture, particularly within the Councils for Architecture, Urban Planning and the Environment (CAUE).

Architects operate according to different modes of practice defined in the Architecture Act of 3 January 1977.

Private practice

As a ‘project manager’, architects may practise individually in private practice or as a partner in an architectural firm. They must therefore hold a project management licence in their own name (HMONP) and be registered with the regional architects' association, as their profession is considered ‘regulated’. Their projects are the result of private contracts or public commissions, often obtained through a competition. The project is carried out on behalf of a client, the ‘project owner’.

The project architect ensures that the budget is adhered to and that regulations are complied with in terms of safety, structures and construction, accessibility and sustainable development.

Private employment

State-certified architects may also work as employees of an architectural firm (an architect's private practice or architectural company), a company (particularly in the construction industry) or a project owner (particularly social housing providers).

Public practice

State-certified architects can also become civil servants (through competitive examination) and pursue a professional career as public decision-makers in government departments as state architectural consultants (ACE) or state architects and urban planners (AUE, heritage or development sector) or in local authorities as local engineers.