May the owner hire another architect to fulfill the duties of the contract?

• A. Only if the owner terminates the employment of the architect and hires an architect that the contractor has no objection to.
• B. Yes, at any time with contractor approval.
• C. No, never.
• D. Only if the contractor also approves in writing.

Answer: (A)

Under A201, the owner can change architects, but only in a specific way. The owner may terminate the current architect’s services, and then may appoint a successor architect, provided the contractor has no objection to the new architect (in writing). This protects the contractor from being forced to work with an architect they cannot cooperate with and helps maintain project continuity.

So the appointment of a new architect isn’t allowed simply at any time with contractor approval, nor is it prohibited entirely, nor does contractor approval alone suffice without terminating the existing arrangement. The correct path is: terminate the current architect, then obtain the contractor’s written consent to the successor.