Power Users Preventing Needed Changes in Chief

[Richard_Morrison]

  But for some reason today it's frowned on for an Architect to be a Contractor.

This has come from the inherent conflict of interest in design-build. Architects, in their traditional fiduciary role, are supposed to be protecting their clients' interests, rather than their own. The AIA has now grudging accepted design-build as a typical method of project delivery. It wasn't so long ago that advertising was frowned upon by the AIA. It seems almost laughable now, but it used to be that advertising by doctors, lawyers, architects, etc. was seen as extremely low class, unbefitting a true professional. An interesting (at least to architects) paper on the history of this is here: http://www.ced.berkeley.edu/downloads/pubs/faculty/shanken_2010_breaking-the-taboo.pdf

[Northriver]

I do not think it is frowned apon but buildings have become much larger and complex.  Not saying the pyramids where not complex at the time in history when they were built but they did not have HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems and a pyramid shape is naturally stable. The Architects position evolved with technology.