The Art and Science of Building The Separation of Design and Construction The Greeks gave the ancient Master Builder the name architekton, from which the Romans derived the Latin name architectus. Both words literally mean "Master Builder" - as denoting one responsible for the design and construction of the built environment.4 For many centuries, the Master Builder held sway as the preeminent professional who designed plans for building and who supervised construction. During the Renaissance, there began to be changes in the traditional view of the link between design and construction. The status of the Master Builder began to erode. From the late 1700s to the mid-1800s, the distinction between design and construction was further accentuated by the establishment of professional societies. 21