The Office of the State Architect and Engineer, also known informally as the State Architect's Office (SAO), was created as an office in the Department or Highways and Public Works by the Administrative Reorganization Act of 1921. The history of Ohio Public Works can be traced to shortly after the state was admitted to the Union in 1803, making it one of the older entities in state government. The manager of this office was generally an Ohio registered architect.
The mission of the State Architect's Office was "to effectively and efficiently lead capital planning, design, and construction of public facilities through quality service, expertise, and knowledge sharing."