High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Office of the State Architect and Engineer, also known in recent years informally as the State Architect`s Office (SAO), is created by Section 121.04 of the Ohio Revised Code. SAO has a time honored tradition of public service in the design and construction of public projects. 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 is generally an Ohio registered architect.