53 Pa. Stat. § 12713
The Department of City Architecture shall have the care, management, control, inspection, and administration of the city's architectural interests. The actual architectural work may be done in and by the said department, or may be done by architects in private practice appointed by the director of the department for particular projects, as the director may elect. Such appointment shall require the approval of the mayor, and, in making the same, the department of city architecture may consult with the head of the department or other branch of the city government for which the work is to be done, and with such other architects as may be chosen by the mayor to serve without compensation in an advisory character; and the inspection of all city building construction shall devolve upon and be supervised by the said department. The Department of City Architecture shall prepare, draft, and execute, or supervise the preparation, drafting, and execution of all specifications, drawings and plans of public buildings to be erected in such city, and to be paid for by moneys appropriated by the city council, except where special architects are chosen for these duties as hereinabove provided. The selection of special architects may be after competition or otherwise as the director may decide.
53 P.S. § 12713