The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word FOUNDER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
F
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More clues leading to the result FOUNDER
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Architect" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case architect = founder.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FOUNDER mean?
FOUNDER noun- One who founds or establishes (especially said of a company, project, organisation, state)
- Someone for whose parents one has no data.
- The iron worker in charge of the blast furnace and the smelting operation.
- One who casts metals in various forms; a caster.
- A severe laminitis of a horse, caused by untreated internal inflammation in the hooves.
- Of a ship, to fill with water and sink.
- To fall; to stumble and go lame, as a horse.
- To fail; to miscarry.
- To cause to fill and sink, as a ship.
- To disable or lame (a horse) by causing internal inflammation and soreness in the feet or limbs.