Can you copyright architecture? How?

You didn't used to be able to copyright building. However, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland convinced a court that it was such a unique building that it deserved to be able to stop photographers from selling their pictures of the structure. Since then, more and more unique structures have gained copyright protection. But the generic ranch-style house is still available to anyone who wants to copy it.

File a copyright application. Look online for Circular 41 from the Copyright Office.

Simple - visit the US Copyright Office website - www.copyright.gov for details. Here is a summary: Architectural Works An original design of a building embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings, is subject to copyright protection as an architectural work. The work includes the overall form as well as the arrangement and composition of spaces and elements in the design but does not include individual standard features or design elements that are functionally required. The term building means structures that are habitable by humans and intended to be both permanent and stationary, such as houses and office buildings, and other permanent and stationary structures designed for human occupancy, including but not limited to churches, museums, gazebos, and garden pavilions. For details on how to register architectural works, please see Circular 41, Copyright Claims in Architectural Works. Good Luck!