Also, does your company have a separate formal architect role? Is it hard gated approval (this doesn't move without my stamp) or is he just keeping an eye on things?
The only person with an architect title is the VPs right hand man. They were hired at the same time (10+ years ago). The architect never questions the VPs design/decisions.
Yes, its hard gated. This project has been delayed 3 weeks already from starting because the VP has not have the time to approve the designs, etc.
He's undermining the team's authority on their portion of the work, and it sounds like he's keeping the architect on a leash so tight that career growth is impossible. Additionally, the 3 week delay is inappropriate and evidence that he needs to butt out and learn to delegate.
As there's support from above on this, it sounds like it's unlikely to change until something goes badly wrong, sadly.