This week’s episode of the EntreArchitect Podcast is something special. It’s not just another interview—it’s a deeply personal, passionate, and inspiring talk from one of our live Expert Training Sessions inside EntreArchitect Network. These sessions are held twice a month exclusively for members, but after hearing Duo Dickinson speak, I knew we had to share this one far and wide.
You can watch the full video on YouTube at https://youtube.com/entrearchitect, or listen to the podcast episode at https://entrearchitect.com/601.
And if what you hear resonates, if you feel that spark, that connection to something deeper in your work as an architect… then I want to personally invite you to join us at EntreArchitect Network. You can try it free for 30 days. Sign up now at https://entrearchitect.com/30days.
Let’s dive into the key takeaways from Duo’s powerful message.
Architecture is About People First
From the very first moment of Duo’s talk, one message came through loud and clear: architecture is a profoundly human endeavor. It’s not just about form and function—it’s about lives. It’s about serving people where they are, in all their complexity, struggle, and beauty.
Duo reminded us that the greatest architecture grows from empathy. From understanding not only how people live, but how they feel. He spoke about the emotional dimension of space—not as an abstract idea, but as a reality architects must embrace if we truly want to create meaning through our work.
A Grassroots Legacy
Duo’s approach is raw, honest, and deeply rooted in community. He doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not. He’s not chasing the latest trend or trying to be a “starchitect.” He’s a small firm architect who chose early on to build a life of purpose over prestige.
He shared how, over decades of practice, he’s stayed connected to his values. He’s served people who needed help, even when there was no budget. He’s made space—literally and figuratively—for lives that don’t fit the mold. That’s the grassroots movement he represents. Not a style, not a marketing hook, but a way of showing up and doing the work.
This approach resonated with so many attendees. You could feel it in the chat: gratitude, appreciation, inspiration. Comments like “Always a pleasure to listen to this man,” and “Very grateful, Duo, for your words and works.”
The Myth of Free Work
One question that came up during the session was: “How do you balance your workload so you can work for free?”
Duo’s answer was honest—and surprising. He doesn’t really work for free. He makes conscious decisions to take on projects that matter to him, regardless of the budget, because they align with his values. But make no mistake: he runs a sustainable practice. His business is real, profitable, and productive. The “free” work isn’t a giveaway—it’s an investment in the kind of legacy he wants to leave behind.
That’s a huge lesson for all of us trying to balance service with sustainability. You don’t have to choose between doing meaningful work and making a living. You can build a model that supports both.
Architecture as a Lifestyle Career
Another powerful insight from Duo: architecture is a lifestyle career. This isn’t a 9-to-5 job you clock in and out of. It’s a calling. It becomes part of who you are. That can be a burden—but it can also be a gift.
When you embrace the fact that your career is woven into the fabric of your life, you can start to design your life with intention. You can align your values, your priorities, your relationships, and your time with your work. You can stop trying to compartmentalize, and start integrating.
For small firm architects, that’s critical. We wear a lot of hats. The boundaries between “work” and “life” are thin. But instead of seeing that as a problem, what if we saw it as an opportunity?
Beauty, Code, and Craft
During the session, Duo also talked about design, process, and practice in real-world terms. He mentioned how he embraces building codes as part of the creative process, rather than a constraint. In fact, he integrates code research into the early phases of his work so he can use it to inform and elevate the final result.
And his buildings reflect that philosophy. They’re not flashy for the sake of being flashy—they’re elegant, grounded, and profoundly human. A few attendees mentioned how beautiful Duo’s work is. One said, “Very elegant solution!” in reference to his approach to tricky zoning codes.
This balance—between practicality and poetry—is where small firm architects thrive. It’s not about choosing between art and business. It’s about mastering both.
Community Is Everything
Near the end of the session, the chat came alive with gratitude. Dozens of architects from around the country—maybe even the world—expressed their thanks for Duo’s words. And that’s when it hit me again why we created EntreArchitect Network in the first place.
Community matters. Having a place where you can be inspired, where you can be challenged, where you can ask questions and grow together—that’s everything. It’s not just about content or training. It’s about connection.
When one member suggested a Northeast meetup at Duo’s chapel, the idea took off. That’s the kind of engagement that fuels us here. We’re not just building businesses—we’re building lives. And we’re doing it together.
Want More?
If you found this inspiring, you owe it to yourself to listen to the full session. You can find the video version on YouTube at https://youtube.com/entrearchitect, or tune in to the audio episode at https://entrearchitect.com/601.
And if you want to keep this kind of inspiration going, join us at EntreArchitect Network. We offer two Expert Training Sessions every month, along with group coaching, peer support, and a community of small firm architects just like you—who believe in the power of design, the strength of business, and the heart of humanity.
You can try it free for 30 days. No risk, no pressure. Just community, growth, and support.
Register now at https://entrearchitect.com/30days.
Let’s build something beautiful together.
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