To successfully complete a project, an architect is responsible for making thousands of critical decisions. To complete the development of a standard residential additions and alterations project, it takes several months of focus and dedication. Many of us work long hours, long into the night, through weekends and holidays. The innovative ideas and concepts we create can often only be born after hours (sometimes days) of intense thought and several dozen layers of sketch paper. The personal … [Read more...]
The 8th A.R.E. Division: Practical Construction Experience
I come from a family of auto mechanics and contractors, so repair and construction are in my blood. Before I was registered as a New York State architect, I worked as a carpenter and mason during summers and school breaks. As a child, I would hear my carpenter uncle speak negatively about architects and I wanted to know why, first hand. (...and boy, did I?) One of the topics often debated over at the Entrepreneur Architect Linkedin Group is whether practical construction experience should … [Read more...]
Letter To My Beloved Profession (Guest Post)
Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Marie-Claude Soulard, an architect based in the San Diego area and the owner of Soulard Architecture. Last week I posted a new discussion at the Entrepreneur Architect Linkedin Group titled Architecture is Dead: Let's Reinvent the Profession. The following is Marie-Claude's response to my challenge to imagine what our profession could be if we started from scratch with a blank sheet of trace paper. I'd love to know your thoughts on both my … [Read more...]
Architectural Interns: Read This Now!
Bob Borson from Life of an Architect blog published a great post today about Architectural Interns. It includes tips, suggestions and requirements from some of Bob's friends, including me. If you know an architectural intern or a recent grad looking for work, this is a must read. … [Read more...]
We Are Architects. We Can Help Them Heal.
I apologize for the lack of development this post may seem to exhibit. Thrown into complete darkness by Hurricane Sandy, I am writing this from my warm bed on a Droid Incredible smart phone. We have not had power since 3PM Monday (October 29). We are blessed to have survived the storm of our lifetimes with very little damage and are doing just fine. Thank God. Electricity is our only need. We will be patient as the ConEdison crews work overtime to help us return to normal routines. We sent the … [Read more...]
Michael Gallin: Entrepreneur Architect
While at Carnegie Melon University’s school of architecture in the early 90’s, Michael Gallin developed a passion for finding innovative solutions combining design and technology. Although his primary interest has always been architecture, computer technology has been a close second. Gallin founded his architecture firm just north of New York City in 1999. He recently merged his practice with another firm, forming Gallin Beeler Design Studio. The current office, with a staff of nine, has a … [Read more...]
The Passion Profit Cycle of Success
Prior to starting our own firms, we business-owner architects experienced an "entrepreneurial seizure", as Michael Gerber so accurately described in his book, The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It. It's the precise moment when a passionate employee commits to starting her own firm. Frustrated by the process (or lack of process) established by her employer, she decides that she can do better. Do you remember that moment? The passion required to … [Read more...]
Speak to Them in a Language That They Will Better Understand
Residential Architect magazine sent me an email today introducing a new video series, Value of Residential Architecture. Each video will feature an architect discussing his/her thoughts on why residential architecture is important and where residential architecture is headed in the future. If you subscribe to Residential Architect, you may have received the link in your inbox as well. The description included with the email is as follows: Residential Architect magazine introduces a new video … [Read more...]
Things I Didn’t Learn at Architecture School (But Need to Know): How do I start and keep a business alive?
No one told me that I needed to know how to run a business. I’m an architect. I just need to tack up my shingle, design great buildings and clients will come knocking. Right? Maybe... but whether clients come knocking or not, its not so simple to keep them knocking. The solution? Write a business plan. I know, I know; "I don't need a business plan," you say. "It takes too much time and effort." Wait! Before you discount my suggestion, think about it from a different perspective. A simple, … [Read more...]
Oklahoma State University: Architecture & Entrepreneurship
Oklahoma State is developing a program called Architecture & Entrepreneurship. Every architecture school should be doing the same. Do you know of any other programs teaching entrepreneurship to architects? … [Read more...]
BIM and Integrated Design: Strategies for Architectural Practice
For a long time in my office, BIM was something out there that wasn't acted upon. We sat on nineteen seats of Revit for nearly two years, stored away in a closet unused - shelfware. Waiting for the right opportunity. Becoming obsolete. Doing no one any good. Taking up valuable storage space. Not earning its keep. And with each month unused, the software weighed on us: waiting for the right time, the right project, the right client, the right phase, the right people to put on the project, the … [Read more...]
BUILD LLC… the documentary
Check out the new short film documenting the life and times of the Seattle-based architecture firm, BUILD LLC. It is beautifully done. A film like this can be used for so many purposes. First, it documents a specific time in the life of this specific firm. Andrew, Kevin and their team will have a great record of what they were thinking in the early days of BUILD LLC. It is fantastic for marketing. How many firms have a well produced documentary film created for them? I would not be surprised … [Read more...]