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 […]
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 […]
David Hovey, FAIA, Entrepreneur Architect
From OptimaWeb.com: Faced with the natural constraints of client-based business, architects often dream of the freedom that could arise from developing their own building projects. A look at some AIA Chicago chapter members who have taken the leap to become architect/ developers can act as an inspiration and provide insights to success in this risky, […]
How I Use Social Media
Although not technically “social media”, I have been blogging at http://www.livingwellinwestchester.com since 2006. I have had many clients remark that they read my blog and felt that they had grown to know me before we actually met. For me, that alone makes it worth the time required to post on a weekly basis. Recently, I […]
Are you using social media to attract clients?
The Entrepreneur Architect Linkedin Group has been very active lately. We’ve been discussing fee structures, branding, client acquisition, firm naming, business plans and startups. The question of the day today is about social media. Are you actively using social media platforms such as Linkedin, facebook, Twitter or YouTube to promote your business, make connections, influence […]
How do your clients find YOU?
At the end of an interview with a prospective client, I ask them to complete a short questionnaire. Most of the questions are names, address and telephone numbers, but near the bottom of the page is this question, “How did you learn about Fivecat Studio?” The question is followed by a few choices, “Magazine or […]
BUILD LLC
I been following the BUILD blog for about a year. BUILD LLC is a small design/build firm located in Seattle, specializing in modern residential and small commercial projects. They maintain a very nice website and post to their blog on a regular basis. Their most recent post, Thank You Sir May I Have Another, is […]
Do You Tweet?
From Architectural Record: It seems like everyone these days is constantly plugged into their technological devices, tweeting their whereabouts, Facebooking their statuses, and publicizing anything and everything about themselves. Companies are even engaged in the phenomenon, using social media tools to market their products and services. But for architects, do these online pursuits pay off? […]
Architects Unemployed
A member of the Entrepreneur Architect LinkedIn Group posted a discussion about what to do when one is unemployed. I invite you to contribute to the conversation as well, by joining the group and posting your thoughts. Here is my response to John: Having never been unemployed, I cannot talk from experience on how best […]
What’s Your Brand?
When a potential client hears your firm’s name, what do they feel? When they see your logo, what do they think? Your designs? Your studio? Your vehicle? Even the clothes you wear? What do they represent in the marketplace of architectural design? All these things, together, are your brand. In his book, Blink: The Power […]
Will Lower Fees Save Your Firm?
Have you reduced your fees, with the intent of obtaining more work? The economy dumps and projects vanish. In reaction, the architect drops her fees. Revenues plummet and the firm shutters its shop. Sound familiar? Do you fall somewhere in that scenario? I hope not. Reduced fees will not save your practice. It will kill […]
Non-Traditional Architecture Firms
A member of our Linkedin group, Entrepreneur Architect, posted a response to my discussion, “Learning From Other Industries: Could an architecture firm be successfully structured to run like a high-end salon?”. Amy Burke, NCARB is a member of a design group named Hyperform Design Co-op located just outside Denver, Colorado. Hyperform is an informal collaborative […]