The most dangerous assumption in architecture today is that the way we’ve always done things is still good enough. It’s not. The systems we rely on were built for a different time, when complexity was lower, expectations were slower, and the pace of change was manageable. Today, those same systems are holding us back. In […]
Architect Renovation Cost Estimator: Why Cost Clarity Should Come Before Design
What small firm architects can learn about leading renovation projects with clarity, confidence, and better clients One of the most painful moments in residential architecture often happens long after the design work is complete. The drawings are finished, the client is excited about the possibilities, and the project finally goes out for pricing. Then the […]
EA650: Michael Sweebe – Bringing Cost Clarity to Renovation for Owners and Architects
Bringing Cost Clarity to Renovation for Owners and Architects Bringing cost clarity to renovation for owners and architects begins with a childhood in darkness. Michael Sweebe grew up in an illegal apartment in Toledo, Ohio, with no operable windows and little light. At nine years old, he began drawing floor plans, hoping to design a […]
Intentional Growth for Architecture Firms: Building a Business Rooted in Stewardship and Craft
How Jeff Lucine of 45 Architecture balances design excellence, community impact, and sustainable business growth If you want to build a better firm, you must be intentional. That was one of my biggest takeaways from my conversation with Jeff Lucine of 45 Architecture in Bozeman, Montana. Jeff is not just an architect. He is a […]
Designing Client Experiences That Turn Architecture Clients Into Raving Fans
What architects can learn from Disney, discipline, and intentional service design. Most architects believe their work will speak for itself. Great design, clear drawings, and professional execution should be enough. In reality, clients rarely remember drawings. They remember how working with you felt. In my conversation with Vance Morris, we explored why long term business […]
Start Small Selling: A Practical Framework for Architects Who Hate Selling
Selling Is the Skill Architects Avoid but Need Most Selling is one of the most misunderstood skills in architecture. Many architects believe selling means persuasion, pitching, or convincing someone to buy something they do not want. Others associate it with extroversion, charisma, or personality traits they believe they do not possess. That misunderstanding keeps talented […]