ADVICE X DESIGN
Learn how to achieve success by modeling those who are already successful
"A problem well put is half-solved." - John Dewey
These are a collection of questions intended to be used as advice for young architects and design professionals who want to take their career to the next level.
THE GAP BETWEEN ACADEMIA AND PRACTICE
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What skills do you wish you learned as an architecture student that would give you an advantage today? Were these skills not offered in school, did you avoid them, or did you simply not have the awareness for it?
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Looking back, what would you do differently while interning and working for other firms? What did you wish you were taught or made aware of?
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Academia creates opportunities for exploration, research, and imagination. Practice values performance, productivity, and efficiency. Do you believe there is a good reason for the gap between academia and practice?
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Do you recommend young architects that plan to start their own firm in the future to work for small firms, large firms, or is it important to have experience with both?
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How should young architects determine the value of working at a reputable design firm if doesn't pay well? How should junior designers define value in this situation?
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LEADERSHIP, BUSINESS ACUMEN, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR SMALL FIRM ARCHITECTS
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What changes have you discovered to make in order for your business model to meet your current career goals?
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How do you (or your organization) define the difference between management and leadership?
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Informed team members make better decisions. Do you discuss firm wide objectives and project specific finances and profitability with your team?
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As an incentive towards efficiency and growth, do you offer, or will you plan to offer, a profit sharing plan for qualified team members?
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What is the biggest challenge in architecture today and what are you doing to solve it?
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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND THE VALUE OF ARCHITECTS AS DEVELOPERS
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When did you first realize you wanted to become a developer? What were the drivers?
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How does your firm organize itself to approach projects from the dual role of architect and developer?
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What do you look for in a potential development project?
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What portion of your current work is developer driven vs client based? Ideally, what would you like the ratio to be in the future?
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How do you navigate between building for yourself versus what the world is asking you to build?