As Built

CannonDesign CEO Brad Lukanic, AIA, LEED AP and Principal Natalie Petzoldt, AIA, LEED AP, EDAC join As Built to discuss how the firm scales without losing its identity. They discuss the Ennead Architects and Cityfi acquisitions, internal programs like Open Hand Studio and AMP, the firm's employee ownership model, and how their guiding maxim "do good, do right" shapes real decisions. They also shar...

One of the most common questions architecture firms ask themselves is also one of the hardest: should we niche down, or stay generalized? On Episode 128 of As Built, Patience and Brian discuss the fears that hold firms back from committing to a niche, the real advantages of staying generalist, and how to tell the difference between a strategic pivot and chasing a trend. One key insight from the co...

Ten years into building one of the most unique AEC firms in the world, City Collective Managing Partners David Cooke, RAIA, MPIA and Justin Kearnan, AIA talk about what it actually takes to move the needle on the problems cities can't seem to solve.  City Collective was built around a simple but radical premise: that the only way to solve a city's toughest challenges is to bring every discipline i...

If your architecture firm's About page sounds like every other firm's About page, this episode is for you. Hosts Patience Jones and Brian Jones break down why so many firms end up with generic, forgettable positioning statements and, more importantly, how to write one that actually works.   We discuss: Why vague language like "excellence" and "collaborative" fails to differentiate your firm from c...

Wanting to break into a new building type or market sector is exciting, but it comes with a real challenge: how do you win work you or your firm has never done before? In this episode of As Built, Patience and Brian tackle one of the most common growth obstacles for architecture and construction firms, and lay out a practical roadmap for making the transition.   We explain how to:   Identify trans...

Project sheets might not get your blood racing, but they can make or break your next RFP response. In this episode of As Built, co-hosts Patience Jones and Brian Jones dig into what it actually takes to upgrade your project sheets from a static archive into a strategic tool that wins commissions.   Episode Highlights: The two core purposes every project sheet must serve Why a "kitchen sink"  versi...

In this episode of As Built, co-hosts Patience Jones and Brian Jones tackle the most frequently asked marketing questions they hear from professionals across all industries and leadership levels, no live audience required.   They cover which social media platforms your firm actually needs to be on (and why cross-posting the same content everywhere is a waste of time), whether social media is truly...

We're almost two months into 2026, and most likely you are in the majority of people who feel like they're not as far along on their goals as they envisioned they would be. Don't beat yourself up! Listen to this episode and learn how to objectively determine how successful you've been, what to do to get back in gear, and when to abandon what now longer sounds like a good idea. Episode Resources Co...

Resilience might be the thing your firm needs most right now: the ability to withstand hardship and to come back.  Resilience is not never having a bad day . Resilience is not never being upset or never disappointed or never sad. What is resilience?  Why does being resilient matter? How can you become more resilient? Episode Resources Connect with Brian Jones and Patience Jones: •  https://www.gra...

Competitions can be a very big part of an architect's professional life. Are they the right thing for your firm? How do you know? What can you expect to get out of entering, and more importantly, what will you need to put in to achieve that goal? In this episode, we unpack how to know if the competition approach is right for your firm. Episode Resources Connect with Brian Jones and Patience Jones:...

Instructions getting missed? Announcements being misunderstood or ignored? It's likely not what you're saying, but how you're communicating it. Each generation expects to receive information in their preferred formats, so how do you reach everyone? Spend 10 minutes listening to this episode and find out. Episode Resources Connect with Brian Jones and Patience Jones: •  https://www.graphicmachine.c...

Acquisitions can cause a lot of panic, uncertainty, and confusion. They never go smoothly, so what we talk about in this episode are things to keep in mind so that it goes more smoothly. From how and what to communicate to how to be a good team player, this episode will help both acquirers and acquirees. Episode Resources Connect with Brian Jones and Patience Jones: •  https://www.graphicmachine.c...

The architect stereotype of a bespectacled, tote bag-carrying curmudgeon makes for great insider jokes, but that can seep into how prospective clients think about both your firm and the profession. In this episode, we unpack the architect stereotype, what's really behind it, and how to be aware of it so you can use it to your advantage. Episode Resources Connect with Brian Jones and Patience Jones...

There's currently no universally accepted definition of terms like "green" and "eco-friendly." This can lead to misunderstandings and project issues when clients interpret those terms to mean something that you don't. In this episode, we explain how to convey sustainability features in a way everyone can understand and why that trust is vital to your firm's success. Episode Resources Connect with...

We're nearing what feels like perpetual award season. Ho w can your architecture firm make the most of award opportunities? How do you know which ones to enter, and how do you maximize your chances of winning one? Most importantly, how do you keep award submissions from hijacking the rest of your firm's work? In this episode, we walk you through what you need to know.   Episode Resources Connect w...

More and more people are using AI to search for things. Does this mean "traditional," web-based search engine optimization is dead? In this episode, we explain why SEO is still important and the new functions it serves.   Episode Resources Connect with Brian Jones and Patience Jones: •  https://www.graphicmachine.com/   •  https://www.linkedin.com/company/graphicmachine/   •  https://www.linkedin....

Visual content can be a headache for architecture firms and building materials. A lot of effort goes into one or a couple of "signature" images that can become stale quickly. While firms have a lot of work, they don't always have the variety and depth of visual content to "prove" it. Based on our knowledge of the needs firms have and the best ways to portray their work, we've developed a process b...

We are very pleased to welcome back Marion Weiss, FAIA, and Michael Manfredi, FAIA, Partners and Cofounders of WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism. When we last spoke, WEISS/MANFREDI was a finalist for the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Expansion Competition. Since then, they won the competition and published a book: Drifting Symmetries: Projects, Provocations, and Other Enduring Models. I...

If you inwardly groan whenever social media is mentioned, this is the episode for you. We discuss how architects can use social media to grow their practices without being gross or becoming consumed by who liked what. Social media might not be your most favorite thing, but we'll show you how it doesn't have to be punishing.   Episode Resources Connect with Brian Jones and Patience Jones: • https:/...

There are anywhere from two to four generations of people currently working for your client prospects. To have the best chance of winning projects, you need to be able to market effectively to each generation. What does each generation look for, and how can you deliver that information so it resonates with them?   Episode Resources   Connect with Brian Jones and Patience Jones: • https://www.graph...

Do you want more control over your career? Whether you're looking to climb your firm's leadership ladder, bring in new clients, or shift your career focus, people need to understand who you are. That's where personal branding comes in. In this episode, we talk about what personal branding is – and isn't - and how to get started.   Episode Resources: Profile Elevation: Personal branding for archite...

Kay Sargent, FASID, FIIDA, CID, LEED® AP, MCR.w, WELL AP, is a Principal at HOK and the firm's Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors. She has recently published her first book, Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Advancing Sensory Processing and Cognitive Well-Being in the Built Environment , based on her extensive research and firsthand experience designing interior spaces. In this episode,...

If the only contact a person ever had with the outside world was in browsing the internet, SEO (search engine optimization) would be enough. You could optimize your site and know that the right people would find you. But – hopefully – that isn't the only way people gather information. Social media, reviews, blogs, conferences, in-person meetings: they are all opportunities for prospective clients...

While the world of AI is still relatively new, it's spreading rapidly. From a quick search on ChatGPT to a batch of renderings generated with Adobe Firefly, people are already using AI in big and small ways. That's why it's more important than ever for your company to adopt an AI policy, even if that policy is simply "no AI." A clear, simple policy can protect your team, your clients, and your rep...

How does an architect become a firm leader without losing their passion for the work itself?   Matthew Mueller, AIA, Partner at PBDW, shares his experience with work-life harmony and how three core firm values have kept him at the same firm for 25 years: thoughtfulness, mentorship, and hands-on involvement.   Listen now to hear how Matthew shaped his career path and his firm. Episode Resources: Co...