Business of Architecture Podcast

Today Rion Willard and Enoch Sears discuss strategies for taking home a 7-figure salary as an architect. Often the conversation in the architecture industry is about how little architects make and how pitiful salaries are. In this episode, we flip that conversation around and share insights based on our conversations with practitioners who are taking home a million dollars or more in personal inco...

Architect Matias Daroch is an alumnus of Business of Architecture's SMART Practice™ program. After immigrating to the United States from Chile to support his family's real estate investments, Daroch launched his own architectural practice, growing it quickly in the first few years. In this episode, Daroch shares the approach that led to his success in the competitive Miami multi-family market. To...

If you've run an architectural practice for any amount of time, you've probably had clients who tried to avoid paying an invoice. Architect Marina Rubina is an alumnus of the Business of Architecture SMART Practice™ program. She is a Registered Architect in the states of New Jersey and California and is a LEED Accredited Professional. She holds Master's degrees in both Architecture and Structural...

"Damn all architects, the rich man's folly," writes opinion journalist Giles Coren in a recent issue of The Times ( original article here ). Is this article perpetuating inaccurate tropes of the architectural profession, or is there some truth in this scathing critique of architects where the writer states, "Your project's four months late and 75 grand over budget but what did you expect when you...

Anyone who has tried knows that running an architecture firm is not for the faint of heart. That's why it is our pleasure to bring to you this interview with Nashville-based architect and SMART Practice firm owner Remick Moore. Over the past six years, Remick Moore has grown his firm to a team of 10 people, with a focus on entertainment and restaurant projects. Remick joined the SMART Practice pro...

Architect Ramiro Torres was raised in a small town in central Mexico. When he relocated to the United States during high school, he was unsure of his life's purpose. After attending community college for three years, he enrolled in the architecture program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Today, Ramiro operates a thriving architectural practice in the heart of Silicon Valley. In this episode of the Bu...

One of the questions we're asked most frequently is, "what is the best project management software for architects?" Today Rion Willard and Enoch Sears discuss the answer to this important question. And the answer isn't what you might think. *Note: The link mentioned in this episode no longer is active. If you are interested in our Project Management PDF, please email us at support@businessofarchit...

Every architectural project isn't a fit. One of the challenges of managing a small architectural practice today is managing the appropriate workflow. Having too much work causes problems. Too much work leads to: Increased project timelines making unhappy clients Procrastinating important tasks like invoicing Team members over-loaded and feeling behind Today Enoch Sears and Rion Willard discuss why...

A top challenge of running an architectural practice today is finding qualified hires. You have a ton of work, but who's going to do it? You're already overloaded. People are the best investment you can make in your practice. In this episode, Rion Willard and Enoch Sears discuss the little-known secret for finding qualified architectural hires.   ► Feedback? Email us at podcast@businessofarchitect...

British architect Joseph Aga is the owner of AGA Associates. The firm has been able to land impressive commissions thanks to Aga's innovative 'king maker' strategy.  Discover how Joseph Aga is innovating the delivery of the firm's architectural services.   To learn more about Joseph his: Website: https://www.aga-associates.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aga-associates/ Instagram:...

Mary Johnston is a founding partner of Johnston Architects, a successful architectural practice located in Seattle, Washington. Their work is highly regarded for its thoughtful approach and harmonious design.   Johnston and her husband Ray started the firm over thirty years ago in the basement of their Seattle bungalow. They started the practice with several small residential commissions and a lar...

In today's episode, I will be speaking with Nunzio & Marc DeSantis of the intergenerational award-winning architecture firm, Nunzio Marc DeSantis Architects.   Nunzio's career began over 38 years ago at HKS, where he created the HKS hospitality group.  Since then, he has completed more than 60,000 hotel rooms throughout the world and is largely credited with having made Cabo San Lucas into the lux...

Today I will be speaking with Todd Walker,  founding partner of Archimania, a firm that is nationally ranked 8th in design, 24th in sustainability, and in the top 50 for interior architects.   Todd has chaired and/or juried numerous design award programs, including the American Institute of Architects Washington, D.C., AIA Indiana, AIA Louisiana, AIA Mississippi, AIA New Orleans, AIA's National Co...

Today I will be speaking with Tyler Suomala, a serial learner obsessed with helping architects optimize all things business development, sales, marketing, and operations. Before transitioning into Business Development at Monograph, Tyler worked in both large and small architecture offices and also ran his own architectural design studio for 2.5 years. He holds a B.S. in Architecture from the Unive...

Win your very own architectural practice! Yes, you read that right. The Business of Architecture team is looking to invest in an architectural practice and we're looking for someone who wants to come in as an owner and run it. Watch or listen to this episode of the podcast for more information. If you've ever wanted to be in firm ownership but don't want to start from scratch, this is a once-in-a-...

Nicki Dennis Stephens, Hon. AIA is the Executive Director of AIA California. Since taking the helm of AIA California in 1999, Stephens' leadership has positioned the chapter as a leader in member service, government advocacy, and public engagement. In 2003, she convened a group of talented volunteers to define a new approach to project delivery. Her efforts resulted in the landmark publications In...

Today I will be speaking with Evan Watts, founding partner of D&A Companies.    Evan and the team at D&A are a group of real estate, architecture, and construction professionals who believe in the importance of alluring, inspiring, and special places. They leverage their expertise and passion to deliver valuable projects for their partners, clients, and communities through the art of design and th...

As Founder and CEO of Indigo River, Dena Prastos, AIA, is the first "waterfront architect," trailblazing a new category in the industry. Indigo River is a women-owned transdisciplinary design firm focused on progressive waterfront architecture, resiliency,  and climate adaptation. A leading authority in New York Harbor and beyond, the firm specializes in climate adaptation through waterfront solut...

​​Today I will be speaking with Principals Marlon and Meryati Blackwell of Marlon Blackwell Architects. Despite operating in a region where architecture can be overlooked, the Blackwells' firm has amassed an important and impressive body of work across a wide range of project types. The firm is ready to tackle any project that serves the common good, regardless of scale and budget while applying t...

Today I will be speaking with KOVA Vice President Dan Sullivan, AIA, NCARB––a licensed architect who has never really practiced "traditional" architecture––has set out to develop circularity-driven building solutions to enhance building performance and longevity from the inside out.   His initial experience lay with whimsical designs in China and Israel, Burning Man's Catacomb of Veils, and progre...

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Roger Krulak, CEO of Full Stack Modular.  For twelve years, Roger served as SVP of Mixed Use and Residential Development at the Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC). During that time, he was responsible for entitling and planning over 1,000 residential apartment units integrated into many of FCRC's retail projects.   Roger spearheaded the first R&D project...

Today I am speaking with Trevor Abramson, FAIA, founding partner of both Abramson Teiger Architects and Abramson Architects.  With over three decades of commitment to his craft, Trevor Abramson strives to promote the art of architecture by evoking a deeply felt emotional and spiritual response from clients, critics and the public.  His multi-faceted practice, initially focusing on single-family re...

Today I will be speaking with Lior Schnabel and Yotam Kedem, partners at Precise International, a leading financial management and control service provider for architectural, engineering and law firms.  Yotam leads the New York office and Lior leads the international services.  Precise was established more than 25 years ago in Israel in 1996, and started to provide international services in 2011. ...

What does it take to publish an architectural monograph? When is the right time to publish your work in this format? Celebrated architect and designer Orlando Diaz-Azcuy recently published "Soul: Interiors by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy" with the help of author Jorge Arango. In this episode, we speak with Arango, who gives tips and answers to commonly asked questions about publishing an architectural monog...

Luis Murillo, born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, is the founder of LMD Architecture studio, based in Los Angeles, California. In today's episode, you'll discover how Luis runs and manages his modern residential design studio.   To learn more about Luis visit his: Website: https://lmdarchitecture.com/meet-the-team/ Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/lmd-a...