Business of Architecture Podcast

Today we speak with Darguin Fortuna, a young architect and co-founder of Flow Design Studio based out of Salem, MA. Darguin has been a long-time listener of the podcast, and said that this show helped him make the jump into entrepreneurship as a firm owner. Listen in as Darguin Fortuna shares the story of how he started his firm, and grew it to a team of seven in just a few years.   ► Subscribe to...

Today is the second half of my interview with interior designer Michelle Lynne of ML Interiors Group. Tony Robbins is famous for saying that success is 20% mechanics and 80% psychology. When I first heard that, I wondered, what is he talking about? I understand the mechanics of business, but what does he mean by psychology? Well, that's what you'll discover today - how your psychology influences y...

Today you'll hear from accomplished Interior Designer Michelle Lynne. I enjoyed this conversation because Michelle isn't just a designer, she's built the business so it suits her life. She also runs an online course teaching other interior designers how to structure their firm for maximum freedom and profit. In this interview you'll discover how to use processes in your business to free you up. To...

If you listened to episode 201 that I did back in 2018, you'll remember I spoke with Alex Gore and Lance Cayko, founders of the architecture firm F9 Productions, about a multi-unit, mixed use project they were planning on developing. Well, they recently sold the last unit on that project and they reached out to me so they could share the update on how the project turned out. In today's episode, I...

Have you ever been frustrated that you saw potential in a project but were constrained by your client? What if you could fire the client and be your own client? Today's guest has done just that. Joining us is architect Cady Chintis, co-founder of WC Studio based out of Tacoma, Washington. Just out of school Cady and her partner John Wolters bought a building in Chicago that they rehabbed and sold...

Today's guest has a remarkable story. He grew up with a father who ran a successful and well-known architecture firm in St. Louis Missouri. Following in his father's footsteps, he went to Cornell University to study architecture. That's where we actually met, back in our college days. Today's guest is Thomas Wall, an owner of Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design based in St. Louis, Mo. The firm's...

Let's face it - right now we're facing some unprecedented circumstances. Schools are shutting down, gatherings are cancelled - there's no question that this will have a real economic impact for many of us. So what should we do? How will this impact architects and the architecture industry? With all that's going on, it's far too easy to slip into worry, anxiety and fear. I'm struggling with this my...

Today's guest is a U.K.-based award-winning architect, educator, and television personality. A true innovator and inspiration, his work has been published extensively and is known for his resourcefulness in pushing the boundaries of architecture in terms of materials, cost and technology. Listen in as Business of Architecture UK's Rion Willard speaks with the renowned Piers Taylor, founder of Mitc...

Today's guest has won some of architecture's highest honors, including the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award in Architecture in 2008; the Academy Award in Architecture from The American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2007; and many others. He has also received eleven National American Institute of Architects awards. In 2011, he was included in The Wallpaper* 150, Wallpaper (magazine)...

This week you'll hear as Rion Willard, director of our London-based office, responds to a recent micro poll, which he conducted on social media that asked architects what they thought the biggest challenge facing the industry is. The results came in showing that the 'Low fees' were considered the biggest challenge followed by climate change, with many commenting that our ability to influence clima...

Today you'll hear the story of how a small, London-based architectural practice won a game-changing commission for their practice and how they've continued to win landmark commissions building on that early success. Listen in as Rion Willard speaks with Tarek Merlin. Rion is director of the UK office of the Architect Business Institute, the company that produces the Business of Architecture podcas...

Today you'll hear the remarkable story of a relatively new firm that has exploded from 2 people to over 20 people in short order. Right off the bat, they started with a $500M 800 room hotel and convention center in Ft. Lauderdale, with no staff. They had to grow quickly, but they had to do it the RIGHT way. Nunzio Marc Desantis Architects is a firm that focuses exclusively on hotel and resort desi...

Today, we meet entrepreneur and commercial real estate developer, Tanya Ragan, President of Wildcat Management. In today's episode, Tanya shares with us her experience in real estate development, the synergy between community history and urban development, and her quest to rebuild, restore and revitalize Downtown Dallas. For more news on her projects, follow Tanya Ragan on Twitter: https://twitter...

With so may architecture firms in the market, how do you stand out from the crowd? Mastering this skill is key to winning the right projects you want. On this episode we discuss how to communicate your firm's unique difference with communications expert Iva Kravitz.   ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture ******* For more free tools and res...

Developing new business is an essential part of a successful architecture firm. In fact, it could be said that the caliber of projects you win is directly applicable to your ability to develop new business. On today's episode, we're joined by Amy Franko, a professional business development trainer. On this podcast, Amy outlines a four-step process for successful business development.   ► Subscribe...

Is it possible to use your design skills in another field? Today's guest is Rajiv Fernandez. Rajiv is using his training as an architect to launch a professional illustration media company.   ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture ******* For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful and fulfilling practice, connect w...

Hate mail. In today's episode, we'll be sharing some recent hate mail we've gotten here at BOA Headquarters.   ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture ******* For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful and fulfilling practice, connect with me on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessofarchitecture Insta...

Money scripts. What are they? In this episode of the Business of Architecture podcast we talk about the intersection between the psychology of finance and art. How does one's mindset about money effect one's results?   ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture ******* For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful and ful...

Today we speak with Tom Sprinkle, Design Director for the HKS San Francisco hospitality studio. With more than 25 years of design experience in regional, domestic and international markets, Tom is well equipped to deliver the finest design results for his clients—that sweet spot where form and function intersect with value and worth.   ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.you...

Today we explore an alternate career path for architects. Our guest went from a career in architecture into architectural industrial design. He's worked on many high-profile projects creating custom lighting installations and other furnishings. Our guest is Gerald Olesker, founder of ADG Lighting. In today's episode you'll discover how Olesker went from the architecture career path into building a...

What would happen if an anthropologist studied architects, specifically how architects engage with clients at the beginning stage of a project, the client acquisition stage? An anthropologist is a person who studies humans, specifically the social interactions and behaviors of humans, just in case you need a reminder, like I did. Darby Morris is an anthropologist. For her PhD dissertation she obse...

Today we welcome Paul McClean to the show. Designer Paul McClean is synonymous with contemporary homes with expansive views, features and connection to the outdoors in the wealthiest parts of Los Angeles. McClean designed homes have been bought be people such as the The Winklevoss twins of Facebook fame, fashion designer Calvin Klein, and Swedish DJ Avicii. In this episode we dive into his story o...

Would you rather look for a job or look for a client?  Today, I'm joined by Matthew Rosenberg, founder of M-RAD Architecture, aiming to revolutionize the architecture industry and client experience with their unique business model. Matthew opens up his journey from being a cog in a wheel to running an architecture firm exactly as he wants it. In just over 3 years, he's been able to grow his design...

Today's guest is Wade Cleary. In today's episode, you'll discover how Cleary and his business partner Danny Zimmermann have grown a remarkably successful engineering firm in Texas. I first heard about Wade from the owner of an architecture firm who is working with me in one of the Business of Architecture premium programs. I heard how Cleary is methodical about spending time doing business develop...

It's hard to believe that this is episode number 300! What started in January of 2012 when I interviewed architect Oscia Wilson has continued on to today, almost 8 years later. During that time, I've had hundreds of architects and changemakers here on the show. For this important milestone of episode 300, I bring you an interview with a titan of architecture, one of the most influential and unassu...