Stop romanticizing the 'tortured artisan' architect

In this episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Hari Phillips, co-founder of Bell Phillips Architects and Trustee at the Museum of Architecture, for a candid conversation about the realities of the profession today. Hari reflects on two decades at Bell Phillips, why he stepped away, and how he’s now mentoring the next generation of architects. From architecture’s social impact to the profession’s business blind spots, this discussion unpacks how architects can reclaim agency, value, and joy in an increasingly complex and regulated industry.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

Architecture has the power to impact everyday lives, it should be accessible to everyone, not an elite pursuit.

Many architects struggle to articulate their purpose and value beyond design aesthetics.

The profession is facing a crisis of empowerment, squeezed by regulation, low fees, and eroding creative control.

The RIBA’s role is often misunderstood - it promotes architecture as a discipline, not necessarily its members.

Over 55% of UK architects are business leaders, yet few are trained in business or entrepreneurship.

Architects must shed the “tortured artisan” mindset and confidently value their work.

Talking about money and business health shouldn’t be taboo - it’s part of sustaining great architecture.

Mentorship and clearer definitions of purpose can help emerging practices thrive in a changing landscape.


 BEST MOMENTS

“We never started with a clear manifesto - it emerged through doing architecture.”

“Architecture has the power to impact the everyday person, to elevate and enhance their life.”

“The work you do has value, and you should not give that away.”

“Architecture should be at the centre of solving today’s spatial challenges - yet too often we’re pushed to the periphery.”


VALUABLE RESOURCES

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EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Michael Clark’s Take on London’s Development Challenge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMiUszt24jQ 

Are Architects Being Replaced by AI?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ4PNpsulic 


ABOUT THE HOSTS

Jon Ackroyd and Oliver Lowrie, the visionary hosts of Urban Forecast, bring their expertise from leading their innovative practice, Ackroyd Lowrie. Known for pushing the boundaries in urban design, Jon and Oliver use their podcast to delve into the future of cities, sharing insights from their work on projects that emphasise sustainability, community, and transformative architecture. Through Urban Forecast, they engage listeners with discussions on how architecture and design shape urban living, aiming to inspire new ways of thinking about the spaces around us.


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