
Business of Architecture Podcast
Discover strategies, tips and secrets for running a fun, flexible and profitable architecture practice. The focus here is simple: discussion of ways for architects to create a dream architecture practice: design what you want, when you want, and get paid well for it.
Latest episodes

May 26, 2017 • 34min
Young and Accomplished: A Conversation with Holly Lewis of We Made That
Today you'll hear from Holly Lewis, one of the founders of We Made That, a London based architecture and urban design firm. In this episode of the Business of Architecture, Rion Willard interviews Holly Lewis about how they've doubled their practice over the past five years. You'll discover: How the firm We Made That doubled in size over the past five years How they use teaming to win larger and more diverse architecture projects How creating your own publication can skyrocket your visibility and preeminence How to win a steady stream of public sector work without marketing

May 18, 2017 • 31min
Winning in Business with Johan Taft
Today we speak with high performance coach Johan Taft. Johan helps world-class athletes, top CEOs and a number of architects and surveyors and other people in the construction industry to win at the game of business. In today's episode, you'll discover: How to "keep the main thing the main thing," and why this is essential to your success in business How to unlock your "perspective of possibility" to reach new levels of success in your business 3 tips for success as an architecture firm owner How to dominate the game of time management

May 8, 2017 • 49min
Video for Architects with Jeff Durkin
How can you use video to promote your architecture firm? In this interview with architecturally trained filmmaker Jeff Durkin, you'll discover: The key to making a fantastic feature project video The 3 part format for making a powerful video in 3 minutes or less 4 ways architecture firms can leverage video content Typical budgets and ranges to get a video produced

May 2, 2017 • 31min
The Architecture of Entrepreneurship with Jared Haas and Tim Derrington
Today is the second part of my interview with architects Jared Haas and Tim Derrington of Austin, TX. Tim Derrington, AIA + LEED AP is the principal of Derrington Building Studio, a firm focused on community and domestic architecture. Jared Haas is the principal of Unbox Studio, a collaborative modern design studio. Several years ago they came together to form the Eastside Collective, a co-working space for architects and design-focused businesses. In today's episode they talk about the challenges, successes, and lessons learned along their journey to becoming firm owners. They also talk about what inspired them to create their collaborative working space. On this episode you'll dicover: The process and challenges of starting a co-working space Promotional strategies for your co-working space The truth about starting a co-working space ... is it worth it? 3 essential tips for starting a design-focused architecture firm

Apr 25, 2017 • 24min
Startup Stories by Jared Haas and Tim Derrington
Today we are joined by two architects based in Austin, Texas. Tim Derrington is the principal of Derrington Building Studio, a firm focused on community and domestic architecture. Jared Haas is the principal of Unbox Studio, a collaborative modern design studio. Several years ago they came together to form the Eastside Collective, a co-working space for architects and design-focused businesses. The found the space, took out financing, and built out the space with their own blood, sweat and tears - you'll hear more about that later. In today's episode they talk about how the Eastside Collective came about, including the challenges along the way and how much time, effort and money it took to pull this project off.

Apr 19, 2017 • 43min
Architecture Firm Business Operations 101 with Josh Blumer
Today is the second part of my interview with AB design studio principal Josh Blumer. AB design studio is an award-winning architecture firm based out of Santa Barbara, California. Go here to watch the first half of our interview on Taking Your Architecture Firm To The Next Level. Today's episode is all about business operations 101 for architects, including in the trenches tips for running your architecture firm more efficiently, and how to create business processes that improve profitability and client experience. You'll also discover: The key to attract and keep amazing team members The surefire way to nail your next job (or project) interview How to hand off work from your business development team to your architecture team How to develop a killer client onboarding process How to run a great architecture business (even if you hate business) How to land your architectural dream job How to do business development without being 'pushy' The job search strategy that works for architects How to handle escalating construction costs and architecture project budgets

Apr 13, 2017 • 40min
Taking Your Firm to the Next Level with Josh Blumer
In this episode, AB design studio principal Josh Blumer talks about how to take your architecture firm to the next level. AB design studio is an award-winning architecture firm based out of Santa Barbara, California. Josh Blumer began his Santa Barbara architectural career working ten years with a top Southern California architecture design firm where he gained valuable experience in design, project management and construction while designing and executing custom high-end residential projects and award-winning commercial Tenant Improvement projects. In 2005, Josh joined forces with architect Clay Aurell to create AB design studio. In this episode, you'll discover: A cool, low cost tool for increasing your firm's efficiency How to create business systems that work How many projects a project architect should manage

Apr 6, 2017 • 38min
A Powerful Firm Culture Inside and Outside With Kenneth Baker of Gensler
Today is the second part of my interview with Kenneth P. Baker, the Co-Managing Principal of Gensler's Southeast Region. In addition to co-managing the southeast region and being on the Gensler Management Committee, Kenneth Baker is considered a global expert on workplace design and planning, having designed more than 10 million square fee of corporate headquarters and offices for law firms and financial institutions around the world. If Gensler's Southeast Region were ranked separately from Genlser, it would be one of the 10 largest firms in the United States, to give you a sense of the size and responsibility of this position. In today's episode, you'll discover: The key to successful business development How to maintain a firm culture that keeps employees (and makes them want to come back) The spectacular advice Kenneth Baker would give to his younger self

Mar 31, 2017 • 31min
From Designer to Executive: A Conversation With Kenneth P. Baker of Gensler
Joining us today is the Co-Managing Principal of Gensler's Southeast Region, Kenneth P. Baker. In addition to co-managing the southeast region and being on the Gensler Management Committee, Ken Baker is considered a global expert on workplace design and planning, having designed more than 10 million square fee of corporate headquarters and offices for law firms and financial institutions around the world. If Gensler's Southeast Region where ranked separately from Genlser, it would be one of the 10 largest firms in the US, to give you a sense of the size and responsibility of this position. In today's episode, you'll hear about the challenges and opportunities of moving from a design role into a management role. You'll also discover what you can do to grow within an organization and externally with your clients. And Ken's secret sauce for building successful, long term relationships and delivering great value to clients. Discover little-known secrets for using video to make an impact for your architecture firm.

Mar 21, 2017 • 29min
5 Steps To Successful Sales in Architecture with John Livesay
Welcome back to another value-packed episode of the Business of Architecture Show! Today is the second part of my interview with author, speaker and sales consultatnt John Livesay. John Livesay is a top sales expert and funding strategist. He hosts the Successful Pitch Podcast with investors from around the world and he is the author of the book The Successful Pitch: Conversations on Going From Invisible to Investable. In today's episode, you'll discover the 5 Steps to Successful Sales in Architecture. You'll discover: The key selling skill anyone can master An effective alternative to the "hard-close" sell An easy way to make the dreaded cold-call How to use storytelling to weed out clients who aren't a fit