Architecture & Engineering Business Strategies

When growth is rooted in community, it becomes self-sustaining. At landscape architecture firm Studio Balcones, Principal Jennifer Orr and Office Manager Tiffany Rasco believe that being active in their community is essential to their firm’s growth and success. In this Best Practice interview, they talk about the importance of educating others by collaborating with project partners, applying for community certifications, participating in diversity programs, and teaching clients throughout the process to ultimately create designs rooted in the local landscape.Interview TakeawaysCreate designs rooted in existing ecologiesDesign for the soil in each neighborhoodAlign with the project partnersGet involved in community programsBe prepared to wear multiple hatsWork with the landscape, not against itEducate clientsHire the right amount of handsBuild systems as you growHave the confidence to try something newShow LinksConnect with Jennifer Orr on LinkedInConnect with Tiffany Rasco on LinkedInCheck out Studio BalconesConnect with Silvia Lee on LinkedInConnect with Nathan Malone on LinkedIn Check out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph 

Studio-based organizations can prevent architects from getting their hands on a variety of projects and experiences. Ennead Architects takes on a whole range of different scales, different typologies, and different locales in their projects. They see that as the dream training of an architect. Their teams are able to share ideas and transfer skills through this spectrum of projects. In this episode, Ennead partners Molly McGowan and Thomas Wong discuss how they manage all of their diverse civic projects, build teams, and define success.Interview TakeawaysBuild better architects with diverse projectsMerge business and creative goalsHelp clients make the right decisionsBuild trust and relationshipsBe proactive about filling in where neededStaff team strategicallyRely on peers for validation and inspirationCreate a lasting impactCultivate a culture of client serviceHave a tech leader on each teamShow LinksConnect with Molly McGowan on LinkedInConnect with Thomas Wong on LinkedIn Check out Ennead ArchitectsConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Silvia Lee on LinkedIn Check out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph 

In the architect-led design-build model, the architect is responsible not only for design but for construction as well. This represents a major shift from the traditional design-bid-build way of building projects. Yet it offers unique advantages on both the architect and client end, say Thomas Gluck and Stacie Wong, both principals at Gluck+. Most importantly, it makes for a smoother construction process and a better, beautiful building.Interview TakeawaysDesign for the buildBe the one point of contactScale by hiringPreserve what mattersAsk contractors for advicePrice early and oftenZoom in and outDiversity to problem-solveFeed your architecture addictionShow LinksConnect with Thomas Gluck on LinkedIn Connect with Stacie Wong on LinkedInCheck out Gluck+Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph 

Many traditional architecture practices are no longer sustainable. Firms that want to lead the path into the future will need to adopt new ways of thinking. In this Best Practice interview, Christian Stayner, Principal of Stayner Architects, explains how expanding your services, collaborating with consultants, and systemizing client interactions can help you create new models for the future of the industry.Interview TakeawaysCompartmentalize how you present your practiceShowcase projects that attract your ideal clientsFind alternative approaches to your practiceOffer wrap-around servicesExpand beyond hourly servicesContinue your education to supplement your servicesCollaborate with consultants who lend credibilityResearch and develop your own passion projectsSystemize client interactionsAddress the limitations of hourly workShow LinksConnect with Christian Stayner on LinkedInCheck out Stayner ArchitectsConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph 

When unexpected opportunities arise, sometimes it’s best to say yes and figure it out later. But in order to see the project through, you need to understand how to get to the finish line successfully. In this Best Practice interview, Nik Lahiri of Essel Environmental explores how to understand your metrics for success, know where you get your energy from, and set expectations for project milestones to build lasting client relationships.Interview TakeawaysSay yes and figure it out laterUnderstand your role and metrics for successHire professionals from different experience levelsDon’t try to make it up in volumeDon’t equate past performance with future resultsKnow where you get your energy fromAvoid making assumptions that limit your businessMeet your potential clients where they already hang outShow appreciation when your team goes above and beyondSet expectations for project milestones upfrontShow LinksConnect with Nik Lahiri on LinkedInCheck out Essel EnvironmentalConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph 

Not every architect should start their own practice. It comes down to how you want to spend your time. If you want to spend most of your time being an architect, don’t start a practice. Starting a practice requires you to spend time on business processes, marketing, sales, and most of all, thinking about money. From setting fees to planning for the future, there are many financial decisions you’ll have to make right from the start. In this Best Practice episode, Marilyn Moedinger, founder of Runcible Studios, shares her expertise on the money side of starting your own practice.Interview TakeawaysDetermine whether you should start a practiceDon’t lead with a sales pitchCrowdsource informationAccount for non-billable hoursChange to project feesShow them what they’re gettingPull the levers of efficiency and price raisesExperiment in the first 5 yearsKeep a cash reserveTalk money right awayShow LinksConnect with Marilyn Moedinger on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out Runcible StudiosConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph 

Developers need a steady pipeline of projects to keep their businesses thriving. That means juggling multiple projects that are in various stages, from design to starting construction, to completing construction. To stay on target, you’re always balancing what you’re working on now with what comes next. In this episode, Scott Shnay of SK Development told us the rules they follow to steadily feed that pipeline while keeping their work top-notch, like working with great partners and sticking to your convictions.Interview TakeawaysUse non-union contractors to elevate designHave conviction in your decisionsFind architects through referralsKeep the development pipeline fullPartner with a large teamOffer turnkey services as an architectStick to your tasksRely on help if it’s a new type of projectFind people who approach projects like youStay ahead of new building trendsShow LinksConnect with Scott Shnay on LinkedIn Check out SK DevelopmentConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph 

When you think about design, data probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, that’s exactly what you should be thinking about according to Bobby Fijan of Form Developers. Data, especially on the local level, offers invaluable insight into what people really want in a floor plan and what they’ll spend money on. That’s why you should seek out data early on as you begin a new project. Just keep in mind that it’s not the only important factor. Interview TakeawaysConsider the tenant experienceListen to the dataBe the expertSpeak the developer’s languageLet the city guide your designProve your expertiseShare online if you won’t in real life Measure to improveBe humbleRead the codeStart off product-orientedMake the inside countShow LinksConnect with Bobby Fijan on LinkedIn or TwitterCheck out Form Developers Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph 

Burnout can decrease workplace efficiency, make employees sick, and even cause people to leave their careers. In the wake of the pandemic, workers are more likely than ever to suffer from burnout, so if you want to prioritize your health, you need to set firm boundaries to keep from wearing yourself and your employees out. In our first Roundtable discussion, four Monograph team members discuss what they do to maintain a healthy work-life balance and keep burnout at bay.Interview TakeawaysLook back to build a better futurePay attention to your peopleSpend your assets carefullyMaximize your time with toolsKnow when to say noControl your productivityArticulate your ideasWork smarterTake time for your mental healthFind supportive peopleDevelop a healthy work mindsetAdvocate for your needsShow LinksConnect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Connect with Joann Lui on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Silvia Lee on LinkedInCheck out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph 

Owning the means and methods throughout the design and construction process can be challenging. This is especially true for new designers or architects who haven’t been involved in many projects before. How do you go about understanding your role, the client’s risk tolerance, and keep an open mind throughout the process? On Best Practice, NADAAA’s principals Nader Tehrani and Arthur Chang explain how they use collaboration and relationships with contractors to own the means and methods during each project.Interview TakeawaysCollaborate as a teamKeep an open mind throughout the design processBe flexible to other ideasUnderstand the role of the architect in the construction processNADAAA’s first experience with means and methodsDefuse the tension between designer and contractor with IDPEvaluate a client’s risk tolerance early onDemonstrate real world applications for studentsNew approach to the means and methods processShow LinksCheck out NADAAAConnect with Arthur Chang on LinkedIn Connect with Nader Tehrani on LinkedIn Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or TwitterConnect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out MonographFollow Monograph on LinkedIn or InstagramListen and read more about Monograph