Business of Architecture UK Podcast

This week I am speak construction finance specialist Matthew Vincent who is the director and founder of MCA Finance Matthew specializes in helping clients with a number of different types of lending solutions for their properties and projects from your typical mortgages to buy to let mortgages, bridging and development finances, commercial and business loans, mortgage restructuring, equity release mortgages and many others. In this conversation Matthew and I discuss the challenges that many of Architectural clients face when arranging lending and finance for their projects We look at the opportunities available to architects as they deepen their understanding of project financing and expand their network with finance providers And we discuss potential new service offerings and revenue models that can be made possible through collaborating with finance specialists THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES: Access your free training at: http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call/ To learn more about Matthew, visit his: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-vincent-1ba91988/ Website: http://www.mcafinance.net/ Email: matt@mcafinance.net

This week I am speaking with one half of Sydney-based international award-winning design studio PAPPAS ALEXIOU, Charles Alexiou. Having trained originally in Nuclear Physics and Applied Mathematics, Charles had a former career in investment banking and software design. Charles then changed career becoming an interior designer starting his on firm in 1990 then with the return of his architect cousin Lam Pappas to Australia saw the genesis Pappas Alexiou in 2016. Their practice works across sectors private homes and apartments, residential developments, retail showrooms, corporate workspaces, hospitality projects and hotels. One of the main focuses in this conversation is on the business innovation that is MCM Homes which provides a vertically integrated suite of services that are cost-effective and provide affordable design solutions and come in a number of design options. I was very excited with this approach as it demonstrated a deep and unique understanding of the prospective clients problems one being ease of financing a home and the new business model also changed the way they were offering and executing their traditional services. THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES: Access your free training at: http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call/ To learn more about Charles, visit his: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesalexiou/?originalSubdomain=au Website: https://pappasalexiou.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pappasalexiou/

Today we speak with architectural lighting designer and founder of Nulty, Paul Nulty. Nulty was originally in London and is an award-winning lighting design consultancy renowned for delivering immersive lighting projects for huge global brands such as Nike, Samsung, Harrods, Bloomingdale's, and Burberry with an international footprint spanning Europe, the U.S., the Middle East, and North Africa. Nulty has implemented and sustained a client expansion plan to bolster its global presence and cultivate its client relationships throughout the world. Paul discusses how, when he first set up the practice, he focused on sales and marketing, and implementing systems and how that has freed him up to do the work that he loves and how he has created a business that is both sustainable, profitable, and impactful. THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call/ Paul's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nulty-/ Paul's Website: https://www.nultylighting.co.uk/

Today's podcast is an episode we released on our Business of Architecture podcast earlier this year. It was so good, we wanted to share it with our Business of Architecture UK listeners as well. We have the privilege of hearing from three Directors of Billings Jackson Design, an industrial design firm working at the interface of construction and product manufacturing. Duncan Jackson is an engineer and a furniture designer by training. He founded Billings Jackson Design in London in 1992 with Eoin Billings to bring industrial and product design expertise to the construction industry. Eoin Billings, co-founder of Billings Jackson Design, is an industrial designer responsible for the firm's work in Europe and the Middle East. He specializes in the design of urban elements, building component systems, and lighting products, working to improve the quality of environments at the human scale through thoughtful, functionally effective interventions. Simon Kristak is the director of Billings Jackson's New York office and is responsible for the day-to-day management of Billings Jackson's project engagement across North America. His work mediates architecture and industrial design as a means to reconsider the built environment from the end user's perspective. Listen as they share how the business has evolved, how it's growing, and how industrial design sits in and works alongside other disciplines within the construction industry. To see more of Billings Jackson Design, visit their website: http://www.billingsjackson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billingsjacksondesign/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/billings-jackson-design/ ► Feedback? Email us at podcast@businessofarchitecture.com ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call ► 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 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enoch.sears/ Website: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusinessofArch Podcast: http://www.businessofarchitecture.com/podcast/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/business-architecture-podcast/id588987926 Android Podcast Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9idXNpbmVzc29mYXJjaGl0ZWN0dXJlLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Carpe Diem!

Benjamin Garcia Saxe is the Founder and Design Director of Studio Saxe in San Jose, Costa Rica. Ben and Rion Willard are old colleagues, having worked together at RSHP, where Benjamin was already winning awards on the side. His first project was an extension of his masters thesis, a hand constructed bamboo shelter. This was a beautifully thoughtful space that demonstrated the power of design and making beautiful atmospheric, emotive spaces with the simplest of resources. The project earned Ben the World Architect Festival Award for 'World's Best Private House' in 2010. "Nature Leads Design" is still the primary theme in his projects to this day. Ben prefers an approach of being an advisor to his clients, finding out ways to be of value outside the realm of design. He attributes his excellent pipeline of work to this approach in nourishing relationships. Ben's entrepreneurial mind has also helped provide a new journey into development for Studio Saxe. He shares the successes, challenges, benefits, and risks of being your own client. THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES: Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call/ To find out more about Benjamin Saxe, visit: https://studiosaxe.com/ LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-garcia-saxe-b97aa86 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiosaxe/

Many architects are curious about getting involved in the development side of projects, but don't know where to start. In this episode, Ben Richards, Development Director of XP Property and Managing Director of AURA Architecture, gives ample context on how setting up his architectural practice on auto-pilot has served as a blueprint for other development and investment strategies. Rion Willard speaks with Ben further about his journey in creating a stellar entrepreneurial ecosystem involving architecture, development, business acumen, marketing, and even playing poker! Ben has 12 years of experience in the construction industry working for Architects and Structural Engineers. He received his Masters Degree in Architectural Engineering from Cardiff University, began AURA in 2014 before co-founding XP Property and XP Surveys. He has also been a member of the BRE Academy helping provide 'Education for Excellence in the built environment.' To learn more about Ben Richards, visit: https://linktr.ee/BenRichards_Property

Chris Hopkinson is an Architectural photographer and ARB certified Architect based in London. His education and background helped him develop a unique eye and photographic approach. Some of his top clients have included Weston Williamson + Partners, Studio Egret West, Peabodys Coffee, Marchini Curran, among others. Today we discuss the importance of photography in architecture, getting the most out of your photographer, and how to use your architectural photography as an essential piece of your marketing collateral. THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES: Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call/ Chris's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hopkinson-4b406536 Chris's Website: https://www.chromaphotography.co.uk/ Chris's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chromaphotography_uk/

This week I had the good fortune of visiting Acrylicize, a multidisciplinary design studio in Hackney. They've cornered a niche market which occupies a number of different territories, from fine art and interior design, to architecture. They are masterful at creating brand experience and awareness in corporate and commercial environments. I spoke with Global Managing Director, Paul Arad. We discussed the firm's early days, how they found clients, negotiated contracts, and nurtured relationships to grow the business to an international firm with offices in London, New York, and Seattle. They've done this by following principles of developing client relationships, attracting talent, and nurturing a team so talent sticks around for a long time. Enjoy this fascinating conversation and let us know your thoughts. THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call/ Paul's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paularad/ Acrylicize Website: https://www.acrylicize.com/

Michál Cohen and Cindy Walters are the co-founders of London-based Walters & Cohen Architects. Since 1994 the practice has developed a strong portfolio of education, cultural and leisure projects. They believe in the power of a collaborative design process: having a keen ability to listen to clients, translating their needs into a robust design that results in an innovative, award-winning, and well-loved project. In 2012, they were awarded the inaugural AJ Woman Architect of the Year Award; praised for "exemplary work, by two exemplary women, at an exemplary practice." Michál and Cindy are also both Design Council Built Environment Experts. Michál is a member of several design review panels, a competition judge, conference speaker, architectural trustee and university lecturer and examiner. In 2020 she was made an Honorary Professor of Architecture at the University of Nottingham. Cindy Walters was born in Australia, studied in South Africa, and moved to London in 1990 to work for Foster & Partners. She contributes as an external examiner and guest lecturer and regularly acts as judge and architectural adviser on RIBA-run competitions and the World Architecture Festival. Cindy is currently undertaking a doctorate at the Bartlett. THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call/ Michál's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michál-cohen-6190654/ Cindy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-walters-architect/ Walters Cohen Website: https://www.waltersandcohen.com/

Veronica Baraldi was born in Rome, studied in Venice, worked in Paris and Holland, and has now settled in Portugal. Her 20 years of experience as an architect and project manager has refined and prepared her for the expert customized consulting she now offers to architects and firms, helping them pinpoint exactly what the business needs and may be unaware of. Veronica believes that working in architecture efficiently and effectively is essential to growing sustainably. Her approach helps architects not only avoid chaos, but experience the level of profitability that ultimately leads to their ideal goals being realized. THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call/ Veronica's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-baraldi/ Veronica's Website: https://www.veronicabaraldi.net/ Veronica's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/architetta.smart/