Business Of Architecture Podcast

Today we will be speaking with Michael Bernard AIA. He is the founder of Virtual Practice Consulting, where he provides strategic advice to design and construction firms. He was a professor in the architecture department at The California College of the Arts in San Francisco for many years and previously served as a director on the board of the San Francisco chapter of the AIA and on the board of the AIA California Council. He’s led several committees and served as Architect Advisor to the academy for emerging professionals at the AIA San Francisco. Michael’s Origin Story Michael discovered architecture as a 10 year old when he was inspired by house plan magazines at the supermarket and built 3D models as a child. In college, he studied psychology with the intent of becoming a clinical psychologist. While he was teaching French to exchange students during summer school, a colleague noticed him sketching and asked if he’d ever thought of architecture as a profession. Michael started in design and worked for Ch

Today I will be speaking with Harshad Pillai who is the Director of Fogarty Finger, an architecture firm committed to redefining the urban built environment through projects that are as evocative as they are pragmatic. Harshad is currently overseeing the development of over 3 million square-feet of projects across various sectors of New York. Astoria West has more than 500 units soon to be available, as well as the Rise and NOVA in Long Island City.  Previously overseeing a range of multifamily projects, Harshad is carrying his skills over to 141 Willoughby, the firm's first office building that is slated to complete this year.   Harshad completed the 160,000 square foot conversion of the former Shlitz brewery and bottling building in Brooklyn.  His design, The Jackson, a 70,000 square foot residential building in Long Island City was awarded the Global Future Design Award in 2020.   In this week’s episode we will be discussing: -Empathizing with Developers and aligning business and design interests  - How to

This week I have the pleasure to be speaking with Jesse Tarr who is the founder and president of CityPermits. City Permits was established in 2009 as a small company consisting of 2-3 employees and has since grown exponentially over the past decade. Their mission is to provide professional, efficient and thorough permit expediting services for residential and commercial clients.   In this episode we discuss: - Why architects benefit from using an expediter - How City Permits has evolved and grown into new territories and states - How can technology, client relations and business intelligence can disrupt a particular service   To learn more about Jesse Tarr, visit his: Website: https://www.citypermit.us/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/citypermit/   Participate in the largest-ever survey on what small architecture practices are charging? Visit: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/feesurvey   ► Feedback? Email us at podcast@businessofarchitecture.com   ► Access your free training at http://SmartPractic

This week I am speaking with Rhode Partners recent equity partners Director Bobby Tait, and Director of Operations, Kate Meehan. Rhode Partners was Founded by Director Brett Rhode in 2007 and since then they have become a leading Austin firm specializing in master planning, architecture, and interior design, civic, multi-family residential, hotel, office, and retail projects..   In today’s episode we will be discussing: The Process of Buying the Firm: The legal and financial mechanisms in becoming partners How the firm was valued and what that means  What does it take to create an empowered culture      To learn more about Rhode Partners, visit their:   Website: https://www.rhodepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rhode-partners Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhode.partners/?hl=en   Participate in the largest-ever survey on what small architecture practices are charging? Visit: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/feesurvey   ► Feedback? Email us at podcast@businessofarchitectur

Participate in the largest-ever survey on what small architecture practices are charging? Visit: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/feesurvey Hello and welcome to the Business of Architecture. This week I am speaking with Hugh Glazer who is a CPA for 30+ years and delivers CFO and Business Operations Services to Private Companies and Not for Profit Organizations. As a consultant, part time CFO and hands on advisor he strategically manages projects to offer merger-acquisition-integration, budgeting, financial planning and managing new initiatives to deliver dramatic results. Hugh has mentored over 150+ CEOs through the ‘10,000 Small Business Program’ at Babson College. His specialties include software development, publishing, architecture, advertising, and not for profit. He is also our specialist financial consultant inside of the SMART PRACTICE Method, our flagship business program for architects to run profitable and impactful businesses.   In this week’s episode we will be discussing: 6 Key Financial M

This week I am speaking with Hiroshi Okamoto who is one of the co-founder of OLI Architecture. Hiroshi Okamoto is a member of the AIA and has had an exciting architectural career path working at practices such the Ushida Findlay Partnership in Japan, and with the Joint Venture of Nikken Sekkei, Tohata Gumi and RTKL International, on Tokyo infrastructure projects and of course Hiroshi worked closely with the late I.M Pei in the twilight of his career, working on of the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha (2001–2008) as a contract administrator; and as the Project Architect of the Chapel at the Miho Institute of Aesthetics (2008-2012) in Shigaraki, Japan, I.M. Pei’s last project. In 2010, Mr. Okamoto co-founded OLI Architecture PLLC and has been the design principal and project architect for the MuXin Art Museum (2011-2015), the Chengdu Silk Art Culture Museum (2012-2016), and the Museum of Islamic Art Renovation (2015-2017) in Doha, Qatar. (2017-2018) to name just a few and the firm has also won a number of prestigiou

Today we speak with Jason Boyer, an architect developer and founder of Boyer Vertical, a firm that specializes in developing sustainably minded, architecturally significant projects in the Phoenix Metro area. His first development project was the award-winning artHAUS condominiums in Midtown Phoenix, and Boyer is currently working on KARMA, a modern community of 11 homes coming to North Central Phoenix. In this episode you'll discover how Jason leveraged 20+ years working in traditional architectural services to creating an integrated real estate, development and design company. To learn more about Jason, go to his: Website: https://boyervertical.com/# LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondboyer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boyervertical/?hl=en Arthaus Link: https://casestudies.uli.org/deal-profile-arthaus/ ► 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 http

Brian founded New York City-based architectural firm Messana O'Rorke with Toby O'Rorke in 1996. He has since developed an extraordinary portfolio of work in residential, commercial, retail and conceptual projects.  The firm is anticipating their first monograph, Messana O'Rorke: Building Blocks, with text by Mayer Rus and a foreword by Thomas Phifer, to be published by Rizzoli this October and will showcase 25 projects that represent the firm's legacy of projects.  Brian spoke very authentically in this conversation about how the practice has grown and developed. Topics we discussed were: How to sustain a long lasting business partnership The importance of taking risk in business and design and how to guide your clients through their own risk The importance of getting published  Learn more about Brian at his: Website: https://www.messanaororke.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-messana-7196252/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messanaororke/   ► Feedback? Email us at podcast@businessofarch

This week I’m speaking with Jenna Knudsen, the managing principal of CO Architects based in Los Angeles.  Whilst working at CO Architects she has led award-winning, large-scale academic, laboratory and healthcare projects on university and healthcare campuses across the country. Since 1998 apart from a with a brief stint at Rafael Viñoly Architects, she has been with CO Architects and progressed her career from project designer to managing principal. Within both the practice and the profession, Jenna has been a long-time advocate for equal representation, spearheading initiatives to support and encourage women in architecture In this episode we discuss  What it takes to manage a firm into perpetuity  The characteristics of a great leader in 2022 How Co develop new business relationships and moves into new sectors To learn more about Jenna, visit her: Website: https://coarchitects.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-knudsen-05b30038/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coarchitects/   ► Feedbac

Walter Marin was born in Latin America but raised in the heart of New York.  The son of an immigrant cabinetmaker, he was raised with an appreciation for craftsmanship that led to his life-long love of the built environment.  He completed a BS/BA in Architecture in 1982 and worked with well-known architectural design firms including the Howard Golden firm prior to establishing Marin Associates in 1985.  Upon obtaining his architectural certification, Walter converted his growing firm into Marin Architects.  Supported by Walter’s keen business sense and creative aptitude, the firm has since developed a strong roster of repeat clientele and a sterling reputation.  Ever community-minded, Walter gives back by serving as the Vice Chair of The National Hispanic Business Group and the Bronx Community College Foundation Board. In this episode, you’ll discover: Common misconceptions about working with developers How Marin became a valued problem solver instead of simply a vendor How Marin carved out a niche in variou

Today you’ll also hear from Patrick MacLeamy, the former CEO of HOK. During his 50-year tenure at HOK, MacLeamy witnessed the firm’s growth from a single midwestern office to 27 locations across the globe offering architecture, interiors, engineering, planning and more. MacLeamy joined HOK St. Louis in 1967, after which he helped establish the firm’s San Francisco outpost in 1970 - later becoming managing principal of that office.  He joined HOK’s executive committee in 1995 and was named COO five years later.  In 2003, HOK shareholders elected MacLeamy Chief Executive Officer. He led the firm for 13 years.  In 2016, MacLeamy chose a new CEO for HOK, remaining as Chairman for one more year before retiring —or as he likes to say, “repurposing.”  MacLeamy is also the Chairman of buildingSMART International, which works to achieve open standards for the exchange of digital information in the building and infrastructure industries.  He was a founding member of buildingSMART, in 1994. In today’s episode, we discus

Herbert M. Cannon is one of the nation's leading experts in the management of A/E firms. He is a former longtime consultant to Robert A. M. Stern Architects where he helped the firm grow from 150 employees and 8 partners to 350 employees and 16 partners. He founded AEC Management Solutions in 2000 with the simple goal of helping A/E firms of all sizes earn and keep the money they deserve by focusing on specific topics of Strategic Planning, Incentive Compensation, Project Management, Ownership Transition, Financial Management and Firm Valuation. In today’s episode, we discuss how your practice can prepare for the next recession.   To learn more about Herb, visit his Website at: http://www.aecmanagementsolutions.com/ LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herbcannon/   ► 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

Karen Compton is Principal of A3K Consulting, a consortium of business management consultants specializing in the AEC environment. In this capacity, Ms. Compton oversees a team of professionals focused on the development of transformative business strategies and solutions that reflect an organization’s long- and short-term goals.   Ms. Compton has more than 20 years of experience in business management including business development (sales), marketing and strategic planning; and more than five years in the public sector, where she served as the director of the small business program for a major water utility.  A nationally featured speaker for several organizations including the AIA Knowledge Practice Community, American Institute of Architects, the Society of Design Administration, the American Society of Landscape Architects and PSMJ Resources, Ms. Compton is regularly featured on the subjects of business development and business planning.  Additionally, she is the Executive Producer and co-host of Breaking

Today's episode is a replay from our Business of Architecture UK podcast. It was so great, we wanted to share it here as well. Acrylicize, a multidisciplinary design studio in Hackney, has 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. Rion spoke with Global Managing Director, Paul Arad. They 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 ou

Kenneth Lewis is a Managing Partner in SOM's New York studio office. Kenneth knows New York's development world like the back of his hand, having managed some of the most complex building projects in the city's recent history. In his 35 plus years in building in New York City and beyond. Ken's work includes One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and its neighbor Seven World Trade Center; both built under extraordinary circumstances. Ken led SOM's work at 35 Hudson Yards, an undulating residential tower and home to the first Equinox Hotel. More recently, Ken led construction and development of Manhattan West, a 7 million square foot, mixed-use, master plan development built above active railroad tracks, encompassing four new towers and reuse of an existing loft building. Today, Ken is leading the most significant renovation and reuse project in New York's history, the complete transformation and ground up renovation of the landmark Waldorf Astoria. Ken is also the president of

As we’ve researched and worked with firm after firm, a common thread stands out from those firms who have more success than others - the caliber and experience of people working at the firm. This is why the People Playbook is one of the four pillars of the SMART Practice Method. On today’s episode you’ll hear from Lance Cayko, co-founder of F9 Productions, an architectural and design-build practice based in Colorado. Lance and his business partner, Alex Gore, have built their practice from just themselves to over 10 employees in the past seven years. So I asked, "Lance - what has been the hardest part about growing a firm from no employees to 10 employees?" In today’s episode, you’ll discover Lance’s answer, and sage advice. To learn more about Lance Cayko, visit: https://www.f9productions.com/ Lance's podcast: https://www.insidethefirmpodcast.com/   ► Feedback? Email us at podcast@businessofarchitecture.com ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our

What is the key to having a successful architecture practice? There are many ways to answer this question, and everyone defines success differently. What does success mean to you? Consider this question for a moment. What does success mean to you? I’ll guess that your definition of success isn’t being financially stretched, burned out or unfulfilled. Recently, I heard an interview with Oprah Winfrey where she said, “no one succeeds alone.” And she repeated it twice. “No one succeeds alone.” So however you define success, consider that you can’t have success alone - as an island. What is the key to building a team of people around you - of team members, clients and associates? That’s one of the things we touch on in this interview. Alex Gore, co-host of the “Inside the Firm” podcast interviewed me for the Inside the Firm podcast, and I thought you’d want to hear it also, so I’m reposting it here. If you’re a podcast listener, you’ll definitely want to check out the “Inside the Firm” podcast with Lance Cayko an

Drew Lang, founding principal of LANG Studio in New York, shares the challenges of being an architect developer and how many of those challenges were solved with a unique approach to the award-winning development in the Catskills, Hudson Woods. Drew is an active advocate for positive collaboration in community and getting more readily to a place of joy in our work within the industry. With this philosophy in mind, Drew launched the newly reimagined social-media platform Brick & Wonder in 2020, to provide an online community where real estate and design professionals can go to connect, support, and network. As an architect, Drew has been tapped to bring his design sensibility to even more new homes in the works in upstate New York. He can speak to trends in the housing market, as well as to the power of design and community-building in this new pandemic-shaped era. To see more about Drew, visit his website at: https://langarchitecture.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-lang-0655b16 Instagram:

Pamela Durkin, ASID, LEED AP, has quite the trifecta of expertise as an Interior Designer, Business Coach, and Marketing Consultant. With 30 years of experience running her own Florida based practice, she has earned her some very hard-won business lessons, some of which she shares with us on this episode. She knows how to be magnetic in attracting ideal clients, not simply waiting around for them to show up. Her program "In Demand DESIGNER" fuels her mission to empower other designers do the same: create businesses they love and magnetize their dream clients. Check out her book Elevate on Amazon, where she goes into much more depth around today's topics.   THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES: Pamela's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamdurkin/ Pamela's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pameladurkin Pamela's Website: https://pamela-durkin.com/ Pamela's book Elevate: https://www.amazon.com/Elevate-design-business-basement-Penthouse/dp/1080736301/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3514Q456LIPUD&keywords=elevate+pamela+durkin&qi

Today we welcome Matthias Hollwich, principal and founder of New York architecture firm HWKN. Learn about the inception of HWKN and it's growth, how Architizer led to a deep understanding of how media and publishing relate to the world of running an architectural practice, and so much more. Matthias gives us insights on how he approaches working with developer clients in order to deliver innovative solutions in a competitive commercial environment, what it's like to balance having a Research & Development arm in the company, along with other entrepreneurial activities. Matthias Hollwich is not just a great architect, but an entrepreneur, published author, and co-founder of Architizer.com. He has worked for a number of internationally acclaimed architectural firms and urban design studios, including design of the McCormick Tribune Campus Center at the Illinois Institute of Technology, the Dutch Embassy in Berlin, and Casa da Musica in Porto. Enjoy this inspiring episode and let us know what you think.   TH