Architecture & Engineering Business Strategies (Monograph)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Architecture & Engineering Business Strategies
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| 08 Sep 2021 | Bjarke Ingels Group: How to Project-Manage Architecture (w/ Flora Bao) | 00:57:18 | |
In the past decade, the number of small architecture firms has been shrinking while the number of large firms has increased. The reason? A steep rise in the complexity of the projects firms are working on. As buildings get taller and more advanced, firms need bigger teams to handle the scope. And those teams would be lost without a good project manager to organize it all. Flora Bao, project manager at Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), shared what it takes to be an excellent project manager, from soft skills to design knowledge to balancing internal and external goals. Interview Takeaways
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| 07 Jul 2021 | H+O Structural Engineering: How to Run an Operationally Efficient Organization (w/ Rens Hayes) | 00:54:14 | |
Architecture and engineering are careers that offer a lot of autonomy and entrepreneurial spirit. But these industries also breed chaotic organizations and burnout. Rens Hayes, founder of H+O Structural Engineering, has set out to do things differently. He shared with us how he’s built a people-first business that’s all about value-driven growth. Interview Takeaways
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| 22 Feb 2022 | Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations: Rethinking the role of the Public Architect (w/ Curtis Clay) | 00:54:28 | |
The Bureau of Overseas Building Operations has high standards to meet. The buildings they design have to be secure, functional, and stand the test of time. The embassies and other facilities they design are 50-year buildings. They have to withstand a place’s climate, fit in with the local culture, and confidently represent the U.S. as an open nation. In this episode, Curtis Clay, the OBO’s director of architecture, discusses how the bureau designs buildings that will become legacies—and how they keep the focus on the role the building will serve. Interview Takeaways
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| 07 Feb 2024 | Design-build firm Woodhull streamlined collaboration after switching from BQE Core to Monograph | 00:44:28 | |
Meet the design-build firm Woodhull — an integrated architecture, construction, and millwork firm delivering thoughtful and enduring residential and commercial projects throughout New England. Their holistic ethos and business model relies on transparency, communication, and collaboration to drive successful internal operations. Everything starts with the 80 active projects in Woodhull's 25-person design studio, which switched from BQE Core to Monograph to improve speed and accuracy across the entire business.
Before Monograph - 4-6 hours per week on reporting latest project schedules - 5-10 days invoicing process due to back-and-forth between PMs and bookkeeper - 50% errors on retainer fee invoicing, causing client refunds After Monograph - 95% less time preparing project reports for firm owners - 53% faster monthly invoicing process - 100% error reduction on retainer invoicing, avoiding client refunds
New to Monograph? Start here - https://bit.ly/3w8y4mx | |||
| 09 Oct 2021 | Adjaye Associates, Decanthropy: How To Build Communities As An Architect (w/ Farida Abu-Bakare, Ian Rolston) | 00:55:59 | |
Now more than ever there’s an opportunity to design with purpose, and with a goal of equity so that spaces are built for everyone. But in order to do that, we need to do two things: keep the new generation of young designers engaged and supported, and involve our clients and communities in the design process. In this Best Practice interview, Black Architects + Interior Designers Association Canada (BAIDA) co-founder Farida Abu-Bakare and Director of Advocacy Ian Rolston explain how two-way mentorship, developing a voice, and learning from the communities you build in can transform the architecture industry. Interview Takeaways
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| 03 Sep 2021 | Snow Kreilich Architects: How to Run Operations at a Mid-size Firm (w/ Trevor Bullen and Sarah Hughes) | 00:51:49 | |
Life at a busy firm can be a mad scramble. When partners and owners start to wear too many hats, key information can slip through the cracks. Over time, the value of that missed information and haphazard staffing plans can add up. That’s why mid-size firms with a healthy budget should consider investing in a new hire: a financial operations role. When Snow Kreilich Architects hired bookkeeper and architect Sarah Hughes as Director Of Finance + Operations, they quickly felt the benefits. Interview Takeaways
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| 10 Jun 2021 | Hassell: How To Run a Data-driven Architecture Firm (w/ Dr. Daniel Davis) | 00:57:34 | |
How does technology influence architecture? How does architecture influence people? Those are the questions that consume Dr. Daniel Davis, senior researcher at Hassell and former Director of Research at WeWork. Daniel joined Monograph’s George Valdes to discuss the various ways that firms can approach, apply, and measure data. Interview Takeaways
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| 04 Jan 2022 | Snohetta: Collective Intuition & Operations (w/ Elaine Molinar, Michelle Delk) | 00:25:23 | |
In the workplace, collaboration is the glue that holds a company together. But getting your employees to function as a cohesive unit is a unique challenge, especially in the design and architectural world. So how can you get a bunch of creative individuals to create solutions as a collective force? It begins with your workplace environment. In this Section Cut interview, Elaine Molinar, partner and managing director at Snøhetta, and Partner and Landscape Architect Michelle Delk share the importance of collaboration and how to encourage collective intuition in your business. Interview Takeaways
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| 04 Apr 2022 | Stayner Architects: How To Design New Models for Practice (w/ Christian Stayner) | 00:55:58 | |
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 Takeaways
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| 30 Sep 2021 | Olson Kundig: How To Blend The Art Of Business With Architecture (w/ "HP" Hemanshu Parwani) | 00:49:02 | |
In a world of seven billion people and counting, innovative design has become more important than ever. From residential to transportation to healthcare, how can we create an innovative built environment that caters to humanity’s changing needs? These are the questions that occupy leading design firms. For Olson Kundig’s CEO Hemanshu Parwani, or "HP" for short, the goal is to source top talent and deploy staff in ways that solve specific problems for clients—and benefit the world at large. Here, HP explains why it's valuable to follow a design-led approach, ask the right questions, and embrace innovation at every turn. Interview Takeaways
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| 18 Jan 2022 | Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations: How To Manage A $20B Global Design Program (w/ Angel A. Dizon, III) | 00:55:32 | |
The idea of a $20 billion budget can make your head spin. But in the right hands, that kind of funding can accomplish a world of good. That’s exactly the mission of Angel Dizon, Managing Director of the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations. While the government may get a bad rap from time to time, there’s a steady revolution happening from within the OBO department. Angel joined us on Best Practice to explain how an embassy is so much more than just a building, how his team goes about solving complex problems, and why working in government leads to more opportunity than meets the eye. Interview Takeaways
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| 22 Feb 2024 | How Garrison Architects cut costs 50% by leaving ArchiOffice for Monograph | 00:56:32 | |
Meet Garrison Architects — a Brooklyn-based architecture firm that specializes in sustainable, modular building design through highly refined modernist aesthetics across private residential and large scale public projects. In 2023, the firm left ArchiOffice for Monograph to streamline and improve project tracking, staffing, and billing, while reducing the cost associated with managing their systems by 50%. Here's what happened: Before Monograph - +$34k annual cost on project management and billing systems - 40-48 hours a month on monthly invoicing - 45-60 days time-to-payment After Monograph - 50% reduced cost on project management and billing systems - 66% less time on monthly invoicing - 2.6x faster time-to-payment Read the story here - https://bit.ly/49nlNJp New to Monograph? Start here - https://bit.ly/4bI3S1N | |||
| 17 Sep 2021 | Talentstar: How To Empower Talent In Architecture (w/ Marjanne Pearson) | 00:53:22 | |
How do you achieve successful growth as an architecture firm? It all comes down to having the right people on your team. Today, there are small 20-person firms that are making incredible revenue and ranking on lists alongside much larger counterparts. There are firms that have been acquired by larger firms, only to see their original talent leave. There is no magic formula for hiring and retaining the best people. But according to Marjanne Pearson, an industry force and the Chief Strategy Officer of Talentstar, there are ways to empower your strategic agenda and fill the roles you need. Interview Takeaways
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| 28 Jul 2021 | Randy Deutsch FAIA: How to Think and Adapt like an Architect | 00:54:08 | |
Buildings are more than a design made real. They are a collection of data. Firms that leverage that data in their organization will be able to adapt and grow and thrive in the future. But the key to doing so doesn’t lie in the technology tools themselves; it lies in the people in your firm. Architect, author, and professor Randy Deutsch explained how becoming a data-driven company is important for survival. It all starts with building a culture that empowers people, lifts up “superusers,” and puts human needs before technology. Interview Takeaways
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| 23 Jul 2021 | Building Science Fight Club: How to Manage Technical Risks (w/ Christine Williamson) | 00:59:16 | |
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| 15 Sep 2021 | Madame Architect: How To Inspire A Generation Of Architects (w/ Julia Gamolina) | 00:51:28 | |
What do business strategists and editor-in-chiefs have in common? They both require you to build relationships. Lots of them. As the director of strategy and partnerships at Trahan Architects, founder and editor-in-chief of Madame Architect, and a lifelong collector of mentors, Julia Gamolina is an expert relationship builder. In this episode, she shares how her roles overlap, how she approaches business strategy, and the steps she recommends to follow in her career footsteps. Interview Takeaways
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| 25 Feb 2022 | LERA: How to Move a Legacy Firm Into the Future (w/ Carrie Villani, Doug González) | 00:53:15 | |
Business development is everyone’s job. Every employee, regardless of level or title, can and should do their part to propel their firm forward — to new clients, interesting projects, and positive PR. That’s what Carrie Villani and Doug Gonzalez of LERA believe. In a recent Best Practice episode, they talked about how marketing can naturally be incorporated into your workday, helping to grow both the firm and your individual career.
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| 26 Oct 2021 | Verdant Studio: Success Stories (w/ Jessica Hester, Natasha Brand) | 00:14:20 | |
How do you operate a national practice that encompasses art, architecture, historical preservation, and construction documents all under one roof? That’s the task of Verdant Studio, an Arkansas-based firm with incredible breadth and reach. Founder Jessica Hester credits Monograph for keeping the team on schedule and on budget while shaving hours of meeting and accounting time off their plate every week. In this Section Cut interview, Jessica and colleague Natasha Brand shared how Verdant Studio tackles complex projects and uses Monograph to pave the way. Interview Takeaways
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| 27 Sep 2021 | Michael Hsu Office of Architecture: How To Grow From 17 To 71 In 7 Years (w/ Michael Hsu, Maija Kreishman) | 00:54:03 | |
Growing a firm by a dozen employees each year can sound daunting. But the truth is that when you look at growth as a puzzle rooted in organizational structure, you can begin to make steady progress. Michael Hsu Office of Architecture did just that when the growth rate of Austin, Texas caused them to grow the firm from 21 to 78 people in just seven years. By doing things like doubling down on culture, working with diverse clients, and fostering employee growth, they have created a firm that is making an impressive mark. Interview Takeaways
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| 04 Feb 2022 | Selldorf Architects: How To Build Collaborative Practices (w/ Sara Lopergolo, Oliver Link) | 00:53:35 | |
Building a strong team sounds simple: put a bunch of talented people with complementary skill sets together in the same room. But in reality, there’s a carefully calibrated science to crafting a team that produces great work. On the latest Best Practice episode, Sara Lopergolo and Oliver Link from Selldorf Architects share their experience handpicking team members and facilitating collaboration. They end up with teams whose members not only work well together, but also teach and learn from each other. Interview Takeaways
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| 09 Dec 2024 | How Workbench Cut Monthly Unbilled Fees by 75% After Switching from BQE Core to Monograph | 00:43:32 | |
Many architects and engineers struggle to manage their business, from staying on top of budgets to streamlining invoicing and forecasting. In this episode, we explore how Workbench, a California architect-developer + design-build firm, transformed their operations. By switching to Monograph from BQE Core + Smartsheets, they reduced unbilled fees by 75%, cut their billing time from 20 hours a month to just 4 hours, and sped up staffing and scheduling for their team by 8x.
Workbench used Monograph to save time, improve transparency, and focus on growing their business. If you’re ready to spend less time managing spreadsheets and more time doing the work you love, this episode is for you.
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| 11 Jun 2021 | HOPEWORKSDESIGN: How To Market Your Architecture Firm (w/ Hope Trory) | 00:53:11 | |
When architecture firms collapsed during the ‘08 recession, Hope Trory realized that the traditional architecture industry desperately needed better online marketing. Hope is on a mission to help architecture firms grow - in any market. As founder of HOPEWORKSDESIGN, she helps small to midsize firms implement modern marketing strategies in traditional industries. Hope combines industry expertise, online marketing strategy, and her architecture background to help firms connect with their online audience. Interview Takeaways
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| 04 Jun 2021 | Slack & Practice of Architecture: How To Empower Your Team Beyond Projects (w/ Evelyn Lee, FAIA of AIA) | 00:53:05 | |
Evelyn Lee is a pillar of the architecture industry. Currently a senior internal experience designer for Slack, over the last two decades she has also played a role in AIA National and founded a podcast called Practice of Architecture. Evelyn’s eyes are set on the future of architecture: how both individual practitioners and leadership need to approach work in a way that is more innovative and inclusive than in years past. Interview Takeaways
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| 14 Jul 2021 | Black Spectacles: How to Build a Business with a Mission in Architecture (w/ Marc Teer) | 00:46:53 | |
There is a saying that you don’t become a good architect until you’re 60. But what if it doesn't have to take that long to acquire major skills and hit career milestones? There is a sizable learning gap in architecture. Marc Teer, CEO and founder of Black Spectacles, is on a quest to close that gap by delivering on-demand software education, test preparation, and career development resources that can push you to the next level. Interview Takeaways
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| 04 Aug 2021 | Saltmine/Harvard GSD: How to Design an Architecture Firm Today (w/ Jacob Reidel) | 00:53:25 | |
The common issues that architects struggle with -- getting paid, project control, long hours -- have been around since the dawn of the profession. There are traditional ways of working that have remained in place even as the world rapidly changes. But Jacob Reidel of Saltmine thinks it’s time to embrace a different way of practicing. His take? Firms should close the loop between design and outcomes, build teams that focus on customer success, and accept that design doesn’t have to be king. Interview Takeaways
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| 06 Aug 2021 | Rossmann Architecture: How to Run the Business Side of Architecture (w/ Shane Balcom) | 00:50:11 | |
Shane Balcom joined Rossmann Architecture in July 2020 and hasn’t looked back. Since Balcom’s arrival, the Ottawa-based firm has seen its revenue triple and the size of its team double, thanks in part to the leadership principles the managing director has brought to the table. In a conversation with Monograph’s Best Practice co-hosts Chris Morgan and George Valdes, Balcom discussed the role company culture plays in the health of a company’s bottom line, how routine has created a needed sense of stability, and the best practices he’s instituted to make Rossmann a thriving firm. Interview Takeaways
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| 27 Nov 2024 | How Workshop/APD Transformed Their Architecture and Design Business with Monograph | 00:13:56 | |
Many architects and engineers feel overwhelmed by the business side of their work. In this episode, we explore how Workshop/APD, a leading multidisciplinary design firm, tackled these challenges and grew their team by 78% with Monograph. In this episode, you’ll learn:
If you’re ready to solve the business challenges in your firm and scale with confidence, this episode is for you. Listen now and discover actionable strategies to grow your firm while staying focused on what you love—design.
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| 18 Oct 2021 | Talentstar: The Future of Practice Operations (w/ Marjanne Pearson) | 00:16:23 | |
When you think of practice operations, you may think of the tools, information systems, and resources that have to be managed on a daily basis. But Marjanne Pearson, founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Talentstar, wants you to reframe how you look at practice operations. It should be about mobilizing all those resources to create value and seek opportunities for transformational change. As a speaker at our Section Cut conference series, Marjanne talked about the future of practice operations and how firms can position themselves for long-term, sustainable growth. Interview Takeaways
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| 06 May 2022 | Charrette Venture Group: Designing the Client Experience (w/ Lucas Gray, Dena Alspach) | 00:44:58 | |
The client experience is at the heart of architectural work. Delivering an attentive experience through every phase is what will lead to a happy client, repeat business, and referrals for your firm. In fact, this experience starts before you even land a client. Becoming in tune with your potential clients’ feelings, thoughts, and questions will help you to meet them where they are. In this Section Cut session, Lucas Gray and Dena Alspach of Charrette Venture Group explained how delivering an excellent client experience from day one is what will elevate the relationship with your client beyond a transaction. Interview Takeaways:
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| 13 Apr 2022 | GLUCK+: Architects Who Build (w/ Thomas Gluck, Stacie Wong) | 00:50:12 | |
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 Takeaways
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| 24 Mar 2022 | SK Development: How To Manage A Development Pipeline (w/ Scott Shnay) | 00:50:50 | |
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 Takeaways
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| 11 Feb 2022 | Studio Rick Joy: Fireside Chat (w/ Rick Joy, Taylor Dickson) | 00:47:48 | |
An architect’s role by definition revolves around the planning, designing, and construction of buildings. But Rick Joy, principal at Studio Rick Joy, doesn’t see it that way. He believes his role is to create a lifestyle, not a building. It’s taking the setting and landscape into account and bringing the best experience to life with what you design. It’s letting nature and light in and pushing inconveniences and burdens out. It’s talking a client out of building a house on a hilltop and instead down by the pond so they can easily watch their kids swim. In this Best Practice webinar, Rick and his Director of Communications, Taylor Garcia Dickson, discuss how that philosophy shapes their brand and is brought to life through their practice. Interview Takeaways
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| 25 Jan 2022 | Dattner Architects: How To Build Firm Health And Vitality (w/ Kirsten Sibilia) | 00:51:31 | |
Midsize architecture firms face unique threats to their longevity compared to small and large firms. Mega firms seem poised to gobble them up, and it’s hard to compete with extra large firms that offer far more services. There’s also the issue of leadership transition. Many midsize firms that started off small and haven’t given enough thought to how they’ll evolve into the future with new leaders. Without a plan, there is no future. But all is not lost. In this Best Practice episode, Kirsten Sibilia, managing principal of Dattner Architects, discusses how midsize firms can do more than just survive. They can grow with health and vitality. Interview Takeaways
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| 05 Dec 2021 | Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM): Operationalizing Business Development (w/ Iben Falconer) | 00:35:59 | |
If you’re a doer-seller, you’re probably more comfortable “doing” than “selling.” Nobody goes to school to become an engineer, a designer, or an architect because they want to sell engineering, architecture, or design services. They want to do whatever their skill set is. But in today’s business world, doers need to become sellers—or at least active partners in the business development of the companies they work for. That’s what Iben Falconer has observed in her career. An architectural historian by training, she’s evolved into a marketing and business development leader, currently at SOM. In this Section Cut interview, Iben shares why you have to be organized, active, and focused about getting new work, and why everyone on the team has to play a role. Interview Takeaways
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| 22 Jul 2021 | Voyansi: How to Build a Teaching and Learning Culture (w/ Libo Li) | 00:48:23 | |
Imagine your company’s operations working so smoothly that it’s like you’re a hive mind. Sharing data and knowledge. Anticipating next steps. Solving problems with surgical precision. As COO of Voyansi, a building intelligence firm, Libo Li helped create a data-centered operations program that looked a lot like that. Interview Takeaways
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| 25 Jan 2022 | Moody Nolan: How To Launch Operations in NYC (w/ Latoya Nelson Kamdang, Dawne David-Pierre) | 00:54:57 | |
Launching an office in a new city requires a solid operations team and a structured plan for growth. Moody Nolan’s New York City office started with four people just over a year ago and now it has 20. The secret to that fast success? Delivering high-quality projects to the clients you have. It’s the best marketing tool to achieve steady growth. In this Best Practice interview, Associate Principal and Director of NY Operations Latoya Nelson Kamdang and Senior Associate and Project Manager Dawne David-Pierre talked to us about launching operations in New York City and how they’ve grown with excellence. Interview Takeaways
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| 30 Jul 2021 | ARCHITECTUREFIRM: How to Lead the Design of Award-winning Projects (w/ Adam Ruffin) | 00:53:26 | |
Your firm can’t deliver incredible projects without a great team working in the wings. Building and leading a team is an art form in and of itself. It requires transparency, setting clear milestones, and providing room for talent to grow. Adam Ruffin is doing just that with his two partners at ARCHITECTUREFIRM, a small design firm that is split between two locations and adeptly managing remote work. Adam shared how they are creating a unified vision while being physically separated, how he approaches leadership, and the steps they’re taking to develop a formative culture while growing the business. Interview Takeaways
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| 27 Aug 2021 | Studio NYL: How to Build Your Technical Team (w/ Amy Baker of Amy Baker Architect and Chris O'Hara) | 00:57:00 | |
The world of architecture is getting more interesting—and complicated—by the day. Sometimes the best way to tackle your projects is to loop in specialists and consultants who have both the skill and network needed to get the job done. Amy Baker is a spec writing consultant and freelance architect who loves digging deep into the “nerdy” side of projects. Chris O’Hara is a founding Principal of Studio NYL, a group of structural engineers and facade designers. Amy and Chris teamed up to walk us through what specialists do, and how they can work to help firms like yours. Interview Takeaways
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| 22 Apr 2022 | Ennead Architects LLP: How Civic Architecture Can Inspire Change (w/ Molly McGowan, Thomas Wong) | 00:56:06 | |
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 Takeaways
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| 25 Apr 2022 | Studio Balcones: Growth Rooted in Community (w/ Jennifer Orr, Tiffany Rasco) | 00:52:38 | |
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 Takeaways
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| 10 May 2022 | Defining Design Practice: Defining Change (w/ Lorena Galvao) | 00:41:17 | |
Industry expectations and standards are constantly shifting. If you want your company to keep up, you have to adjust with the changing times. But to be ready for whatever lies ahead, you have to institute a flexible, agile mindset within your company and be ready to adapt to new practices. In this Section Cut interview, Lorena Galvao, co-founder of Defining Design Practice, shared her experience working in the changing architectural industry and how companies can prepare for future shifts. Interview Takeaways
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| 23 Jun 2021 | UpSpring PR: How to Build a PR Strategy (w/ Tiffany Rafii) | 00:54:34 | |
PR can seem complicated. But Tiffany Rafii knows that the right marketing strategy is a game-changer for every industry. The CEO and co-founder of UpSpring PR, Tiffany has been running her full-service communications agency for the architecture, design, and real estate markets since 2009. Today, her 25+ person team leverages digital and strategic PR to increase brand awareness and market share for dozens of companies. Interview Takeaways
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| 21 Jun 2021 | ZGF: How To Win Projects with Great Storytelling (w/ Matthew Keeshin) | 00:44:20 | |
How can you turn your architecture business into a PR machine? By telling incredible stories about the services you provide and the projects you’ve completed. Matthew Keeshin has a rich background in both architecture and writing. Currently the digital media manager at ZGF, he explained why telling great stories goes beyond the buildings themselves. Interview Takeaways
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| 11 Jan 2022 | SHoP Architects: How To Re-invent What Practice Is (w/ Gregg Pasquarelli) | 00:50:40 | |
You own your career trajectory. Whatever field you’re in, you have the power to make your work stand out, so clients take notice and want more. It takes a little daring and a strong stomach for risks (and the inevitable failure), says Gregg Pasquarelli, founding principal at SHoP architects. In this Best Practice interview, Gregg explains why as long as you pick yourself up and learn something from every project, you’ll keep advancing your business—and your industry—at the same time. Interview Takeaways
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| 11 Nov 2021 | Charrette Venture Group: Financial Management Basics for Small Firms (w/ Rena M. Klein) | 00:36:41 | |
Financial management isn’t just standard accounting. It also involves looking at the big picture of your financial performance to make smart business decisions. When you understand what’s going on financially, you can improve and plan for the future. In order to get that understanding, you need to track your time and do some calculations. In this Section Cut interview, Rena Klein, Vice President for Investment Partnerships at Charrette Venture Group, explains why firms need to know things like their utilization rate, break-even rate, and billable ratio in order to understand and enhance their profitability. Interview Takeaways
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| 29 Mar 2022 | Runcible Studios: How To Start Your Own Practice (w/ Marilyn Moedinger) | 00:56:45 | |
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 Takeaways
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| 16 Nov 2021 | HKS Architects: JEDI in Practice (w/ Yiselle Santos) | 00:44:41 | |
With the surging demand for diversity in the workplace, many companies are scrambling to figure out how to increase—and manage—gender and ethnic diversity within their own firms. To help your people to work well together, you have to learn how to handle a diverse team of employees, which means focusing on four values: justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). In this Section Cut interview, Yiselle Santos, VP and Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at HSK, Inc., explains what a JEDI mindset looks like in the workplace and how to direct your company toward a more equitable future. Interview Takeaways
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| 15 Feb 2022 | WXY Studio: How a Cross-Disciplinary Firm Prepares for Emerging Challenges (w/ Amy Hau, Colin Montoute) | 00:49:48 | |
In architecture, as with almost any business, the environment you create in your office can make or break your team’s productivity. But with pandemic protocols forcing many businesses to work remotely, meaningful interactions and a positive workplace culture are even harder to cultivate—but still just as important. Colin Montoute, director of architecture at WXY Studio, and managing director Amy Hau, brought their expertise to the table during our latest Best Practice webinar to talk about how they build a positive workplace environment so their employees can thrive. Interview Takeaways
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| 31 Mar 2022 | Essel Environmental: How the Random Can Change Your Practice (w/ Nik Lahiri) | 00:55:28 | |
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 Takeaways
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| 02 Jun 2021 | Archmark: How To Find Clients By Building A Brand (w/ Bryon McCartney) | 00:53:00 | |
Architects don’t learn about marketing in design school - and few learn about it after. When Bryon McCartney and his wife discovered just how many architects were missing out on opportunities by avoiding digital marketing, they founded Archmark, a marketing agency focused on architectural firms and their success. Bryon joined host George Valdes on a Monograph webinar to talk about how architects should start building their brand, the best social media platforms for firms looking to connect with new clients, and how developing a career and marketing niche is the best way to find your ideal clients. Interview Takeaways
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| 04 Nov 2021 | Talentstar: Marketing for Talent (w/ Marjanne Pearson, Linda Wallack) | 00:28:15 | |
Finding and hiring top talent is a challenge for any company, especially in today’s competitive hiring environment. To give your business the best shot at attracting and retaining great employees, you have to know how to market your business to job candidates. In this Section Cut interview, Talentstar’s founder Marjanne Pearson and Principal Connector Linda Wallack share how to attract potential hires by knowing who your brand is, what values you need your employees to share, and how to utilize every company resource. Interview Takeaways
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| 29 Oct 2021 | Workshop/APD: Success Stories (w/ Thomas Julliard Zoli) | 00:17:49 | |
How can you finally say goodbye to an unwieldy spreadsheet system and streamline your operation from start to finish? At Workshop/APD, the team develops strategic and custom solutions at scale. When they doubled their team over the course of the pandemic, a smooth project management system became more important than ever. Thankfully, they already had their “secret weapon” in place in the form of Monograph. During this Section Cut interview, principal architect Thomas Zoli shares how the once boutique New York design firm is now bigger and better than ever. Interview Takeaways
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| 28 Sep 2021 | Kontextur, Subtilitas: How To Share Architectural Knowledge (w/ Katharina Benjamin, Jeff Kaplon) | 00:50:17 | |
Social media has allowed us to share our ideas on just about every subject. But free-flowing discourse on architecture styles and design careers hasn’t always been available. Katharina Benjamin of Kontextur and Jeff Kaplon of Subtilitas have each carved out online spaces for criticism, conversation, and inspiration while spotlighting topics and architecture offices that don’t get enough attention. On Best Practice, they talked to us about why sharing architectural knowledge is the key to a thriving professional life. Interview Takeaways
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| 09 Jul 2021 | HKS: How to Design a Culture of Diversity and Inclusion (w/ Yiselle Santos Rivera) | 00:52:43 | |
Do you want to be a JEDI? At HKS Architects, the acronym stands for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. From defining shared vocabulary to setting benchmarks for success, it can be a long process to get such programs off the ground. JEDI Director Yiselle Santos explained why it’s well worth it, and how you can start. Interview Takeaways
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| 12 May 2022 | bldg.collective architecture + design: Achieving Balance: Creative Expression Meets Professional Service (w/ Steve Perce) | 00:21:47 | |
One challenge architects face is the pressure to deliver their signature creative style while also serving the client’s needs. This push-and-pull relationship between creative practice and professional service never goes away, but there are a few tactics you can use to help strike a balance. In this Section Cut interview, Principal Steve Perce of bldg.collective explored how to deliver an excellent client experience while also honoring your creativity. He talked about the importance of guiding the conversation, educating them throughout the process, and creating moments of delightful design. Interview Takeaways
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| 08 Mar 2022 | Roundtable: Burnout Across Architecture (w/ Monograph's Growth Team) | 00:52:58 | |
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 Takeaways
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| 29 Oct 2021 | Traverse Landscape Architects: Success Stories (w/ Arthur Eddy, Marie Eddy) | 00:19:45 | |
Architects don’t receive a lot of training on business and finance. And staff members with business experience don’t often understand the design side. So, how do these two groups collaborate and run a practice? During this Section Cut interview, Arthur and Marie Eddy of Traverse Landscape Architects shared how they’re using Monograph to speak the same language across groups and get things done faster. From better understanding the project process to determining what’s working and what’s not, Monograph has allowed them to streamline tasks and educate their staff. Interview Takeaways
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| 17 May 2022 | Level Architecture + Interiors: Success Stories: Leveling up Practice Ops (w/Adam Gayle) | 00:21:30 | |
Forming the identity of a young business is difficult. Whether you’re branching off from a parent company or launching your own startup, without a consistent set of principles and practices, it can feel like you’re living in the Wild West. If you want your business to flourish, you need to establish law and order—namely, a consistent set of workflows and processes that will keep everyone on the same page. In this Section Cut interview, Adam Gayle, Director of Architecture at Level Architecture + Interiors, shared how you can help your business level up by organizing your practices and processes. Interview Takeaways
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| 12 Aug 2021 | OJK Architecture: How To Transition Firm Ownership (w/ Leah Bayer and Kate Conley) | 00:57:22 | |
For an architect hoping to own their own firm one day, there are two paths available. One is the traditional path: starting your own firm from scratch. The other is to buy an existing firm and transition into its new owner. This second option is less talked about, but with the rate of Baby Boomers retiring, it will become more and more important to the future of architecture. Leah Bayer and Kate Conley recently took that path, and created a new partnership at the established firm OJK Architecture. Interview Takeaways
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| 14 Mar 2022 | Form Developers: How to Design Apartments Using Floorplan Data (w/ Bobby Fijan) | 00:53:39 | |
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 Takeaways
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| 16 Jul 2021 | Idan Naor Workshop: How To Run a Boutique Architecture Firm in NYC (w/ Idan Naor) | 00:50:33 | |
When you start your own architecture firm, you’re in for the ride of your life. You quickly need to learn how to put together a successful team, partner with the right clients, and save money for a rainy day. Idan Naor learned all of this through trial and error when he started Idan Naor Workshop. The passage of time has allowed him to appreciate good advice and follow his intuition. Interview Takeaways
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| 28 May 2021 | EntreArchitect: How To Build A Successful Architecture Firm (w/ Mark LePage) | 00:54:17 | |
Are you a small firm architect? Then you’re also a businessperson. The problem is that architecture school is all about design, with very little training on the day-to-day practicalities of running a company. When Mark LePage and his wife started their architecture firm in 1999, they succeeded by dividing and conquering. Mark headed up the business side, while his wife focused on design. In a quest to create a community to help other small firms, they started EntreArchitect: a thriving online platform to help architects build better businesses. In an interview with Monograph’s Best Practice host George Valdes, LePage shared the importance of honing basic business skills, weeding out bad clients, and valuing a culture of transparency over secrecy. Interview Takeaways
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| 01 Dec 2021 | Lake|Flato Architects: How to Leverage Synergies at the Intersection of Sustainability, Design Technology and IT (w/ Scott Lelieur, Dan Stine) | 00:35:11 | |
If you want your business to run efficiently, you have to give your employees access to the proper tools and technology so they can get the job done. But it can be a challenge to find and implement the tools and tech that will best help your company achieve its goals. In this Section Cut interview, Scott Lelieur, director of operations at Lake Flato, and Director of Design Technology Daniel Stine, share how their company implements tools and technology to optimize their work at the intersection of sustainability and design technology. Interview Takeaways
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| 02 Jul 2021 | Airtable: How a Focus On Operations Can Improve Your Business (w/ Jackie Park) | 00:50:18 | |
How can architects benefit from a collaborative platform like Airtable? If you’re interested in getting organized, it’s a no-brainer. Airtable’s own Jackie Park joined Monograph to explain how Airtable features can help hone your firm’s operations, from FF&E to recruitment. Whether you use Airtable or something else, the best part is that digital tools can free up more time for the creative work architects love. Interview Takeaways
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| 29 Jun 2021 | Common: How to Design a Design Organization (w/ Jenn Chang) | 00:48:48 | |
Common is the nation’s leading co-living brand operator. That means it’s two things at once: a housing company and a tech startup. It's a company where designers bridge the gap between software developer and property developer clients. It’s a unique role for an architect, and no one knows that better than Jenn Chang. Jenn started out as Common’s very first architect. Today, she serves as the company’s Vice President of Studio, Common's in-house design and construction team. Both Common and Jenn’s success has hinged on adaptability - and the ability to learn from lessons along the way.
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| 30 Jun 2022 | MVRDV: How To Win Work (w/ Inger Kammeraat, Jan Knikker) | 00:54:48 | |
Systems are essential to organizing your workplace and maintaining order during a project. But how can you build systems to win new work? In this Best Practice interview, MVRDV Managing Director Inger Kammeraat and Strategy and Development partner Jan Knikker explained how they structure their firm to facilitate a healthy pipeline of new projects. They talked about how they use PR to drive business development, how they balance profit with their mission and how they close the cycle at the end of each project. Interview Takeaways
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| 25 Aug 2021 | NS Builders: How to Learn From Construction (w/ Nick Schiffer) | 01:41:18 | |
To design and construct the best building possible, you need to be intentional every step of the way. From honing your toolkit of best practices to creating SOPs to collaborating with other professionals, excellence is the name of the game. That’s the philosophy of Nick Schiffer, owner & CEO of NS Builders. In this interview, Nick shares his process and explains why the best results happen when builders and architects work side-by-side. Interview Takeaways
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| 23 Dec 2021 | Rossmann Architecture Inc: Success Stories (w/ Shane Balcom) | 00:14:37 | |
Today’s business landscape calls for new and disruptive ways of doing things. You wouldn’t typically think of placing a software professional at the helm of an architecture firm. But that’s exactly what Rossmann Architecture did when they tapped Shane Balcom for the role of Managing Director. Thanks to new ways of operating from the ground up and the adoption of tech tools like Monograph, the team at Rossmann has grown from 14 employees to 33 in just one year. Interview Takeaways
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| 16 Dec 2021 | HOPEWORKSDESIGN: The Value of Investing in Performance Marketing for Your Practice (w/ Hope Trory) | 00:34:04 | |
Does this sound familiar? You need to bring in more clients to your practice to increase your revenue, but you don’t know if the money and time you spend on marketing will bring the right results. That’s where performance marketing comes in. It’s a measurable, concrete way to drive new business to your practice. Performance marketing is a comprehensive term for marketing and advertising where you only pay when a certain action occurs. You set a budget and know exactly what you’ll get for that price. In this Section Cut interview, Hope Trory, founder of HOPEWORKSDESIGN, outlines the steps you need to take to build a performance marketing strategy and enjoy the benefits. Interview Takeaways
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| 25 Jan 2022 | Woods Bagot: How To Increase the Impact of Digital Culture (w/ Shane Burger) | 00:56:10 | |
Digital is taking over the working world, and it’s time for your company to catch up. More and more, clients are clamoring for digital-based options, but many businesses are reluctant to shift their policies to accommodate new technology. On the latest Best Practice, Shane Burger, principal and director of technical innovation at Woods Bagot, shares how to accommodate digital culture at your workplace so you can keep up with the competition. Interview Takeaways
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| 07 Jan 2022 | Moody Nolan: How To Design Sustainable Operations (w/ Allen Schaffer) | 00:45:13 | |
A growing number of firms are combining two major responsibilities into one role: chief operating officer and sustainability director. It’s a lot to juggle in a small firm, let alone a quickly growing one spread across multiple cities. But Allen Schaffer, COO and Director of Sustainability at Moody Nolan, has handled the two roles for almost two years now as they’ve expanded into new markets. In this Best Practice interview, Allen discusses the ways the two roles overlap and how they differ, how the firm is managing growth, and how success all comes down to having a plan and communicating. Interview Takeaways
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| 16 Aug 2021 | Olson Kundig: How to Foster Design Culture in the Firm (w/ Alan Maskin and Jerry Garcia) | 00:53:48 | |
There are many ways to grow an architecture firm, and many values that can guide you along the way. But one quality in particular will allow your firm to grow and evolve far into the future: generosity. In this episode Alan Maskin and Jerry Garcia, principals at Olson Kundig, told us how the spirit of generosity has influenced their growth over several decades and runs through their team today. Interview Takeaways
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| 21 Dec 2021 | Colloqate Design: Success Stories (w/ Bryan C. Lee Jr.) | 00:15:51 | |
When the focal point of your work is design justice, your processes look a bit different than the average design firm. For one thing, processes need to be simultaneously more efficient and also more unique. When you’re seeking diverse voices and shaping public spaces, steps like community outreach are complex and time-consuming, making efficiency key. At the same time, conducting radical thinking and seeking to overturn past injustices requires brand new modes of operation. Bryan C. Lee Jr. is the CEO and principal of Colloqate Design, a firm focused on shifting the power dynamics inherent in the built environment. In this Section Cut interview, he described the type of work Colloqate does, and why thinking about processes is so important. Interview Takeaways
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| 01 Mar 2022 | NADAAA: How to Own the Means and Methods (w/ Nader Tehrani, Arthur Chang) | 00:50:08 | |
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 Takeaways
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| 10 Sep 2021 | KPF: How to Manage a BIM Practice (w/ Veronica Quintero and Alex Wilson) | 00:53:07 | |
Most architecture firms are grappling with the question of how technology and data fit into their practice. For many firms, the solution is a self-contained design technology team, similar to an IT department. But at KPF, they’re championing the idea of a digital practice, where technology is a means to deliver their projects in the best way possible. It’s not just support, it’s a way of operating. In this episode, BIM Practice Manager Veronica Quintero and Senior BIM Specialist Alex Wilson explain how their team is integrated into the practice, how they help solve problems for every department, and how they stay on top of training so that everyone knows how to use relevant tools. Interview Takeaways
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| 08 Nov 2021 | KatalystDI: Organizing Work Towards Adaptive Organizations (w/ Libo Li) | 00:31:41 | |
The world is changing fast. In order for your practice to survive, you’ll have to change along with it. New technologies and new ways of communicating can be scary, but humans have always evolved and adapted by using new tools. During this Section Cut interview, Libo Li, CTO of KatalystDI, talked to us about how becoming an adaptive organization has to start from the firm culture, how better organization tools can lead to better design, and how experimentation and permission to fail is key to improving. Interview Takeaways
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| 21 Oct 2021 | Krueck Sexton Partners: Success Stories (w/ Tom Jacobs) | 00:19:36 | |
When an architecture firm is just starting out, almost anything goes in the quest to get up and running. But once you’re more established, two things need to become foundational to how you do business: transparency and discipline. In this Section Cut conference interview, Tom Jacobs, co-managing partner at Krueck Sexton Partners, discusses how these two values were key to the firm’s success story—and how Monograph has helped make it all possible. He explains why embracing data-driven project planning and performance allows you to scale your business while also scaling your time for creativity. Interview Takeaways
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| 30 Aug 2021 | Trahan Architects: How to Collaborate Across Fields (w/ Brad McWhirter and Margaret Jankowsky) | 00:45:45 | |
If you want your firm to become known for a clear ethos, aesthetic, and vision, then you need to fold that identity into everything you do. From the clients and contractors you choose to work with to your office culture and the computers you buy, every action—large or small—should contribute to that overarching vision. This is the case at Trahan Architects. Partner Brad McWhirter and Director of Urban Design Margaret Jankowsky joined us to share how Trahan has forged a unique identity. Interview Takeaways
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| 29 Jan 2022 | Mancini Duffy: How to Reinvent a 105-Year-Old Design Firm (w/ Christian Giordano, Bolanle Williams-Olley ) | 00:53:49 | |
A technology-first firm is not one that merely uses the latest technology in their practice. It’s a firm that leverages that technology to allow collaboration in the sketching process all the way through a 3D experience. It’s having designers, project managers, technical architects, and software developers all working together to make things happen in tandem and instantaneously. Mancini Duffy is a firm that takes that collaboration seriously. In this Best Practice webinar, President Christian Giordano and CFO Bolanle Williams-Olley explain how that collaboration works through everything the firm does, including how they support their employees. Interview Takeaways
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| 22 Jun 2021 | SHoP Architects: How To Structure Innovative Project Teams (w/ Luisa Mendez) | 00:57:55 | |
Few architecture firms can be seen as true trailblazers. But SHoP Architects is defying convention on everything from design to fabrication to installation. Luisa Mendez is a Senior Associate at SHoP Architects in New York City, where she has worked on projects like the Design Miami Pavilion, the Barclay Center, and the Porterhouse building. So how can you use technology and unique construction design to disrupt an industry? By leveraging digital delivery and tracking specific goals. Interview Takeaways
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| 23 Aug 2021 | Alloy Development: How to Build as an Architect-led Developer in NYC (w/ Alexandra Militano) | 00:48:43 | |
Real estate developers often keep their eye on the bottom line—for them, it’s all about how a property can make money. Architects, meanwhile, focus on design, but rarely have control over the built environment. But it’s possible to do both. Alloy Development is a hybrid architecture-development firm. Director of Construction Alexandra Militano joined us to explain how they’re equally focused on design impact and property value. Interview Takeaways
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| 01 Feb 2022 | Diller Scofidio + Renfro: How To Run Projects And Lead Teams (w/ Holly Deichmann, Zoë Star Small) | 00:53:28 | |
Strong leadership is the secret sauce of strong companies. You may be the most creative and most groundbreaking firm on the planet. But if your teams don’t work well together, if they spend too much time on the wrong parts of the process, and if they don’t keep clients happy—you’ll see subpar results. In this Best Practice interview, Holly Deichmann and Zoe Small, Associate Principals at Diller Scofidio + Renfro, share exactly how good managers can uphold the business: by empowering employees, setting up processes that manage client expectations, and maintaining just the right amount of anxiety to keep everyone on their toes. Interview Takeaways
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| 14 Oct 2021 | RIOS: Silver Linings, Audacity and Joy - The New Practice Playbook (w/ Jessamyn Davis, Andy Lantz) | 00:28:22 | |
Have you considered a unique firm structure? RIOS’ practice structure might just take the cake, as it is unique at every level. Not only do they have two CEOs, but they have a multidisciplinary office with architects, interior designers, and graphic designers all working together. What really stands out about the practice is its values. Things like audacity, joy, and agility top a list of core values that are all about breaking the rules and doing something new. During this Section Cut interview, co-CEOs Jessamyn Davis and Andy Lantz discuss how those values are put into action and what they see as their practice’s playbook. Interview Takeaways
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| 24 Nov 2021 | Slack Technologies / Practice of Architecture: Building & Running a Hybrid Practice (w/ Evelyn Lee) | 00:37:45 | |
If your firm is considering going hybrid, it’s a much bigger decision than deciding how many hours per week you’ll ask staff to spend in the office. It also means overhauling processes that may have been in place for years or decades. Careful thought is needed, as is employee buy-in at every level. Evelyn Lee is the founder of Practice of Architecture and currently works at Slack. In this Section Cut interview, she shared the wisdom she’s gathered over the last 10 years as a workplace strategist, including where to focus your energy so you can innovate and thrive. Interview Takeaways
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| 27 Dec 2024 | How Dynamic Engineering Grew Profit 25% by Switching from Excel to Monograph | 00:12:31 | |
Unbilled hours. Constant firefighting. Are broken systems holding back your A&E firm? In this episode, you’ll learn a simple question to find broken systems and get a concrete example of how a 10-person structural engineering firm in Florida grew profits by 25% after switching from Excel to Monograph. Key takeaways:
Need to streamline your firm? Visit monograph.com to get started. | |||