Archinect - News

In a downturn, manage your clients, people, and cash, says former HOK CEO

2024-10-24T08:25:00-04:00

As Archinect reported earlier this week, the latest AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index shows that U.S. architectural business conditions remain turbulent. Billings have declined at firms for over one and a half years, according to the index, while our monthly Archinect State of AEC series has noted that the challenging conditions are spread across all U.S. geographical regions.

To find out how architects, particularly firm owners, can navigate the current downturn, we recently spoke with former HOK CEO and Chairman Patrick MacLeamy on the subject. Through his long career at HOK, and his book Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm: The People, Stories, and Strategies Behind HOK, MacLeamy has accumulated a wealth of knowledge on how firms can survive poor economic conditions.

As our feature article shows, a majority of MacLeamy’s advice for firms take place long before a downturn hits, underscoring the need for architects to adhere to healthy practice management principles so t...

Four expert tips for architects pursuing international projects

2024-09-03T09:38:00-04:00

Last month, Archinect spoke with three firms that hold a track record of securing international commissions beyond their home country. The three firms, Steven Holl Architects, Safdie Architects, and Mecanoo, all offered insights into their process for procuring work abroad, managing the design process, and collaborating with local offices.

In addition to unpacking their approaches and processes, each firm offered specific advice for firms hoping to grow their international portfolios. Such advice becomes particularly relevant at a time when AIA data shows that the number of firms looking abroad for projects is steadily increasing.

Below, we have rounded up four tips offered by Holl, Safdie, and Mecanoo. For more context and insights, you can read our recent feature article here.

1. Place yourself in the client’s shoes

For Steven Holl Architects partner Roberto Bannura, firms seeking international commissions should ask what they bring to the table that local firms alone cannot. “Pla...

Are you an architecture student prepping for finals? Archinect Tips will help get you through!

2023-12-05T19:22:00-05:00

Final reviews for this semester are right around the corner. Are you a first-year undergraduate student embarking on your first presentation as an architecture student? Or are you a seasoned graduate student balancing school work, internships, and everything else in between? Regardless of where you are in your academic journey, don't let the stressors of finals overtake you.

Explore these seven Archinect Tips articles to help you find clarity and confidence as you prepare.

Facing a Jury and Presenting Your Work

You know your project better than anyone else, but is speaking in public holding you back from feeling confident in your project? Are you worried if your pinned-up work or model is missing something? Whether you're stressed about presenting your work, having a cohesive project to present, or facing a design jury, Archinect has you covered.

Architectural Foundations studio review. Image courtesy of Yale Architecture via @yalearchitecture.

Archinect's tips for students preparing...

Four-day weeks are working for some businesses. What about architects?

2023-01-31T10:44:00-05:00

The non-profit group 4 Day Week Global has published the findings of their trial into the impacts of a four-day workweek on businesses. The trial began in February 2022, when 33 companies enacted a “meaningful work time reduction” for six months without reducing pay.

The companies, which collectively employed over 900 people, were spread across North America, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The largest group of companies was represented by admin, IT & telecoms businesses at 36% of participants, while the second-largest group was professional services companies, at 27%. Almost all companies (88%) enacted a four-day workweek for all staff, with Friday being a common day off, while the remaining 12% gave a four-day week to most employees with a small group taking reduced daily hours instead.

According to the report analyzing the trial’s results, two-thirds of the compan...

Mental Health in Architecture

2022-10-10T16:28:00-04:00

Burnout. Fatigue. Anxiety. Mental health. These words have become integrated into the everyday lives of architects, especially since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, looming economic crises, and socio-political injustices taking place globally the state of mental health among individuals has suffered greatly.

Mental health impacts people in many different ways. While discussions of well-being have become more common among family and friends, workplaces and schools have made it a point to address the issues and struggles employees, teams, students, and faculty face.

It's clear that everyone isn't always "okay" and that the increased awareness of mental health support and resources has grown, for the better. While October 10 is recognized as World Mental Health Day, its observance shouldn't be restricted to a single moment.

In 2020, it was important for the Archinect te...

Three tips for overcoming procrastination during the creative process

2022-05-19T11:53:00-04:00

As creative professionals, architects are prone to procrastination. In his acclaimed book The War of Art, author Steven Pressfield breaks down the many reasons why procrastination is a prevalent part in the creative process. “Procrastination is the most common manifestation of [creative resistance] because it’s the easiest to rationalize,” Pressfield wrote. “We don’t tell ourselves, 'I’m never going to write my symphony.' Instead we say, 'I’m going to write my symphony; I’m just going to start tomorrow.'”

For some experts on the topic, procrastination in the creative process is a necessary evil. One such expert is Alice Boyes, a former clinical psychologist and author of the book Stress-Free Productivity. On a recent episode of the Harvard Business Review IdeaCast, Boyes explains that “lots of forms of problem solving benefit from an incubation period where you take a pause between when you hear the problem and when you start working on it.”

Related on Archinect: In school, somet...

Archinect's tips for students preparing for thesis reviews and studio critiques

2022-04-22T17:59:00-04:00

What comes to mind when thinking about studio crits, guest juries, thesis reviews, and final presentations? For some, it's a blend of adrenaline, panic, fatigue, and perhaps a hint of excitement. Of course, everyone prepares differently and has their own "method to their madness," but it's important to realize that crafting a strong presentation is a mental and physical balancing act.

Academic coverage is an essential aspect of Archinect's editorial lineup. Beyond our exclusive interviews with education leaders and showcases of student work, our special Archinect Tips section consists of an array of handy guides that can help you feel prepared for your presentation.

Previously featured on Archinect: Archinect's Guide to Presentations

So, students, whether this is your first presentation as an undergrad or a seasoned fifth-year moving on autopilot, it's easy to forget a few things. Below, we have gathered a list of tips and references to get you through the next few weeks.

Before we ...

Tips for making the most of an architecture internship

2022-03-08T12:41:00-05:00

Architectural internships are a double-edged sword. At their best, an internship provides a valuable introduction to the profession for those at the beginning of their career; helping to inform complex decisions on their future development. However, at their worst, internships can also be a magnet for exploitation. In the broader U.S. economy, it is believed that 40% of internships are unpaid, as indicated in an NCARB poll from October 2021, which also found that 32% of respondents were recently offered or saw a listing for an unpaid internship.

To those who are successful in finding an architectural internship that respects their time and input, the role presents an opportunity to develop industry-relevant skills, build a resume, meet professionals and potential mentors, and even increase the chances of gaining a full-time position in the future. In order to help interns fulfill these goals, a broad range of academic institutions, experts, and Archinect’s own community, have shared...

Retaining architectural staff begins with effective onboarding

2022-02-08T13:57:00-05:00

November 2021 saw 4.5 million Americans resign from their jobs; a peak month of the so-called “Great Resignation” and the largest figure since 2000. As with the broader economy, architecture firms face an ongoing battle to attract and retain staff, a battle which existed before the pandemic and has only gathered further steam throughout the past two years, as we recently explored in a feature article on the topic.

As an anticipated optimism and economic activity returns to the US design and construction sector throughout 2022, the need for architecture to attract and retain staff will only magnify. "Since demand for design projects has been healthy over the last year, recruiting architectural staff to keep up with project workloads has been a growing concern for firms," warned AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker last month. "Architecture is one of the few industries where payrolls have already surpassed their pre-pandemic high, so meeting future staffing needs is a challenge that most ...

Archinect's Internship Watch: Resources for searching paid internship opportunities

2021-11-29T09:11:00-05:00

Talk of architecture internships has been an ongoing discussion at Archinect. With the rise in fair and equitable work practices for designers at various levels, we've frequently opened our platform to organizations and individuals aiming to shed light on best internship practices, specifically paid internship opportunities.

In December 2019, former Archinect team member and contributing writer Sean Joyner outlined in Archinect's Guide to Job Titles the position of Intern. "Internships act as a salient supplementation meant to deepen the practical education of the up and coming pupil, with an aim for growth and development. But what exactly does an intern do? What do firms look for in an intern? And what characteristics make up a good internship?"

Feix & Merlin Architects. Photo by Ellen Hancock

Firms have been teaming with organizations to increase access and work opportunities for students, specifically students from marginalized groups. While the needle is moving, addressing equi...

Archinect's Fellowship Watch Part II: Check out employment and academic fellowship opportunities listed on Archinect Jobs

2021-10-20T13:13:00-04:00

As 2021 slowly comes to a close, begin the upcoming year by applying to a fellowship. Below are three fellowship opportunities at a firm, non-profit organization, and academic institution. Each provides a unique position that offers the applicant hands-on experience in sustainability, climate change, and landscape architecture-focused roles. Beyond their prestige, fellowship opportunities also act as essential pathways for growing professionals to explore specific areas of interest within the field of architecture, construction, and academia.

*Is your firm, school, or organization offering fellowship opportunities but don't see them listed below? Reach out to us at connect@archinect.com or post a job on Archinect's Job board to have your fellowship featured.

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels

FEATURED FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

NYSERDA's Climate Justice Fellowship
Firm: Paul A. Castrucci Architects

Details: "The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will train...

On your cover letter, sell yourself without "selling" yourself

2021-02-25T13:18:00-05:00

The cover letter is a component to a strong application package, but applicants can often shoot themselves in the foot. A common mistake tends to occur when candidates try to follow good advice in the wrong way. One such piece of advice is that we should do all we can to "sell ourselves." However, many misconstrue this practical point and end up sounding a little too arrogant or sometimes even naive.

Selling yourself by not selling yourself

The best way to sell yourself is by highlighting favorable aspects of your character through your resume, portfolio, and cover letter. You don't want to try and do this by telling a prospective employer how great you think you are. Some common statements that go along this line look like this:

"I know I will be the perfect fit for this organization..."
"I am the best in my field at..."
"This organization needs my help..."
"When I begin working for you, I will..."

We could go on, but the tone here comes off overly confident and arrogant, and honestly...

When job hunting, less is more

2021-02-19T12:11:00-05:00

You scour the internet, looking for an employment opportunity that best fits your qualifications, and you think, reasonably enough: "the more resumes I send out, the better." And then you have another thought, also seemingly reasonable: "the faster I submit, the better." This two-fold conclusion — volume coupled with expediency — is flawed, and will likely leave you perplexed over your empty inbox and stunted progress.

Previously on Archinect: Resume tip: Tailor to the job

Turn the tables

When you spend a lot of time working on a resume (and cover letter), showing it to colleagues, revising and reworking, it can seem that you have now acquired a kind of golden ticket that can be sent to as many people as possible. Surely, someone will see how excellent this is, one may assume.

But, usually, that "someone" immediately recognizes that they're looking at an applicant who has not thought about the specific opportunity in question. People looking for a good job always say that they don'...

Landing a job when you have a pandemic-induced work gap

2021-02-03T13:17:00-05:00

COVID-19 forced many companies, including architecture firms, to lay off staff, resulting in several professionals out of the workforce with few prospects. But, as job opportunities increase and more people receive vaccinations, reentry into the workforce could become a greater reality for some job seekers. But, how does one address an employment gap incurred as a result of the pandemic?

Previously on Archinect: Tools of the Job Hunt: Understanding the Employer

Realize that potential employers are likely to understand

Career Coach Heath Krasna, in a recent article on The Muse, writes, "As a career coach and outplacement consultant with 22 years’ experience, I know the situation was similar during the recession of 2008 and that employers were more understanding of people who had been laid off then too."

The added worry and stress of what a potential employer might think about a gap in one's resume will only take away from the focus needed to compose a stellar portfolio, write a gre...

Are you tracking employee activity? Experts say transparency is key

2021-01-22T13:11:00-05:00

Maintaining a corporate surveillance program that operates only in the shadows might nab the occasional miscreant, but it does little to promote positive conduct or to deter inappropriate use of corporate assets when employees are working from home. A more balanced approach should include clear communications with employees explaining the reasons for, and existence of, corporate monitoring programs.

In a recent Harvard Business Review essay, two experts outline the need for transparency in corporations that monitor employee behavior, writing:

"Being transparent about how you’re monitoring employees should be consistent with a transparent culture and a relationship of trust. Helpfully, this also aligns with the underlying legal framework in the U.S., which is premised on concepts of legitimate interest and notice, and is strengthened further when employees provide their consent to be monitored."

3 New Year's resolutions for the student, the professional, and the job seeker

2021-01-05T11:58:00-05:00

The new year is upon us, and many have begun their freshly conceived resolutions. There are the typical ones — exercise, losing weight, read more, start that side project — but sometimes, it can be difficult deciding what to set your mind to. Here are three suggestions with an accompanying essay to dive into.

Previously on Archinect: Balancing Studio With Other Classes. Photo by Alonso Obregon.

For the student — Balance studio with other classes

Most students prioritize studio over other classes, so much so, that those other classes sometimes suffer. Balancing Studio With Other Classes is a short essay that gives students strategies for managing class time and proposes a new way of seeing the hidden benefits of classes outside of studio.

Previously on Archinect: The Importance of Physical Fitness in Mental Performance. Photo: Prototype for off-the-grid house using human-powered energy, by Spanish Architecture firm Elii

For the professional — Physical fitness

This applies to all of u...

Follow 'Archinect Tips' for the latest tips and tricks in architectural employment, professional practice, and academia

2020-12-18T10:09:00-05:00

Ever wonder how to create a good resume? How about how to deal with passive-aggressive coworkers? You might've even asked yourself the best way to communicate an important idea. Whatever your areas of interest, be sure to follow the Archinect Tips tag to stay up to date on the latest architecture and design-specific insights and pro tips. It's hard enough out there on your own. Whether you're looking for a job, navigating through school, or trying to do better in the workplace, Archinect Tips will provide you with some quick reading to stimulate new ideas and strategies in your day-to-day pursuits in architecture.

Here is a list of a few articles, but be sure to check out all of the content here!

What should you put at the top of your resume?

2020-12-11T17:11:00-05:00

It can be easy to adhere to a templated idea of how your resume should be organized. Typically, people put their experience near the top, then education, then awards and extracurriculars, and towards the bottom it becomes a free for all. But, does experience always need to be first? How should that decision be made?

Previously on Archinect: When to omit a job from your resume

As with all of the other aspects of your application package, you should always look to tell a prospective employer a (true) story about yourself that directly responds to the opportunity you are pursuing.

Previously on Archinect: Resume tip: Tailor to the job

Think about someone with little to no experience, but who has a lot of relevant volunteer work. There might be a scenario where that volunteer work is placed at the forefront. Or perhaps you have some work experience, but you've just completed a graduate degree, something an employer has said is particularly important to them. You might put your education ...

Want to learn a new skill? These two essays might inspire you to get started

2020-12-03T12:11:00-05:00

Learning a new skill is a great way to bolster your personal development. And it doesn't hurt your professional marketability. A new skill or even a new hobby could also just be something you want to do, for yourself, and no one else. But, sometimes getting started can be tough. Check out these two essays for some inspiration

Alán Manning at the Los Angeles Art Walk

True Grit: How One Designer Taught Himself to Draw and Became an International Artist

In this piece, we look at the journey of Alán Ramiro Manning and his personal goal to learn how to draw. Readers will get to see how the young designer applied himself and went from a complete novice to a prolific illustrator through sheer determination and grit. If you've ever wanted to embark on a crazy path to do something new in your life, this is the story for you.

Liyuan Library by Li Xiaodong/Atelier

Career Evolution Through Autodidacticism and Accelerated Learning

This essay looks at the world of accelerated learning and autodid...

When to omit a job from your resume

2020-11-30T13:57:00-05:00

One of the inevitable questions for someone with a lot of work experience is if all of those previous jobs should be included on a resume. The answer should depend on the circumstance. As a general rule, it's best to remember that a resume should always be tailored to the job you are applying for.

Remember this: employers want to see relevant experience, not just experience for experience's sake. Upon college graduation, I had a lot of work experience compared to most of my peers. When I was fourteen, I started working at Six Flags Magic Mountain. When I turned eighteen, I started working at Home Depot. I then did a little stint with ADT Security, knocking on doors, until I finally transitioned to architecture internships while in school.

Previously on Archinect: Tools of the Job Hunt: Understanding the Employer

Frame other's perception of you

When I started applying to full-time jobs, I put all of that experience on my resume. Later, a mentor helped me see how the presence of those...

Architecture students — read these 3 articles before your final review

2020-11-23T15:41:00-05:00

Finals are coming up and many students are anticipating the final review and all that comes along with it: presenting in front of a jury; receiving criticism; and the pressure, stress, and anxiety leading up to it. Additionally, the virtual nature of the presentations bring a new layer of consideration for students. There are many factors that go into a successful final review. Here are three articles that investigate some of the intricacies of presentations in studio.

Students presenting their work at SCI-Arc's 2018 theses reviews

The Architecture Student's Presentation Roadmap

The Architecture Student's Presentation Roadmap outlines some best practices for those communicating their work in studio. There are practical examples on how to outline a presentation and some helpful tips to keep in mind for the big day.

Richard Feynman

Complexity over clarity? What happens when we try to sound too "smart"

In this piece we debunk the myth that one must use complicated language to communica...

Ask yourself this important question when searching for a job

2020-11-19T11:56:00-05:00

Merely wanting a job isn't a good enough reason to pursue an employer. Many young job seekers approach their job search with this in mind — to get a job somewhere — anywhere. But, one should be more intentional when it comes to one's future. It's normal to get caught up creating your portfolio, resume, and cover letters, doing your best to line up interviews hoping that someone will say yes. But, often, that normality can distract from a larger, more important consideration.

"What are my broader goals for this employer?"

When searching for an employer, we must all ask ourselves our broader goals for this prospective employer. Sure, just wanting to work for them could be the goal, but that gets old fairly quickly. What's the larger plan? To get more experience in construction administration because your previous firm had you trapped in the early design phases? That's getting better. Perhaps, you've been working for a few years in healthcare design, and you've discovered you want to w...

3 ways to rehearse for your job interview

2020-11-12T13:02:00-05:00

Job interviews are a crucial part of the hiring process. Usually, it means your application was well received, and so now, it's time for both parties to get to know each other in a deeper way. But, how does one prepare for the interview? Surprisingly, I've found that many people do not prepare beforehand, simply winging it, and hoping things go well. I've written on the importance of researching the employer and on some of the intricacies of interviews, so here I'll focus on some ideas that I think aren't typically offered.

Previously on Archinect: Archinect Tips: Employment Edition

Research the people you will be meeting with

Yes, researching the firm is important, but researching the specific people you will be meeting with is just as important, perhaps even more so. In Tools of the Job Hunt: Understanding the Employer, I wrote:

"Say you’re meeting with the design principal and the managing principal of a prospective firm. Do you approach each of them the same way? They are two di...

These two allegorical essays explore the nature of collaboration in architecture

2020-10-08T11:44:00-04:00

Collaboration is an essential part of architectural practice. To realize the complexities of built work, architects and designers must work with one another and a slew of other disciplines to ensure a successful final result. But what is the nature of this collaborative effort? What are the mechanics of it? These two allegorical essays, previously published on Archinect explore two aspects of teamwork and collaboration in architecture.

Apple Store, London, by Foster + Partners, Photo by Nigel Young

Steve Jobs and The Collaborative Framework

Steve Jobs and The Collaborative Framework looks at the conception of the Apple Store and how Steve Jobs relied on the insights and disagreements of his colleagues to manifest his ambitious vision. The extracted lesson revolves around the importance of conversation in the creative endeavor and the value of team members who will tell you the truth.

Still from Ocean's Eleven

The Collaborative Team Dynamic

The Collaborative Team Dynamic dive into th...

How to use reading to find mentorship when you have no job

2020-09-30T13:21:00-04:00

Working in an organization with more experienced architects is crucial to one's professional development. But, in this current job market, amid the pandemic, it has been difficult for many to land a promising appointment. And while the searching continues, professional growth can feel stunted. Without a mentor to teach, where does one turn for guidance? How can the jobless candidate continue on a path of growth despite this misfortunate dilemma?

There are many ways to tackle downtime during this season. Reading biographies is one way to learn a lifetime worth of lessons. In this way, your mentors become endless and fully accessible. Obviously, this doesn't replace the one on one interaction with an actual human being. As an aspiring architect, there is much to be embraced from the biographies of creative individuals, their mistakes and failures, how they overcame them, and how you can take those lessons and apply them to your journey. Here are three recommendation that I think will...

In architecture, the computer is a tool — not a crutch

2020-09-24T09:04:00-04:00

There's a funny thing that tends to happen in schools of architecture and design firms among the younger practitioners and students. The growth of computational modes of design and the development of design software has produced a generation of creative people who increasingly rely on the use of a computer to execute their work. Right off the bat, I'm not saying that computers are "bad" — I think they're great, but it is a tool to be wielded, not a crutch to be dependent on.

Just like a pencil, a computer is an inanimate idiot that requires the mind of its user to produce something of value, and so when lack of proficiency on a computer impedes on one's design, there is a problem. The obvious solution is to get better at using the software, but it often seems that some become preoccupied with the means while canning the ends.

What do I mean? Most typically, a project is pursued for some purpose — typically to address some kind of human condition: a need for a school, home, hospital...

3 ways to master downtime in a slow job market

2020-09-23T11:53:00-04:00

Disgruntled and disillusioned, the job seeker tackling opportunities in a slow job market can understandably grow more and more despondent. It's even worse when you know you're a great candidate — perhaps you were even let go from a job where your employer valued you as such. The discouragement in seasons like these can become debilitating. What does one do after they've sent countless thoughtful and tailored job applications to firms only to receive rejection or no response at all?

The diligent candidate can only continue down their same path of perseverance — continue to seek out available opportunities — that's part of it. The other is, and perhaps more subtly, to master your downtime. It's tempting to think we have nothing to do if we aren't working, but is that really true?

Previously on Archinect: Turning obstacles into opportunities in architectural practice

Here are three ways some professionals are mastering their downtime during this pandemic:

Content creation

Creative prof...

Architecture students — stop trying to please your studio professor — seek to learn from them

2020-09-16T12:41:00-04:00

There's this bizarre phenomenon in schools of architecture where students become disproportionately preoccupied with pleasing their studio instructors. Let me qualify that — some students seem more concerned with whether or not their professor will like their work instead of what they will learn from them.

These are two entirely different postures toward the classroom. An instructor is there to mentor the student, to help them grow and become a better designer. An instructor isn't a client, or someone's mommy or daddy, they are merely an individual with more experience and knowledge with a responsibility to impart some of that knowledge to a group of students.

Previously on Archinect: Balancing Studio With Other Classes

That's the key point here — this isn't any group of people one teaches, but rather a group of students. We all know the saying: "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." Students: if you don't see yourself as a student, school is going to be a drag. In stu...

When applying to jobs, think less of yourself and more of the employer

2020-09-02T14:47:00-04:00

Over time architects develop a distinct ability to solve their client's "problem" in a manner that encompasses their personal touch and creative aptitude. There is a realization that the project is about someone else, but the vehicle and means to realize that project is grounded in the designer. Once the result is realized, there is an inadvertent and unavoidable fingerprint of the creator on the final product, and the dial of success lies greatly in the architect's solving of the design problem at hand.

Previously on Archinect: The Importance of Building Professional Relationships in Architecture

When it comes to applying to a job, this same thinking should be adopted. The application is less about you and more about how you can solve a problem for your future employer. This is a matter of perspective that can crucially change how you think about composing your application package. In one sense — the more common approach — applicants make their job search too personal. They want to...

In your search for a job, don't "just be yourself"

2020-08-26T12:45:00-04:00

A common piece of advice given to those setting out on a job search is to "just be yourself." It sounds nice and sweet and it's usually intended to ease the nerves of the inquirer, but when it comes to the actual application and interview process, this advice could lead many promising candidates down a disappointing path. Admittedly, this is kind of a semantical thing that depends on context. If I say "be yourself" to a seasoned professional the implication is different than if I said the same thing to a new graduate. Here the focus is on the negative potential of such advise.

In a Harvard Business Review essay, contributing editor Amy Gallo quotes career strategist and author John Lees, writing, "Lees calls the 'be yourself' advice 'demonstrably untrue.' He says, 'It's a trained improvised performance where you're trying to present the best version of you.'"

Previously on Archinect: When it comes to the job hunt, perseverance is key

An application process is a time to present your b...