There is a reason why the term “architecture” is no longer only associated with designing and building physical spaces. The architecture of applications, websites, software and networks all illustrate the manifold nature of what it means to practice architecture today.

Architecture has broadened as a field, merging various disciplines, technologies and products. This expansion requires a new educational model to teach students how to innovate and compete in an industry that is increasingly outward facing.

When we say there is a gap between academia and practice, we don’t only mean that architecture schools are failing to prepare students for entering the workforce. The bigger problem seems to be that, while schools may teach students to be innovative in terms of design, there is an overwhelming lack of similarly pioneering content for the business side of architecture.

This disconnect becomes even more alarming when we compare the industry 10 years ago with the industry today, where entrepreneurship has emerged as the most compelling economic force the world has experienced in the last decades.

It is true that architectural education needs to strike a balance between the theoretical and practical aspects of the profession. But more importantly, architectural courses need to teach students to take a proactive role in building their careers.

RIBA’s recent research found that 80 percent of UK-based employers and 75 percent of students think that architectural schools fail to provide students with the practical tools necessary to enter the workforce. In June 2014, RIBA Appointments carried out two complementary surveys.

One was sent to employers in the architectural industry and the other to architectural students and recent graduates. The surveys show that over 80 percent of employers and 74 percent of students think that architectural schools put theoretical knowledge above practical capability.

More than 50 percent of employers and students think that architectural course content doesn’t accurately reflect the field of architecture today.

Even more importantly, architecture degrees also appear to overlook the teaching of soft (transferable) skills. Over 50 percent of employers feel that students/graduates lack the soft skills needed to practice architecture. The profession’s age distribution is at its peak between the ages of 40 and 44, with only one third of the profession being younger than 40.

This proves that architecture schools are failing to connect architecture with entrepreneurship because older staff members are more likely to stick to conventional approaches in their careers. In addition, the age distribution means that existing businesses tend to operate by way of old models, which often fail to adjust to global trends.

Marketing, management, finance and business plan development are some of the concepts that students need to be familiar with in order to find their own, individual and perhaps unconventional ways of engaging with design. Preparing students for an entrepreneurial career and equipping them with the necessary skills and competencies to compete in a rapidly changing economy is a must.

Teaching the same methods and approaches to architecture will generate graduates armed with tools that are already outdated by the time they enter the workplace. Teaching enterprise-oriented professional development in architecture will bring forth a generation of out-of-the-box thinkers and job creators.

“Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.”  P. J. Abdul Kalam

An encouraging example of entrepreneurial thinking in schools is the Penn State sponsored business accelerator program, Lion Launch Pad (LionLP), which aims to help student entrepreneurs realize their innovative projects and transform service concepts into viable startups.

Students Aaron Wertman and Josh Kesler were selected to design the program so that they could develop Apparatus X, an adaptable tool trailer that doubles up as a micro-living unit. The team behind Apparatus X plans to take the trailer to New Orleans, where it will help with the recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Another student, Mike Zaengle, designed a project that simulates self-contained ecosystems, to allow people to grow food almost anywhere. The project, called GreenTowers, includes various products that help cultivate urban farming, including tables with aquaponic gardens.

Kevin Pu, a 22-year-old student at Ryerson, is making a splash in the Canadian architecture industry with his research into augmented reality. His Augmented Reality in Development Design (ARIDD) is a piece of software that creates live interactive building models in real time and can be used on an iPad.

Using computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data, users can create and simulate designs in real-world environments. Although there are several examples of this technology being developed by startups all over the world, the interesting angle in this story is that Pu has entered the industry while still a student.

It is important that architects no longer frame their professional identity through the buildings that they design. Venturing from these conventional notions of architecture requires a level of initiative and preparedness to confront uncertainty and obstacles.

The profession in general needs to learn to become more entrepreneurial in its approach and so expand its opportunities beyond the confines of the industry. Lateral thinking and problem solving are soft skills that are considered the innate marks of architects, but these need to be nurtured in order to effectively combine design with entrepreneurship.

It is high time for architecture schools to incorporate lessons into their programs that focus on recognizing opportunities, testing feasibility, analyzing the competition and developing effective business plans.

Designing apps and software, learning about areas peripheral to the discipline of architecture, and understanding how to develop unique designs by him or herself are some of the many ways a student can take advantage of unexplored opportunities within the A/E/C industry. If these skills were to be taught at school, they would empower students to become archipreneurs.

How do you think architecture degrees and programs can be improved to facilitate a more entrepreneurial mindset in students?

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Working for starchitect offices has become a controversial and divisive topic due to numerous reports citing long work hours, disruptive office politics and either low pay or no pay at all for interns. Stories about renowned principals not showing up, only to throw tantrums when they do hours later, as well as unhealthy employee competitiveness and near impossible deadlines are some valid reasons as to why working for a starchitect has gotten such a bad rap over the years.

Nevertheless, there are (arguably) other equally valid reasons as to why young graduates continue to line up for the opportunity to work in offices run by famous architects. Whether it’s to gain experience, acquire impressive references or simply schmooze with the big guns, these hopeful professionals are proving that there’s a lot to be learned from the most successful in the field. Here are some of the most important behaviors that you can learn from working for a starchitect:

#1 – Brand Building

There is a science to marketing your work – if anyone has mastered it it’s the starchitects. An important part of brand building is to create a niche that will keep new commissions rolling in and media devouring every press release of yours that hits the Internet. Daniel Libeskind, Frank Gehry and Bernard Tschumi have become the ‘go-to’ architects for cultural monuments; Richard Meier has become the developers’ first choice for high-end residential architecture; Helmut Jahn is known for high-rises and glass-and steel commercial building, gmp Architects design stadiums, and so on.

#2 – Knowing the Value of Projects

Established architects create works of high value and know how to price themselves. Learning how they do so could be key to your own success. The experience of watching these guys at work can inspire you to learn how to negotiate and get your way in a deal. Another benefit of working for a starchitect is in actually going through the wringer of the daily pressures that come with working in a high-profile environment. Overcoming setbacks, tricky obstacles and the murky waters of office politics will make you stronger and encourage you to fight for your own talents to be seen.

#3 – Showing Off Projects

Starchitects never miss opportunities to show off their projects to decision-makers, journalists, colleagues, architectural students and the general public. Their designs are displayed in their studios, showcased at exhibitions, and project principals often give lectures, attend conferences and publish books. Their promotional material runs the gamut from publications to giveaways.

#4 – Celebrating Successes

Every now and then, starchitects give themselves and their employees the opportunity to relax and enjoy their success. They can recognize and celebrate each project milestone as a way to relieve the pressures of the everyday. Giving people the opportunity to socialize and loosen up in an informal atmosphere also helps to strengthen the team.

#5 – Collaborating With the Best

To be excellent in your business, you have to surround yourself with talented people. Starchitects usually team up with only the best engineers, consultants, PR agencies, developers and contractors, which goes to show that recognizing talent is essential for building a successful career. Koolhaas, Libeskind and Calatrava, for instance, could have never brought their visions to life without the expertise of Cecil Balmond, structural engineer and a trustee of Arup, a famous London-based international engineering firm. There are numerous examples of successful long-term collaborations among famous architects and professionals working within relevant industries.

#6 – Creating an Automated Design Language

Successful design offices develop systematic frameworks, procedures and automatically generated design solutions that help link the design with the construction process. The practice of establishing a design ‘language’ enhances efficiency and is recognized as the modus operandi for the best architectural firms. Additionally, by having a recognizable design language, starchitects can rely on their staff to follow the same logic and produce work that is consistently in line with the firm’s profile. By appropriating some of these principles and developing your unique design philosophy behind them, you can increase the efficiency of your future practice.

#7 – Finding Local Partners

Many famous firms find localized partners for specific commissions in order to optimize construction processes, simplify navigating the permit/building code minefield, and acquire knowledge on how things are done differently in other countries, regions and cities. In this way, starchitects outsource a large portion of their construction risks and capitalize on their partners’ experiences without having to do all the heavy lifting. It is time-effective, resource-effective and builds relationships with national and international partners and clients.

#8 – Creating an Efficient Work Environment

Creating an efficient office structure is an important ingredient for the success of an architecture firm. A strong hierarchy is evident in most starchitect offices but this is certainly not the only model out there. Some studios prefer a more diffused organizational approach with a loose hierarchy (think SANAA). In both cases, the principals have found a method that appeals to different personality types. A great management system means that the office is kept running smoothly while the principals are out acquiring new commissions.

#9 – Effective Storytelling

Starchitects repeatedly market their design attitudes and philosophies until their name becomes associated with specific principles, catchphrases and tropes. Future archipreneurs should learn from Bjarke Ingels’ famous apocryphal motto “Yes is More” and OMA’s manifesto-style book S,M,L,XL in order to discover what makes their own story original and fresh.

#10 – Realizing Someone Else’s Dream

While the satisfaction of working on high profile and interesting projects is a reward in itself, it is always useful to keep in mind that you are refining someone else’s ideas. Some people might be comfortable with the thought of spending their entire careers working for a starchitect, but if you’re determined to nurture your “archipreneurial spirit” then it is important to focus on learning from and utilizing the experience you have gained when the time comes to get out there and build your own practice.

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It is a well-known fact that most world-famous architects belong to an elite, exclusive and very successful club where only the most promising students and beginners are nurtured. Successful firms such as BIG, REX, MVRDV and FOA are, in the words of Conrad Newel, “the Children of Rem” (Koolhaas) and are living proof that having a famous architect recognize your work can be the key to a successful career.

Working in a starchitect’s office can be a confusing experience, and can cause one to lose sight of the big picture. Keeping your goals and entrepreneurial ambitions on track is one of the most important lessons an archipreneur can learn from working for a successful starchitect.

Have you ever considered working for a famous architecture firm? Perhaps you have already done so? Share your thoughts and experiences with us below!

The post 10 Things You Can Learn While Working For a Starchitect appeared first on Archipreneur.

Please read my list of 5 ways architecture students can get their start as entrepreneurs.

By Cory Wingelaar

A professor in my final semester of University made a point that resonated with me: Why does a field of study that teaches students to envision and create so subjectively, generate graduates that view their career path so objectively?

I think there needs to be a fundamental shift in the mindset of architecture student’s. We need to ask, how can I monetize this skillset, as opposed to where can I wait tables until a firm hires me?

Why wait hat in hand for job interviews? Here are 5 ways that you can capitalize on your arsenal of valuable skills and make a couple bucks now!

#1 – Create a 3D Rendering Service

When I was working as a draftsperson for a residential construction company that specialized in addition/renovations, I noticed that we were spending far too much of the drafting budget trying to sell 2D elevations and plans to homeowners.

The reason being is that most customers aren’t architecturally trained and can’t visualize in 2D. Customers want you to show them solutions that they see on sites like Pinterest, Houzz and shows like Property Brothers.

Therefore, I created a freelance service that catered to developers and residential construction companies. This is how it worked: First meeting, I would meet with the customer to discuss their design ideas and obtain relevant job documents.

Second meeting, I would show them 12 different views of basic mass models and have them agree upon any number they were willing to pay for. We would set the fee, sign the contract and move forward. Following the second meeting, I’d send progress shots with inquiries and alter designs based on their feedback until we reached a final agreement.

How can you start?

Use your portfolio as your advertising tool. I would suggest setting up a small WordPress portfolio site and advertising your service via social media platforms. Check out this post on how to set up a WordPress site for architects.

Note: Make sure to agree upon exact perspective views early on. Customers have a tendency to change views throughout the process, not realizing how time consuming it can be for you if you have already dressed your perspectives up in Photoshop. Set the views collectively, and agree upon a fee if the customer would like to make a change or add one later on.

#2 – Set up a Residential Drafting Service

Different states or provinces are likely to have different requirements for submitting permit drawings, but there is always a need for qualified people to produce drawings for DIY projects. Most building departments require more than a “napkin” sketch in 2015, which is why your CAD skills can be of great assistance. As for payment, you can either set an hourly fee, or charge by the job. Personally, I always charged by the job.

How can you start?

Advertise your services on sites like Kijiji or Craigslist and you might be surprised how quick you get contacted.

Note: Make sure to find out what local permit drawing qualifications are required for submissions prior to putting yourself out there. You don’t want to damage credibility by making promises that you are not qualified to fulfill.

#3 – Start a “How to Blog” that offers Tips

Have you just passed your LEED AP BD+C exam? Are you an expert in AutoCad, Sketchup or Photoshop? What can you do really well that you can put in writing to help others?

Blogging is a longer path to produce regular income, but there are people making money simply sharing their skills online. For information on monetizing your blog please visit this link.

How can you get started?

A case study that should inspire you, is Pat Flynn. Pat was a job captain in an architecture firm until 2008 when he became jobless as result of the recession. He started with a simple blog sharing his study tips for the LEED AP exam and made over 5 times his previous salary in his first year. The key point is that it started as a tip sharing blog to make things easier for others and grew beyond something he could have ever imagined. For more information please visit this blog post.

WordPress is a great, user friendly blog building website. I suggest visiting this how to guide to help you get started.

 Note: Your blog can also be your advertisement platform for the rest of the services on this list!

#4 – Create your own Youtube Channel

If you’re anything like me, every time you have an AutoCAD or Revit issue, you YouTube the solution. More often than not, the solution is there. Why? Because someone else has had that issue, and someone else has solved that issue.

Yes, you aren’t the first person to do this. But who cares? If you’re good at a particular program and you communicate the solution well, your services may be in high demand. Check out Eric Reinholdt’s video blog to see a great example of how to offer tips to users on a video platform.

For information on how to monetize your video blog, visit this site.

How can you start?

First, find your niche. You’re more likely to be successful with a target audience.

Note: Niche is the keyword. Be specific with your topic!

#5 – Use Freelance Job Platforms

Why not take advantage of platforms that were created for people like you? There are too many great platforms available online for freelance work to list, but I will outline 2 that I am familiar with:

GreenLancer

A Detroit based start-up that hires people with architecture and engineering backgrounds to create solar design documents via correspondence. Your hourly wage is dictated by your experience. For more information please visit GreenLancer.

Upwork

Unlike GreenLancer, Upwork is not industry specific. It is a platform designed to connect various types of employers to freelancers and vice verca. Compensation is unique job to job. For more information please visit Upwork.

How to get started?

You can simply get started by creating a profile on one of these websites and bidding on your first project. Your first freelance job can be a start on your own freelance business.

Conclusion

I must reinforce my point: architecture draws creative, driven people that are trained to innovate and adapt. Therefore, why can’t these skills be implemented for entrepreneurial ventures? They can and they should!

Don’t accept the status quo for graduates and more importantly, don’t fall victim to the negative banter you hear about how there are no jobs for graduates. Pick a service, advertise your work, network and good opportunities will present themselves.

Am I missing any great entrepreneurial services for architecture students? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated!

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This post is a guest post by Cory Wingelaar.

Cory is a graduate of Architecture at Lawrence Technical University and a LEED AP BD+C. Cory’s professional experience ranges from drafting/design in architecture firms to Project estimating/ technical sales for a building façade Curtainwall firm. Cory is passionate about architecture, entrepreneurship, travel and sports.

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