Best Practice Fireside Chats

85 Episodes

Reverse

MVRDV: How To Win Work (w/ Inger Kammeraat, Jan Knikker)

2022-06-3054:48

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 Document new systems Build a supportive culture Don’t kill creativity Use PR to showcase your wins Close the project cycle Check in regularly Align with the client’s goals Balance profit with mission Overbook your projects Set boundaries Show Links Connect with Jan Knikker on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Inger Kammeraat on LinkedIn Check out MVRDV Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Level Architecture + Interiors: Success Stories: Leveling up Practice Ops (w/Adam Gayle)

2022-05-1721:30

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 Establish your identity Create consistency Start with good documentation Guide your employees Get the right people Be transparent Identify your weaknesses Break down projects by phases Form intentional habits Generate staff buy-in Show Links Connect with Adam Gayle on LinkedIn Check out Level Architecture + Interiors Connect with Nathan Malone on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

bldg.collective architecture + design: Achieving Balance: Creative Expression Meets Professional Service (w/ Steve Perce)

2022-05-1221:47

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 Get in the right mindset Guide the conversation Connect over creative opportunities Create moments of delightful design Communicate the impact of client decisions Align on goals and scheduling Educate clients through the process Tailor your conversations to the client Treat your work as an ongoing practice Balance creativity with feasibility Show Links Connect with Steve Perce on LinkedIn or Twitter Check out bldg.collective Connect with Nathan Malone on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Defining Design Practice: Defining Change (w/ Lorena Galvao)

2022-05-1041:17

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 Spend your time wisely Prepare tomorrow’s leaders Find community Recapture your market share Think forward Focus on innovation Give opportunities to younger people Keep adapting Discover your niche Find your communication channel Show Links Connect with Silvia Lee on LinkedIn Connect with Lorena Galvão on Instagram Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Charrette Venture Group: Designing the Client Experience (w/ Lucas Gray, Dena Alspach)

2022-05-0644:58

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: Get in tune with potential clients’ feelings Nurture the client relationship Set the right expectations Strengthen your onboarding process Find the best way to share documents Document when you reach milestones Reach out to the client regularly Show where the money is going Get feedback Check in annually after a project closes Show Links Connect with Lucas Gray on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Dena Alspach on LinkedIn or Twitter Check out Charrett Venture Group Connect with Joann Lui on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Studio Balcones: Growth Rooted in Community (w/ Jennifer Orr, Tiffany Rasco)

2022-04-2552:38

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 Create designs rooted in existing ecologies Design for the soil in each neighborhood Align with the project partners Get involved in community programs Be prepared to wear multiple hats Work with the landscape, not against it Educate clients Hire the right amount of hands Build systems as you grow Have the confidence to try something new Show Links Connect with Jennifer Orr on LinkedIn Connect with Tiffany Rasco on LinkedIn Check out Studio Balcones Connect with Silvia Lee on LinkedIn Connect with Nathan Malone on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Ennead Architects LLP: How Civic Architecture Can Inspire Change (w/ Molly McGowan, Thomas Wong)

2022-04-2256:06

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 Build better architects with diverse projects Merge business and creative goals Help clients make the right decisions Build trust and relationships Be proactive about filling in where needed Staff team strategically Rely on peers for validation and inspiration Create a lasting impact Cultivate a culture of client service Have a tech leader on each team Show Links Connect with Molly McGowan on LinkedIn Connect with Thomas Wong on LinkedIn Check out Ennead Architects Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Silvia Lee on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Roundtable Chats: Professions Other Than Architect (w/ Monograph's Growth Team)

2022-04-1926:28

If you get your architecture degree and get certified, that means your only choice is to design buildings, right? Wrong. Yet, many people don’t realize that there are several paths to choose from until they stumble into them in internships or early-career jobs. Within the industry there are many roles that have an impact on a project that have nothing to do with design, from project management to business development to marketing. And there are several other industries where an architecture background makes you uniquely qualified. In this Roundtable session, the Monograph Growth Team discusses the variety of choices available and how they figured out that design was only one of them.Interview Takeaways Make an impact on a project Have multiple lines of revenue See the reality of the business Consider tech careers Lean into your passion Build transferable skills Show your technical and operations skills Take initiative on new tasks Treat your career like a business Chase what excites you Show Links Connect with Silvia Lee on LinkedIn Connect with Joann Lui on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

GLUCK+: Architects Who Build (w/ Thomas Gluck, Stacie Wong)

2022-04-1350:12

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 Design for the build Be the one point of contact Scale by hiring Preserve what matters Ask contractors for advice Price early and often Zoom in and out Diversity to problem-solve Feed your architecture addiction Show Links Connect with Thomas Gluck on LinkedIn Connect with Stacie Wong on LinkedIn Check out Gluck+ Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Roundtable Chats: What Do You Geek Out On? (w/ Monograph's Growth Team)

2022-04-0828:23

Whether you’re an architect, a designer, or any creative, you need people to buy into your idea. That’s what the Monograph growth team discussed in a recent Monograph Roundtable. The best way to get others on board? Build your idea into a compelling story—one that’s clear and gets the message across, but is also enveloped in passion. Interview Takeaways Write clearly Take an operations view Feel lucky in life Learn the lingo Embrace “middle” terms Be more direct Communicate clearly with clients Hone your storytelling skills Keep learning new skills Help others break out of imposter syndrome Show Links Connect with Cristy Sabillon on LinkedIn Connect with Silvia Lee on LinkedIn Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Stayner Architects: How To Design New Models for Practice (w/ Christian Stayner)

2022-04-0455:58

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 Compartmentalize how you present your practice Showcase projects that attract your ideal clients Find alternative approaches to your practice Offer wrap-around services Expand beyond hourly services Continue your education to supplement your services Collaborate with consultants who lend credibility Research and develop your own passion projects Systemize client interactions Address the limitations of hourly work Show Links Connect with Christian Stayner on LinkedIn Check out Stayner Architects Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Essel Environmental: How the Random Can Change Your Practice (w/ Nik Lahiri)

2022-03-3155:28

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 Say yes and figure it out later Understand your role and metrics for success Hire professionals from different experience levels Don’t try to make it up in volume Don’t equate past performance with future results Know where you get your energy from Avoid making assumptions that limit your business Meet your potential clients where they already hang out Show appreciation when your team goes above and beyond Set expectations for project milestones upfront Show Links Connect with Nik Lahiri on LinkedIn Check out Essel Environmental Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Roundtable Chats: Why Office Culture Matters (w/ Monograph's Growth Team)

2022-03-3026:57

Good workplace culture is highly sought after, but it’s hard to find and even harder to keep. So what’s the magical ingredient for an office culture your employees can’t stop talking about? Hard work. Good company culture doesn’t magically occur on its own; it’s carefully cultivated by every employee, from the top CEO down to the summer intern. During our latest Roundtable discussion, Chris Morgan, George Valdes, and Silvia Lee discussed the importance of office culture and what you can do to help your company’s culture flourish.Interview Takeaways Take responsibility for your people Set up your values early on Don’t dwell on perfection Adopt a mindset of continual improvement Create a safe environment Hire people who will contribute to your culture Back up your values with action Prioritize good communication Practice gratitude Appreciate what others bring to the table Show Links Connect with Silvia Lee on LinkedIn Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Runcible Studios: How To Start Your Own Practice (w/ Marilyn Moedinger)

2022-03-2956:45

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 Determine whether you should start a practice Don’t lead with a sales pitch Crowdsource information Account for non-billable hours Change to project fees Show them what they’re getting Pull the levers of efficiency and price raises Experiment in the first 5 years Keep a cash reserve Talk money right away Show Links Connect with Marilyn Moedinger on LinkedIn or Twitter Check out Runcible Studios Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

SK Development: How To Manage A Development Pipeline (w/ Scott Shnay)

2022-03-2450:50

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 Use non-union contractors to elevate design Have conviction in your decisions Find architects through referrals Keep the development pipeline full Partner with a large team Offer turnkey services as an architect Stick to your tasks Rely on help if it’s a new type of project Find people who approach projects like you Stay ahead of new building trends Show Links Connect with Scott Shnay on LinkedIn Check out SK Development Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Roundtable Chats: Owning Your Career Path (w/ Monograph's Growth Team)

2022-03-1726:50

Owning your career path can look like a lot of things. But at its core it’s about balancing two things: becoming an expert at what you do and knowing when and how to work with others. When you take ownership of your career, you move from taking cues from those above you to being proactive about your own learning and your own path. You start looking for ways to solve the problems around you, improve the lives of your team, and elevate the entire company along with yourself. In this Best Practice interview, our growth team members George and Silvia talk about how to put those ideas into practice.Interview Takeaways Become an expert on what you do Learn to delegate Collaborate for better results Offer people something in exchange for partnership Establish trust and working styles Make a manual of me Enable team members with communication Make a place where people can ask questions Understand the differences between architecture and tech Hack your way up the ladder Make the right solutions exist Show Links Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Silvia Lee on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Roundtable Chats: Mentorship Models That Work (w/ Monograph's Growth Team)

2022-03-1632:35

Mentorship can take on many different forms. For a small office, it may work more like osmosis, with people working closely together and absorbing the knowledge of those around them. For a large office, it might need to be more structured where one person is in charge of guiding the career growth of their mentee through one-on-one meetings and lessons. Mentorship can encompass various things as well, like coaching, sponsorship, tutoring, or apprenticeship. With so many firms remaining fully remote, we need to adapt those approaches to the new way of doing practice. In this Roundtable, we discuss how to create those relationships without having to be face to face.Interview Takeaways Mentor through osmosis Create a more structured mentorship Change mentorship to sponsorship Use Slack as a way to cheer on others Connect people across departments Create peer connections Put questions into the public record Make mentorship bi-directional Encourage action Don’t wait for a relationship to mentor Include new people for fresh perspectives Use theme nights to group mentor Show Links Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Connect with Silvia Lee on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Form Developers: How to Design Apartments Using Floorplan Data (w/ Bobby Fijan)

2022-03-1453:39

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 Consider the tenant experience Listen to the data Be the expert Speak the developer’s language Let the city guide your design Prove your expertise Share online if you won’t in real life Measure to improve Be humble Read the code Start off product-oriented Make the inside count Show Links Connect with Bobby Fijan on LinkedIn or Twitter Check out Form Developers Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

Roundtable: Burnout Across Architecture (w/ Monograph's Growth Team)

2022-03-0852:58

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 Look back to build a better future Pay attention to your people Spend your assets carefully Maximize your time with tools Know when to say no Control your productivity Articulate your ideas Work smarter Take time for your mental health Find supportive people Develop a healthy work mindset Advocate for your needs Show Links Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Connect with Joann Lui on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Silvia Lee on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

NADAAA: How to Own the Means and Methods (w/ Nader Tehrani, Arthur Chang)

2022-03-0150:08

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 Collaborate as a team Keep an open mind throughout the design process Be flexible to other ideas Understand the role of the architect in the construction process NADAAA’s first experience with means and methods Defuse the tension between designer and contractor with IDP Evaluate a client’s risk tolerance early on Demonstrate real world applications for students New approach to the means and methods process Show Links Check out NADAAA Connect with Arthur Chang on LinkedIn Connect with Nader Tehrani on LinkedIn Connect with George Valdes on LinkedIn or Twitter Connect with Chris Morgan on LinkedIn Check out Monograph Follow Monograph on LinkedIn or Instagram Listen and read more about Monograph

#box-pro-ellipsis-167933635084923{-webkit-line-clamp:2;}Best Practice Fireside Chats