So you want to be an architect?

Thinking about a career in architecture? Wondering about the math required, or how much you’ll earn? Are your drawing skills questionable? Joining me to answer these questions (+ more) is my friend Bob Borson, architect + creator of The Life of an Architect blog + podcast.

Some timestamps to guide you:

  • 00:00 What do I do with the rest of my life?

  • 00:30 An architect’s salary discussion

  • 01:03 Other ways to think about compensation

  • 02:05 Compensation Calculator (by region, job, etc.)

  • 03:37 Happiness vs. Compensation Chart

  • 03:57 I’m terrible at math, is this the right career for me?

  • 04:27 Math we use in daily practice

  • 07:27 I can’t sketch or draw, is this a problem?

  • 08:03 Why sketching is important (even if you’re not great at it)

  • 10:10 Not everyone in this profession is a designer

  • 10:50 Can I be an architect with no formal training?

  • 12:00 Trade school vs. University

  • 13:10 Linear vs. Lateral thinking

  • 13:36 Designing houses + interiors without a license

  • 14:29 Know this…

  • 15:26 Solving problems vs. Telling Stories

  • 16:40 What clients buy from architects

  • 17:16 I’m (insert age) is it too late to become an architect?

  • 18:25 The challenge of going to school later in life

  • 19:38 What skills will prepare me for architecture school?

  • 20:13 “This is gold”

  • 21:59 Metaskills

  • 24:29 What books do you recommend?

  • 28:38 Peter Zumthor + beards

The Life of an Architect blog was created in 2010, and for ten years Bob’s posts have been making the practice of architecture accessible + interesting to a worldwide, diverse audience. He exposes the reality of the design and construction process with style, a dry wit and without sparing the true grit and struggles that making architecture so often involves. He’s not afraid to reveal the mistakes and missteps made along the way, the messiness and imperfections tell the real story of our life as architects. If you’re looking for glossy photos, you’ll find very few here, this is the place to go if you like sketches, a little snark and cogent thinking.

If you’re not familiar with his work, you’ll find ten years of posts, images, and inspiration thoughts on his blog.

**Life of an Architect blog** https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/

**Eric from 30X40 on LoAA podcast: https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/056-starting-a-design-firm/

Modern Practice Series - Ep 1 Eponymous Architecture

In this new series, I’m visiting architects and design professionals asking them to share the choices, challenges, failures, successes and failures that have shaped their careers. Too often we hear from only those architects elevated by the media to superstar status. These so-called 'starchitects' account for a small percentage of design professionals. And, the stories from the bulk of our ranks - a great many talented architects and designers – remain untold. This series gives voice to their stories. 

We uncover early inspirations that led them to choose architecture, experiences in architecture school, internships, what firm typologies to look for, advice for taking the Architectural Registration Exams (ARE), how to find work and clients, working for and with others, networking and struggles building a business.

In the inaugural video of the series we meet John Clappi, a licensed architect living and working in Brooklyn, New York. He has more than 20 years’ experience practicing architecture in both Boston and New York City at a variety of scales from large developments to award winning Record Houses and private residences. He’s worked for two starchitects: Richard Meier of Richard Meier and Partners and Brad Cloepfil at Allied Works, both high-end, boutique design firms. In part 1 he recounts the school years and his early career pivot points as well as his experience working for Meier and Allied Works and time working on large scale developer projects in New York City. 

In part 2, we’ll discover why he set out on his own, how he secured his first commissions and the challenges he’s facing as he builds out a larger vision for his nascent architecture studio: Eponymous Architecture, PLLC.

It’s a rare and candid look into the struggles designers and architects face as we seek to become licensed professionals and to find a life of true, creative fulfillment.