Your Architecture Career: How to Build a Successful Professional Life

by Gary Unger

Overview

Master the business side of architecture with advice from an expert—deciding on a career, building a repudiation, RFPs and proposals, and more.

In Your Architecture Career, Gary Unger provides tips and guidance to students, interns, architects, and firm owners to help them understand and master the business side of architecture and interior design. Students in school are not taught to manage process, projects, and clients—the emphasis is on design. However, most graduates will not finish their careers as designers. Rather, their focus will be on marketing, programming, project management, cost estimating, rendering, virtual reality, drawing documentation, specifications, workplace strategy, and construction administration. Gary Unger expertly describes the creative aspects of these disciplines and the considerable value they bring to a firm.

In order to accurately represent how an architecture firm successfully operates, Gary stresses the importance of teamwork. With project teams made up of architects, engineers, realtors, building owners, contractors, furniture dealers, and more, it is important to note that a project's success is measured by how well handoffs of information are executed both inside a firm as well as from firm to firm. Spanning a wide variety of topics, chapters include:

• Completing architectural school
• Deciding on a career path
• Landing your first job
• Building your reputation
• Managing handoffs
• RFPs and proposals
• Reassessing your career
• Starting your own firm

Whether you're a student about to graduate or a seasoned professional, Your Architecture Career is an invaluable resource for the business side of architecture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621537021
Publisher:	Allworth
Publication date:	08/13/2019
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	665,868
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Gary Unger started his architectural studies at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and finished up the six-year program at the University of Texas. Prior to founding CPG Architects in 1980, he was the worldwide director of planning and design at American Express. He is also the founder of Link Systems, a real estate software business that provides lease and facility management services to enhance CPG's architectural services. At CPG, Gary has worked on thousands of projects for such clients as General Electric, Snapple, Nestlé, Newman's Own, and Dannon, along with many financial trading firms. He lives in Stamford, Connecticut.

Table of Contents

Foreword xv

Introduction xvii

Debunking Three Myths about Architecture and Architects xix

Part I Finishing School and Getting a Job 1

Chapter 1 Completing Architecture School 3

What to Focus On During Your Last Two Years 3

Impressing Your Professors so They Will Remember and Recommend You 4

Networking with Classmates, Alumni, and Professors 5

Chapter 2 Deciding on a Career Path 6

A Summer Internship before Your Last Year 6

When and How to Start Looking For a Full-Time Job during Your Last Year 7

Job Search Checklist: What Should You Look For in a Firm? 8

Chapter 3 Landing Your First Job 13

Preparing Your Résumé 13

Your Job Search Should Include Six Parts 14

What to Wear to Interviews 20

Where You May Be Interviewed 20

Questions You May Be Asked 20

Questions You May Want to Ask 21

Following Up 22

Deciding among Offers 22

How to Handle a No 24

Part II Starting and Excelling at Your Job 27

Chapter 4 Making the Best Impression 29

Do Not Come In Like a "Bull in a China Shop" 29

What Goes Around Comes Around 29

Finding Your Niche 32

"Project-Based" Firms vs. "Task-Based" Firms 32

Go for the Extra Credit 33

Being a Disruptor 33

Entrepreneur vs. Intrapreneur 36

Mentoring 37

Planning for the Architect Registration Exam 37

Chapter 5 Building Your Reputation 40

Personal Marketing 40

Work Relationships 43

Part III Architecture Is a Team Sport 47

Chapter 6 Managing Handoffs 49

Envisioning with the Client: First Handoff of Information 52

Programming: Evaluate Existing Conditions 54

Programming: Preliminary staff and Special Use Space Needs 55

Sample Program Document 56

Location-Building-Site Comparison Checklist 58

Area Analysis 60

Test Fits 60

Setting an Achievable Schedule 62

Preparing an Appropriate Budget 64

Reviewing Lease or Sale Documents 67

Storyboarding 67

Reassess Scope and Contract after the initial Phase Is Complete 68

Schematic Design 68

Design Development: Developing the Approved Concepts 71

Final Code Review 74

Design Handoff for Production of CDs 75

CD storyboard 76

Construction Documents 76

Construction Phase: Bidding 77

The Punch List 79

Move-In 83

Close-Out 84

Chapter 7 Day 2 Services 86

Staying in Touch with the Client 86

Data Management for Owned or Leased Facilities 86

Portfolio Management 87

Workplace/Facility Management 87

CAP X Services 88

Part IV Moving On Up-From intern to Architect 89

Chapter 8 RFPs and Proposals 91

RFPs and Proposals 91

RFIs and RFPs 93

Responding to an RFP or RFI 97

Presentations 99

The Basics 100

Chapter 9 You Got the Project 109

What Is Your Firm's Role? 109

Finalizing Your Architectural Contract 110

Building the External Team 112

Part V Reassessing Your Career 115

Chapter 10 Should I Stay or Should I Go? 117

Evaluation: Asking for a Raise or Moving On 117

Updating Your Portfolio and Résumé and Preparing for Interviews 118

Chapter 11 Purposely Not Included-No one wants a Chapter 11

Chapter 12 Taking the Plunge to Start Your Own Firm 120

Starting with a Blank Canvas 120

Best Advice I Got 121

A Daunting Number of Interrelated Tasks-References 123

Marketing: Creating a Portfolio 123

The importance of Metrics 128

Repeat Business vs. New Business 130

Disrupt or Be Disrupted 131

Mentoring 133

Think 360 133

Vendor vs. Strategic Partner 136

The Value of Being a Strategic Partner 139

CAP X Budget Planning: What Is It? 141

Managing Cash Flow 142

Managing Risk 143

Using Technology 145

How Good is Your Workflow Process? 147

Importance of Internal Sharing 148

Setting Up the Office to Scale 149

Interviewing 149

Ethics 151

Responsibilities to Staff 152

The Work Environment 152

Working with Family 155

Is It Possible to Have a Perfect Client? 155

Part VI Time, Money, and Luck 163

Chapter 13 Numbers Matter 165

Learning from Others 166

Initial Staffing 167

Finance 101 for Architects 169

Industry Metrics 173

Tracking the Life of Your Architectural Dollar 174

Calculating Employee Hourly Rates 175

You Won the Bid-Time to Negotiate the Contract 175

Setting Up the Project in a Management System 177

Rolling Up the Numbers 178

Project Setup for a Potential Project 179

Project Setup for an Awarded Project 180

Project Close-Out 180

Time Can Be Your Best Friend or Your Worst Enemy 180

Do Not Try to Trick the Staff 182

Project Profitability 183

Firm Profitability 185

Part VII Closing Thoughts 187

Chapter 14 Spectacular Failures 189

Blueprint for Savings 189

Template for the Perfect RFP 190

Standard Documents 194

Chapter 15 Nagging Concerns 198

Education 198

Fleeting Services 198

Workplace Strategy 199

Programming 199

Long-Range Planning 199

Rentable Area Calculations 200

Cost Budgeting/Estimating 200

Project Management 200

Chapter 16 My Two Best Jobs 202

Caudill Rowlett Scott Architects (CRS): 1968-1974 202

American Express: 1974-1980 208

Chapter 17 Predictions for the Future of the Profession 220

List of Terms 223

Bibliography 240

Suggested Readings 241

Resources 243

About the Author 244

Index 245

Editorial Reviews

Gary Unger has had a career that can be a model for others hoping for a successful life in architecture and interior design. His new book, Your Architecture Career, is a very useful addition to the very limited bibliography of books on this important subject. It should be on every young architect’s and interior designer’s personal bookshelf.” —Bradford Perkins, FAIA, chairman and CEO of Perkins Eastman Architects, coauthor of Architect’s Essentials of Starting, Assessing, and Transitioning a Design Firm “Gary Unger’s book, Your Architecture Career, is an insightful look into the past, present, and future of the profession. Gary puts his finger on the flaws and opportunities in the profession and provides a clear, broad view of its scope, complexities, and differences. He skillfully examines the tension in the profession between art, technology, and business. The book is a good splash of realism for young minds beginning in the profession and will give them a jump-start on their career. It will fill how-to-do-it gaps for a seasoned practitioner. It’s a fun read for anyone with the faintest interest in the design and construction industry.” —Chuck Thomsen, FAIA, former chairman of 3DI, creator of “fast track construction scheduling” concept, and author of Program Management 2.0 and Managing Brainpower “This exceptionally comprehensive, well-written book does more than just describe—lucidly and in great detail—the practice and business of architecture. By sharing with readers his diverse professional experiences, personal knowledge, and extensive management expertise, Gary Unger has created a richly textured narrative about all aspects of an architectural career as well as a highly practical, detailed guide for aspiring architects and architectural firms.” —Roger K. Lewis, FAIA, professor emeritus, University of Maryland, and author of Architect? A Candid Guide to the Profession “Your Architecture Career provides important information and helpful tips for those launching a career in architecture, emerging professionals, and experienced architects. Topics include starting and progressing in a career in architecture, excelling in a career position, and the process of starting a firm with much detail. —Lee W. Waldrep, PhD, author of Becoming an Architect: A Guide to Careers in Design “Many times, I have sat at a table opposite Gary Unger as he led a team through an innovative design, beginning with a goal. In Your Architecture Career, Gary leads you through your most important design to your most important goal—your career as an architect.” —Joel Rollins, AV technologist and futurist, host of The Week on rAVe Radio “In Your Architecture Career, Gary Unger presents unique insights collected from a successful career as the founder and leader of Stamford-based architecture firm CPG. The practical guidelines within this manual would be invaluable to anyone hoping to follow Gary’s lead in having a successful and fulfilling professional life.” —Doug Winshall, founder of ClearRock Properties

“Gary Unger has had a career that can be a model for others hoping for a successful life in architecture and interior design. His new book, Your Architecture Career, is a very useful addition to the very limited bibliography of books on this important subject. It should be on every young architect’s and interior designer’s personal bookshelf.” —Bradford Perkins, FAIA, chairman and CEO of Perkins Eastman Architects, coauthor of Architect’s Essentials of Starting, Assessing, and Transitioning a Design Firm
“Gary Unger’s book, Your Architecture Career, is an insightful look into the past, present, and future of the profession. Gary puts his finger on the flaws and opportunities in the profession and provides a clear, broad view of its scope, complexities, and differences. He skillfully examines the tension in the profession between art, technology, and business. The book is a good splash of realism for young minds beginning in the profession and will give them a jump-start on their career. It will fill how-to-do-it gaps for a seasoned practitioner. It’s a fun read for anyone with the faintest interest in the design and construction industry.” —Chuck Thomsen, FAIA, former chairman of 3DI, creator of “fast track construction scheduling” concept, and author of Program Management 2.0 and Managing Brainpower
“This exceptionally comprehensive, well-written book does more than just describe—lucidly and in great detail—the practice and business of architecture. By sharing with readers his diverse professional experiences, personal knowledge, and extensive management expertise, Gary Unger has created a richly textured narrative about all aspects of an architectural career as well as a highly practical, detailed guide for aspiring architects and architectural firms.” —Roger K. Lewis, FAIA, professor emeritus, University of Maryland, and author of Architect? A Candid Guide to the Profession
“Your Architecture Career provides important information and helpful tips for those launching a career in architecture, emerging professionals, and experienced architects. Topics include starting and progressing in a career in architecture, excelling in a career position, and the process of starting a firm with much detail. —Lee W. Waldrep, PhD, author of Becoming an Architect: A Guide to Careers in Design
“Many times, I have sat at a table opposite Gary Unger as he led a team through an innovative design, beginning with a goal. In Your Architecture Career, Gary leads you through your most important design to your most important goal—your career as an architect.” —Joel Rollins, AV technologist and futurist, host of The Week on rAVe Radio
“In Your Architecture Career, Gary Unger presents unique insights collected from a successful career as the founder and leader of Stamford-based architecture firm CPG. The practical guidelines within this manual would be invaluable to anyone hoping to follow Gary’s lead in having a successful and fulfilling professional life.” —Doug Winshall, founder of ClearRock Properties

From the Publisher