The Business of Architecture*

In what feels like a crowded market, how do we differentiate ourselves? Ryan Loveday offers five practical steps to get ahead, from selling tangible outcomes and building visibility around expertise, to growing your community and relationships, and prioritising client service. He also throws in several excellent book recommendations.

Amy Edwards and the Markedly team have analysed what’s happening in the marketplace and pinpointed the top 10 trends that are leading the way for marketing in 2024. Here we provide a summary and a link to the full report.

There is a common perception that entering industry awards is an onerous process with very little return if you don’t land a win. However, award submissions can benefit practices in multiple ways, from capturing expertise to strengthening client relationships and promoting exceptional projects, writes Alicia Brown.

With the ebbs and flows of the construction industry, it’s common to see practices juggling too much work or too little. Marketing consultant Amy Edwards offers some excellent advice on how to tackle a variety of challenges at times of feast and famine.

In today’s competitive landscape, building a strong brand has become paramount for success. Architectural marketing expert Dave Sharp discusses the significance of brand development in architecture, emphasising the value of qualitative marketing strategies, effective budget allocation and premium distribution channels.

Skill stacking is an invaluable way for practices to differentiate themselves and corner a specific market, writes Michael Lewarne.

Rachael Bernstone explores the topic of Referrals – how to collect them, how to use them, and how to monitor their effectiveness in relation to inquiries from prospective clients, lead generation and new projects.

Rachael Bernstone of Sounds like Design connects the wellbeing of architects with fee-setting and communicating the value of architecture.

Parlour’s comprehensive Work & Wellbeing survey increases understanding of the impacts of the pandemic on Australian architecture. The answers to the open questions, in particular, contain a wealth of advice and reflection, and reiterate the need for improved communication. Anwyn Hocking identifies the core themes and assembles key advice.

How do we advocate for the value of this critical part of the design process? Jennifer Crawford provides a clear, concise explainer on why DD matters.

UK-based communications professional Celeste Bolte argues that architects need to become better storytellers, to engage the public, and assert their relevance through simple and meaningful communication.

Rachael Bernstone, journalist and comms consultant, offers some tips on how to increase your return-on-investment for awards entries.

As online chat gains popularity, and boundaries between home and work become blurred, how do we take advantage of quick, easy communication without compromising our work or our mental health? Sarah Hobday-North explores the issues.

Why are people largely absent from our architectural imagery? As a profession that designs and builds spaces for people, perhaps we need to be more conscious of including people in our floorplans and models, writes Fiona Young.

Social media should be an important part of the every architectural practice's communication program, but not all architects know how to proceed. Kate Potter explains how to get started.

Emma Brain outlines CODA's approach to social media, which has enabled the Fremantle-based practice to build a national profile and engage with clients and colleagues across the country.

How architects present in government contexts can have a large impact on their chances of getting the job, or gaining support for a project. Jill Garner, Victorian Associate Government Architect, offers some tips.

Planning lawyer Paul Vergotis offers a set of tips to help manoeuvre an architectural project through planning systems from proposal to success.

Useful tips from Prodonovich Advisory.

How can architects use social media effectively for business and professional development?