SA Business of Design Lunch 2026

Graeme Martin ,

A highlight of the ACA SA calendar is the Business of Design Lunch. This year, the ACA was delighted to welcome Ian McDougall of ARM as their guest speaker, with 130 guests enjoying an engaging reflection on his journey in architecture practice. ACA SA Executive Officer Graeme Martin provides a recap.

Ian’s reflections offered a range of practical insights into running an architecture practice and navigating the opportunities and challenges that come with growth. From embracing new technology and collaboration, to managing financial risk, staff turnover and periods of downsizing, his experience highlighted the importance of taking a strategic, whole-of-practice approach. A few key takeaways included:

1. Do not be afraid to adopt IT innovations.
2. Collaborate with other architects and designers on large projects.
3. Be mindful of the financial risks of relying on one major project.
4. Try to resist staff turnover in order to promote a stable culture and environment; at the same time, note the new energy to be gained from new staff.
5. When downsizing, aim to remove someone from each strata of the business rather than from one particular section.
6. Include the whole team in strategy planning

“Ian McDougal’s presentation at the ACA’s Business of Design lunch was a great mix of ideas and observations about where the profession is heading. His thoughts on risk-taking and knowing when it’s worth stepping outside the usual approach, were particularly interesting. So too were his views on technology, both the opportunities it brings to design and documentation and some of the downsides that come with it. There was also plenty to consider in his observations about the changing role and perception of architects, particularly in the eastern states, and how the workplace is evolving for business leaders and staff. A lot to take away from one lunch!”

Simon Frost, ACA SA Committee
Director, Greenway Architects

“A genuinely candid sharing of the journey in creating and handing over one of Australia’s leading architectural design- based practices. Ian brought humility and humour in equal doses as he recounted his own origin story and that of ARM, giving valuable insights into success, growing pains, and the sacrifices and gambles along the way.”

Mario Dreosti, ACA SA President
Managing Director, Brown Falconer

“The recent Business of Design event was a fascinating, behind-the-scenes journey into one of Australia’s most innovative and well-regarded architecture practices. Ian McDougall spoke honestly and openly about the firm’s highs and lows, how they navigated the business pressures of success and expectation, and how they utilised changing technology to their advantage over the years.”

Tom Vinal,
Director, JPE Studio