Architecting - Being or Doing
This idea struck me out of the blue, so it might be the universe speaking to me. Or it might be something a lot different.
Are you bumping up against frustration with your job. Consider this. Maybe it will help.
Do you enjoy BEING an architect?
Do you enjoy DOING architecting?
I will go first.
I enjoyed nearly everything there was about doing architecting.
I am using the word ‘architecting’ rather than ‘architecture’ because I am afraid ‘doing architecture’ seems too much like ‘being an architect’.
I was a bit less enthusiastic about sales, marketing, and managing people; but everything else from the first meeting with the client to the final payment to the contractor was something I wanted to do. I wanted to know all about it, and I wanted to do it well. In hindsight that single thing might be why my firm never grew larger than 12 people. I wanted it to; but fundamentally growing the firm was something altogether different than architecting.
The inference I draw from this is that if you enjoy doing architecting, then you will more likely thrive in a small firm (under 16 for sure) because you will almost certainly be exposed to everything.
Conversely the more specialized your interests are, the bigger the firm you should gravitate to.
The beauty of architecture as a career is that there is a place for just about anybody.
I have a feeling that ‘being an architect’ is the focus that I needed more of in order to build a bigger firm. Perhaps the ideal situation requires at least two people, one who likes to focus on being and one to focus on doing.
I don’t have a lot of expertise in this area, just personal experience. Share your experience in the comments.
Resources to Explore: Want to dig deeper into career paths for architects? Check these out:
• AIA Career Center – Solid info on roles and firm dynamics.
• ArchDaily Career Advice – Practical reads for navigating our field.