Professional Practice 101 A Compendium of Effective Business Strategies in Architecture

Professional practice courses often suffer from a boring reputation, but there’s nothing dull about this updated, cornerstone edition of Professional Practice 101, which renders accessible the art and science of contemporary architectural practice. With its unique focus on links between design thinking and practice, this third edition brings an inspiring and fresh perspective to the myriad issues involved in successful architectural practice. The process of providing architectural services in today’s constantly evolving practice environment must be just as creative, intellectually rigorous, and compelling as wrestling with design problems. In this new edition, packed with invaluable advice from leading experts, Andrew Pressman bridges the knowledge and experience gap between school and practice covering topics such as: Ethics, social responsibilities, and obligations to the environment Design firm types, culture, and leadership Financial, project, and time management Service and project delivery; leveraging emerging technologies Entrepreneurial business models and business development Legal issues, including AIA contract document analysis Collaboration and negotiating with clients and stakeholders Practice-based research Students and early-career professionals will discover the fundamentals they need to launch their careers as well as more sophisticated strategies that will allow them to thrive as their roles evolve and they assume increasing responsibilities. This engaging, comprehensive primer debunks the myth that recent architecture graduates have little or no guidance to prepare them for business. Professional Practice 101 is a learning tool that will readily deliver the knowledge and background for success in current architectural practice.

CHAPTER 1 ARCHITECTURE: ONE OF THE GREAT PROFESSIONS What it means to be a professional, or the courage to be a misfit Linking design and practice Education, experience, and examination Designing your career Navigating the path to licensure and beyond Notes CHAPTER 2 ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Why bother with ethics? Code, schmode Ethical dilemmas Postscript on ethical behavior Pro bono work and community engagement Responsibilities to the natural and built environments Notes CHAPTER 3 DESIGN FIRMS Design firm typologies Firm culture Emerging technologies for emerging professionals Entrepreneurial business models The role of research in practice Leadership, mentorship, and succession Notes CHAPTER 4 MANAGEMENT: FINANCIAL, PROJECT, AND TIME Essential strategic finance Project management Designing your time Notes CHAPTER 5 PROJECT DELIVERY STRATEGIES Primer on delivery methods Note on integrated project delivery Leveraging virtual design and construction Success strategies in design–build partnerships Notes CHAPTER 6 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Principles of rainmaking to grow a practice Ten rules of marketing Guidelines for outstanding oral presentations Selling architectural services Building prose for building pros Marketing one’s self: portfolio strategies Notes CHAPTER 7 LEGAL ISSUES Business structures for design professionals Building codes, ordinances, and regulations Meeting the minimums and missing the point Contract, tort, and employment law fundamentals AIA contract documents Legal liability basics and risk management Negotiating strategies and consensus building Notes Index

Andrew Pressman, FAIA, an architect, Professor Emeritus at the University of New Mexico, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland, leads his own award-winning architectural firm in Washington, DC. He has written numerous critically acclaimed books and articles, and he holds a Master’s degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.