In an essay on the fragmented “disurbanism” of Atlanta written 25 years ago, Rem Koolhaas discussed John Portman’s approach to architecture and development. Koolhaas described Portman’s combination of the roles of architect and developer as a “self-administered Faustian bargain,” which eliminated necessary creative tension. According to Koolhaas, Portman’s megastructural projects...
How I Became an Architect Developer with Jason Boyer – Business of Architecture
In October 2022, Enoch Sears with Business of Architecture interviewed Jason Boyer, an architect developer and founder of Boyer Vertical, a firm that specializes in developing sustainably minded, architecturally significant projects in the Phoenix Metro area. His first development project was the award-winning artHAUS condominiums in Midtown Phoenix, and Boyer...
Overcoming Challenges as Architect Developer with Drew Lang – Business of Architecture
Drew Lang, founding principal of LANG Studio in New York, shares the challenges of being an architect developer and how many of those challenges were solved with a unique approach to the award-winning development in the Catskills, Hudson Woods. Drew is an active advocate for positive collaboration in community and...
UL Interview: San Diego Architect-Developer Jonathan Segal Talks About Experimentation in Design
In April 2022, UrbanLand interviewed Jonathan Segal about his work as an Architect & Developer. Read the original article at {urbanland.uli.org}. Urban Land’s Spring 2022 cover depicts a groundbreaking micro-housing project in the heart of downtown at 320 West Cedar Street in San Diego’s Little Italy. Designed, developed, owned, and managed...
Interview: Robert Humble of Hybrid
In late 2021, I interviewed Robert Humble of Hybrid, an architecture, construction, and development company out of Seattle Washington. See more information about Robert at hybridarc.com. See the lecture that Robert and I participated in at Harvard {here}.
Context & Clarity: Jonathan Segal: Architect As Developer
In October 2021, Jonathan Segal was the guest of Context & Clarity, a live cast hosted by Jeff Echols and Katherine Macphail. Jeff regularly hosts business leaders with thoughts on the profession. See more about Context & Clarity on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/entrearchitect. Also, check out the Context & Clarity show...
Architects Invested Own Money In Ethical Housing
Architects Kevin Hüi and Andrew Maynard run a YouTube channel called Archimarathon and recently discussed Andrew’s involvement in developing a property in Melbourne, Australia. Andrew, principal of Austin Maynard Architects, acted as the Architect & Developer for the project. See more about Austin Maynard at maynardarchitects.com.
The rise of the architect-developer
In late 2018, Curbed posted an article on how “a closer relationship between architects and developers is unlocking creativity in the built world.” See the article in its entirety {here}. In the Irish Channel area of New Orleans, 12 new homes cluster on a former warehouse site. Angular, covered in corrugated metal,...
Context & Clarity
In September of 2021, I took part in a conversation on Architect & Developer with Jeff Echols and Katherine MacPhail with Context & Clarity. The podcast is an active part of the EntreArchitect Facebook community and has daily chats with lots of interaction from the audience. You should check out...
How To Build as an Architect-led Developer in NYC — w/ Alloy Development’s Alexandra Militano
Monograph, an architecture business management software company, recently spoke with Alexandra Militano, the Director of Construction at Alloy. I have spoken with the Jared Della Valle of Alloy before, see that interview {here}. Alloy is at the intersection of architecture, development, and construction making some of the most beautiful work...
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Architect & Developer Online Courses
Architect as Developer One of the most well-known online courses for architects interested in development is Jonathan Segal’s Architect as Developer course. This course is a pretty good starting place for anyone wanting to learn more about developing as an architect. I know a lot of architects who have taken this course....
Shouldn’t We All Be Developers
Shouldn’t We All Be Developers is a book by Architect & Developer Roger Zogolovitch, founder of {Solidspace}, a design and development company in London. I was really excited to pick up this book. It is a short book now only available on Kindle at {Amazon.com}. Roger recently gave an interview on the Business...
Interview: Lisa Sauve of Synecdoche Design Studio
In November 2020 I hosted a Zoom interview with Lisa Sauve of Synecdoche Design Studio out of Ann Arbor, Michigan. I intend for this to be the first in a series of Zoom interviews. Let me know who I should talk to next!
Podcast interview with Developer Design/Build Architect Chris Krager
Mark R. LePage of EntreArchitect recently interviewed Developer Design/Build Architect Chris Krager from Austin, TX. Listen below to hear Chris’ story on how he began developing work right out of graduate school. See more about the EntreArchitect podcast at entrearchitect.com. See more about Chris at krdb.com.
The Architect as Entrepreneur, Contractor, and Developer
In May 2020, Lance Cayko and Al Gore of F9 Productions held a Zoom on the subject “The Architect as Entrepreneur, Contractor, and Developer” with the North Dakota Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. See more information about Lance and Al at F9productions.com. Also, check out my interview with...
Architect & Developer Books
I’m often asked by architects what books they should be reading when interested in getting into development. The truth is there wasn’t anything specific for both an Architect & Developer until I wrote Architect & Developer: A Guide to Self-Initiating Projects {more info}. To really understand the real estate industry,...
Podcast Interview: Developing Small Projects with Cady Chintis
In April 2020, Enoch Sears of the Business of Architecture Podcast interviewed Cady Chintis, the co-founder of WC-Studio based in Tacoma, Washington. It’s a great and honest interview of how architects can finance and develop their work. You can listen to the interview on iTunes {here}, the YouTube video above,...
AN visits Alloy, the architect-developer reshaping Brooklyn
Earlier this month, Sydney Franklin with AN interviewed Jared Della Valle of Alloy. Please find the original article at {archpaper.com} Find more information about Jared and his work with Alloy {here}, including my interview with Jared. One of the most talked-about towers in Brooklyn is being designed—and built—at the hands...
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Interview: Michael Kirchmann of GDSNY
In summer 2019, I spoke with Architect & Developer Michael Kirchmann of GDSNY from New York, NY. See more information about GDSNY at gdsny.com. See more articles about Michael {here}. Michael Kirchmann: My father was a contractor and real estate developer and my mother was an interior designer – so I grew up...
Take a look at NOLA’s first crowdfunded homes.
In 2019, Curbed published an article on OJT’s latest crowd-funded project in New Orleans. I had previously spoken with Jonathan Tate of OJT. See that interview {here}. You can also find more articles on crowdfunding {here}. The original article can be found in it’s entirety at {nola.curbed.com}. Known for his...
Harvard GSD Architect as Developer Panel
I was asked to speak at the 2019 Architect as Developer Panel hosted by the Harvard Graduate School of Design. I was joined with Jonathan Tate of OJT, Macy Leung of MSL & Company, Robert Humble of Hybrid, and AJ Pires of Alloy. Also, be sure to check out the...
Interview: Al Gore & Lance Cayko of F9 Productions
In September 2018, I spoke with Architects & Developers Al Gore and Lance Cayko of F9 Productions from Longmont, CO. See more information about F9 at f9productions.com. Al and Lance have a fantastic podcast that goes through the daily activities of running an architectural practice and their current role as...
AIA Conference on Architecture: Architect & Developer
In June 2018, I spoke at the A’18, the AIAConference on Architecture about my research of architects self-initiating their own work. I was joined by Alex Barrett of Barrett Design, Jared Della Valle of Alloy, and Peter Guthrie of DDG. I previously interviewed each of these architects separately in 2017. See those...
A Conversation with Architect/Developer Lloyd Russell
Jonathan Konkol and Miles Sisk at Plan Design Xplore recently interviewed Lloyd Russell about his practice as an Architect & Developer. See a portion of the interview below, and the full original interview at plandesignxplore.com. Plan Design Xplore: We came across Creston Lofts on one of our walks around Portland...
Podcast Interview with Danny Cerezo of CS Design
Mark R. LePage at the EntreArchitect podcast recently interviewed Architect & Developer Danny Cerezo of C|S Design in Los Angeles, CA. Listen to the podcast and see show notes at EntreArchitect.com. See more about Danny at candsdesign.com. Also, be sure to check out his video tutorials on YouTube where he...
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Crowdfunding, Guerrilla-Style. Lessons From Jolene’s First Cousin.
See original article posted on locavesting.com. Written by Dara Westling. When Guerrilla Development opened up crowdfunding for its latest project, a two-building mixed-use development called Jolene’s First Cousin, the team figured there would be strong demand. An earlier project, the Fair-Haired Dumbbell (they have a penchant for quirky names to go along with...
The Architect as Developer
Originally published on DesignIntelligence here. Written by Luis Gil & Richard Peiser While architects are responsible not only for the design of buildings but also for their economic performance to the extent that their designs meet the demands of the marketplace, it is the building developers who reap the vast...
Podcast Interview with Roger Zogolovitch of Solidspace
Enoch Sears at the Business of Architecture podcast recently interviewed Architect & Developer Roger Zogolovitch of Solidspace in London. Listen to the podcast and see show notes at businessofarchitecture.com. See more about Roger at solidspace.co.uk. Discover more podcasts on the Architect & Developer Podcasts page. Also, check out my critical review of Roger’s book, Shouldn’t we all...
Interview: Jonathan Tate of OJT
In December 2017, I sat down with Architect & Developer Jonathan Tate of OJT in New Orleans, LA. See more information about OJT at offcejt.com. Find more articles and interviews with Jonathan {here} including a lecture at Harvard’s GSD that we did together. Jonathan Tate: Why we ended up doing...
Bringing Design Home
In the Winter of 2017, Design Develop Construct (DDC) Journal spoke to Architect & Developer Alex Barrett of Barrett Design in Brooklyn, NY. They spoke about Alex’s frustrations with the typical architecture role and how he has taken more initiative in developing his own work, as well as the latest...
If You Want Something Done Right…
If You Want Something Done Right. Introducing the new breed of architect-developer. by David Sokol. Originally published in Departures, Fall 2017. Download the article here. See more articles about Alex including my extensive interview with him {here}.
Interview: Peter Guthrie of DDG
In October 2017, I sat down with Architect & Developer Peter Guthrie of DDG in New York, New York. See more information about DDG at ddgpartners.com. See more articles about Peter {here}. Peter Guthrie: So I was in Brooklyn. I knew I couldn’t find the perfect client. They weren’t just popping up....
Interview: Jared Della Valle of Alloy
In September 2017, I sat down with Architect & Developer Jared Della Valle of Alloy in Brooklyn, New York. See more information about Alloy at alloyllc.com. Watch Jared lecture in a panel on Architect as Developer at Harvard {here}. See more articles about Jared {here}. Jared Della Valle: It was my thesis...
Interview: Alex Barrett of Barrett Design
In September 2017, I sat down with Architect & Developer Alex Barrett of Barrett Design in Brooklyn, New York. See more information about Barrett Design at barrettdesign.com. See more articles about Alex {here} including a lecture at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design and the AIA Conference on Architecture. Alex Barrett:...
Interview: Zeke Freeman of Root Architecture & Development
In September 2017, I sat down with Architect & Developer Zeke Freeman of Root Architecture & Development in Denver, CO. See more information about Zeke at root-ad.com and articles {here}. Zeke Freeman: We started with a very basic level of development with some house flips and remodels. We also used...
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Interview: The UP Studio
In August 2017, I sat down with John Patrick Winberry, Adam J. Wanaselja, and Jeffrey Ramierez of the Architect & Developer firm, The Up Studio in Queens, New York. See more information about The UP Studio at theupstudio.com and check out the website for their first development, West Beech, {here}. See more articles...
Interview: Philip Auchettl of RAD LAB
In August 2017, I spoke with Architect & Developer Philip Auchettl of RAD LAB in San Diego, CA. See more information about RAD LAB at radlabsd.com. Also, check out a short documentary on their student thesis turned reality, Quartyard, {here}. See more articles about RAD LAB {here}. Philip Auchettl: Myself, Jason, and David...
Interview: Kevin Cavenaugh of Guerrilla Development
In July 2017, I spoke with Architect & Developer Kevin Cavenaugh of Guerrilla Development in Portland, OR. See more information about Guerrilla Development at guerrilladev.co. See more articles about Kevin {here}. Kevin Cavenaugh: I knew that architects would toil for years making super-low money. That is all fine, but the...
Interview: WC Studio
In July 2017, I spoke with John Wolters and Cady Chintis of Architect & Developer WC Studio in Tacoma, WA. See more information about WC Studio at wc-studio.com and more articles {here}. John Wolters: What we look for are the properties that typical developers and builders are bypassing. We look for properties that...
Interview: Tim McDonald of Onion Flats
In July 2017, I sat down with Architect & Developer Tim McDonald of Onion Flats in Philadelphia, PA. See more information about Onion Flats at onionflats.com. See more articles about Onion Flats {here}. Tim McDonald: We call ourselves an unintentional company. I wanted to start an architecture gallery. It seemed like a gallery...
Interview: Mike Benkert, AIA
In June 2017, I sat down with Architect & Developer Mike Benkert, AIA in Cincinnati, OH. See more information about Mike at mbenkert.com and follow along his Home 2.0 Blog {home2blog.com} for the latest updates. Also, check out his video series on YouTube {here} and see more articles about Mike {here}. Mike Benkert: Learning by...
Interview: Jose de la Cruz of JdlC Studio
In June 2017, I spoke with Architect & Developer Jose de la Cruz of JdlC Studio in Houston, TX. Jose de la Cruz: Well you know it really started because I was looking at my student loans and thinking they were too high. I am sitting here paying rent on...
Huson Woods // Lang Architecture
Originally published in the New York Times on 16 June 2017. Written by Julie Satow. Access the original article {here}. If the borscht belt is what you’re after, don’t come to Hudson Woods. The housing development, spread across 131 acres in the Catskills, has its roots in Scandinavian design, not beet...
The Master Builder: Jonathan Segal Interview
Ben Stevens recently interviewed Architect & Developer Jonathan Segal as part of his Skyline Forums website. Jonathan is well known for his online course Architect as Developer and has built many notable works in San Diego, CA. See the original post and more interviews by Ben Stevens at theskylineforum.com. See more articles about Jonathan...
RAD LAB: Revitalizing the City Block
Three Master of Architecture students put together a proposal for an urban park in downtown San Diego. The hipster type with a dog park, biergarten, concert venue, etc. Coming out of school, they decided to give themselves six-months to get it built. They raised $60,000 on Kickstarter in the first...
Podcast Interview Arch406
A Developer, by Design – Architect & Developer Enoch Sears at the Business of Architecture podcast recently interviewed Architects & Developers Brian Johnson, Nick Pancheau, and Jeff Kanning of arch406 in Billings, MT. Listen to the podcast and see show notes at businessofarchitecture.com. See more about arch406 at arch406mt.com and...
Pro Forma – John Anderson Example
In late 2016, John Anderson posted a great Pro Froma example in the Neighborhood Development Facebook group. The group has a lot of good discussions on development and I would recommend everyone here to join the group and participate in the conversation. See the original post {here} and the facebook...
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Architects and Developers in Conversation
In March of 2016, the AIA New York chapter hosted a panel event entitled “Architects and Developers in Conversation.” The panel included Architect & Developer Peter Guthrie of DDG. Peter has some great quotes in here about the value of design and the hustle involved in being an Architect & Developer. Architects and Developers...
Podcast Interview Soheil Nakhshab of Nakhshab Development & Design
Enoch Sears at the Business of Architecture podcast recently interviewed Architect & Developer Soheil Nakhshab of Nakhshab Development & Design, Inc in San Diego, CA. Listen to the podcast and see show notes at businessofarchitecture.com. See more about Nakhshab Development & Design at nddinc.net.
Podcast Interview with Jim Zack of Zack de Vito Architecture
Mark R. LePage at the EntreArchitect podcast recently interviewed Architect & Developer Jim Zack of Zack de Vito Architecture in San Francisco, CA. Listen to the podcast and see show notes at entrearchitect.com. See more about Jim at zackdevito.com. Discover more podcasts on the Architect & Developer Podcasts page.
The DIY Approach to Housing
Building faster, cheaper, and with greater satisfaction: the advantages of being an architect-developer. In the Fall of 2015, the AIA New York magazine Oculus published an article on architect-developers as part of their housing issue written by Lisa Delgado. Download the original article here: {The DIY Approach to Housing}. Delgado...
The Architect as Developer Panel Discussion at Harvard
On November 5th the RED Club hosted a panel discussion on the topic of the architect-as-developer practice model. The event brought together three leading professionals in the industry to discuss the reasons each decided to pursue this method of practice, the benefits that it has afforded them, and the myriad...
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Katherine Darnstadt of Latent Design Lecture
In 2010, Katherine Darnstadt obtained her architecture license, got promoted, got married, got laid off and got pregnant all within a six-month period. With no job prospects in sight, she started the practice Latent Design as a “Plan B.” She pulled $10,000 from her 401k and Roth IRA account to...
Interview: Gregg Pasquarelli of SHoP
In the Fall of 2013, I sat down with Gregg Pasquarelli (SHoP), Brad Cloepfil (Allied Works), Paul Lewis (Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis Architects), Dan Wood (Work.AC), and Stephen Cassell (Architecture Research Office). I wanted to understand and document how each of them formed their respective offices. I was after the nitty gritty details...
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Peter Guthrie of DDG Lecture at Future Now
Architect & Developer Peter Guthrie of DDG lectured at the AIANY 2014 Future Now Summit. See from 1:09.
Podcast Interview Zeke Freeman of Root Architecture + Development
A Developer, by Design – Architect & Developer Enoch Sears at the Business of Architecture podcast recently interviewed Architect & Developer Zeke Freeman of Root Architecture + Development in Denver, CO. Listen to the two-part podcast, see show notes, and see Zeke’s pro formas at businessofarchitecture.com. See more about Root...
Podcast Interview with Rob Paulus
Enoch Sears at the Business of Architecture podcast recently interviewed Architect & Developer Rob Paulus from Tucson, AZ. Listen to the two-part podcast and see show notes at businessofarchitecture.com. See more about Rob Paulus at robpaulus.com. Discover more podcasts on the Architect & Developer Podcasts page.
Podcast Interview Hilary Scruggs of Operative Ventures
A Developer, by Design – Architect & Developer Enoch Sears at the Business of Architecture podcast recently interviewed Architect & Developer Hilary Scruggs of Operative Ventures in San Antonio, TX. Listen to the podcast, see show notes, and see the documentary Hilary discusses at businessofarchitecture.com. See more about Hilary at...
A Conversation with John Portman
John Portman pioneered the role of Architect as Developer by financing, owning managing and designing major building projects throughout the world. His philosophy of architecture is rooted in the desire to understand and shape the aesthetic as well as the economic dimensions of the urban environment. Portman, over a 55...
Tim McDonald of Onion Flats lecture
Architect & Developer Tim McDonald of Onion Flats in Philadelphia lectures at The Catholic University of America on his latest projects. Read myinterview with Tim {here}. See more about Onion Flats {here}.
Tim McDonald lecture at TedX MidAtlantic
Tim McDonald is the founder of Onion Flats, a Philadelphia developer whose mission it has been since 1997 to: extend the imagination of the architect beyond the drawing board and into the building process; educate the public about the collaborative role of the architect in not only the making of...
Architect-Developer-Experimenter in West Chelsea
Originally published by The New York Times and can be accessed here. If West Chelsea seems like a canvas for ambitious architects and their indulgent developers, the midrise condominium at 459 West 18th Street makes a disciplined self-portrait. The 11-story black-and-white building looks restrained on a corner between the irregular-grid...
How to be Your Own Developer
In December 2004, Metropolis magazine ran a cover story entitled “How to be Your Own Developer” written by Brian Libby. In the article, Libby interviewed five young architects who have dipped their toe development and outlined six lessons on how to skip the middleman and build your own projects. {Download the article here} Lesson...
Architects Now Doubling as Developers
Originally published by the New York Times on 07 February 1988. Written by Shawn G. Kennedy. Access article here. Even after construction crews completed work two years ago on Riveredge, an office complex in Florham Park, N.J., plenty of work remained for Edward Blake and Donald Rotwein, who served as the project’s...