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Small Project Practitioners

Small Project Practitioners sorted by thread
 
  Side jobs
September 27, 2012 3:05 PMThomas Streic...
  RE:Side jobs
September 28, 2012 9:24 AMChristian Fekete
  RE:Side jobs
September 28, 2012 10:50 AMDawn Zuber, AIA
  RE:Side jobs
September 28, 2012 10:52 AMDavid Clark, AIA
  RE:Side jobs
September 28, 2012 10:53 AMPatrick Allen...
  RE:Side jobs
September 28, 2012 11:43 AMLisa Stacholy
  RE:Side jobs
September 28, 2012 12:15 PMThad Broom, AIA
  RE:Side jobs
September 28, 2012 12:21 PMDonald Wardla...
  RE:Side jobs
September 28, 2012 12:58 PMMark Bratt, AIA
  RE:Side jobs
September 28, 2012 2:53 PMMr. Daniel Al...
  RE:Side jobs
September 28, 2012 4:35 PMMr. Nelson B....
  RE:Side jobs
September 28, 2012 10:26 PMMr. Mark Ther...
  RE:Side jobs
October 01, 2012 11:52 AMThomas Streic...
  Side Jobs
October 01, 2012 9:04 AMDarrell Barne...
  RE:Side jobs
October 02, 2012 3:05 PMDouglas Mayo,...
  RE:Side jobs
October 03, 2012 9:44 AMThomas Streic...
  RE:Side jobs
October 02, 2012 10:17 AMKathleen Simpson
 

1.
 Side jobs
From: Thomas Streicher, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: September 27, 2012 3:05 PM
Subject: Side jobs
Message:
This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Repositioning the Architect and Small Project Practitioners .
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Question for small firms and one-architect bands: it goes without saying times are tough and it doesn't seem possible to make a decent living as an architect alone.  I was wondering if anyone out there has another "job" in addition to architecture?  Another type of business? If so what are they?

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Thomas Streicher AIA
Thomas Streicher, Architect
Monroe NY
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2.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Christian Fekete
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: September 28, 2012 9:24 AM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:
I started working in January with the Town  building department as Zoning Enforcement Officer. Pay is ridiculous but the work is interesting, need to bring the Town in the 21st century, and I get to meet a lot of new people, get my name and competencies to be know...
Anything that helps you network is important
Good luck

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Christian Fekete
Architect
Christian Fekete Architecture Agency
Rhinebeck NY
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3.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Dawn Zuber, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: September 28, 2012 10:50 AM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:
I make jewelry, too, but it doesn't really pay any other bills...

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Dawn Zuber AIA
Owner
Studio Z Architecture
Canton MI
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4.
 RE:Side jobs
From: David Clark, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: September 28, 2012 10:52 AM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:
I stepped into (non-architectural) writing ("A Man's Rules").  Amazon is very eager to carry authors, so you might search for a subject that you know and see what you can come up with.  As I couldn't find an interested agent or publisher, so I started my own publishing company to help other local authors.  As to the architecture business, while times are tough, I've just had to spread my net a bit farther.  I switched from 95% municipal to 30% municipal and 65% restaurant, and now have projects in CO, CA, WA and TX.  Other sectors will take you out of your comfort zone, but just take the step.   
Dave

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David Clark AIA
Principal
David A. Clark Architects, PLLC
Auburn WA
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5.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Patrick Allen, Assoc. AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: September 28, 2012 10:53 AM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:
At the very moment I went on my own I picked up a teaching gig.  I have maintained that teaching position for the past 10 years.  It has provided me with needed 'consistent' income as well as an opportunity to teach something I truly enjoy.  Since the beginning we have grown to 7 people (11 people pre 2008) and I still teach.

I imagine that there are a great many that do the same. Most of my professors were supplementing their income by teaching studios.

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Patrick Allen Assoc. AIA
Principal
Gabor + Allen (Design Build Landscape)
Hawthorne CA
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6.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Lisa Stacholy
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: September 28, 2012 11:43 AM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:
Hi Thomas,
I don't know if it 'counts' as a "Real" side job... my family has taken a hobby and turned into a family business.
We breed Bengal Cats, feel free to take a look at our web site, www.RubyClaw.com or friend us on facebook RubyClaw Bengals


there's nothing like cuddling kittens with the kids after a hard day at the office :)

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Lisa Stacholy
President
LKS Architects, Inc.
Dunwoody GA
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7.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Thad Broom, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: September 28, 2012 12:15 PM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:
I teach at the local community college and have started writing. I was doing pretty good with just architecture until the recession. Business is picking up but I almost have to give my services away to get a job.

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Thad Broom AIA
Architect
Thad A. Broom AIA, P.C.
Virginia Beach VA
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8.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Donald Wardlaw, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: September 28, 2012 12:21 PM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:
A colleague with a hobby in magic, hit a rough spot a couple years ago and supplemented the shortfall doing tarot readings in cocktail lounges.

Nothing wrong with self sufficiency as I see it.

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Donald Wardlaw AIA
More Than Construction, Inc.
Oakland CA
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9.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Mark Bratt, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: September 28, 2012 12:58 PM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:
I am a "one man band" and have found great opportunities in building spec homes or remodels
for resale or apartments for keeping as a great way to augment my architectural work especially
since we have so many residential designers around our area to compete with. Of course it requires
me to have the credit and a willing bank but that may be more possible than many think.

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Mark Bratt AIA
Mark K. Bratt, Inc.
Lynden WA
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10.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Mr. Daniel Alter, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: September 28, 2012 2:53 PM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:
Think about design-build or development.

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Daniel Alter AIA
Daniel Alter Architect PLLC
Brooklyn NY
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11.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Mr. Nelson B. Nave, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: September 28, 2012 4:35 PM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:

My lady partner and I own the Kalamazoo Antiques Market next to my office in downtown.  She owns (I am a small partner) 2 retail stores on the former Kalamazoo pedestrian Mall, we own the two historic buildings which are considered rental businesses, and we have our own Antique business, buying & selling.  We work a lot. But, you have to love it to be an Architect.  
 
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Nelson B. Nave AIA
Owner
Nelson Breech Nave, AIA Architect
Kalamazoo MI
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12.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Mr. Mark Therkildsen, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: September 28, 2012 10:26 PM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:
I am currently a furniture delivery truck driver, with Architecture / Specification Writing on an "as needed" part time basis.

My other jobs over the past 3-1/2 years include warehouse work for Amazon.com, truck loading for FedEx, and newspaper delivery. 

Statistically I have experienced some of the jobs "created" by Obama.  I have been a poster boy for underemployment and unemployment.

Guess who will receive my vote for president?  I can't imagine the state of the country and economy getting much worse than we have experienced lately.



Mark Therkildsen AIA
Etters PA
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13.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Thomas Streicher, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: October 01, 2012 11:52 AM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:

Thanks for all the replies. My outlook on the architecture profession is now even grimmer then before.  A few years ago I looked into a franchise business where you drive around a van stopping to filter cooking oil. Not that I want to do that but a nearby territory was available that had a lot of possibilities and some very large venues managed by international companies that used the same service from the same brand at other locations so it had promise. The plan was to quit arch for a few years and get that going and if it worked out, hire help to run that or sell it off then start my own architectural office. But the economy tanked along with my wife's 401K which was a large part of the financing. I am currently thinking ahead for when things here at the firm I work for dry up and I am out. It's going that way now and the future is almost here.

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Thomas Streicher AIA
Thomas Streicher, Architect
Monroe NY
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14.
 Side Jobs
From: Darrell Barnes, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: October 01, 2012 9:04 AM
Subject: Side Jobs
Message:
I have returned to my first passion, construction, doing architect-led Design/Build, which I should have done years ago.  

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Darrell Barnes AIA
President
Darrell Barnes Architect, Inc.
and Artekco Builders 192663
Bend OR
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15.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Douglas Mayo, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: October 02, 2012 3:05 PM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:
Hang in there. I suffered the same difficult circumstances back in the 80's when I had just gone out on my own as a sole practioner. The Savings and Loans crashed and the oil business tanked, simultaneously. I started a home inspection business to supplement my architectural practice and was able to hang on. The home inspection business actually led to clients needing renovations and additions. So it fed me some architectural jobs as well.

It works well with an architectural practice because it is does not need to be a full-time job and the fees are probably better than my architectural fees. And, trust me, you learn alot about bad construction and design and what not to do. I quit doing them when my architectural business was sufficient to support me.

Good luck.

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Douglas Mayo AIA
Doug Mayo Architect
New Orleans LA
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16.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Thomas Streicher, AIA
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: October 03, 2012 9:44 AM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:


Douglas, I was looking onto doing home inspections. I was even considering taking some of the classes offered for inspector licensing even though I don't need to. You can learn something from everyone and I don't think architects know everything about that business. But I am still stuck in a job in a small firm where I have been for 14 years, a job that is going downhill fast but it still takes up time and even with a 14% pay cut, still pays some of the bills. The way it's going now, this job cannot last much longer.  But anyway, I plan on looking into inspections when it's time to leave. There will be a large increase in insurance premiums if I start offering that service. It's also tied to that same economics that are hurting architecture but like most are saying, we need to broaden our services to help make up the difference.

-------------------------------------------
Thomas Streicher AIA
Thomas Streicher, Architect
Monroe NY
-------------------------------------------






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17.
 RE:Side jobs
From: Kathleen Simpson
To: Small Project Practitioners
Posted: October 02, 2012 10:17 AM
Subject: RE:Side jobs
Message:

Here are some articles and web search results I found related to the topic. -K

AIA Articles and Web Search Results


AIA Supplemental Services (some can be used a la carte)
http://www.aia.org/practicing/akr/AIAB089194


Joe Lawton, Assoc. AIA: The 2D Architecture of Graphic Design
When the recession stalled Joe Lawton's career as a traditional architect, he got himself restarted by focusing on the interaction between graphics and built space
By Kim O'Connell
http://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAB096062


Design Matters in a Variety of Settings
The focus is still on big problems and practice niches.
by Zach Mortice, Associate Editor
http://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAB085551


Displaced by the Economy, Architects Balance Design and the Bottom Line
Laid-off and unemployed, architects are setting up their own design studios, and new business ventures beyond it
by Zach Mortice, Associate Editor
http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek09/1016/1016b_laidoffarchitects.cfm


Consulting Practice Niches Create Shelter for Architects in a Thorny Economy
Four small-firm consultant business models from Bay Area AIA members
by Zach Mortice, Associate Editor
http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek09/0710/0710rc_navecon.cfm


Vishaan Chakrabarti on the Future of the Profession
By William Richards for AIArchitect
http://www.architectmagazine.com/architects/vishaan-chakrabarti-on-the-future-of-the-professi.aspx


The Multitaskers
By John Gendall for AIArchitect
http://www.architectmagazine.com/architects/the-multitaskers.aspx


Branching Out
Architects are offering supplemental services as a way to stay afloat in a tough economy.
By Kim A O'Connell for AIArchitect
http://www.architectmagazine.com/architects/branching-out.aspx



Other Articles and Google Results of Interest


On the Side: Moonlighting is popular among architects, but is it ok? Kimberly Stevens asks around.
The Architect's Newspaper
http://archpaper.com/news/articles.asp?id=1444


after hours: for employees and their employers, moonlighting has its merits and its perils
http://www.residentialarchitect.com/architects/after-hours.aspx

Website where jobs are posted on many areas of expertise
http://www.freelancer.com/sellers/


Do you promote your side jobs on your design website? This contractor does.
http://www.foxvalleysidejobs.com/


Replies to a similar question posed to engineers:
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=160122


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Kathleen Simpson
Manager, Knowledge Communities
The American Institute of Architects
Washington DC
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