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The Practice Management Knowledge Community (PMKC) identifies and develops information on the business of architecture for use by the profession to maintain and improve the quality of the professional and business environment.  The PMKC initiates programs, provides content and serves as a resource to other knowledge communities, and acts as experts on AIA Institute programs and policies that pertain to a wide variety of business practices and trends.

    

  • 1.  Firms with Innovative Practice Models?

    Posted 02-10-2019 11:27 AM
    Hi Everyone,

    Do you know of a firm or individual with an especially novel or unique practice model?

    The PMKC Leadership Group is seeking to source speakers for future events, and is looking to the greater community for input and ideas. We are especially interested in offices that provide more that just conventional architectural or design services. Architect-Led-Design-Build, Design-Real Estate Development, Design-Fabrication, and Design-Web Development are just some of the models that we have encountered in the past, and we are curious to know what other approaches architects are taking.

    The Leadership Group's long-term goal is to expose the greater community to a multiplicity of creative and thoughtful practices throughout the U.S. We welcome your thoughts and opinions.

    Please feel free to contact me offline at mshoor@epsteinglobal.com or post to the discussion thread. Thanks in advance for your input.

    Best,
    Matt

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    Matthew Shoor AIA
    Senior Project Architect
    Epstein Global
    Woodside NY
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  • 2.  RE: Firms with Innovative Practice Models?

    Posted 02-11-2019 07:38 PM
    Matt,
    The best way is to reach out to the other AIA Knowledge Communities - the Project Delivery KC would be a good one to start a cross-talk conversation.  There is also the EntreArchitect community on Facebook - it's a private FB page that you have to request to join, but the various types of small firms and what types of practice they have, are trying to start up or sustain, is very informative.
    Just a starting point for a larger, richer conversation.
    Best, Ed

    ------------------------------
    Edmond Gauvreau, FAIA
    Washington, DC
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  • 3.  RE: Firms with Innovative Practice Models?

    Posted 08-14-2019 04:36 PM
    Edited by Leah A. Bayer AIA 08-14-2019 04:35 PM
    Hi Matthew,

    I just posted to the Young Architects Forum on a very similar thread/question, so thought I'd copy it over here too since you're also asking about unique practice models!

    I'm a young architect who started my firm, EVIA Studio, particularly to push innovation in practice. We recently won the Charette Venture Group Architecture Business Plan Competition for our multidiscipline, multi-faceted plan that includes integrated design, real estate development, construction research, and proprietary tech to connect homeowners/renters with building performance. We're only about a year old, so still just a seed, but we're an all-women, totally virtual, agile and ambitious practice with rigorous internal and external standards for equity, sustainability, and prosperity. I've got a LOT to say about the future of architectural practice and some big goals. Would love to chat more with others that do, too, and have launched a Practice Leadership Committee in my local chapter (AIA Silicon Valley) to engage people in similar discussions.

    ------------------------------

    Leah Alissa Bayer  AIA, NCARB, LEED GA

    EVIA: Founder + Studio Director

    c: 650.924.5062 | e: leah@eviastudio.com

     

    EVIA: Evolving Integrated Architecture

    Studio | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

    ------------------------------




  • 4.  RE: Firms with Innovative Practice Models?

    Posted 08-15-2019 07:20 PM
    Leah, sounds great. We at the practice management leadership group would love to have a more in depth conversation and find ways to share your thoughts and experiences more broadly. You can reach me at scott@knu.design

    ------------------------------
    Scott Knudson AIA
    Principal
    Knu Design, LLC
    Boyds MD
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Firms with Innovative Practice Models?

    Posted 08-15-2019 09:38 PM
    There is a firm down in Jackson, MS that does Facility/Building Maintenance as well as architecture and city flood planning.


    Sarah Hadskey, Architect
    LEED AP BD+C, AIA, NCARB

    SAM studio
    7850 E. Holmes Rd.
    Memphis, TN 38125

    901.754.3965 office

    shadskey@samstudio.biz




  • 6.  RE: Firms with Innovative Practice Models?

    Posted 08-15-2019 10:23 PM
    Sarah,
    I know Anne Marie and Roy Decker very well - Anne Marie is my FAIA classmate, and Roy got his F this year.  I had the pleasure of visiting DuvallDecker last year while on business elsewhere in Mississippi.  Their three-part business model allows them to sustain themselves in design while setting the table for redevelopment and maintenance of their adopted state.
    Ed

    ------------------------------
    Edmond Gauvreau, FAIA
    Washington, DC
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Firms with Innovative Practice Models?

    Posted 08-15-2019 07:20 PM
    Hi Matt,
    I spoke at the AIA'19 Conference on Architecture on the Virtual Office practice model (TH104).

    The traditional architect office environment needs to change to fit the changing attitudes towards work and with that, life balance. Each year we lose valuable human capital in the field of architecture to a multitude of reasons, but the main theme seems to be a need for more flexibility with the hours spent at the office. By utilizing technology as a virtual or semi-virtual office, some of this human capital can be re-engaged and utilized to the support the needs of both the principals and staff in architecture.

    Smaller virtual offices can also group together, as needed, to complete larger projects together. Then disband when the need is no longer there.

    Technology has provided us with the flexibility to remain in contact with each other even though we may be physically located elsewhere. I run my office with remote staff located in different time zones from where I'm located. We utilize video conferencing software, like Zoom, to hold meetings.

    Please contact me if you are interested in hearing more.

    Regards,
    Jennifer



    ------------------------------
    Jennifer Kretschmer AIA
    Principal Architect
    J. Kretschmer Architect
    Los Gatos CA
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Firms with Innovative Practice Models?

    Posted 08-15-2019 08:21 PM
    Leah and Jennifer:
    I am sponsoring Peter Macrae for Fellow this cycle - he started his version of virtual practice back in 2008 in the Columbus, OH area and has made it highly successful. He also made a presentation on virtual practice at A'19 (on Saturday).  Perhaps he can repeat his presentation to this group.
    Ed

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    Edmond Gauvreau, FAIA
    Washington, DC
    ------------------------------