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21 Rules for a Successful Life in Architecture

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The Offices of BIG. Image Courtesy of BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group

Originally published by Entrepreneur Architect, Associate Professor at Louisiana Tech Kevin

J Singh gives his 21-point rundown of how to have a successful and happy life as an
architect. The list gives some pointers that will certainly help young students and graduates,
but may well be useful to some of the not-so-young practitioners who need to refocus on
whats important.
The following is a compilation of my professional practice lecture on the last day of class.
Instead of recapping the course or giving a final exam, I share with my students a
presentation titled Advice as You Finish School and Start to Practice. I present a series of
statements followed up with a brief explanation.
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21 Rules for a Successful Life in Architecture | ArchDaily

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1. Get Started on Your Career Path

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Be observant as to what the Millennials in the office are doing.

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Make sure emerging professionals are valued in the firms you are interviewing with for
full-time employment.
3. Networking = The Key to Advancement
Get to know everyone in the Architecture community and allied fields (all ages and
experience levels).
CATALOG
Dont underestimate the value of AIA membership and networking opportunities.

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4. Dont Get Upset by Clients that Think They Know Everything About Architecture
Be patient.
Educate and show multiple options (divergent thought processes) to open up thinking.
Be a professional.
Remember that you were educated as an ARCHITECT (not him/her).
5. Dont Burn Bridges
The Architectural world is way too small.
Your actions and decisions will be remembered.
6. Look Out for #1
It is your career and yours alone.
Make sure you are getting the appropriate experience (IDP), opportunities and
compensation.
If you arent, MOVE ON!!!
7. Voice Your Opinions
The best ideas are never incorporated into projects unless they are heard, presented,
and defended.
Many processes in firms and details on projects can be improved if you simply point out
a better solution to decision makers.

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An improvement is always appreciated by principals and clients.

8. You Must Design Your Career and Position

All of us are Unique = Unique jobs/positions
Continually reflect on your experiences to determine what you really want to do.
Make career decisions to attain this position.
9. Differentiate Yourself
Develop your unique skills and abilities.
Demonstrate how they make you a better employee and contributor.
Potentially utilize these skills to go out on your own.
10. Dont Confuse an Internship with Full-Time Employment
An internship introduces you to how a firm and projects work.
Full-time employment mandates responsibility for your work and productivity (deadlines).
Full-time employment = STRESS!!!
11. Technology Will Lead the Way
You must stay at the forefront of technology.
Volunteer to learn new software and lead firm implementation.
Learn BIM and become proficient while in school.
12. Sustainability is Your Calling and Opportunity
If you endeavor to learn a lot about sustainability while in school, you will be able to
share your knowledge with current practitioners and become peers.
Take the sustainability lead within your firm.
Become a LEED Green Associate while in school.
13. You Need to be a Champion of Sustainably Built Environments
You must educate EVERYONE about sustainability.
Future clients will be the result.
14. Build Community
Only 2% can afford the services of an Architect.
What are you doing to help the other 98%?
Get involved in your community.

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You must educate EVERYONE about sustainability. Image Courtesy of Perkins + Will

15. Save the Profession

Architects arent compensated fairly because the general public doesnt value (or know)
what we do.
Teach-Share-Show-Demonstrate to others how we improve the world.
16. Education Doesnt End in School
You must continually learn to stay at the forefront of materials, systems and technology.
Dont let the world pass you by.
17. Mentor
Help teach the next generation.
A two-way street (look up, look back).
You will learn something in the process, and be reminded why you joined this profession.
18. Never Get Grumpy
Continually be inspired by the next generation and harness their optimism and energy.
Be a positive and optimistic employee.
19. Fix Something

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The world is full of problems.

Choose one or two things, and fix them.
20. Complete the Task
You set out to become an Architect so take the A.R.E. and become one.
Keep your eyes on the prize!!!
21. Final Thought
The easiest building to design is a box, but Architects dont design boxes.
Architecture is about serving others through the design of the built environment. Make
sure your work is the best it can be through its service to others and contribution to a
more sustainably built world.
I hope this list provides you with an opportunity to think back to your time finishing school
and embarking on your career. If you could go back and give advice to your younger self,
what would you say? What advice would you give to the next generation of architects?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Kevin Singh is an Associate Professor of Architecture in the School of Design at Louisiana
Tech University and has served as Director of the Community Design Activism Center
(CDAC) since joining the faculty in 2006. He currently teaches courses in community
design, 4th year studios and professional practice.
Kevin is a graduate of Ball State University (B.Arch.) and Auburn University (MBC). He has
served on the Board of Directors of the Association for Community Design (ACD) since
2012, and is currently serving on the Executive Board as Treasurer. He was recently named
a 40 Under 40 honoree by Building Design + Construction magazine.

Cite:
Kevin J Singh. "21 Rules for a Successful Life in Architecture" 18 Sep 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed 09 Jan
2015. <http://www.archdaily.com/?p=549436>

58 Comments

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Jonathan Barnes

9 hours ago

One important piece of advice missing here: if you're not getting the
salary or experience you're looking for at your current firm, ASK FOR
IT, before you decide to leave and look for it elsewhere. Don't assume
you won't get what you ask for.
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you won't get what you ask for.

Reply Share

angra

12 hours ago

Buildings Architecture teaching should stop.

There is no need for it.
Yes. I placed some word behind because systems architecture is
useful, same as software architecture. But buildings architecture, as a
black box and no logical structure, has no real use.
People can build buildings without paying egocentric render artists.

Reply Share

mauritzionebunu > angra

3 hours ago

U should speak for yourself myfriend..or better, not spek at

all...go live in the forest if u find buildings unnecessary
1
jon

Reply Share

14 hours ago

someone got paid to write this?

10
CEO

Reply Share

16 hours ago

Have you ever wanted to live in the world of Pokemon? Would you
like to travel with your friends through woods, caves, towns, and
cities to engage in hyper-realistic Pokemon battles? Read more to
realize the potential for a Pokemon Theme Park.
The setting of the theme park would be a pristine island. The Island
would be covered in various terrains, as well as dierent communities
that all have a unique personality. Guests at the park would interact
both with each other and paid actors who play the parts of all the
familiar characters from the Pokemon franchise. The background
story to the Park would be that visitors are competitors in a massive
Pokemon Tournament. They get to travel around the island and stay in
a variety of Hotel accommodations (i.e. campsites, small inns, and
even tall futuristic towers). The Pokemon battles would be held in
special arenas that are spread out through the park. The technology
that would be used to bring the Pokemon to life is already familiar to
concertgoers all over the world--holographic projection. The theme
park experience would be fully integrated with the Pokemon video
games. Visitors to the park would have the opportunity to 'import'
their Pokemon from their Nintendo DSs and Gameboys. Weekly top
scorers in the Park could win prizes and have their battles displayed
on screens in 'battle lounges' throughout the park. There would also
be a variety of side quests for visitors to discover and take part in.
2
ss

Reply Share

18 hours ago

NEVER USE YOUNGER's FEVER.

Some stupid firms just exploit their skills with less salary and just say
u learn lots of things in my oce.
3

Reply Share

ArchiNeo > ss

13 hours ago

Your right there...

1
jswarc

Reply Share

18 hours ago

Marry someone with a well-paying job.

18

Reply Share

ArchiNeo > jswarc

13 hours ago

That's my plan... hahaha!!!

1

Reply Share

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21 Rules for a Successful Life in Architecture | ArchDaily

Artefacts

1/9/15, 3:46 PM

20 hours ago

Never work with a pervert partner.

7

Reply Share

ArchiNeo > Artefacts

13 hours ago

Wise words.

Ibo

Reply Share

21 hours ago

One more tip! NEVER EVER WORK IN THE PRODUCTION

DEPARTMENT AT AN ARCHITECTURE FIRM! YOUR CREATIVITY
WILL DIE!
5

Reply Share

ArchiNeo > Ibo

13 hours ago

been there, not going back

Reply Share

JohnMicah Wandaga

a day ago

im freshmen architecture student . can you give some tips ?

Reply Share

ArchiNeo > JohnMicah Wandaga

13 hours ago

Quit whilst you still have time or persevere for a career which
might not be worthwhile...
2

Reply Share

MinistryofFear > JohnMicah Wandaga

18 hours ago

Rise early. Work hard. Marry someone with a lot of money.

7

Reply Share

Daniel Yung Kyun Lee > JohnMicah Wandaga

18 hours ago

Don't listen to Ibo. If you love it you'll stick with it. If you don't,
oh well, change you're major. Every profession in the world will
have a love/hate relationship, no matter what. If you don't hate
it with your guts, then it's worth doing.
4

Reply Share

Carole Caporale > JohnMicah Wandaga

19 hours ago

get really good at all the technology, it will help you meet your
deadlines for studio. Keep your eyes open to work outside of
traditional architect practice. Its a wonderful calling and its
HARD but worth it if its what you really want to do.
2

Reply Share

Ibo > JohnMicah Wandaga

21 hours ago

Change Major! you will thank me later

14
Bisher

Reply Share

a day ago

I have one more thing...don't go to far in design sometimes the best

concept comes in the beginning
4

Ali McI

Reply Share

a day ago

Network is the only useful point...

6

Reply Share

AMRO BAOTHMAN

a month ago

NICE TIPS

David

Reply Share

4 months ago

BIM has not much to with architecture directly. BIM is a method not a
tool and not a goal.
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tool and not a goal.

and knowing Revit has nothing to do with a career.
3

Reply Share

Akos Trepinszki > David

6 days ago

Tell your second point to BIM managers :)

4
Kyle

Reply Share

4 months ago

I would also like to echo the sentiments regarding working for

extremely low pay, or even sometime free. Don't sell yourself for
cheap just to work for some starchitect.
Reply Share

David

4 months ago

Very courageous post and thank you for initiating the discussion.
However, I did not find it that inspiring. What constitutes success as
an architect? While many of the points are valid, many roads lead to
Rome. Courses for horses and all that. In my opinion, a better
discussion around the topic is 'How to be a happy architect' by Irene
Baumann. I teach professionalism in an architecture school, and I try
to open students to the idea that there are many career paths in
architecture and dierent types of success. How can we, as
architects, build a profession that serves stakeholders, clients and us
better than it currently does? That would be a good question.
9

Reply Share

Kangwa

4 months ago

Very inspiring words especially tocme who is practicing in an

undeveloped country where architecture has still not being
understood as a solution to so many built environment problem but
perceived as a means of making money and surviving.
1

Cyndy

Reply Share

4 months ago

Passion - don't forget what made you start in this profession, keep
that passion with you and funnel it into everything you do even if it's
stair details and toilet plans. That passion will keep you going past the
seemingly mundane tasks we all must do along the way.
3

George

Reply Share

4 months ago

One advice to the recent graduates: study for the ARE while you are
young enough to have energy after work. I have 15 years experience,
consider myself quite knowledgeable, but have left the ARE aside
after several failed mistakes. The result? I cannot aord the exams
due to slow business, and I've had to pass by great business
opportunities b/c I am not licensed!

Mike

Reply Share

4 months ago

Point 11. BIM does not mean Revit only.... Revit is software that can
be used to communicate via the method of BIM. I suggest you
understand the dierence before promoting a product
Reply Share

g. orr

4 months ago

This advice pretty much is standard advice to any professional career.

However, entirely missing in this advice is the following:
1. learn how to build things
2. build things yourself and get dirty and sweaty. rip a few things
apart.
3. learn to communicate visually with words because you have to
speak before you can sketch
4. if you're not a brilliant talented inspired designer...than learn
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4. if you're not a brilliant talented inspired designer...than learn

software because that will be your career path. you know if this
means you!
5. "lean in" this means if you have a better idea or cheaper way of
doing the same thing then speak up.
6. start your own oce and do your own thing if you prize
individuality, creative freedom, direct client relationships and like to
work hard. if you don't want to do everything above than resign
yourself to employee status and follow that chain of advancement.
7. be a kid. ditch the tie, the sober demeanor and live a creative life.
see more

19

Reply Share

Pseudos Architecture > g. orr

a day ago

Now, these are true words of advice! Not the mumbo jumbo of
the article...

Reply Share

Eric in Colorado

4 months ago

20 loads of crap.
2

Reply Share

Beatha kitula

4 months ago

That's true..architecture needs time..am doing architecture in interior

design..can you tell me other software tha i can use in interior'

Reply Share

archigrad > Beatha kitula

a day ago

You should look at using Three dimensional studio maximum

design

Kim

Reply Share

4 months ago

I would tell my younger self to go to a less expensive school to avoid

borrowing so much money. Education is very important but the true
learning starts when you get out in the real world. In the real world
intern architects don't get paid enough to cover high school loan
dept.
3

Reply Share

Cotomo Tang

4 months ago

Oh...Buy 21 Rules for a Successful Life in Architecture on itunes...

Reply Share

milaoshu

4 months ago

22. be patient with those giving you obvious advices

3

John Park

Reply Share
4 months ago

"The easiest building to design is a box, but Architects don't design

boxes"... That's what made me start my architecture dream :)

Brian

Reply Share

4 months ago

Take a business course and learn how to operate as a professional.

Advice I should have taken but didn't. A huge amount of my
professional dissatisfaction stems from the reality that we often don't
act like professionals. Other businesses and careers are respected
because they treat it like a business. It's not just a passion, you are
oering a professional service.
6

Reply Share

boxy > Brian

11 hours ago

this is the root problem of the industry that branches out to

insucient fees, knowledge vs payo, ultimately designer's
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1/9/15, 3:46 PM

happiness
Reply Share

Brian

4 months ago

Love how this article's cover photo is a view inside the oce of BIG, a
firm known for working its employees to the bone with 80-hour work
week and terrible salaries (at least in their NYC oce). But please, tell
me more about how to be "successful."
4

Douglas

Reply Share
4 months ago

The minutes I spent reading this "advice column" I will never get
back. And this upsets me Kevin Singh.

Serina

Reply Share
4 months ago

Very inspiring; I agree that you learn more with people actually in
practice rather than school.

Tim

Reply Share

4 months ago

People have been building for millenia, do don't assume that new
software is a substitute or you'll end up on the helpdesk. Leverage the
helpdesk, don't pursue it; Technology is a tool for creating buildings.
All the "networking" advice is true, but falls under the "communicate
clearly with your peers" moniker. That's especially true in your oce,
every day.
15 & 21: Sometimes the best solution is the box. Borrow from startup
mentality: the 70% right solution now is better than the 80% solution
tomorrow. There is no 100%. Getting things done on time and on
budget is critically important to demonstrating the usefulness of the
profession.
Finally: It's hard to say, but if you're not successful as a business you
won't be helping anyone. For a successful career, you must
remember that Architects need clients.

patrick

Reply Share
4 months ago

this is definitely a wake up call for me.

Circle

Reply Share
4 months ago

One disagreement re: point 21. Some of my favorite buildings are

restrained boxes that are well-detailed, intelligently sited, and
materially rich. They are not as easy to design as they would appear;
point 21 puts too much emphasis on form-making.
Other than that small modification, good advice here. You will learn
more about the profession from people actually working than in
school. I did at least.
1

Flamur

Reply Share

4 months ago

just keep doing, your doing well ;)

Reply Share

Quang CHi?n

4 months ago

r?t b? i?ch

Reply Share

Bertrand Parent

4 months ago

The 98% say they don't need architects. Lines on paper have no
value???
1

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