Problems and Challenges - A Day in the Life of an Architect vlog
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- Опубліковано 31 тра 2024
- On this day in the life episode I’m talking about the problems and challenges of running an architecture practice. In response to a recent comment I received, I’m pulling back the curtain on the challenges all architects face but very few are willing to share. I’ll discuss my least favorite drawing tasks and a solution for doing less of them. You’ll hear about a difficult site visit and how I treat the construction phase as collaborative rather than confrontational. I’ll also update you on the Gallery House project, which offers a real lift lesson in how I deal with the problem of filling a hole in your work schedule.
My mid-day exercise break is a chance to educate myself and a natural divide between making things (more about my idea of business ‘assets’ in the video) in the morning and managing things in the afternoon. My hike takes me up and over Bald Mountain in Acadia National Park (the blueberry bushes turn red in October...amazing isn't it?)
Here’s the podcast I was listening to while hiking: fizzle.co/sparkline/the-3-hab...
Some key waypoints:
0:37 Comment that inspired this video
0:47 Morning (Making) : Drawings (the ones I find challenging + somewhat tedious)
3:02 Detail sheet
6:25 Hiking in Acadia National Park + my mobile MBA
8:03 Dividing Making + Managing (assets vs. time)
8:58 Construction Management + Site Visits (Collaboration vs. Confrontation)
11:40 Gallery House Update + the perils of sole practice
13:54 Things I don’t have a handle on (yet)
14:27 My response to the comment that inspired the video
My Books:
thirtybyforty.com/books
Podcast Interviews:
UA-cam for Architects Business of Architecture • 250: UA-cam for Archi...
EntreArchitect Field Guide Series Interview 1: entrearchitect.com/podcast/ea...
EntreArchitect Field Guide Series Interview 2: entrearchitect.com/podcast/pa...
Productivity Business of Architecture: www.businessofarchitecture.co...
#architecture #architect #architecturevlog
// GEAR I USE //
CAD DRAWING TEMPLATE:
* Download here: thirtybyforty.com/autocad-temp...
ARCHITECT'S TOOLKIT:
* Architect + Entrepreneur Startup Toolkit: thirtybyforty.com/SPL
ARCHITECTURE ESSENTIAL TOOLS:
* thirtybyforty.com/archi-gear
PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR:
*thirtybyforty.com/my-photo-gear
MUSIC I USE:
* thirtybyforty.com/music
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
Please watch: "Making a Site Model - The Outpost Project"
• Making a Site Model - ...
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
Did you catch my hike at 6:25...one of the best hikes of the year, here's the author referenced there... thirtybyforty.com/atomic-habits
It's a beautiful place. Where is this place bro? Even I believe that architecture is eventually an inspiration from nature where people have been there forever. Hiking is a really cool way to get that experience ! Especially this place I would like to be one in my lifetime.
I live near Acadia National Park in Maine (USA)...
You thought us nothing about drawing in perspective or about architecture I want to learn how to draw in perspective from different angle
Dear colleague. I see that the challenges in our daily professional practice are not very different in this corner of South America. As always, an impeccable video. Sincerely
Why u are not using BIM protocol?
Your editing is getting better and better. If you're not an architect, I think you'd be an amazing filmmaker. Great episode!
so truly said that
This must be the best vlog I've ever watched! He's are a great narrator, photographer, director and editor.
He should be the next host in "The World's most Extraordinary homes"
I always laugh when i see comment like this 😅😅😅.. Like i always said they will never understand, they will never know architecture, unless you become an architect 😅😅😅
GREAT VIDEO: I (recently) had 3 projects go on hold in the same week. I was very upset and almost gave up. Miraculously, 3 weeks later, I had 2 new clients sign on. Also landed an ongoing project: co-designing cricket bats with an old friend from primary school.
I would like to thank you for your extended efforts with your great video's you post. I am a high school teacher in Ontario teaching Architectural design and I play your video at the start of my classes as they work through their design assignments. On behalf of my students
we would like to thank you for supporting their educational journey.
As a struggling practitioner myself, your videos are heaven sent... great job brother! Thank you.
Your videos are always so inspiring! Thank you for your work and effort, your content is priceless.
Kind of you to say...thanks for watching...
Multitasking at its finest! I see this profession takes a lot of time. I appreciate how you work at the same time filming and sharing info.
I love every single one of your videos. There's much to learn and do. Thanks.
Literally busy drawing window details as I’m listening/watching this in the background! Thanks for the awesome content!
amazing video man.. Love your direction. I really love how you got more specific here. Thank you so much.
Eric is killing it !!!!
I am so glad that you are telling us some of the challenges -- it is always valuable to get a full picture.
THANK YOU ERIC! The honesty of this video and the advises......It helps so much! x
Love your videos!! After reading your book, you gave me the motivation and courage to quit my job and start my own business, it’s not easy being a sole proprietor but I’m way more happy with my life and where it’s taking me! Thank you sir! Keep up doing what you doing. Hello from Virginia!!
Thank you for this video. I've been working in a firm for almost 5 years now and at times the constant challenges and struggles makes me want to quit what I'm doing and the problems you faced on site was all too familiar. When I'm down whether it's due to a design block or other problems, I'll watch your videos and realized why I fell in love with architecture and design in the first place. Thank you for the beautiful content, I'm always left inspired to do better 👍🏽
Beautiful video, very transparent and was worth the wait. Great balance between an ever-present peaceful quality to your videos and an agitated state of mind that shows through. This portrays the struggles of every passionate designer or architect and I can definitely relate. The final message was on point! Keep up the great work!
I can’t wait to get into architecture thanks for all the videos you shown us keep them coming
You are practicing the way I envisioned architecture would be when I began over 25 years ago. I have only watched one video so far and I am hooked. You have a great design approach and understanding of the importance of detailing. Brings me back to a time when this profession was new and exciting. Keep it up and thanks for representing the profession well.
thank you so much for another supportive and inspirational post... always to the point and clearly put...
This video came at just the right time! I just had a lecture today looking at window details and tolerances - and yday I listened to a podcast from College Info Geek talking about the Hedonic Treadmill principle and how your everyday state is what makes you happy. Thanks for sharing this! It was super insightful, and you really are a cool guy!!!
Hi eric really appreciate your post and videos. Its like you are talking about the problems that every professionals deal with in their journey. love your works. Keep up the good works. Shine on..
reality is what I can't see in most of the videos, but this video was just amazing. I love the way you showed what is in the life of architecture.
I find a new side of myself by watching this video. This video helped me a lot, Thank you.
Hi Eric! I just found your videos when looking for inspiration for diorama building (currently working on a large (for me) Balsa/Brasswood project that I've taken on. It's a daunting task but you're video's have been a big help so far in keeping me motivated. I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate all the video's that you have made and shared with us and all the inspiration it has given me.
Cheers!
Eric, another truthful from the heart look into what we strive to do everyday, the highs do come with the lows and the more we can educate the better informed our clients can be.The understanding of the value we can provide is even more evident in what you produce and show through your channel. The collaborative approach is one I personally use but there are some contractors that love to point the finger and blame game at the architect as lead co-ordinator and hate when I point out issues with the work they have produced and quality of finish. The Balance of work, life is tough but if you enjoy what you do then it’s not a job. Keep up the great work my friend.
I am currently on architecture track. I found your channels and so grateful that I found it. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledges through making these helpful tips videos! They're hugely effective, especially your sharing means so much! I hope your great-communication will spread out more :)
To open up the way you did in this video, shows a lot about your character and personality, through all your videos it gives off a sense that you care not only about your business but about others as well and how they feel. Great job Eric
thank you very much Eric for demystifying a lot of points about architecture to us, architecture student... A lot of these things are surprisingly never mentioned, so it might feel like none else is having those problems, while in fact most of these problems face everyone in the field. Thank you!
Loved watching this, thanks for the fab video lovely x
I love your content! Greetings from Toronto, a fellow architecture student here. Thank you for your inspiring videos!
Excellent video Eric! Love this kind of content. Keep em coming
Cheers,
Zack
You are truly an inspiration, thank you for the quality of your videos, new subscriber right here.
Another great video! Thank you again from Scotland!
I love the Maker's schedule / Manager's schedule idea (from Paul Graham) for breaking up your day. Nice work Eric.
I have been watching your videos for the last two years. I wanted to say thank you for being inspiring. Am not an architect but I am a Building Surveyor here in UK we are in a two person, father & son practice who have grown organically. Your creativity and though process gives me ideas that I didn’t think was possible. I look forward to watching more videos in the future.
Really awesome. Thank you very much for making these videos.
I like it you inspired and sharing Knowledge.
Thank you 🙏 so much .
We need a Day life Architect
I believe problems are less of a struggle, if taken as challenges...
Thanks fr the video ❤️
Every time I feel down from design I open your channel you really inspire me to be a better architect Thank you .
you're always such an inspiration Eric! and btw none of us ever have it all figured out. that's the beauty of it all...
Another great video. Both informative and instructive.
"You get to choose, thats the beauty of it" this statement is so true. Thanks for being an inspiration my friend. Cheers
Great episode, one of the best. Your videos are so inspiring especially for someone like me who is studying architecture in the Middle East. cheers from egypt
Thank you for sharing your work. BTW your last live stream was a blast. It might be fun to tag along with you when you're in the studio as well.
Thank you for yet another inspiring video!
After watching so many of your videos l think you are a great teacher of architecture lam not a architect just enjoy watching and learning
Thanks for being my inspiration
I need your help guys.
Im also looking about it.
I wanna be an architecture in future.
Plz someone explain that's field. thanks
okay, a lot of hours, a lot of effort, little sleep, a lot of sacrifice.. it does not even qualify as a passion anymore it's really just your life. very fun, very free. endless possibilities.
like Eric says : ''Go make Things."
so go make yourself an architect :)
@@UmairAli-mj9wv " if you want easy life, don't be an architect" said Zaha Hadid, but, if you have passion, It will be pleasant and fun. I hope you like it!
It's amazing to think that if my goals of becoming an architect do pan out, all of the challenges might keep me learning and stimulated in the same way I would be while in arch school, or while tackling any one of my other hobbies... Awesome vid
Thank you for the honesty, for not looking perfect and for a well narrated shot of your reality. Thanks, brother.
Eric the Architect and Philosopher. Your videos are such an inspiration.
I am an architecture student at UTA arlington. I love your videos and there level of quality. Your videos have given me alot of inspiration keeping me excited about architecture.
as a student of architecture you are truly inspiring . Great video
Beautifully inspiring content! 😭
I Love you it's always a Problem over Budget in any kind of Projects if you calculate to cheap the risk is to high that you must pay, if you calculate to high the risk is high that the client hopped out.
yeah did see the hike. nice trail ^^ you must have great photo opportunities! Also liked your remark, it came across almost causal (don't think it was though), it really hit the spot; the thing about making things that you like and it would eventually, probably attract like minded people. Guess you're right. Was thinking about just that on friday, last, when I spoke with people from a large company who we just finished a revamping of offices. They didn't believe in our project, I had to push for it, now they all want a piece of the action. strange how people never seem to see the bigger picture...
Excellent video as always, it would be great to see a video of how you use the program notion for your architectural work
Your energy and enthusiasm is really awesome !!!! I'm from India...and CHEERS !!!!
Nice detail drawing presentation, Eric!
Lol, fenestration details was what I did nearly exclusively for over a decade when I used to specialize in window replacement for public works.
Your vid reminded one of my biggest pet peeves; poor understanding of how to achieve reliable water tight seals with penetrations, fenestration, and transitions. Old school Architects and contractors/tradesmen had very good understanding how to do it successfully. But I've noticed somewhere between the 1970's and 1980's the new generation entering the building trades and design professions no longer had the deeper apprenticeship training as the previous generations did,
So now, for the last few decades I've been seeing a growing epidemic of failing fenestrations/penetrations/transitions with chronic water infiltration problems. Damn, I've even seen new buildings have its windows and doors removed and reinstalled twice because they can't seem to get it right.
When I received a window replacement public works project, the first thing I did was to throw the architect plans in the garage and draw my own design that gave the identical physical appearance the architect intended because I can typically tell from the first glance of the plans they're drawn primarily for bidding purposes and were really not meant to be "working drawings". But unfortunately do to a lack of inexperience and competency all around on a project, the deficiencies of the "bidding plans" rarely ever get corrected once a project is awarded.
Of the houndeds of projects I've redesigned, I've never had the architect reject or question my redesign except once because the young architect didn't fully understand how the window system handled seismic loading, but after it was explained it was approved.
Whether a sole practitioner, or a cog in a larger firm, we all go thru the same things you did in this video throughout our projects. Thank you for sharing the struggle!
cheers my friend. great inspiration it helps me a lot on your channel . thanks
Hi Eric, I have recently been faced with a lot of these same questions. I started thinking more about how I use my time and especially my time spent here on UA-cam. I just realized that listening through your journeys and story-telling is often like looking at my own reflection in a mirror. We are all faced with challenges that I certainly need to remember are not unique to me and my practice. There are so many things a professional and or student can gain from these vlogs, and based on some of the comments below it looks like they are. At times your comments evoke the days in studio when you were told to pin your project and take a step back... in hopes, it gives you a different perspective. Or lets you see your ideas in a different light, and outside of your own dark tunnel of design. These sometimes intimate experiences you share with us all I find reflective but also engaging. I say engaging, because at times I am able to use some of your words as questions to ask myself. Sometimes we just need to hear questions from a different voice in order to discover the path to the next answer. The next answer is not always the right answer, but all things build and grow. As always, thanks for the time you spend here, it is as valuable to me as I assume it is to you, even therapeutic.
Loved that Norwegian flag you got there :D
Also, keep up the good work! Great inspiration
Would like to see more of these! X
Hi mainly work on commercial projects, and I completely relate to this video. From budgeting, to working with consultants and even shopping with the clients can all bring situations in which you can either look like a smart or dumb person. Nice video and good job sir!
This spoke to my feedback too.
The ups & downs.. the barriers to best practices, the success’s & the un-successes( not failure unless you don’t learn from it)
What the collaborative aspects are, the locus of control.. this is a great video.
Cheers...thx for watching
Erik, can we get an updated video like this? really good stuff!
You are just a wonderful person... I have never met a more humbler Architect than you...n this is the only reason I feel our profession has suffered and not reached its true potential like our counterparts like animation, film making or any other design field like graphic or service design....we are a bunch of fools that feel we know everything and never try n learn from the processes of other design streams that may present a possible answer for our struggles...anyways I hope the best for you..really proud to say that I can now look up to an architect too and not just his work...keep up the great work...
Thank you for sharing, Eric.
Sir you are an inspiration 🙌
You always talk about big projects/challenges, but if fact even small room/house can be a very challenge to put it together. I have in past the problem with my work office room 4000mm x 2060mm (door was on 2060mm left side ) and i use same technique as your "barn" to have desk in the middle that can be slide on 4000mm axie or even remove if need more space . Right now i am renovating the office; Can u make some videos of small spaces to better take advantage of space and furniture arrangement? Thank you and keep up good work!
Inspiring, inspiring - thank you.
It's amazing learning from u sir
Nice video Eric. The reality of been an architect it s not so beautiful, it s hours and hours in front a pc doing lines. But when the project is done. The magic happens. I agree with you, depends how you manage your relationship with your clients. Nice work Eric, like always.
Eric I love your channel. I'm building with ICF so doors and windows in the drawings is kinda important. My process is in trying to clearly understand the process so I can communicate clearly with my architect. I did my own sketches. I've asked a hundred questions. I know what I want. I listen to her and the contractor about why this works better than that. In the end I want a finished project that all are happy to put their name on. The hardest thing so far has been trying to get a large window placed right in front of the master bath sink. Everyone has a mirror there, I want a window. Not hard to do, just unconventional. Looks out into a private garden area. She just can't see what I see as a design. I'll keep trying.
Lol ohhhh those darn door and window details lol. Love your videos sir.
ha...you despise them like i do then?
thanks for watching...
you should do a grid layout/organization for your model space, a place where you put plans, elevations, details, sections etc....I use one and it helps tremendously
Yes this is amazing
now that's what i call a day in the life ... thank u man
Great video - good details can make or break quality design. Have you tried this in revit? You can create 3D assembly drawings that help the contractor better understand the installation
great content!! love it!!
Cheers my friend...thx
Hi Eric, great video as always! Do you draw details for every door/window for each home you do? Or do you have a library of typical details that you can just drop in to make things a little faster? Thanks!
Hi, I am from Indonesia.
I'm not majoring in architect at my college but I have an interest in architecture.
This is the last of your video that I saw for today, I just got your channel about a week ago and the first impression about your teaching is "this is what I looking for"
Looking at this video, I agree that the real situation at the practice is kind of always different from what we get from school theoretically.
We have to know what is our boundaries in the project, I think that we can start to manage the project by knowing our professional ethics.
Thanks for the insight here and I'm very grateful for the lesson that you teach here.
I hope that you will be always healthy, get more blessed with your family.
Waiting for your video :)
God bless
thank you for these truly inspiring videos, i am an owner of an architectural practice and what you have presented in this video sums up my day to day practice to a huge extent.
inspirational , keep up the good work
James Clear quote changes my life__thank u!
Sometimes I get nervous because college is coming up and I'm gonna take Architecture, but watching your videos motivate me. Keep up the awesome vids!!
cheers...it's like anything else, it seems difficult until you get started...you learn as you go (I'm still learning)...
Hey man... your works are just great! I am myself an avid sketcher, and I really like how you draw the line between artistic and pragmatic representations of an architectural detail. As you said, that details of doors and windows may be very boring compared to sketching elevations or site plans. But then the former can be made really interesting with possibilities of innovation. Details give us great opportunity to innovate and change the way we feel and operate within our built and open environments. However, the client portfolio stands as a major concern in the way often denying us such freedom... so why not make everyday challenges as our creative framework?.. let's be as fluid as the River that flows over any rock or fits through any crevice ... as you said, and I truly agree that "the River must flow on... "
I am an architect and urban designer and you have been a great inspiration for me.. cheers my friend! Carry on the good job you are doing 👍👍
halleluya!!!finaly someone speek it up laught!!1I HATE that details too!!!I thought I was only one and was just keeping it in secret I feel free now thank you !!!!
Your channel always make to keep going stuying architecture. Sometimes i feel that cant go beyond. Sometimes i feel i dont want to do this anymore cuz of the challenges ahead as an architect. Thnks for the effort of doing those video. A warm hello from Puerto Rico. Keep up the good work of your life.
Thank-you. this is a great video.
Then you get to choose ... Best piece of advice. Ever.
I wonder why you don't hire a drafter/s, you have to focus on ideas and concepts. Please let me know.
I aspire to be like you, seriously hope I get to meet you one day man, by that time I'll be an Architect. Thanks for the guidance
Hi, love the content. I noticed in your autocad file everything looks nice and crisp. How do you decide to what scale should a detail be and do you provide templates to draw in autocad with the layers you have and use now ? Would apreaciate if I could get it or be guided to make one as good as yours . Cheers
U always inspire me to do more
I am currently designing an office Block for a client. It's my first time designing an office since becoming a Professional Architect. The last time I worked on an office was in 2015, and I was still a Candidate.
I'm happy with the design, but I am aware that it's one of the most complex buildings I've done because glass meets aluminum frame. Aluminum frame meets steel beam, etc. I hate water, rain, I never want my buildings to leak because I detailed incorrectly. I came here hoping that I'm not the only Architect that feels insecure about their designs... THANKS A MILLION for reminding me that we don't always have it figured out.
I also find that some details are better explained on site then conveyed by a drawing...
I dig that Coheed and Cambria pick haha
lol the schedule of doors and windows hahahah even me, still a student, i kinda get tired in doing the drawings of that part hahaha
Amazing Content. Thank you for sharing :)
Great video, I'm always left inspired to do better, thank you for that! I had a question about your statement on owning up to your mistakes. You mentioned that if you made a mistake in your drawings that is on you. Are you implying that you would pay the contractor for that change/fix to be executed?? It could be hard to own up to a mistake financially if it ends up being a large portion of your fee. How do you handle this?
THANKS FOR SHARING, it saved my day literally , i was depressed until i saw this
Inspiring, as usual...