Let's Be Real: Your Architecture 'Practice' is a Business

We architects love talking about design, don't we? Sketching cool ideas, thinking about how buildings look and feel, creating great spaces for people. We often call this our "practice." It sounds nice, dedicated, maybe even a bit artistic.

But here’s the hard truth: no matter how much we call it a "practice," architecture is also a business. Plain and simple.

Sometimes, using the word "practice" lets us (and maybe our clients) forget that this job involves real-world business stuff. It’s not just about drawing pretty pictures. It's a company that needs to survive.

Think about what running an architecture firm actually involves, besides the design work:

1. Getting Clients: You have to find people who will hire you. That means selling yourself, writing proposals, and competing for jobs. It's work.
2. Dealing with Money: You need to figure out how much to charge to cover your costs (like rent, software, salaries) and maybe make a profit. You have to send bills and make sure you get paid. Sometimes you have to chase people for money.
3. Managing Projects: You have to keep track of time, manage your team, make sure work gets done on schedule and within budget.
4. Handling Rules & Risks: There are contracts to sign, building codes to follow, insurance to pay. Lots of paperwork to protect yourself if things go wrong.

Ignoring this business side and only focusing on the "practice" part causes big problems. It’s why architects often work crazy long hours for pay that doesn’t match the effort or responsibility. It leads to stress, burnout, and talented people leaving the field. It’s just not sustainable.

So, what does it mean to "fight it"? It doesn't mean fighting against being a business. You can't avoid that. It means accepting it's a business and then fighting for fair treatment within that reality.

It means fighting for:

• Fair Pay: Charging enough to cover your costs and value your skills. Not working for peanuts just because it's a "passion project."
• Good Contracts: Having clear agreements that protect you, not just the client.
• Getting Paid for Extra Work: If the client asks for more, you should charge for it. Simple as that.
• Reasonable Hours: Not accepting constant unpaid overtime as normal. Your time is valuable.

Thinking like a business person doesn't make you less of an architect. It actually helps you be a better one. Why? Because if your business is healthy, you can afford to keep the lights on, pay your staff properly, invest in tools, and have the headspace to actually focus on doing great design work without constant money worries.

So let's stop pretending. Architecture is a business. Accepting that and acting accordingly isn't selling out – it's being smart. It's how we make sure we can keep designing and building for the long haul.