Barbara Kapusta -
podcast #43 of the series "Foundations"
The episode and the entire series are also available on Soundcloud and Spotify:
In the latest episode of the Foundations podcast, {tag:studenci} touches on a topic that proves to be one of the biggest surprises for many young architects after graduation - lack of preparation for the financial and business side of the profession. A student of architecture at the Rzeszow University of Technology wonders why architectural studies - although they teach design, space analysis or concept argumentation - rarely prepare students to conduct professional activities in the realities of the market.
Studies teach design, but not always how to run an office
As Barbara Kapusta points out, architectural studies provide a very solid creative and intellectual foundation. Students learn to analyze the context of a place, work with form, light or construction. Designing also requires the ability to defend one's own ideas during public critiques of projects and to work under great time pressure.
These are all competencies that are extremely important for a future architect. The problem arises, however, when entering the job market.
Many young designers graduate with impressive portfolios, but without basic knowledge of how the design services market works. Questions arise that no one has prepared answers for before: how to price their work, how to talk to a client about the budget, how to negotiate the scope of a project or how to run their own architectural office.
Architecture is also a business
There is an important reflection in the podcast: architecture is not just a creative process. It is also a business, which requires economic awareness.
A project is not just an idea and a concept. It's also work time, costs of running an office, legal responsibility, taxes, contributions or team management. Without understanding these elements, many young architects experience a difficult clash with professional reality.
Lacking knowledge of project pricing or profitability of work, novice architects often underbid or work for experience without calculating the true cost of their work.
The myth of the architect as exclusively a creator
Barbara Kapusta also draws attention to the cultural image of the architect as a visionary and creator. In this view, talking about money is sometimes treated as something uncomfortable or even contrary to the idea of creation.
In practice, however, not talking about finances does not make the topic disappear. On the contrary, it becomes a taboo that hinders young architects from building a stable career.
As the author of the statement emphasizes, economic awareness does not take away architecture's creative character. On the contrary - it allows to protect it. This is because the financial stability of the office gives more freedom to make ambitious design decisions.
Architects should also design their professional practice
The podcast also raises the question of the future of architectural education. Perhaps studies should integrate design knowledge to a greater extent with the basics of entrepreneurship, project management or client communication.
Architecture operates in the real world - with budgets, deadlines and financial responsibility. Therefore, the ability to design a space should go hand in hand with the ability to design one's own professional practice.
A new episode of the Foundations podcast reflects on the journey from studies to professional practice and what competencies may prove crucial for young architects entering the job market.
Aleksandra Skorupa
Patrycja Malak
Listen also to other podcasts
from the "Foundations" series
36.From Spain and the Netherlands to working for Helmut Jahn. Mikolaj Zajda on internships abroad
37.Architecture in Swedish. Kinga Zemla about studying in Stockholm.
40. architecture in Switzerland - Zuzanna Lesik about her internship in Zurich.
41 Architecture the Scandinavian way. Studying in Oslo through the eyes of Mateusz Pietryga.
42 Architecture begins with action. Habitat Now and student proactivity
