Catalyst For Success: Paradigm Shift In Firm Structure

Attention AIAFW Members: The September meeting of AIA Fort Worth is the Annual Business Meeting and Election of Chapter Officers & Directors for the upcoming year. You are encouraged to take an active part in the business of the chapter by filling out and attending this chapter program + lecture "Catalyst For Success: Paradigm Shift In Firm Structure" by Joshua Zinder, AIA of Zinder Architecture + Design on Thursday, September 26th at 5:30pm at Panther Island Brewery.

Operating an architectural firm requires a multitude of business skills and strategies in order to be successful in winning work, keeping staff employed and billable, making a profit, and doing it all repeatedly. Most architects are not trained in business management sufficiently to straddle both the role of architect and business operations leader.

According to AIA's 2022 Firm Survey Report, 49% of US firms are single market operations. 44% are multiple market operations. The remaining 7% is listed as "Other". This session explores what "other" could be - alternative formats for structuring a firm. An important part of being a successful entrepreneur is considering alternative and/or multiple ways to structure of the firm, for example, setting up a specialist firm within the larger firm, becoming a developer of projects that you also design, expanding service options to include Interior design or product design, opening additional locations, and more.

This session starts with an overview of existing alternative practice models and the advantages and downsides of each, and then discussion expands to integrate tools and strategies that make each work, and what the architect-entrepreneur will need to be mindful of as they choose a path.

About Joshua Zinder:

Joshua Zinder, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP shares from his professional experience with multiple modalities He Is the founder and Managing Partner of Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design, LLC and Its Firm Within A Firm Landau Zinder Architects. Joshua Is a developer for several mixed-use multi-family residential projects In his community. He Is a former President of AIA NJ and currently serves on the National Boards of AIA’s Small Firms Exchange and Interfaith Design Knowledge Community. He is a frequent speaker at AIA National and other industry events.

Host or Publisher AIA Fort Worth