The Edge: Enoch Sears and the Business of Architecture

Novedge: Tell us a bit about who you are and what you do

Enoch Sears: I am a licensed California architect. I am also an author and speaker on the topics of marketing for architects and websites for architects to attract the right kinds of clients and projects. 

Here are a few of my projects:

– Author of the book Social Media For Architects

– The Business of Architecture Show: I am the host of the Business of Architecture show where I interview successful architects and share their successes for others to follow

– Curator of Business of Architecture, a site dedicated to helping small and micro architecture firms succeed.

I also run a food gift company that sources unique and artisanal gourmet gift baskets from California’s Great Central Valley and I have my own eponymous architecture firm, Enoch Sears Architect.

Novedge: Why did you start The Business of Architecture?

Enoch Sears:Small architecture firms and sole practitioners lack the resources of larger firms but they still need to complete the same tasks. This puts small and micro firms at a distinct disadvantage in the marketplace.

Business of Architecture exists to support architect-led small businesses. On Business of Architecture I provide both free and premium information to help architects compete by attracting and landing the projects they want to work on and improving office efficiency.

Novedge: I am a fan of your interview series: after over 20 episodes, what has surprised you the most? 

Enoch Sears:It is interesting that each architect has a very different approach to his or her work. Even though there are many similarities in the way projects are handled, each architect has a very different personality and workflow that is as unique as a fingerprint.

Novedge: What is a recent project that you worked on as an architect? 

I’ve mainly worked for smaller firms, including a year-long stint overseas for a developer in the Caribbean. One of the “funnest” projects I worked on was a condominium development on the island of Bocas del Toro in Panama. The project (which has not been built) consists of a beach facing tower and four marina facing buildings.

Retiring baby-boomers from the US have been looking outside of the US for good medical care at a good rate and temperate and tropical climates. This has fueled the market for second homes abroad. Panama is an ideal location for retirees because of its proximity to the US, affordable healthcare, and currency (the US dollar).

This work was done while I worked for architect Blair Korndorffer of Diamond Development and Construction Group, based in Houston, Texas.

Novedge: What software do you use?

Enoch Sears:Currently I use a great software package called BricsCAD. It has all the power of AutoCAD at ⅕ the cost. Most importantly it runs my custom LISP routines flawlessly. I’m also an expert with Revit Architecture. I even program my own custom VBA plugins (a true geek).

Novedge: What has been most important in developing and growing a successful architectural practice? 

Enoch Sears:Hustle, vision, and flexibility. My own firm is in the startup phase now, so I’m learning a lot along the way about business development, strategy and positioning. Of course I share the most important lessons that I learn on Business of Architecture under the category Start A Firm. 

Enoch Sears:The amount of knowledge needed to be a successful architect is growing faster than architects can keep pace. Architects need to specialize and collaborate well with other specialists. Technology tools can help with this, but even software needs a masterful driver behind the wheel.

Novedge: What do you hope to achieve over the next 20-30 years?

Enoch Sears:I have two professional goals for the next 20 years: I want to create architecture that matters, and I want to provide tools and resources to help other architects do the same.

Enoch Sears will appear on our next Google Hangout on Air: Social Media To Get What You Want, with Bob Borson and Jeff Echols. Register here to watch it live and ask Enoch your questions.

And don't forget to subscribe to the Business of Architecture podcast and to follow Enoch Sears on Twitter.