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Architecture SocialIt is hard to get a job in architecture. Author: Architecture Social, Stephen Drew
It is hard to get a job in architecture. We exist to help you get there. Hosted by Stephen Drew, Architecture Social is the unfiltered guide to the UK Built Environment. We decode the realities of the industry, provide actionable cheat codes for your career, and bridge the communication gap between the drafting board and the boardroom. Whether you are a Part I assistant trying to survive your first role, a Part III architect managing complex procurement, or a Practice Director fighting tight margins and adapting to the Building Safety Act, this podcast is your central node of intelligence. We strip away the aesthetic gatekeeping and toxic positivity to talk about the actual mechanics of the business. Expect honest conversations about salary realities, portfolio strategies, hiring economics, and the true experiences of the people actively shaping the profession. No fluff, just the reality of practice. Language: en Genres: Arts, Business, Careers, Design Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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He Started His Own Architecture Practice at 29
Episode 257
Wednesday, 1 July, 2026
What does it actually take to start your own architecture practice in 2026?Alex Sutton founded Studio Sutton in August 2019 at the age of 29, just six months before the world locked down. In this conversation with Stephen Drew, he opens up about building an award winning international practice through a global pandemic, a war, an interest rate spike, an AI shake-up, and the hardest personal moments of his life. No fluff, no romanticising, just the real story of what running a small practice looks like when the cards are stacked against you.If you've ever thought about starting your own studio, or you're already on that path and wondering if it gets easier, this one's for you.Studio Sutton: studiosutton.co.ukAlex Sutton on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alex-suttonWant to sharpen your skills and stand out?We've partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects. Courses on Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio building, project management and more.👉 archademia.comUse code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the annual membership._____Curated content, insights and opportunities to accelerate your career in Architecture, Design, Development and Real Estate to the next level.💻 Find more content at https://www.architecturesocial.com📐 #Architecture #ArchitectureStudent #Architect #architecturepodcast Chapters:00:00 - Intro05:08 - Meet Alex Sutton06:14 - How Alex got into architecture08:34 - Starting out at Sevil Peach10:07 - Setting up Studio Sutton at 2912:19 - Six months before the pandemic16:33 - Losing a year of work overnight17:44 - Pivoting to Oslo and Stockholm20:09 - The reality vs romance of running a studio23:40 - The personal cost of being a founder26:29 - The hidden cost of winning work30:14 - Why better design doesn't always win34:00 - Tick box forms and SME barriers36:36 - £40,000 just to be in the room38:52 - Where does design get lost?43:34 - Where are the Mavericks?45:08 - What actually creates value51:02 - Advice for new founders57:16 - Losing work to AI58:49 - Is starting a practice in 2026 a dead end?01:03:07 - Why architecture still matters01:08:14 - Hiring and building a small team01:17:05 - What architecture school doesn't teach01:18:30 - The Bartlett and the culture of fear01:26:08 - Where to find Studio Sutton
