starting a practice
Interview with Sarah
What inspired you to establish your architecture practice, and how did you start?
After working in architectural firms for several years, I took a short break to reflect on what I wanted to get out of my career and the industry. What resulted was a desire to create a balanced and sustainable approach to practice. Focusing on my well-being and exercising the same empathy for my clients, See Arch established itself as a human-centered practice where we respect ourselves, our team, and our clients in the highest regard.
In the years since establishing the practice, everyone participating in it has shared these sentiments and found similar value in them. We've remained authentic to the original motivation while expanding its focus to address broader questions about the industry.
Today, See Arch continues to operate as a business with a clear mission- to positively impact the field of architecture through the quality of our work and operational choices. We aim to inspire positive change and foster innovation in the industry, attracting like-minded individuals who share our vision.
Were there any unexpected aspects you learned while starting your practice, and did they affect your company's early years?
I didn’t start with any particular vision except that having the freedom and agency to practice on my terms would be a dream come true. Of course, the reality of firm ownership is much more complex than that!
I didn’t expect how much influence the team has in shaping the firm beyond how I could define myself. It’s been a pleasant discovery to find out where the firm's actual value lies.
As an architect, you must meet legality, ethics, and technical knowledge standards. In addition to the basics, such as building science and licenses, what other skills are necessary for success in a young firm like yours?
As a new firm principal, I quickly realized I was not fully prepared to be a business owner, lacking the necessary education and background for financial and operational success. In order to establish a strong foundation for See Arch, I sought the advice of trusted professionals (legal, financial, and business coaching) to guide me while I also learned from other resources I gathered. Despite the rapid growth and steep learning curve, laying a solid foundation early on allowed the firm to grow sustainably within a more organized structure.
In this industry, much of the knowledge is self-taught. I rely on my skills of self-awareness, questioning what is working and what is not, and being flexible enough to pivot when correction is needed, both in design and in business. We prioritize discussing blind spots within the firm to encourage proactivity and self-reflection, and we host monthly workshops to share knowledge and evolve individually and as a team.
Establishing boundaries and steadfastly upholding our core values is crucial. Our firm performs best when projects, clients, and workload align with our values and boundaries. This sometimes requires adjusting our workflow or setting conditions that favor the project's overall success or the team's well-being. Running a small business involves finding a balance, and there are numerous gray areas to navigate. Making decisions that align with personal boundaries and professional values contributes to the success of our projects and the sustainability of our team.
What factors can help or hinder starting an architecture practice, and what challenges have you faced in opening and operating your firm? Have there been any related to being a woman?
Our work begins with the client, so good client management is the first factor in project success. Architecture is a service industry, so we believe the client is always right. Instead of saying "no," we adopt a "yes, and..." attitude: we listen and respond to what we're hearing, not what's already in our minds. Although we are experts in our field, we are designing for someone other than ourselves, which demands high sensitivity, attention, and communication.
Attitude is crucial. Positivity is contagious, and offering constructive thoughts to clients and colleagues goes a long way. The projects we often engage in represent our clients' significant, personal investment. Attitude is the foremost tool in creating an environment for them to enjoy the process, trust our expertise, and promote cooperation.
A firm is only as strong as its team. See Arch owes its success to the dedicated and talented individuals who show up daily and give their best to the business and our clients. While See Arch has grown since its establishment, we've learned to hire slowly and carefully to protect team culture and the delicate balance of small-business staffing. There is no greater asset (and investment) than our staff, and we do all we can to value them accordingly.
A challenge I continue to be mindful of is balance. Many women walk a tricky line between supporting their families, supporting themselves, and supporting their careers. Motherhood has tested this balance for me as I imagine it has for many others. Becoming a mother during the early months of the pandemic while also facing a very uncertain time for my small business taught me to be decisive and selective and to direct my efforts where needed most. Welcoming a total of 5 babies into our small team over the past four years has been challenging but has also validated all the values we set to establish early in the business.
How does your company's mission statement on architectural excellence and work-life balance influence your design approach, and what strategies does See Architecture use to ensure these aspects coexist harmoniously?
See Arch operates with a simple priority: people first. This applies to our clients and our team. With respect, empathy, and communication driving this priority, balancing work with home life becomes more manageable.
Our team comprises women and many new moms, and the need to balance time in the office and at home supporting the family is so important. We make it work with incredibly organized project management and our accountability to show up to work focused, organized, and ready to give our best.
What do you do when you’re not working? Other creative outlets?
I enjoy sketching; however, with young kids at home, I tend to focus on creative activities that overlap with my family.
Lately, I’ve been reclaiming old materials around the house and crafting them into whatever might be the mood of the day (my toddlers usually lead this effort!). We’ve made some pretty enviable pony homes and paper boats so far.
My husband and I also share creative time, fixing up a few rural properties in California. Bootstrapped budgets and a lot of sweat equity make them great slow-moving creative projects.
Dream Commission?
Developing a small multi-family that we are our clients for.
I would love to continue flexing our expertise in housing to explore creative ways to rehabilitate existing, underutilized residential properties. It is a tremendous creative challenge with the substantial upside of alleviating some of the housing shortage.
Finally, what advice do you have for those starting their career? Would your advice be any different for female architects?
Various aspects of the architecture industry challenge us to be well-rounded. For those starting, I would advise being open to continuous learning, humble enough to recognize your blind spots, and self-aware enough to inspire confidence in others. In my experience, women often say 'yes' and overextend themselves to accommodate others. It's crucial to balance this ability and learn to uphold your boundaries, whatever they may be.
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