Charging 50% upfront. Blogging to get work. Teaching part-time and even working as a dinner lady in the early days.

From just herself to a team of six. Refusing to play the “starving artist” trope. Claire Nash isn’t just running an architecture practice - she’s rewriting the manual.

In this honest, funny and practical conversation, Claire breaks down what it’s really like running a small architecture studio in the UK. From cash flow crunches to the mindset shift needed to chase overdue invoices, how she carved out a niche in barn conversions, scaled the team, and wrote two books along the way.

If you’re dreaming of starting your own practice or just want to make yours a little less chaotic, this one’s for you.

00:00 Welcome to the Architecture Social Show

01:17 Introducing Claire Nash: Author and Architect

01:50 Starting an Architecture Practice: Claire's Journey

03:34 Challenges of Running a Small Architecture Practice

05:58 Managing Cash Flow and Client Payments

20:25 Marketing Strategies for Architects

24:41 Public Speaking and Networking Tips

28:56 Navigating Social Media Platforms

30:18 The Power of Real-Life Networking

32:57 The Importance of Niches in Business

39:39 Balancing Business and Personal Life

42:30 Writing and Publishing Books

49:24 The Role of AI in Architecture

54:16 Conclusion and Contact Information

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📐 The Architecture Social is an online platform packed with content to help you find new jobs, stand out from the crowd and take your career in Architecture to the next level

💻 Find out more at https://www.architecturesocial.com

Award-winning author, strategist and curator Lucy Bullivant joins us to spill the tea on what it really takes to shape cities that work – and why good urbanism needs more than just good design.

We dive into her journey from writing "Masterplanning Futures" to curating edutainment exhibitions, chairing design review panels and working hands-on with communities from Oslo to Enfield. It’s all about retrofitting, storytelling, publishing, people and place.

Lucy’s lived it – and she’s not holding back.

00:00 0236 - Lucy Bullivant

00:08 Welcome to the Architecture Social Show

00:35 Meet Lucy: Curator, Mentor, and Strategist

01:45 Lucy's Background and Influences

02:52 Global Projects and Collaborations

04:06 Passion for Architecture and Urban Design

04:36 Temple Bar Trust and Diverse Voices

05:50 Master Planning Futures: A Book Journey

12:00 Writing and Research Process

19:13 The Role of AI in Writing

23:28 Collaborative Writing and Curation

25:44 Exploring the World of Edutainment and Exhibitions

26:26 Curating Exhibitions: From Concept to Execution

28:32 Innovative Exhibition Projects and Collaborations

31:06 The Importance of Retrofitting and Sustainable Design

35:11 Consultancy Work and Urban Design

43:02 Temple Bar Trust: Promoting Architecture and Education

44:52 Upcoming Talks and Events at Temple Bar Trust

48:24 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Lucy

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📐 The Architecture Social is an online platform packed with content to help you find new jobs, stand out from the crowd and take your career in Architecture to the next level

💻 Find out more at https://www.architecturesocial.com

Ben Richards gave up the drawing board for the developer’s desk and now he’s got four businesses, millions in property deals, and a lot of stories from the front lines.

In this episode, we dig into the nitty-gritty of going from architect to real estate entrepreneur - what actually happens when you swap the studio for the site, the hard truths about making money in property, and how Ben’s managed to build (and survive) a business empire.

It’s not all doom and gloom though - we get into opportunities in social housing, what tech like AI and LIDAR might mean for the industry, and how to spot the trends that matter in 2025. Brutally honest, useful, and oddly motivating.

Ben is the founder of Aura Architecture & Interiors, XP Property, and XP Surveys.

00:00 Ben Richards
00:09 Christmas Live Stream Kickoff
00:41 From Architecture to Development: Ben's Journey
01:29 Building and Managing Multiple Businesses
03:49 The Challenges of Hiring and Team Building
13:17 Transitioning from Architecture to Real Estate
18:02 The Realities of Property Development
24:35 Opportunities and Challenges in the Housing Market
29:58 Social Housing and Affordable Development
32:40 The Planning Process: Challenges and Changes
33:48 Social Housing and Property Conversions
34:30 Trends in Retail and Industrial Sectors
38:30 The Role of AI in Architecture and Business
47:35 Exciting Prospects for 2025
52:56 Business Strategies and Community Building
59:05 Podcast and Final Thoughts

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📐 The Architecture Social is an online platform packed with content to help you find new jobs, stand out from the crowd and take your career in Architecture to the next level

💻 Find out more at https://www.architecturesocial.com