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Updated over 3 years ago, 07/03/2021
Architect + Development
Just wanted give this forum post thing a try! I am an avid listener of the podcast and decided to jump onto the forums.
I am a local architect here in Chicago specializing in residential and small scale commercial / hospitality build outs.
I am also very interested in real estate development, and hopefully one day will start developing some projects here in Chicago! I am putting an offer on a property tomorrow so wish me luck 😊
Looking forward to being a part of this great community, and if anyone needs any architectural guidance just send me a dm!
Sincerely,
Ross Renjilian
Welcome. Good luck on your closing.
Hi Ross I too am an architect and very interested in development. I wish is both luck on future successful projects. Welcome to BP.
Hi @Ross Renjilian, hi @Matt Burr. I am also working in architectural field but in Sydney, Australia. It's great to see people like you taking your profession further. Best of luck!
@Ross Renjilian welcome! Architect Developer here too. Interested to hear about your experiences coming into it all from the architect's side. Did you end up making an offer on this property that you mentioned? Good luck
Love this thread, I've been advocating architect as developer for a longtime and just wrapping up my first 6plex development project in Denver. Would love to hear and chat with fellow designers and architects in other locations.
Architect + Development is exactly what I want to do and will do. I've been an architect for 15 years and have seen many developers. I figured it is time to go to their side of the table and bring in the profits.
For those of you interested in pursuing down this path check out Jonathon Segal Architect. He has done some amazing stuff. He shows exactly how you can make a profit building new. He also offers a course called Architect as Developer. I've never taken it but it seems interesting and only cost a few hundred.
I also have a mentor here in DC named Robert Bell. He finds old buildings and restores them to rent out to offices, retail and residential. He lives off his passive income and now does projects just for fun (with making money).
Good luck on the offer!
Right now I'm building my own house and plan to rent the basement. Long and adventurous road. It is extremely different when you are not just the Architect but also the Owner and Builder. You can read my website to see what I've been through in the first 60 days of construction.
Architect + Developer!!!
Dream thread right here. I'm currently taking my final exams to become an architect. One test left! The goal has always been to become Architect + Developer. Excited to see others realizing the value of this type of venture!
Architect + Development for the win! Look forward to seeing more projects from this group!
@Ross Renjilian , Welcome to BP! Love to have more developers online! There is plenty of room for good construction, great floorplans, esthetically pleasing new developments.
Good luck to you!
Also an architect wanting to get into development. First honing my craft at finding off market deals.
@Eric Teran Jonathan Segal gave a great talk at the AIA San Francisco a couple years ago. Inspired a bunch of my co-workers and I to buy the course. For $500 it isn't bad but I think it was heavy on inspiration and anecdotes but not very concrete, or step by step. I find BP much better for the concrete. i think Jonathan is teaching a masters program in Architect as Developer.
Welcome @Ross Renjilian! I'm a developer and I love architects. I wish I could do what you guys do haha. A good one vs bad one make such a big difference on a project. Please let me know if there's anything I can help with!
I am an architect in Utah that is just about done with my first development (a 4-plex). It has definitely changed the way I look at design. When every decision not only needs to be considered in terms of all the normal architect things, but also in terms of payback it make it that much harder. I find my developer half argueing with my architect half a lot.
Currently I am searching for the next parcel to do a project on. It is pretty hard to find parcels of the right size at the right price point.
Great thread here and will tag on. Architect with 18 years of experience and started about 4 years ago investing/developing for myself. First project was new construction of 8 townhomes, and I learned a ton. Did a few very slow flips along the way and just closed last week on a 15 unit multifamily. Would love to talk to like-minded folks doing the same and share their experiences!
Exciting to see more architects getting into the development side.
I started my career working with a couple small design/build/develop firms, focusing on projects up to 15 units. There are definitely advantages to a vertically integrated model. The streamlined approach can eliminate many of the inefficiencies of traditional project delivery and is a great way to learn to look at projects from multiple perspectives.
Hi again to all of you beautiful Architecture + Developer minded folks! Now that I finished building my house, my second baby was born in June and my other son started kindergarten I have time to write an almost weekly blog (every 10 days) on BP about Architecture + Development on my 40 minute bus ride to work. I’m trying to give the BP community an understanding on how Real Estate/Flipping/Multifamily/etc. works from an Architect’s perspective. For example, understanding zoning, why not to do a variance and the holy trinity of the OAC. Here is the link to my Blog Posts. Please let me know what I am missing or if you think I am way off target. I wouldn’t mind a heated discussion once in awhile to expand my views of our profession.
Just joined BiggerPockets and like most of you all on this thread, I'm an architect and would love to get started developing. I own the jonathan segal videos and have listened to a presentation when he was here in Dallas. I would love to connect and discuss with those of you pursuing the same idea!!!!
Originally posted by @Randall Aaron:
Just joined BiggerPockets and like most of you all on this thread, I'm an architect and would love to get started developing. I own the jonathan segal videos and have listened to a presentation when he was here in Dallas. I would love to connect and discuss with those of you pursuing the same idea!!!!
Randall -- what did you think of the Segal videos?
There’s a new book by James Petty AIA on self initiating work. I just got it so I’ll add onto this post once I get through it. Seems like a lot of concrete steps and how to analyze deals peppered with interviews with active A+Ds he also has a good website on the topic.
There is a documentary about John Portman for free on Amazon prime that I enjoyed a lot.
http://guerrilladev.co/ has some great project developed by the firm and pro forma excel files are on the website. The principal Kevin Cavanaugh has been interviewed on Sever podcast and knows his stuff
Hello Architects!! Especially you @Ross Renjilian. We are currently in contract on a 12 family unit in Chicago that will need to be stripped to the studs and then built out. There is an argument about should we or do we need architectural plans for this project or should we just rely on a GC. In responses, for argument sake, assume both the architect and GC are experience and competent. Pros and cons would be greatly appreciated. For the record we are newbies in this whole process and this is our first deal. Thanks for all responses.
Originally posted by @Calvin Lipscomb:
Hello Architects!! Especially you @Ross Renjilian. We are currently in contract on a 12 family unit in Chicago that will need to be stripped to the studs and then built out. There is an argument about should we or do we need architectural plans for this project or should we just rely on a GC. In responses, for argument sake, assume both the architect and GC are experience and competent. Pros and cons would be greatly appreciated. For the record we are newbies in this whole process and this is our first deal. Thanks for all responses.
It's hard to answer that question without knowing more about your scope of work. If you are not moving walls and just replacing fixtures and updating finishes, then yes, a GC could probably handle this type of project. A permit will still be required.
If it's more involved than that you will likely be required to use an architect to sign off on the permit. An additional benefit of using an architect is that they are on your team. If you are a newbie and don't have experience working with a GC an architect can help protect you and control costs.
Originally posted by @Seth Holmen:
Originally posted by @Calvin Lipscomb:
Hello Architects!! Especially you @Ross Renjilian. We are currently in contract on a 12 family unit in Chicago that will need to be stripped to the studs and then built out. There is an argument about should we or do we need architectural plans for this project or should we just rely on a GC. In responses, for argument sake, assume both the architect and GC are experience and competent. Pros and cons would be greatly appreciated. For the record we are newbies in this whole process and this is our first deal. Thanks for all responses.
It's hard to answer that question without knowing more about your scope of work. If you are not moving walls and just replacing fixtures and updating finishes, then yes, a GC could probably handle this type of project. A permit will still be required.
If it's more involved than that you will likely be required to use an architect to sign off on the permit. An additional benefit of using an architect is that they are on your team. If you are a newbie and don't have experience working with a GC an architect can help protect you and control costs.
Thanks for your input. Your reasoning for using an architect was what I was presenting to the group. And, we are planning on making some significant changes to the mechanicals of the buildings. I am also thinking, when appropriate, an architect can provide insightful ideas to enhance appeal and functionality throughout the building.
Design plans are pictures worth a thousand words. Gets everyone on the same page, leaving few questions to be asked.
A strong set of architectural plans communicates all aspects of a renovation even when no "major" changes exist. For instance, let's take a look at bathrooms: a strong set of architectural plans would depict the bathroom(s) and draw the elevations and ceiling. The plans would graphically depict material types, material extent, plumbing fixtures, lighting, outlets, etc. The plans would even describe the correct wall assembly behind tubs and showers, and how to waterproof them. From these plans, a GC would have very few questions, and even non-English speaking workers could easily see the intent. Lastly, the developer would have a single point of responsibility for the building's design, including the designer's specification of products, fixtures, and assemblies; should anything go wrong, the developer has one entity to talk to first.
This leads to my last point, and that is risk allocation. Developers playing "designer" unduly take on realms of expertise that they have no business taking on. Similarly, GC's can't fulfill the designer's role simply because they are executors (not creatives) that get the job done for a given budget. There is also a financial risk to a developer moving forward without drawings; what if he and the GC have differing opinions on the finish expectation, but, at the time of their contract execution it was not clear? Then, as construction moves forward, the developer starts asking questions? The GC pushes back, saying that he can't deliver the building at the developers expected finish level. A lawsuit results, and it comes down to a lack of clear direction. Once again, pictures are worth a thousand words, and building projects are simply indescribable using mere words.
It can be fiscally enticing to go forward without an architect, but it is not wise. Find the right one who gets development, and you'll find greater leverage in banking, construction, and sales.
It's awesome to see this many architect+developer here. Good luck with everyone's projects!
