3 Helmi 2025

The Business of Architecture: Risks, Rewards, and Real Talk with Hakan Agca at Cross Works

Running an architecture practice is not only about design quality. It is risk, clients, forecasting, hiring, firing, culture, cash flow, technology and the pressure of keeping the business alive.

Stephen Drew speaks with Hakan Agca, founder of Cross Works, about building an architecture business from scratch, scaling a team, making mistakes and staying commercially aware without losing the design ambition.

The conversation covers:

What it takes to start and grow an architecture business
Why networks, clients and reputation matter from day one
How hiring, team culture and office presence affect delivery
Why forecasting and business strategy matter in practice
How technology, BIM and AI are changing the commercial side of architecture

Read the episode on Architecture Social: The Business of Architecture with Hakan Agca

Watch on YouTube: Hakan Agca at Cross Works

____

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and studio tour
00:40 Moving to Camden
00:58 Starting the business
01:19 The business of architecture
02:09 Essential skills for architects
02:39 Challenges of running a business
04:37 Networking and client relationships
06:33 Scaling the practice
09:00 Innovation in architecture
10:31 Hiring and team building
15:06 Work environment and culture
24:16 Work efficiency and delivery
25:00 Flexibility in the workplace
26:19 Office dynamics and technology
27:44 Why office presence still matters
29:09 Architecture career challenges
31:12 Forecasting and business strategy
34:23 Technology in architecture
40:26 Recruitment and culture change
48:26 Final thoughts and contact details

____

Architecture Social

Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social.

Explore more conversations on the Architecture Social Podcast, browse free resources at Architecture Social Resources, or join the community at Architecture Social Club.

____

Affiliate learning partner

We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects.

Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the monthly or annual membership.

Architecture Social may earn a commission if you join through our link or use the code.

(00:00) - Introduction and Studio Tour
(00:40) - Moving to Camden
(00:58) - Starting the Business
(01:19) - The Business of Architecture
(02:09) - Essential Skills for Architects
(02:39) - Challenges of Running a Business
(04:37) - Networking and Client Relationships
(06:33) - Scaling Up the Practice
(09:00) - Innovations in Architecture
(10:31) - Hiring and Team Building
(15:06) - Work Environment and Culture
(24:16) - Debating Work Efficiency
(25:00) - Flexibility in the Workplace
(26:19) - Office Dynamics and Technology
(27:44) - The Importance of Office Presence
(29:09) - Challenges in Architecture Careers
(31:12) - Forecasting and Business Strategy
(34:23) - The Role of Technology in Architecture
(40:26) - Recruitment and Culture Change
(48:26) - Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(257)

Why Architects Have Zero Power in the UK Right Now

Why do architects have so little power in the UK built environment, even when their work shapes housing, public space, procurement and the way cities function?Stephen Drew speaks with Jay Morton, Dire...

18 Kesä 52min

A KPF Director’s Honest Advice for Young Architects

What does it really take to build a long-term architecture career inside a global practice? Stephen Drew speaks with Francesco Casella, Director at KPF, about career growth, working at scale, and wha...

16 Kesä 49min

Running an Architecture Practice Isn’t What You Think

Running an architecture practice is not just about design. It is fees, hiring, risk, clients, culture, profit and learning how to keep the studio moving without losing the work you care about. Stephe...

7 Touko 1h 17min

How to Future Proof Your Architecture Career

How do you future proof an architecture career when BIM, computational design and AI are changing what practices value? Stephen Drew speaks with Ami Nigam, Head of Design Technology at Benoy, about d...

14 Huhti 1h 12min

How to Actually Get Hired in Architecture and Interior Design

If you are trying to get hired in architecture or interior design, sending the same CV and portfolio to every studio is not enough. In this Kingston University session, Stephen Drew shares practical ...

24 Maalis 1h 17min

How to Land Your First Architect Role

Trying to land your first architecture or interiors role is hard enough without guessing what hiring managers, directors and recruiters actually look for. In this practical lecture, Stephen Drew brea...

17 Maalis 1h 22min

Is This the End of Revit? How Architects Must Adapt (2026)

Is Revit still the centre of architecture technology, or are AI, BIM 2.0 and new design tools starting to change what practices really need? Stephen Drew speaks with Allister Lewis about the architec...

12 Helmi 1h 9min

The Future of Housing: A Deep Dive into Modular Innovation with ZedPods

Modular housing is often discussed as a technical solution, but the harder questions are commercial, political and practical: who pays, who builds, and how do you make the model work? Stephen Drew sp...

18 Joulu 20251h 38min