“Design is always a product of its time. Buildings are the result of the influences that have acted upon the designers. What will be the design vocabulary of the 2000s? I am curious and intellectually excited to see how design evolves because of these influences.” – Michael Bahr

PRA’s Michael Bahr had a chance to sit down with Medium to discuss life as an architect and advice for a successful career as an architect. Follow the link to the article where you will learn more about Mr. Bahr, potential concerns for the industry, what the future might look like, and the five things you should know to create a highly successful career as an architect.

The conversation was very wide and covered many topics including:

Experiences that influenced his desire to become an architect.
An amusing story about life as an architect.
Interesting current projects.
Character traits Mr. Bahr feels contribute to a successful architectural career.
Issues that excite Mr. Bahr about being an architect.
Issues that worry Mr. Bahr about the architecture and construction industry.

Mr. Bahr’s advice for those interested in leading life as an architect:

Embrace continuous learning: Mr. Bahr emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning to remain relevant and adaptable within the architectural industry. He encourages architects to seek new experiences, attend workshops, and stay updated with emerging technologies and trends.
Develop strong communication skills: Effective communication is crucial for architects to successfully collaborate with clients, team members, and stakeholders. Mr. Bahr emphasizes the need for architects to hone their communication skills, both in written and verbal forms, to effectively convey their ideas and build strong relationships.
Cultivate creativity and problem-solving abilities: Mr. Bahr stresses that creativity and problem-solving go hand in hand in the field of architecture. Architects need to think outside the box, develop innovative solutions, and effectively balance creativity with practicality to deliver successful projects. A history of doing this helps to create a successful career as an architect.
Foster a collaborative mindset: Mr. Bahr emphasizes the importance of collaboration in architecture. Architects should strive to build strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and contractors, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages teamwork and idea sharing. Collaboration enhances the overall quality of projects and strengthens professional networks is the essence of a rewarding life as an architect.
Maintain a strong work ethic and passion: Mr. Bahr highlights the significance of hard work, dedication, and passion in building a successful career in architecture. He advises aspiring architects to be committed to their craft, put in the necessary effort, and continually seek opportunities to improve their skills.

Read the whole article at: Five Things You Need to Create a Highly Successful Career as an Architect