Starting up in the world of architecture: what you need to do
Have a look at the buildings around you – do you see the curvature of the roof, the layout of the bricks, the simple intricacy of the design, and think, I’d love to do that?
It happens so often, especially in towns with an older design. You look from ground level at the garish shop fronts and supermarket chains, and think nothing of the buildings containing them.
But if you simply crane your neck and look up at the classical architecture, you’ll see craggy chimneys, swirling cornices and fascinating brickwork, sometimes even a statue or two, the likes of which are seldom seen in the cheaper builds of today.
You might yearn to create a classical piece of art, an Art Deco oddity or a functional work of modernity, but if you want a startup in architecture, you’ll need a little more than a vision.
Secure some finance
Securing construction finance is difficult, especially if you’ve got visions of grandeur for your building. The upfront cost of materials, staff wages, labour time and the upkeep on a plot of land – it’s enough to make your bank manager run a mile.
That’s why you’re best to find alternative forms of construction finance, available from lenders who specialise in your niche market.
Indeed, the construction industry has been faltering lately (As of May 2014, it’s sitting at its lowest point of growth in seven months), which makes it heartening to see these alternative lenders giving your sector a boost.
Know your stuff
It’s all very good knowing what you want a building to look like, but it won’t put you in strong stead during the actual building process. That’s the equivalent of someone humming a tune then claiming they’re a professional musician.
The world of architecture has a rich and intricate history that the finest architects know inside-out.
Know your Art Deco, Victorian, Neo-Classical and Gothic and every other important era to get by. But understand the way that these buildings were structured – the successes and the failures – and you’ll be able to incorporate this knowledge into your own buildings.
Find a partner
The one thing that every startup needs is someone else to bounce ideas off and, more importantly, to keep you in check when you’re heading down a blind alley.
What you need is a partner who, ideally, is the yin to your yang. If you’re an impulsive visionary, try to find a calculated business-oriented type, and vice versa. In every partnership, success is achieved through balance. Gain this and you’ll have the seeds of a startup that will bloom into a long-lasting venture.
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