The Broke Architect

I'm ASHAMED to call myself an ARCHITECT!

This is the FINAL show of season 4!Today on the show, we’re joined by Helen Maunder's who was on Episode 1 of season 4. Helen had hit rock bottom 12 months ago but she is a fighter and I asked her to return to complete season 4 as she has been on a journey in the past 12 months. Please listen to understand her struggles and successes in this RAW and emotional episode.Helen Maunders is the founder of Grafeso⁠, an architects' practice based in Barnet, London. Helen has been in business as a sole practice owner for 14 years and has ADHD. She is a cancer survivor and has struggled with her mental health and yet, she is still fighting. This episode is emotionally charged and Helen is very open and honest about what it is like to be an architect. We cover planning and frustrations and how to stop doing doing work for FREE!This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hahn Plastics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, makers of Hanit, the innovative material reshaping the future of construction and design. Manufactured from 100% recycled consumer plastic waste and with unmatched durability, Hanit is the sustainable solution for tomorrow's projects. Want to discover how Hanit can transform your designs while reducing environmental impact? Book a CPD presentation today and let’s shape a greener future together at info@hahnplastics.co.uk.

Designing PASSIVE Income

Today on the show, we’re joined by someone who’s been breaking boundaries since he was a teenager. At just 16, he was named the UK Young Innovator of the Year and he hasn’t slowed down since.Peter Markos is the founder of Markos Design Workshop, a RIBA Chartered Architecture Practice known for turning eco-conscious homes and luxury holiday lets into high-performing assets. His team blends architectural ambition with real-world financial returns, whether that’s bespoke rental cabins, planning-led uplift, or full architectural delivery.But Peter isn’t just a designer. He’s a developer, too. He runs a thriving serviced-accommodation business built around high-yield, design-led holiday homes. That dual perspective means every project is grounded, commercially sharp, and investor-ready. As Peter likes to say: “We design what we ourselves invest in.”Before turning 30, he’s already worked on standout projects, secured two Innovate UK grants, earned $100,000 of Airbnb backing to develop a flagship holiday unit, and raised angel investment to scale his property portfolio.And here’s something you don’t hear every day, since the age of 13, he’s consistently outperformed the global stock market. Managing money, his own and his clients’, is simply part of his DNA.Peter believes architecture should do more than look good. It should perform, financially, socially, and environmentally. And he’s only just getting started.This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hahn Plastics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, makers of Hanit – the innovative material reshaping the future of construction and design. Manufactured from 100% recycled consumer plastic waste and with unmatched durability, Hanit is the sustainable solution for tomorrow's projects. Want to discover how Hanit can transform your designs while reducing environmental impact? Book a CPD presentation today and let’s shape a greener future together at info@hahnplastics.co.uk.

From Architect to Brand Ambassador

My guest is recording this podcast episode with me from the Frank Lloyd Wright Affleck House, owned and operated by the Lawrence Technological University in Michigan.Dory Azar is a Canadian Architect who is licensed and ran his own architectural practice for over 14 years before he closed his practice and became a brand ambassador. Dory is Part architectural consultant, part brand ambassador and drives awareness and adoption of SpecLink through public speaking, social media engagement, and strategic client outreach. He also hosts and curates bi-weekly webinar, SpecTalk, while providing marketing and industry support across multiple internal teams.In this episode, we talk about leaving architecture, how social media has opened the door for a career change and why he has been living in a Frank Lloyd Wright House and so much more.

From Architect to Brand Ambassador

My guest is recording this podcast episode with me from the Frank Lloyd Wright Affleck House, owned and operated by the Lawrence Technological University in Michigan.Dory Azar is a Canadian Architect who is licensed and ran his own architectural practice for over 14 years before he closed his practice and became a brand ambassador. Dory is Part architectural consultant, part brand ambassador and drives awareness and adoption of SpecLink through public speaking, social media engagement, and strategic client outreach. He also hosts and curates bi-weekly webinar, SpecTalk, while providing marketing and industry support across multiple internal teams.In this episode, we talk about leaving architecture, how social media has opened the door for a career change and why he has been living in a Frank Lloyd Wright House and so much more. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hahn Plastics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, makers of Hanit – the innovative material reshaping the future of construction and design. Manufactured from 100% recycled consumer plastic waste and with unmatched durability, Hanit is the sustainable solution for tomorrow's projects. Want to discover how Hanit can transform your designs while reducing environmental impact? Book a CPD presentation today and let’s shape a greener future together at info@hahnplastics.co.uk.

Small UK Architecture Practices

Welcome back to The Broke Architect Podcast, where I gather together the best bits from the lives of sole practitioners in architecture in the UK. We shine a light on the challenges and the uncomfortable realities of being an architect today.We are joined by Helen Maunders, John Kellett, ⁠Niall Hedderman⁠, Catherine Hunt and Dale WhitfieldWhy Stress is a silent Killer of architects How to start on Social MediaWe have too many architects and stagnating salaries.New business services architects can offerAsperger's and Architects I can't get PII for larger projects!Why we don't employ Part 1 students.If you’re an architect tired of low pay, undervaluation, and outdated business models, this episode is for you.👉 Listen now, share with a colleague, and join the conversation about building a profession that values its people as much as its projects.This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hahn Plastics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, makers of Hanit – the innovative material reshaping the future of construction and design. Manufactured from 100% recycled consumer plastic waste and with unmatched durability, Hanit is the sustainable solution for tomorrow's projects. Want to discover how Hanit can transform your designs while reducing environmental impact? Book a CPD presentation today and let’s shape a greener future together at info@hahnplastics.co.uk.