Inside my Architecture Practice : Business of Architecture Interview with Eric Reinholdt of 30X40

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

I enjoy your take on the whole premise or concept of architecture for the masses. I didn't have the opportunity to leave my home town to pursue my degree, so I settled for a diploma in Engineering Design and Drafting at my local 2 year college, with my focus on residential architecture. Right out of school i started my own design business and have been doing that as my main stay for almost 28years. When people ask if I am an architect, I always make sure they know I am not an accredited professional (unlike a few others in my area) but that I am, what I like to refer to, a "poor man's architect" (draftsman). I would love to have made that leap to a professional status, but have never had the right circumstances. But I have had a fairly varied and interesting career doing everything from the most modest residential plans to larger, custom upscale homes, plus worked with several engineers and architects in planning commercial and multi-family buildings. I always enjoy working with the architects more than the engineers - just had to get that out of the way. Anyway, I appreciate the way you share your expertise and experience with us through this medium, and I hope you will continue. Best of luck. And now off to watch that podcast!

[@MaZEEZaM]

In Australia you would be known as a draftsman or drafts person who designs houses but requires the plans (Blueprints) to be "Finished" by an architect or Engineer in order to have the designs built. Generally having a drafts person design your house is a significantly cheaper option than having an architect design ones home, this is something my parents had done for their house. BTW You should check out online courses in Architecture, Architecture can now be studied as a mirrored course online. Personally I have recently started a 5 year (divided into two parts) course as a Bachelor of Science, (Architectural Science) which is a course from Curtain University in Western Australia through Open University Online (Company) Really great course so far in my opinion.

[@MaZEEZaM]

Yes, its a very good point that those people wanting to buy a $500 plan are unlikely to be the same people who can afford to and want to have a traditionally architecturally designed custom build so the criticism from other architects saying you are selling out is simply ill thought out. I also feel its a nice way to be able to offer a well designed home for those who would otherwise not be able to afford such a home, we are like minded in that respect :D I really wish I resided in Canada and could do an apprenticeship with you :-) at the very least thank you for doing these videos, its nice to see other people willing to share a bit of kindness with others.

[@30by40]

...Canada eh?...that would be quite a commute...! the channel has been a fantastic outlet for me to offer mentorship to many while still living where I want to...

[@MaZEEZaM]

Are you not in Canada? I thought Maine was in Canada...I am REALLY rubbish with geography, always have been lol.

[@MaZEEZaM]

I listened to the full interview, very interesting, and I think I will have to buy your books a little later as I progress through my course. I am surprised to hear you have only been in practice as an Architect for 3 years, I wonder what you did prior to this then as you appear to be very well versed in your designs and forethought in materials and such. Were you a builder or interior designer or simply like me had a long running interest in the area of architectural design?

[@30by40]

that's okay...Canada is our northern neighbor to the north...Maine is in the northeast corner of the USA about 4 and 5 hours drive from Canada depending on which direction I head.

[@30by40]

I opened my own studio in 2013 (4 years ago) but I've been practicing architecture for 21 years...licensed for 16...

[@MarquesKing]

Eric, I'm really interested in your specific architectural product. For example your barn door detail for sale on your site. Without giving away too much, could you talk about the successes and failures of those types of products? Maybe in a general sense. I think that is such a vanguard idea that has only been applied at the large Architectural firm scale but under utilized by smaller outfits

[@30by40]

Marques, In a general sense the product + upsell methodology continues to work well for me (vol. 2 of Architect+Entrepreneur speaks to the specifics). When it doesn't work any more I'll move away from it. As a business owner and entrepreneur I care deeply about optimizing for results and I'm agnostic to the means. This means I'm always testing + experimenting (prices, offerings, marketing channels - Pinterest, YT, FB, platforms) and iterating on what works and learning from what doesn't. Many of the upsells happen out of view (i.e. not on my ecommerce shop) once a customer has purchased a product(s). At this point I have their email and can position targeted offerings. Once a customer has purchased from you they have a much higher likelihood of purchasing again. I'll stress that it's not my particular methodology or product offering that's important, but rather the ethos of experimentation, a willingness to try many different things, and a comfort level with selling that are the most important skills to acquire. Those willing to put in the time can capitalize on the reality that most won't invest the effort it takes to consistently put their ideas and products out there. Hope that helps...cheers...

[@SmokingShellx]

very interesting definitely gonna see the full vid 👍

[@justinlchapman]

Hi Eric, do you conscientiously record the time you spend in practice, whether it be practice, marketing or youtube activities? If so, what do you use to record it; analogue, spreadsheet, proprietary software etc.... Many thanks, and I love digging in to your old videos for evergreen advice.

[@Diego-ue1dd]

Interesting subjects and videos. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Just a little comment about this one. please check you camera focus settings, it's a bit annoying watching you while the focus is the wall and you are unfocused. Thank you.

[@arch.nalovera5747]

Hi eric, I'm thinking about your idea of plan sets that are for sale as a product, and how would you go around producing the necessary plans needed with different lot sizes?