In this episode, Brian Jones interviews David Thompson, AIA, founder of Assembledge+, an architecture firm based in Los Angeles. Thompson shares his journey of starting his own firm and his initial interest in designing furniture. He discusses the importance of having a firm culture, collaboration, and an entrepreneurial spirit to fuel growth. The conversation highlights the firm's core principles, their communication with clients, and bringing a Southern California sensibility to projects in different geographic locations. David also shares the importance of restraint during the design process and how collaboration helps maintain a successful practice. Also, he emphasizes the importance of teamwork in architecture and the essential role collaboration plays in executing projects effectively.

Highlights

  • David’s beginnings in the industry and how he developed an entrepreneurial spirit through furniture projects
  • Establishing the vision and core principles of the firm
  • The importance of firm culture and maintaining a collaborative environment in the studio
  • The role of clients in the collaboration process of projects
  • Developing a strong relationship with builders in the construction process
  • Adapting the firm's Southern California aesthetic to different geographic locations
  • Communicating design intentions with prospective clients
  • The idea of restraint in designing projects and how it plays a role in the internal process
  • The importance of a collective approach to finding the right answer in a project
  • The most important lesson in building a practice: The crucial role of a collaborative team
  • The challenge of the traditional educational process, teaching a singular leadership approach that may not always work
  • Acknowledging that one is only as good as their team in executing architecture projects
  • Scaling a practice requires a strong team of people to handle the increasing complexity of projects
  • The power of having the right people in running a practice, a lesson he learned early from his parents Episode Resources
  • Connect with Brian and Patience
  • https://graphicmachine.com/
  • https://www.linkedin.com/company/graphicmachine/
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/graphicmachine/
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/patiencejones/
  • Connect with David Thompson, AIA
  • https://www.assembledge.com/
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-thompson-8274b47

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