Professional Practice: A Guide to Turning Designs into Buildings

by Paul Segal

What you need to know to protect your designs and get them built as you envision them; how to get and keep clients and become their trusted advisor and professional―every architect needs the answers in this concise, thorough, and readable guide.

Genres: Architecture, Business

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2006

Reviews

[Bryan Pickle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you were from an alien planet and were interested in the world of architectural practice, this book would give you a succinct overview that you could take back to your alien planet and tell your alien friends about (that is, if they were interested in practicing primarily in the US and believe in a hierarchical system of management).

4 stars because this book is approaching 20 years old, and it would be interesting to get Paul’s summary of the hybrid “post-Covid” workplace in a second edition of the book.

[Jeanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slowly been rereading all of my ARE 5.0 books and this one was great as an audiobook to have in the background while working. Felt more like learning through osmosis. Sometimes reading actual text can be monotonous and your eyes begin to glaze over.

More of an intro level book into PcM test. A nice overview of information on how the particulars of a firm is run.

However, in no way would this ever prepare you for the exam. They briefly go over billing and contracts, but nothing to the level you would need to actually take the exam. This was a light reread though & helped get me in the groove of the exam mindset again.

[Aymin Hammami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book to read

I studied this book to prepare for my PjM exam. It has very useful information about what the architect is expecting during the different phase of building a project. I advise to use it as a supplementary material but not as main study material. It's very good to learn what this book offer.

[Aaron Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how this book kinda gives a timeline on starting a project.

[Sarah Zaso · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource! Far more digestible than the AHPP, and an amazingly enjoyable read!

[Marta · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why NCARB still lists this as a primary study material for ANY of the Architect Registration Exams is simply beyond me.

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great supplementary content and overview for the ARE

[Craig Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this book in Architecture School in lieu of the AIA's Student guide to Architect's Handook of Professional Practice.
This book, unklike the exhaustive tome of the AIA, is approachable, easy to read and has examples which are insightful and humorous. I found the information to be not too vague and not too immersive, a real primer on the practice of Architecture. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to dip their toes into the processes that Architects must go through to actually complete a project. Not for squeamish.