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EP 023815 May 2025 · 58 min

Why Most Architects Shouldn’t Be Developers (But Some Should) ft. Ben Richards

57:37
Ben RichardsAura Architecture & InteriorsCareer Change & New Directions
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About this conversation

Some architects look at development and see freedom, profit and control. The reality is harder: risk, finance, planning, hiring, cash flow and commercial decisions that do not wait for perfect design.

Stephen Drew speaks with Ben Richards about moving from architecture into property development, building multiple businesses and what designers should understand before assuming development is the obvious next step.

The conversation covers:

Why most architects should be cautious about becoming developers

How Ben built businesses across architecture, property and surveying

What social housing, HMOs and permitted development can teach practices

Topics in this episode

Transcript

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Opening of the conversation

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  1. · Stephen Drew

    Stephen Drew

    Hello everyone and welcome to this live stream special. That's right. You've got nothing to do. I know you're knocking down the pub. We're all wasting time until Christmas, except my team. If you're watching this live stream, I want you back at work. I'm only joking. On that note though, before we all get drunk, before you get tipsy down the pub, we have got an interesting live stream special here.

  2. · Stephen Drew

    Stephen Drew

    So if you are an architectural professional and you thought I can build a building. I should be doing it myself. I want to learn all about development.

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