6 min readAfter watching practically any HGTV show, you might get the urge to buy a fixer-upper, knock down a few walls, and add in structural character, all in the name of creating your dream family home. But if you ask any architect in the biz, you’ll know they focus on (and embody) so much more than what’s featured in a 30-minute program.
Architects concentrate on structural design, draft technical plans, and work with clients; however, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The makings of a truly successful architect also come down to their character. “In general, I think a lot of architects benefit from patience and curiosity,” says Elizabeth Roberts, founding principal of Elizabeth Roberts Architects. “Our work takes time both to design and to build. And original solutions come from being open to and curious about people and the world we live in.”
Someone with an architect’s eye also needs to tap into their emotional side, be a little inquisitive, communicate well, and be willing to look outside the box—or the frame of a home, if you will—to deliver a project that will be loved and treasured for years to come.
We tapped several experts in the field to see what it takes to make it in the industry, and some of the traits they pointed out may surprise you. Who knows, maybe you have the inner makings of an architect, too.
High Emotional Intelligence
While having a high IQ measures your intelligence, Amadeo Bennetta, principal architect of Walker Warner, explains that having a high EQ may be even more important in the field. Not only are you using your cognitive skills, but you’re also self-aware, managing your emotions, and empathizing with others, like, say, a client.
“Having a high emotional quotient is important. It takes patience, listening, and being observant,” Bennetta says. “You have to spend time understanding the client and the site, knowing the best ideas come from paying attention to what’s already there.”
A Willingness to Pivot
Even with a blueprint drafted and goals set, home projects have a way of surprising you. And by “surprising,” we mean taking a turn, which is why being quick on your feet is imperative. “Changes and requests happen daily, and the ability to think through, forecast, and advise a client on their thought process and the ramifications of a decision comes in handy,” says Chris Lyon, registered architect of Lyon Architecture.
Even if things go a little haywire, it’s important not to have a glass half-empty mindset. Instead, look at it as an opportunity to change up the game plan and try something new, which may even be better. It’s why Sarah Snouffer, founder and principal of Third Street Architecture, says a good architect should “genuinely like solving problems, because every project comes with a new set of them.”
“You have to be willing to try something, realize it isn’t working, and go back to the drawing board without taking it personally,” she advises.
Good Listening and Communication Skills
Communication is 100 percent an art form; there are so many nuanced phrases, tonal linguistics, and even things left unsaid — and juggling all of the above is critical. The flip side? Actually listening to what contractors, builders, and clients have to say to “keep everyone working together in harmony,” per Colleen Healey, principal of Colleen Healey Architecture.
As it turns out, Bennetta also agrees. “You need to be attuned to the different forces at play in the design process,” he says. “That means listening, reading between the lines, and picking up on things that may not be fully articulated.” After that, you’ve got to lean into your expertise, balancing “patience and listening with knowing when to trust our instincts,” he shares.
The Ability to Remove Yourself From the Equation
Whether you’re tackling a small home reno or a massive commercial project, you’re going to be giving up a lot of time, thought, and effort. Sure, some projects can take a few months; however, others can go as long as a couple of years, and at that point, it’s like a long-term relationship… with a building.
In reality, it’s not about you, and all about the client. “You’re not just making something that looks good. You’re trying to understand how someone actually lives and what will make their life easier, better, or more enjoyable,” Snouffer says.
That aforementioned listening skill? Yeah, that bleeds into this trait, too. “Sometimes a client will tell you exactly what they want, and sometimes they’ll tell you something that makes you realize what they actually need is a little different. You have to be able to hear both,” she tells us.
Ample Patience
Remember what we said about dealing with a long, drawn-out project? Well, that’s why packing your patience is critical for a good architect. Not only do you need to be understanding when the timeline gets pushed back, but you also need to be patient with yourself to get the creative juices flowing, according to Snouffer.
“Good design rarely happens in one big, brilliant moment,” she tells us. “It usually comes from a lot of small decisions, revisions, conversations, and occasionally realizing you were completely wrong about something.”
A Sense of Humility
When asked what a few surprising traits of an architect are, the first thing Bennetta said was “humility.” A flashy spiral staircase or space-enhancing high ceilings call attention to themselves, but as the architect, your job is to let the work speak for itself. “Some of our most rewarding work comes from knowing when to exercise restraint and allowing the architecture to feel like it belongs to the land,” he shares. “It’s less about the architect or a particular style, and more about responding to the client, the site, and the forces shaping the project.”
Roberts is also on the same wavelength, admitting that humility and confidence allow for a growth-serving give and take. Because you’re working with so many other experts, architects know there are others who “know a great deal more about aspects of our projects than we do,” she says. Pair that meekness with confidence in your own concepts, and you’re able to learn and bring something to the table.
Attention Paid to the Little Things
Any person can walk into a finished project and see the room, home, or building as one unified wow-worthy upgrade, but someone who can envision the “big picture while also understanding how the smallest details contribute to the whole” is what sets apart the average person from someone with an architect’s eye, per Bennetta.
Snouffer even refers to this as seeing the “logic of a space,” and it goes far beyond the surface. “In an old house, for example, you can often look at the way the doors, windows, trim, and rooms line up and start to understand how the house was put together and why it feels the way it does,” she says. “We’re always thinking about the patterns and relationships within a space.”
This kind of “spatial cognition,” as Roberts puts it, is one of the tell-tale signs that you have an architect’s eye because you can understand how and why a physical environment is designed. And sometimes, it’s not a skill that can be learned but something, she says, “some people are born with.”
Unfailable Optimism
Healey admits to wearing a lot of black clothing, but that pessimistic stereotype is one she doesn’t subscribe to. In fact, she believes that the best kind of architect is one who is positive throughout the project, and don’t we all want to work with someone like that? “They’re willing to try new things, cheer on their builders, and remind their clients that the result is going to be worth the challenges along the way,” she shares.
The fact of the matter is that designers are faced with tons of difficulties and unforeseen problems, and thus, Healey chooses to approach them with optimism. “I need to believe confidently that there is a solution, and that mindset allows me to approach challenges with calmness, creativity, and a sense of possibility,” she says.
A Good Attitude
And leading with optimism also comes with the ability to find humor in even the tough moments. It’s one trait you’ll need “to survive architecture,” per Snouffer.
“There are a lot of moving parts, and things will inevitably go wrong,” she says. “Being able to laugh, stay flexible, and not take yourself too seriously makes you a better collaborator and, frankly, makes the whole process more enjoyable for everyone involved.”
