In this episode of The Broke Architect, we speak with Catherine Hunt of Niche Design Architects, a small but thriving architectural practice based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. It’s a brutally honest, no-holds-barred look at what it really takes to survive and ultimately thrive as a small studio in today’s architecture landscape.
We explore:
The harsh realities of setting up a practice from scratch
Navigating client expectations, pricing pressures, and self-doubt
How learning the business side of architecture changed everything
The mindset shift from creative struggle to entrepreneurial resilience
The power of community, local context, and doing meaningful work
This is a must-listen for any architect who’s feeling stuck, burnt out, or unsure of how to make a living doing what they love, especially those running or considering starting their own practice.
Small practices can thrive — but not by doing business as usual
Financial literacy is critical in architecture
Knowing your worth isn’t arrogance — it’s survival
Success in architecture isn’t always about awards or scale
The business of design deserves as much respect as the design itself
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Small practices can thrive — but not by doing business as usual
Financial literacy is critical in architecture
Knowing your worth isn’t arrogance — it’s survival
Success in architecture isn’t always about awards or scale
The business of design deserves as much respect as the design itself
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