The structures and spaces designed by architects never exist in a vacuum. Often, the success of a project is defined primarily by how well it meets the needs of the people who will use it, and integrating systems or features that address those needs is at the heart of the work architects do for their clients. This makes architecture and design in general fields that are rife for cross-disciplinary collaboration, and there are a wide variety of industries where design thinking and architectural principles can be beneficial for driving innovation.

This is especially true today. Building design has been undergoing a transformative shift as the complexity of projects increases and technology evolves. Architects today are often called on to incorporate concepts like sustainability, inclusivity, and smart building systems into their designs. Working in cross-functional teams across industry boundaries opens up new strategies to address the wide-ranging challenges architects today often need to solve. 

For architecture professionals who are looking for new ways to grow their career, cross-disciplinary collaboration expands their capacity for innovation by introducing them to new tools and principles they can integrate into their designs. It also gives architects a chance to utilize their skills in new ways, exploring their full potential to impact how people engage with their world. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of this kind of collaboration and the industries where architects are most likely to find opportunities to contribute beyond their field.

The benefits of cross-disciplinary collaboration

In a creative profession like architecture, professional diversification can be a major benefit for your career progress. It gives you exposure to new ideas and experiences that can broaden your perspective. Often, this translates to more architectural innovation, unlocking new ideas and opening your mind to new techniques or solutions that you can apply to problems or challenges you encounter.

Some of the specific benefits that often come from working on multidisciplinary projects as an architect include:

Stronger creative problem-solving abilities

Collaborative problem-solving often yields more thoughtful and robust solutions than having one person find a solution on their own. This effect is enhanced when that collaboration happens across disciplines.

Complex architectural challenges like urban planning or disaster resilience can benefit from the combined expertise of professionals from multiple disciplines. There are often several dimensions that need to be considered with these projects, ranging from technical and practical considerations to questions of environmental or social impact. Getting input from experts in those areas can help architects to develop more multifaceted solutions that address all of these areas. 

It comes down to the same benefits that companies can gain from building diverse teams. The broader the knowledge base supporting your problem solving, the wider the range of possible solutions you’re likely to identify. By seeing how professionals from other industries approach a problem, architects can integrate those methods into their process, enhancing their creative problem-solving abilities for future projects, as well.

New inspirations yield more innovative solutions

Innovation in architecture comes from approaching design problems from fresh angles. Interdisciplinary design projects expose architects to different ways of thinking, and those new thought processes can often apply to other projects you work on in the future, as well.

One area where this can be particularly beneficial is embracing the intersection of technology and architecture. Working with software engineers, technologists, or other tech-focused professionals can give architects the knowledge and background they need to incorporate emerging technology into their design process. That could mean making use of virtual reality or augmented reality to preview designs, or integrating tools like building information modeling or AI to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of designs. 

In some cases, these innovations can yield entirely new fields of architectural design. Green design is an example of this. By combining the principles and ideas developed by environmental scientists and energy experts, architects can develop sustainable design solutions that optimize energy use and reduce the environmental impact of new construction.

Broader impact

Bringing design thinking to other industries enables architects to make a lasting impact on their community or society at large. For instance, introducing architectural design thinking in healthcare innovation can improve the experience of patients by creating spaces that support their well-being, comfort, and safety. This supports concepts like patient-centered design or optimized layouts that streamline operations and improve providers’ ability to care for their patients.

This same concept applies to other industries, as well. By bringing your talents as an architect to other industries, you can make a positive impact beyond simply the aesthetic appeal of the spaces you create.

Architectural skill transfer

Architects aren’t the only ones who benefit from cross-industry partnerships. There are several areas of architectural expertise that can be valuable in other disciplines, as well. Architects possess a wide range of skills that can transfer effectively to other industries. Often, these are skills that aren’t exclusive to architectural applications, but where professionals who have a design mindset bring a unique perspective thanks to their expertise.

Some of the key skills that make architects so valuable in cross-industry innovation include:

• Design thinking – Design thinking is a user-centric and creative approach to solving problems that focuses on the human experience and usability of whatever is being developed. Many architects also have expertise in adaptive design strategies that allow buildings, systems, or products to respond to user needs as they change over time. These same concepts can be equally beneficial in a variety of industries, from business and product design to technology, healthcare, or education.
• Spatial awareness – Architects need to have a firm understanding of how people move through and interact with the spaces they inhabit. This can be valuable insight for designing other things, too, from physical spaces used in other industries to the virtual landscapes of a video game or digital interface.
• Strategic vision – The core of an architect’s role is bringing visionary designs to life, creating long-term plans to execute their vision while keeping sight of the big picture. That approach to strategic planning can also be highly valuable for managing businesses and executing projects in a range of industries.
• Project management – Architectural project management can be complex. Architects often manage building projects from initial conception through final construction, managing budgets, timelines, and regulatory requirements along the way. This makes them adept at managing projects in other disciplines, such as real estate development, event planning, or IT.
• Visualization – Architects are skilled at taking abstract concepts and turning them into tangible, physical designs through models, blueprints, or drawings. This is also a key skill in fields like product design, data analysis, or marketing, where using wireframes, models, or prototypes can help to communicate these abstract ideas in a way that’s understandable and compelling.

Key industries with collaboration opportunities for architects

Now that we’ve looked at some of the benefits of cross-industry innovation and the skills architects often contribute to this process, let’s take a second to zoom in on some of the industries where architectural consulting can be particularly valuable.

It’s worth noting that this list certainly isn’t comprehensive. The truth is there are potential opportunities for architects to use their skills in a wide range of disciplines, from integrating architectural problem-solving methods in product development to cross-industry applications of parametric design techniques. These are some of the current industries that are most likely to offer exciting opportunities for architects, though, and will hopefully give you a sense for the broad-ranging applications of architecture in other industries.

Urban planning

Architects often serve both a crucial and a multi-faceted role in urban planning. Their expertise in both structural design and human behavior makes them adept at balancing the aesthetics of public spaces with their functionality. They don’t just design buildings that enhance urban environments but ensure those structures fit harmoniously within the cityscape while meeting the needs of inhabitants. 

Along with helping to build individual structures, architects often contribute to the large-scale planning that shapes the overall layout of towns and cities, influencing details like the zoning, transportation systems, and other infrastructure that helps to manage the city’s growth.

Increasingly, architects are also called upon for their ability to integrate green design concepts and sustainability into urban planning. Expertise in areas like sustainable materials, energy efficient design, or the integration of renewable energy into structures helps architects to create more eco-friendly urban environments for their inhabitants to enjoy.

Technology

Architects today often use a plethora of high-tech tools to aid in their design efforts, and that relationship can go the other direction, too. An architect’s dual expertise in the areas of spatial and human-centered design can make them valuable collaborators for a range of tech applications. 

One of the most obvious ways architects can contribute here is with the design and layout of digital spaces. This could include creating the player’s world in video games or architects’ role in developing virtual reality environments. Architects may also be called on to create digital twins of spaces, or virtual replicas that allow security companies or tech firms to monitor and manage building systems in real time. In a more abstract sense, architects can contribute their knowledge of how humans engage with their world to enhance the front-end design of applications or software, making it more user-friendly and easier to navigate.

Architects and tech companies can also partner up to create innovative solutions for real-world spaces. For instance, they can work together with firms specializing in AI, automation, or the Internet of Things (IoT) to incorporate smart sensors that control a building’s heating, lighting, or energy usage, making them more responsive and energy efficient.

Healthcare

Healthcare design is its own niche within the architecture industry. Healthcare companies may hire architects to develop patient-centered clinics and hospitals, using thoughtful layouts to improve lighting, reduce noise, and create overall more comfortable spaces that promote healing. One example of this is the rise of biophilic design in healthcare, which uses gardens, water features, natural lighting, and green spaces to reduce patients’ stress, promoting faster recoveries.

This kind of focused design can also be applied to improve the staff side of these facilities. Architects can help design facilities that optimize medical spaces to create a smoother workflow for doctors and nurses, improving their efficiency and reducing fatigue by designing more logical layouts. The points about technology mentioned above can apply here, too, whether that’s integrating telemedicine technology into healthcare spaces or integrating smart technology to strike the ideal balance of energy use and patient comfort.

Film & entertainment

Movies and TV shows feel more real when the on-screen settings look like real places. Architects help directors and producers achieve this without needing to film on location, designing sets that enhance the storytelling. This can range from designing authentic reconstructions of historical spaces to enhancing the realism of futuristic cities or fantasy landscapes. 

Architects can also design spaces intended for the entertainment of guests, like theme parks, resorts, or other large entertainment venues. They bring both a creative vision and a practical eye to these projects, designing functional, easy-to-navigate spaces that make visitors feel like they’ve been transported to someplace new and exciting. On a smaller scale, they can apply this same expertise to interactive exhibits or installations for museums, art galleries, or pop-up experiences for film or product launches.

Architects’ proficiency with 3D modeling software and visualization tools can be beneficial in these collaborations, too. They can use these skills for concepts, designs, and mockups during pre-production stages of creative projects.

Automotive & aerospace

This is another industry where architects can contribute at multiple levels. For starters, they’re critical players in the design of spaces used in these industries, whether those are consumer-centered spaces like airports and parking gagages or industrial facilities where these vehicles are constructed. 

There’s an urban planning aspect to this, as well. Architects can help to integrate transportation methods more effectively into cities. This can include the addition of future-looking infrastructure like electric vehicle charging stations or autonomous vehicle systems.

Human-centered design concepts can be applied to the vehicles used for transportation, too. An architect’s expertise in areas like ergonomics can help to enhance the comfort and layout of long-term transportation like airplanes and trains.

How to secure cross-disciplinary opportunities

As you can see from this article, there are abundant ways that architects can apply their skills to diverse fields—and the options highlighted here are just the start. This variety of opportunities can be the first challenge to overcome when you’re looking for ways to bring your talents into other domains as an architect. With so many options, it can be difficult simply to identify what kind of opportunities you want to pursue. 

The best first step to doing that is to consider your interests and strengths. Identify your most transferrable skills and where you excel as an architect. You can then compare that to your areas of greatest interest and the type of work that you prefer to do.

Once you’ve come up with this list, you can use it to narrow down your list of industries you may want to collaborate with. Don’t only limit yourself to established sectors. Industries that are currently emerging or evolving can offer more opportunities, especially for forward-thinking or innovative professionals. This includes fields like renewable energy, smart cities, and VR/AR technology. Research startups focused on innovation in these areas to get a sense for how your skills as an architect could be a benefit for these firms. 

Before you start seeking out projects to work on, check out some of the options in those industries and what additional skills or knowledge areas you can develop that will make you more appealing for employers in those niches. This could mean obtaining certifications that align with those industries. For instance, if you’re passionate about sustainability, getting LEED accreditation will be beneficial for showing that to potential employers. Those more interested in the tech space may consider certifications in areas like UX/UI design or virtual reality.

While you’re doing this skill building, you can also start to make connections that can help you to find and land opportunities in your cross-discipline area of choice. Look for conferences or trade fairs that you can attend in that niche. These can be opportunities for both continuing education and networking. Talking to professionals at these events can help you to refine the types of collaboration you want to be a part of and enhance your knowledge about how your skills could apply to these areas. 

Portfolios are another key part of an architect’s application to any opportunity. Create a dedicated portfolio of projects that show the specific skills that are most needed in this area. Include any examples you have of how your architecture work has bridged disciplines, such as projects that integrate smart systems or green design principles.

Another way to get the attention of leaders in these fields is to publish pieces in the outlets they read. Look for places you can contribute articles, white papers, or blog posts that expound on the intersection between architecture and other disciplines. This demonstrates your expertise in cross-disciplinary collaboration and builds your reputation as a thought leader in this space.

Finding cross-disciplinary opportunities as an architect often requires a proactive approach. In some cases, these roles don’t simply exist—you need to convince people to create the space for you to occupy. Even when the roles are there already, you can’t necessarily count on finding them on a job board or freelancer marketplace. Don’t let this discourage you, though. By putting in the work to build your skills, connections, and reputation, you lay the groundwork to expand your career in new and exciting directions.

The future of cross-disciplinary collaboration for architects

The last twenty years have brought a dramatic expansion of the pathways architects have for collaborating across disciplines, and that trend is only likely to continue over the next decade. This shift has been driven by multiple factors: the development of new technologies, a new emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency, and a growing awareness of the importance of inclusive design, just to name a few.

While these opportunities are growing, however, that doesn’t mean that finding and securing them is always easy. Breaking down long-established silos and boundary lines between disciplines is often the first challenge. Once that’s done, there can be some growing pains as professionals suss out the best way to navigate these new intersections of once-separate domains. These challenges can be intimidating to face, but finding ways to overcome them is worth the effort for forward-thinking architects who are eager to innovate.