Starting and growing a career as an architect can be a challenge. From finding work to building the right team for projects, there are many aspects of this career that you simply can’t do alone. 

This is why networking is such an important part of establishing yourself as an architect. Having a strong network can help you find the right opportunities and clients, gain knowledge, and keep current with the latest developments in the industry–in short, it helps in just about every aspect of your career. If you’re not sure where to start your architecture networking, or are just looking for some tips to do it better, here are some strategies that can help. 

The importance of networking as an architect

Building a strong network is crucial for success in the architecture industry. Networking allows architects to connect with potential clients, as well as future collaborators and mentors who can grow their career. Other professionals in the field can also pass along their connections, not just with other architects but with manufacturers, contractors, suppliers, and other key resources crucial to completing projects. 

Having a well-established network can lead to new project opportunities and referrals, and this doesn’t only need to mean networking with other architects. Building relationships with contractors and suppliers can also expand your professional connections in the industry. Similarly, connecting with people in adjacent industries, such as real estate agents, engineers, construction professionals, and project managers can unlock future collaboration opportunities. Many large projects require the expertise of people from multiple fields, and having these existing connections across industries can open doors for this kind of work.

There is also a learning aspect to building a network. Talking to colleagues and peers helps you stay on top of the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices, keeping you current with the design world as it evolves. Networking is also a chance to exchange knowledge. It provides a platform to share experiences and ideas, and get advice from peers who have faced similar situations. These insights can help prevent mistakes and develop strategies to overcome challenges in the future. 

Finally, networking is an excellent way to build a reputation within the architecture industry. As you get to know more people, your visibility within the industry will grow. This can be very helpful for building trust with new clients, increasing the odds of not just finding out about these projects but being hired for the role. This, in turn, usually translates to faster career progress, whether that means finding a new job or landing a promotion within your current firm.  

Building your professional network: where to start

Now that you know the benefits of establishing industry contacts, what’s the best way to make this kind of a connection and grow your presence as an architect? There are a number of ways individuals can make friends and start a conversation with other industry professionals. Here are some of the most consistently valuable strategies to try.

Join professional organizations

There are a number of groups and communities where architects can connect with others in the field. Membership in these organizations can be a networking tool on its own. Many groups have an online forum where you can chat, share knowledge, and make friends with fellow architects. Being a member of an organization can directly lead to job opportunities, as well, via their member directory and online job boards.

Professional organizations also frequently host networking events, like conferences, workshops, and trade fairs. These events are an excellent opportunity to make friends with new people in architecture at the same time you grow your knowledge and learn new skills. 

Some of the largest professional organizations for architects include:

• American Institute of Architects (AIA) – The leading professional membership group for licensed architects, with more than 96,000 members across the United States.
• American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) – Group tailored to young architects, with the mission of preparing them to succeed in the industry. 
• Association of Licensed Architects (ALA) – Networking and professional development association for all professions related to architecture, including builders and designers. 
• National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) – Membership group that aims to promote underrepresented groups in architecture and champion diversity across the industry.
• Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) – SARA is focused on encouraging collaboration. Its members are registered architects from across the building and design industry, and they offer a referral service in addition to hosting networking events. 

Attend industry events

One of the perks mentioned of joining a professional architecture organization is that you can take part in their networking events. You often don’t need to be a member to attend these events, however, and there are also other independent industry events that offer architects chances to expand their networks. 

National conferences like the ALA Signature Conferences and the AIA Conference on Architecture and Design are the largest industry events, attended by thousands of people from across the country. 

There are plenty of smaller events you can check out too, though, and some of these may be even more valuable for network and career growth. You can research what workshops, trade fairs, or meet-ups happen in your region to connect with local professionals. You don’t have to limit yourself to architect-specific events, either. Events for related fields can be a great place to connect with suppliers, construction leaders, and other key figures for growing careers in this industry.

Volunteer and give back

Being a helper is one of the best strategies to build a network. Sharing your time, knowledge, or skills for a good cause builds goodwill and shows other people in the industry that you care, not just about architecture as a profession, but about the broader world and the people in it. 

Volunteering can take many forms. There are many programs aimed at fostering the next generation of professionals by working with students in schools, and they’re often eager to find new architects willing to share their knowledge. You can also volunteer with one of the organizations above, helping them to organize conferences and other events.

To find the right volunteer events for you, consider your niche, the type of work you do, and the causes you’re passionate about. Using these criteria can help you narrow your search to find the right opportunities.

Engage with the community on social media

Social media platforms are a powerful networking tool for professionals in any industry. Visual platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok give architects a forum to showcase their designs while they engage with other people in the field. LinkedIn is another top relationship building tool across industries. You can use LinkedIn to grow your credibility by posting articles that show you’re knowledgeable and active in your field. 

To get the most out of social media, you need to be active on the platforms. This doesn’t just mean creating your own posts frequently. It’s just as valuable to like and share other people’s content and engage with other users. 

You also don’t need to use every single platform to benefit from them. In fact, it’s often better to be active daily on one platform than to have little-used profiles on every channel. Choose the 1-2 social media sites you like the best, then be proactive in seeking out and engaging with the architecture community there. 

Share your knowledge

Like volunteering, sharing knowledge shows potential collaborators and clients some very valuable things. It establishes your authority and expertise, first of all. This also conveys that you want to help others learn and grow, rather than just being interested in your own progress. 

Online outlets are the easiest places to start sharing knowledge. This could mean posting useful and interesting articles on your social media pages, or writing your own on a personal blog or website. Contributing to industry publications is another option. Getting an article published in a professional organization’s magazine or newsletter can get you attention from others in the group, as well as establishing your expertise. 

You can also share your knowledge one-on-one, either informally or through a program. Consider joining a mentorship program for young architects, or a peer feedback group where members help each other find resources and answer questions. The latter can be valuable from both sides, providing you with a new source of industry knowledge while you grow your network by sharing insight with others. 

Nurturing and maintaining network connections

Networking doesn’t just mean meeting a bunch of people and collecting their names on a list–it’s not a Pokemon game where you want to catch them all. The key to effective networking are the relationships you build. Like any relationship, these connections with other professionals need to be nurtured and maintained if you want them to last. 

The first step to doing this is to make sure you follow-up with the people you meet at industry events, while volunteering, or online. This doesn’t need to be a long, involved message. Just a quick note saying you enjoyed meeting them can help to reinforce that connection. 

From there, you want to keep your eyes out for ways to deepen and continue those relationships. Social media can be very useful for this. Follow your contacts on your platforms of choice and make a point of engaging with their posts. This could be a simple like or share, in some cases, but if you’re able to help them in some way, that’s even better. For example, you could give your input on a question they’re asking or connect them with another professional who can help them with their current project.

This approach of looking for ways to help can be a valuable way to maintain network contacts in general. If you see a job opportunity that would be perfect for a friend, for instance, or read a book that you think one of your contacts will benefit from, send it along to them. 

One last tip to keep in mind is that not all network contacts need the same kind of nurturing. As you build your network, it can be helpful to sort them into different groups, such as current clients, current colleagues, potential clients, and so on. This can help you to prioritize where to allocate your attention, and the type of nurturing you’ll do for each of these relationships. 

Harnessing the power of networking

There is no one right way to grow your network as an architect. When you’re plotting out your networking approach, think about your personality and what kinds of activities you enjoy. If you prefer meeting people in person, for example, then you can focus your energy on attending events and spend less time using social media. For someone who’s more introverted, an online community can be a more comfortable way to get involved with your industry. The bottom line is, whichever approach you use, networking can be the key to unlocking your ideal future as an architect.