EPISODE · Jul 2, 2026 · 1H 23M
He Started His Own Architecture Practice at 29
from Architecture Social · host Architecture Social, Stephen Drew
What does it actually take to start your own architecture practice in 2026?Alex Sutton founded Studio Sutton in August 2019 at the age of 29, just six months before the world locked down. In this conversation with Stephen Drew, he opens up about building an award winning international practice through a global pandemic, a war, an interest rate spike, an AI shake-up, and the hardest personal moments of his life. No fluff, no romanticising, just the real story of what running a small practice looks like when the cards are stacked against you.If you've ever thought about starting your own studio, or you're already on that path and wondering if it gets easier, this one's for you.Studio Sutton: studiosutton.co.ukAlex Sutton on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alex-sutton____▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Md1Fakkn7QArchitecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:https://architecturesocial.com/The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:https://archademia.com/architecture-social/Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.____Chapters00:00 Intro05:08 Meet Alex Sutton06:14 How Alex got into architecture08:34 Starting out at Sevil Peach10:07 Setting up Studio Sutton at 2912:19 Six months before the pandemic16:33 Losing a year of work overnight17:44 Pivoting to Oslo and Stockholm20:09 The reality vs romance of running a studio23:40 The personal cost of being a founder26:29 The hidden cost of winning work30:14 Why better design doesn't always win34:00 Tick box forms and SME barriers36:36 £40,000 just to be in the room38:52 Where does design get lost?43:34 Where are the Mavericks?45:08 What actually creates value51:02 Advice for new founders57:16 Losing work to AI58:49 Is starting a practice in 2026 a dead end?1:03:07 Why architecture still matters1:08:14 Hiring and building a small team1:17:05 What architecture school doesn't teach1:18:30 The Bartlett and the culture of fear1:26:08 Where to find Studio Sutton
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He Started His Own Architecture Practice at 29
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