Observations from the Office: What I’ve Learned from Working in an Architecture Firm

When I first joined the architecture world, I’ll be honest—I didn’t know the difference between a rendering and a floor plan. I came in with an operations mindset, ready to organize calendars, keep projects moving, and make sure the day-to-day didn’t fall through the cracks. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d grow just by being around architects and drafters every day.

Architecture is one of those fields that feels mysterious to outsiders. You see the final product—a home, a school, a public space—but not the conversations, revisions, sketches, setbacks, and solutions that got it there. I’ve had a front-row seat to all of that. And while I still don’t design buildings, I’ve developed a huge appreciation for the people who do.
What surprised me most? How collaborative it all is. I thought architects mostly worked alone on their designs, but it’s really a team sport. Clients, consultants, city officials, contractors—it takes a village. And behind the scenes, our office is buzzing with deadlines, calls, planning meetings, and the kind of quiet determination you don’t always notice right away.

I’ve also learned that good design isn’t just about how something looks. It’s about how it works—for the people who use it, the environment it’s in, and the future it’s meant to serve. That kind of thinking has changed the way I approach my own role. Now I look at systems and workflows in our office with more intention: Is this sustainable? Does it make sense for how people actually work? Can we do this better?

There’s something really rewarding about being part of a field you weren’t trained in but care deeply about. I may not hold a drafting pen, but I get to help keep the engine running—and in my own way, that feels like being part of something creative and meaningful.

Working alongside this talent has definitely changed the way I see the world—and that’s something I’m grateful for.