Should architects become developers?

Entering the profession of architecture comes with the promise of a career that will let you help shape communities and improve people’s lives. But for many, complicated aspects of practice like fee structures, client dynamics, construction hurdles, and a lack of influence over key decisions can diminish the optimism of that promise.

A growing number of architects are expanding their roles and taking the lead on projects by becoming developers. These barrier-breakers function as their own clients, creating real estate ownership opportunities where they have more influence than traditional practitioners and in turn, a better shot at the positive impact they want to make.

How architects are pursuing development

The path toward becoming an architect and developer is a unique one, often stemming from a desire for greater agency to improve buildings and the processes and conditions that create them.

After a decade in practice, New York–based architect James Petty, AIA, found himself questioning the structure of the profession and the way project teams are traditionally assembled. He observed that development teams make many consequential decisions long before architects become involved, including picking land for development and choosing the building types for different sites and communities. He pursued opportunities with design builders and firms with development arms so he could see alternative ways of practicing architecture.

“Some of the more interesting things … are really done on the developer side in phase zero. I felt that was a better place to have influence on built work,” said Petty, who authored the 2018 book “Architect & Developer: A Guide to Self-Initiating Projects” and has since cofounded Postscript Studio, which develops its own projects.

A similar shift unfolded for Jason Boyer, FAIA, founder of Boyer Vertical in Arizona. Early in his career, he sought mentorship from developer clients he worked with and became interested in “the various aspects beyond design that inform a project’s creation,” including site acquisition, financial structures, and entitlement strategies. Armed with an entrepreneurial spirit and lessons learned from architecture, Boyer built a vertically integrated practice that allows him to lead both development and design.

“Architects are trained to think holistically and solve complex problems, and that’s the number one strength we have in moving into development because that translates very well,” Boyer said. “There are lots of moving parts in the development process. Design is one of them, and a very important one.” 

Teri Coates, AIA, who founded Washington D.C.’s CANVAS Architecture and cofounded CANVAS Development along with her husband, Eddie, also sees development as a natural extension of design thinking. From the moment she launched her firm, development was part of the vision. The pairing felt intuitive to her because architects bring a perspective that is essential for projects that serve both investors and communities.

“Our architecture training is about so much more than just the building itself. You’re thinking about the environment, you’re thinking about people and how they use the space. ... We need more developers who have that sort of mindset,” said Coates, who has led projects in 34 cities. 

Jonathan Segal, FAIA, came to development through a desire for independence. Early in his career, as he considered starting his own practice, he approached a developer he knew about collaborating and received some blunt advice: “Go buy your own piece of dirt and do your own project.”

Segal accepted the challenge, bought a plot of land from that developer’s family, and designed and built a seven-unit condo building. It was the first of more than 40 buildings he has designed, built, and owned with his eponymous San Diego–based architecture and development firm during the last four decades. He has found such success and delight in the work that he also created and teaches “Architect as Developer” courses. 

“This is my life. It’s not just a job,” said Segal, noting that he’s working with his son as a business partner and fostering his journey as a developer and architect, too.

How you could benefit from becoming a developer

For architects considering pursuing an expanded role as a developer, the experiences of those already doing double duty provide insight into why it may be a beneficial career move. Perhaps the most discernable difference from traditional practice is a greater ability to influence project decisions from the very early conceptual stages, with design as a key driver.

On one of Boyer’s early projects, a TOD-adjacent infill condo project in Midtown Phoenix, he resisted pressure to maximize density and instead focused on “more shade, more overhang, more architecture” to ensure the project would protect residents from harsh sun and still have an appealing design. “I really fought for the building envelope and the architectural presence of the building. I think it proves out, and it’s one of my core value propositions to people that buy, own, or lease projects from me,” Boyer said.

Segal’s approach and portfolio demonstrate how being in the developer seat can unlock design innovation. Largely a sole proprietor, he has built unique solutions for San Diego’s underserved housing market, including new approaches to studio apartments and townhouses. As he progresses from project to project, he refines ideas and influences the broader development community.

“We like to do experimental work that is dealing with something of the moment,” Segal said. “Our buildings tend to be making examples that other people can copy, and it has worked out.”

Taking on a developer role also exposes architects to the full ecosystem that shapes the built environment: financing, zoning, entitlements, construction, and long-term operations. Understanding that ecosystem and working within it strengthens an architect’s ability to lead.

Stepping into development enabled Petty to build fluency in construction and financing. For a single-family residence in Beacon, New York, he and his partner purchased land in 2019 with a modest construction budget in mind. But by the time they reached permitting in 2022, property values had surged, and material and construction costs had climbed.

Because he was acting as the developer, Petty was able to adjust the construction budget, expand the program, and reshape the schedule with everyone’s best interests in mind. He noted that wearing dual hats generally helps him with financial leverage and decision-making on projects, too. 

“Developers often go out, spend all their money on engineering, architecture, and permits, and then get the construction loan. Because I am also the architect, I don't have to pay the architect (in the same way), which gives me a little bit of an equity stake in the position for any kind of construction loan that I need to get,” he said.

For Coates, integrating development into her practice has fundamentally streamlined projects. With architecture and development housed under one roof, her team begins each project on the same page, which helps them minimize back-and-forth that can slow project delivery, reduce miscommunication, and make decisions that best support positive design outcomes.

“You're aligned from day one on what your main goals are for the project and have the capabilities in-house to execute,” Coates said. “It influences the properties you pursue, the locations you consider, the demographics that you're trying to serve, the community that you want to invest in.”

How to make the leap

The practitioners' experiences demonstrate that the development path is a rewarding one, but it requires architects to have a willingness to navigate even more competing priorities than they may be used to.

Boyer described being an architect and developer as “running a race with a bunch of hurdles.” Sometimes, it means fulfilling the responsibilities of both roles at once. For architects who pride themselves on precision and perfectionism, this shift may feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s also where many may find significant opportunities to advance as professionals. Development is particularly suited to those who can stay focused through setbacks, iterate consciously, and maintain momentum even when a project’s conditions change.

Segal, Petty, and Coates all highly recommend that other architects interested in pursuing development start small and choose early projects very strategically. They each began with residential work, including single-family homes, small multifamily developments, and renovations.

All four architects also emphasized that it is essential to learn the ins and outs of project financials. How to put pro formas together, how to raise money, and how to build partnerships with institutions with capital are all crucial pieces of knowledge. 

Ultimately, pursuing a career as both an architect and developer could be an excellent pursuit for architects ready to leverage their expertise and give back in new ways. “Our hope is that it’s lucrative in a way where you can continue to pour into the communities around you and create a legacy for generations that will come after us,” said Coates.

Danielle Steger is AIA’s senior manager, editorial & publications. Kathleen M. O'Donnell is a freelance writer, editor, and communications strategist based in Washington, D.C. She is committed to telling stories that provide useful insights to architects and designers and highlight the impact of their work.