Andrew Muffitt of Kohn Partnership Architects: 5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career As An Architect
An Interview With Jason Hartman
I would say having a solid work ethic to get through challenging times. That means, having the ability to put your head down and close the gap for a client. With that said, it’s equally important to anticipate and manage the deliverables. If you get it right you can cover all the bases, deliver a high level of service and design, and be fair and reasonable to your own team.
As a part of my series about the ‘Five Things You Need To Know To Create A Highly Successful Career As An Architect’, I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrew Muffitt.
As a Partner at Kohn Partnership Architects Inc., Andrew Muffitt has taken the lead on many successful commercial projects. Known for his detailed approach, Andrew’s continual pursuit of high quality construction documents and exceptional project delivery have set a clear example for staff within the practice and gained the respect of clients, consultants, and municipal officials.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the “backstory” about what brought you to this particular career path?
From a young age, I was drawn to architecture, building, and design. During high school, my aptitudes continued to lead me in that direction — I was relatively strong in math and science, but also interested in the humanities and the arts. I ended up applying to architecture school and was accepted, from there I started to define my path as a professional. Architecture drew me in for many reasons, most notably the design and creative aspects, but it is the problem-solving component that really drives my interests forward. I suppose design and problem-solving are really one in the same.
Can you share with our readers the most interesting or amusing story that occurred to you in your career so far? Can you share the lesson or take away you took out of that story?
A few years ago, we worked on a renovation and addition project to convert a decommissioned industrial power plant into film studios for a production company that specialized in stop animation. Not only was the history of the building fascinating, but the work this production company was undertaking in the space was incredible. As we worked away on the building, they worked away on the most elaborate sets and figurines you could imagine. I was just blown away at the diversity of skills that these guys had to build all this incredible stuff. There was a sense of playfulness and experimentation in what they were doing that really resonated with me. It was a reminder to have fun with your work. It was a unique opportunity, and everyone was very pleased with the finished product. I’m by no means looking for a career change, but if I was, stop animation would be at the top of the list!
Do you have a favourite “life lesson quote”? Can you share a story or example of how that was relevant to you in your life?
Well, there’s a quote I attribute to my former partner Harry Kohn, who has recently retired from the practice, and that is “you need to know when you don’t know.” This is a very important concept for any Architect, or anyone for that matter to embrace. I think it’s important to be real about the gaps in your knowledge and know how to fill them quickly so you can advise people effectively. It’s a way of being that you need to keep coming back to. It’s rooted in some sense of humility and acceptance; you can’t be right all the time.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
Yes, we are working on lots of exciting projects. We have several mixed-use developments that will be integrated with public transit. They will provide density without adding to the overwhelming burden of automotive traffic. People can get around without a car, commute to school and work, and carry on with their day-to-day activities. We want to contribute to a more sustainable way of living.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
What makes Kohn Partnership Architects stand out is our culture and our people. I think we are sincerely embracing a level of transparency and mentorship across the firm.
We want to share information with people inside of our organization — to be as honest and objective as possible. We want to keep them informed and make them feel like they’re part of things because we feel that’s the right way to move forward as a company. Every person’s individual growth is in our best interest.
An example of that would be how our associates have started hosting information sessions where they review and describe process with intermediate and junior staff members. That’s a form of mentorship and communication that we encourage. It promotes a healthier working environment and creates opportunities for everyone to contribute to the conversation.
So, I think that’s what I would say is differentiating us from other firms. It’s not just the work we do, it’s the way we approach the work and how we’re developing our culture internally.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Absolutely. I would say my former partner Harry Kohn is that person. He was, and is, a great friend and mentor. His approach to practice fostered a sense of openness and accessibility in the firm, if he had information or knowledge, he would share it. He was not one to suggest people weren’t ready for things, he always gave people the opportunity to contribute and be part of the action. I think that’s in the spirit of establishing a work culture where people are recognized for their accomplishments, there is a sense of continuous learning and openness of information, and employees have many opportunities to grow. Harry was very much ahead of his time in that regard and anybody at our office that worked with Harry would agree he was very accessible, kind, forthright, and honest.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
I would say the most important trait is being empathetic, having the ability to understand other people’s unique circumstances, needs, fears and limitations. This really informs how you manage and lead a team, as well as how you respond to your client and manage their expectations. Second is honesty, which an important characteristic for anyone to have, but especially when you’re part of a community that relies on your reputation to sustain relationships.
Lastly, I would say having a solid work ethic to get through challenging times. That means, having the ability to put your head down and close the gap for a client. With that said, it’s equally important to anticipate and manage the deliverables. If you get it right you can cover all the bases, deliver a high level of service and design, and be fair and reasonable to your own team.
Can you share 3 things that most excite you about architecture and the Real Estate industry in general? If you can please share a story or example.
What most excites me about architecture and real estate is the evolution of the city and watching neighbourhoods change. I’m also intrigued by how different people live, and how that impacts community growth and development.
Another thing that interests me is the evolution of technology in building methodologies and materials. Contributing to the implementation of technology in day-to-day living is very rewarding.
Can you share 3 things that most concern you about the industry? If you had the ability to implement 3 ways to reform or improve the industry, what would you suggest? Please share stories or examples if possible.
The top three things that concern me are the escalating cost of real estate and living in general, climate change, and most of all: the evolution of our political environment. People are much less inclined to communicate and compromise, and there’s a surplus of misinformation shaping people’s opinions on important matters. These issues will have a massive impact on how policy is formed, how projects come forward, and what people will tolerate and demand from the cities and spaces they live in.
Reforming the industry in three ways? I would say we need to be informed, diligent, and effective. It would be refreshing to see big things getting done. There has been some of that over the past decade, but I’m not convinced we are thinking as boldly as we need to.
Ok, here is the main question of our interview. Can you please share with our readers the “Five Things You Need To Know To Create A Highly Successful Career As An Architect?” If you can, please give a story or an example for each?
Maintaining perspective — having the ability to prioritize objectives and tasks while keeping the big picture in mind.
Perseverance — staying on task through challenging times, believing in yourself and your team, and trusting that the design process will lead you to the right answer.
People skills — connecting with clients, consultants, and municipal officials to understand their objectives and guide the design process.
Applying technology in your work — the tools and techniques we use to deliver our services are changing quickly, you need to identify areas of change and move away from process that is inefficient.
The phases of project delivery — from the very early stages of preliminary design to the final stages of construction, an architect needs to be capable of delivering and managing the process through all phases.
Because of your position, you are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
Well, I guess I would say an inclusive movement that promotes happiness and reduces anxiety is a movement that we could all get behind. At Kohn I think our group is coming to grips with how this applies to the practice of architecture. Can we learn more about ourselves and approach our work in a way that maximizes our potential and results in successful projects? I think that’s the challenge at hand.
Thank you for your time, and your excellent insights! We wish you continued success.
