Tech Needs Architects
Fintech, in particular, could learn from the complexity of architecture and the built environment, writes Anthemis Group partner David Galbraith.
BY DAVID GALBRAITH
What can fintech learn from architectural design?? Surprisingly, quite a lot. I started my career in architecture, working for Norman Foster (architect of Apple’s headquarters) and then Fisher Park, set designers for the Rolling Stones. Today, I’m a partner with Anthemis, a VC firm that focuses on financial services. And there are many lessons from my previous career that apply today as I watch the fintech sector evolve.
Design lies at the heart of both architecture and software. People continuously try to define what design is (which maybe means designers are not good at designing design), and the reason is perhaps because there is no single type of design but several. Here I’m going to talk about three that are relevant to both architects and fintech: blueprint-based design, recipe-based design, and systems design.
These three design types operate at different levels and apply to both architecture and technology alike. Blueprint-style design can be used to design individual buildings or software components; a recipe approach is best for neighborhoods or software…
