Business Of Architecture Podcast

What if architects didn’t have to rely on developers to bring their designs to life? In this episode, Rion Willard sits down with Charlie Kaplan, principal at Gluck+, to explore a unique business model that gives architects more control, creativity, and financial upside. They discuss how their firm blurs the lines between architect, builder, and developer, leading to incredible efficiencies and design freedom. Charlie shares the origins of this approach, from early hands-on projects to scaling up to multimillion-dollar developments. He reveals the key mindset shift architects must make to succeed in this space and the unexpected ways this model benefits not just the firm but also clients and communities. If you’ve ever dreamed of taking full control of your projects, this conversation will change the way you think about architecture and business. How a simple shift can prevent budget disasters before they happen Why some architects fail when they try to take on development—and how to avoid their mistakes The