In this episode of The Broke Architect, we speak with Catherine Hunt of Niche Design Architects, a small but thriving architectural practice based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. It’s a brutally honest, no-holds-barred look at what it really takes to survive and ultimately thrive as a small studio in today’s architecture landscape.

We explore:

• The harsh realities of setting up a practice from scratch

• Navigating client expectations, pricing pressures, and self-doubt

• How learning the business side of architecture changed everything

• The mindset shift from creative struggle to entrepreneurial resilience

• The power of community, local context, and doing meaningful work

  
  

This is a must-listen for any architect who’s feeling stuck, burnt out, or unsure of how to make a living doing what they love, especially those running or considering starting their own practice.

• Small practices can thrive — but not by doing business as usual

• Financial literacy is critical in architecture

• Knowing your worth isn’t arrogance — it’s survival

• Success in architecture isn’t always about awards or scale

• The business of design deserves as much respect as the design itself

  
  

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Small practices can thrive — but not by doing business as usual

• Financial literacy is critical in architecture

• Knowing your worth isn’t arrogance — it’s survival

• Success in architecture isn’t always about awards or scale

• The business of design deserves as much respect as the design itself

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