The Free Solo Practice – Entrepreneurship & Roadmaps to Future Practice

Panel Discussion on September 17th, 2019 at Zetta Ventures [w/ AIA SF]

Small businesses form the backbone of communities, an integral part of a vibrant business ecosystem.  How do locally-based firms help shape the regional economy, culture and society? What does it take to be an entrepreneur? How do local entrepreneurs benefit their communities and activate the urban fabric?

Architect and business strategy consultant Elisabeth Sporer [founder of SO|arch] moderated this panel. Her multi-faceted professional experience spans design and architecture to business strategy consulting in her native Germany and in the US.  She holds a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University in New York, as well as a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Architecture, both from TU Berlin and teaches Professional Practice classes.

Matthew Bowles [co-founder of AMLGM], Tiffany Redding [co-founder of Fog Projects], and Rob Zirkle [founder of brick.inc] offered insights  on the role of entrepreneurial firms as incubators for design innovation, critical thinking and social justice in San Francisco and beyond.  The panel – who have in common big firm experience – shared their motivations for working outside a corporate structure, from the need for creative expression and experimentation to a desire for life-work balance and meaningful social impact as well as the realities, risks, rewards and responsibilities of having a locally-owned business.  The panel also discussed how technology enables a digital practice; leadership, mentorship and the pipeline for design and architecture talent; and how small firms are helping to re-imagine architecture practice.