The Broke Architect

• Designing PASSIVE Income

  Today on the show, we’re joined by someone who’s been breaking boundaries since he was a teenager. At just 16, he was named the UK Young Innovator of the Year and he hasn’t slowed down since.Peter Markos is the founder of Markos Design Workshop, a RIBA Chartered Architecture Practice known for turning eco-conscious homes and luxury holiday lets into high-performing assets. His team blends architectural ambition with real-world financial returns, whether that’s bespoke rental cabins, planning-led uplift, or full architectural delivery.But Peter isn’t just a designer. He’s a developer, too. He runs a thriving serviced-accommodation business built around high-yield, design-led holiday homes. That dual perspective means every project is grounded, commercially sharp, and investor-ready. As Peter likes to say: “We design what we ourselves invest in.”Before turning 30, he’s already worked on standout projects, secured two Innovate UK grants, earned $100,000 of Airbnb backing to develop a flagship holiday unit, and raised angel investment to scale his property portfolio.And here’s something you don’t hear every day, since the age of 13, he’s consistently outperformed the global stock market. Managing money, his own and his clients’, is simply part of his DNA.Peter believes architecture should do more than look good. It should perform, financially, socially, and environmentally. And he’s only just getting started.This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hahn Plastics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, makers of Hanit – the innovative material reshaping the future of construction and design. Manufactured from 100% recycled consumer plastic waste and with unmatched durability, Hanit is the sustainable solution for tomorrow's projects. Want to discover how Hanit can transform your designs while reducing environmental impact? Book a CPD presentation today and let’s shape a greener future together at [email protected].

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• From Architect to Brand Ambassador

  My guest is recording this podcast episode with me from the Frank Lloyd Wright Affleck House, owned and operated by the Lawrence Technological University in Michigan.Dory Azar is a Canadian Architect who is licensed and ran his own architectural practice for over 14 years before he closed his practice and became a brand ambassador. Dory is Part architectural consultant, part brand ambassador and drives awareness and adoption of SpecLink through public speaking, social media engagement, and strategic client outreach. He also hosts and curates bi-weekly webinar, SpecTalk, while providing marketing and industry support across multiple internal teams.In this episode, we talk about leaving architecture, how social media has opened the door for a career change and why he has been living in a Frank Lloyd Wright House and so much more.

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• From Architect to Brand Ambassador

  My guest is recording this podcast episode with me from the Frank Lloyd Wright Affleck House, owned and operated by the Lawrence Technological University in Michigan.Dory Azar is a Canadian Architect who is licensed and ran his own architectural practice for over 14 years before he closed his practice and became a brand ambassador. Dory is Part architectural consultant, part brand ambassador and drives awareness and adoption of SpecLink through public speaking, social media engagement, and strategic client outreach. He also hosts and curates bi-weekly webinar, SpecTalk, while providing marketing and industry support across multiple internal teams.In this episode, we talk about leaving architecture, how social media has opened the door for a career change and why he has been living in a Frank Lloyd Wright House and so much more. This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hahn Plastics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, makers of Hanit – the innovative material reshaping the future of construction and design. Manufactured from 100% recycled consumer plastic waste and with unmatched durability, Hanit is the sustainable solution for tomorrow's projects. Want to discover how Hanit can transform your designs while reducing environmental impact? Book a CPD presentation today and let’s shape a greener future together at [email protected].

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• Small UK Architecture Practices

  Welcome back to The Broke Architect Podcast, where I gather together the best bits from the lives of sole practitioners in architecture in the UK. We shine a light on the challenges and the uncomfortable realities of being an architect today.We are joined by Helen Maunders, John Kellett, ⁠Niall Hedderman⁠, Catherine Hunt and Dale WhitfieldWhy Stress is a silent Killer of architects How to start on Social MediaWe have too many architects and stagnating salaries.New business services architects can offerAsperger's and Architects I can't get PII for larger projects!Why we don't employ Part 1 students.If you’re an architect tired of low pay, undervaluation, and outdated business models, this episode is for you.👉 Listen now, share with a colleague, and join the conversation about building a profession that values its people as much as its projects.This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hahn Plastics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, makers of Hanit – the innovative material reshaping the future of construction and design. Manufactured from 100% recycled consumer plastic waste and with unmatched durability, Hanit is the sustainable solution for tomorrow's projects. Want to discover how Hanit can transform your designs while reducing environmental impact? Book a CPD presentation today and let’s shape a greener future together at [email protected].

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• Just PUBLISH your FEES!

  Welcome back to The Broke Architect Podcast, where I continue my theme of the life of sole practitioners in architecture. We shine a light on the challenges and the uncomfortable realities of being an architect today.This week I’m joined by Niall Hedderman, architect and founder of Real Life Architecture. Niall has built a reputation for speaking openly about the issues too many in our profession prefer to ignore: low fees, low salaries, and a system that too often undervalues architects and the work we do.With years of hands-on experience running his own practice, Niall brings sharp insight into the economics of architecture and why so many of us continue to struggle financially. Together, we dig into some big questions:Why so many architects earn more working for themselves than as salaried employees.How fragmentation of the profession, too many small practices, not enough scale, affects innovation and career growth.Whether the surge in architecture graduates has really pushed fees down.The impact of the public sector’s retreat from housing on fees and incomes.How greater transparency around fees could transform the profession.Why business training needs to be part of architectural education from day one.The ultimate question: why does a profession that demands so much education, responsibility, and skill still struggle with low salaries and fees — and what can we do to change that narrative?Niall Hedderman is the founder of Real Life Architecture, a practice that doesn’t shy away from asking the tough questions about what it really means to be an architect today. Through his work and outspoken online presence, Niall has become a voice for change in a profession that urgently needs new ideas about value, business, and survival.If you’re an architect tired of low pay, undervaluation, and outdated business models, this episode is for you.👉 Listen now, share with a colleague, and join the conversation about building a profession that values its people as much as its projects.This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hahn Plastics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, makers of Hanit – the innovative material reshaping the future of construction and design. Manufactured from 100% recycled consumer plastic waste and with unmatched durability, Hanit is the sustainable solution for tomorrow's projects. Want to discover how Hanit can transform your designs while reducing environmental impact? Book a CPD presentation today and let’s shape a greener future together at [email protected].

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