What can architects learn from a Swedish coffee break?

Turns out, quite a lot. In this episode, we explore how cultural rituals, minimalist values, and thoughtful leadership can shape not only great design, but also a resilient and balanced architecture practice.

I sit down with Johan Sundberg, founder of Johan Sundberg Arkitektur, to explore what it takes to build a thoughtful, sustainable architecture practice. From his early days as a student to leading one of Sweden’s most respected residential architecture firms, Johan shares how culture, design, and business intersect in his work.

We talk about how Fika, the Swedish tradition of taking intentional breaks, shapes the studio culture and creates space for connection. Johan shares how he approaches every project as a balance of interior design, landscape, and architecture, with a strong emphasis on minimalism and livability. We also discuss how AI is impacting the profession, why strong client relationships matter more than ever, and the kind of mindset young architects need to thrive in today’s industry.

Whether you're running your own practice or still finding your place in the field, this conversation is full of insights you won’t want to miss.

Key Takeaways:

• Building a sustainable architecture firm takes clarity, creativity, and consistency.
• Fika is more than a coffee break — it's a cultural practice that encourages team bonding and mental resets.
• Successful projects balance interiors, landscape design, and the home as one unified experience.
• The Ingso House reflects Swedish minimalism and thoughtful residential design.
• Interior and landscape design are not add-ons — they’re integral to creating livable homes.
• The viral Laudan Shed shows how even small structures can make a big architectural impact.
• Strong client relationships drive long-term firm success.
• Leading a firm means constantly navigating expectations and evolving workflows.
• Prioritizing work-life balance is key to avoiding burnout.
• AI has potential in architecture, but its effectiveness depends on how it's integrated.

About the Guest:

Johan Sundberg's architectural work started in Lund almost 20 years ago. He grew up interested in art, architecture, and graphic design. At 19, he found his way to architecture, a suitable mix of art and technology. Johan studied architecture at Lund University and had a breakthrough with his first significant house, Villa Bergman-Werntoft, designed during his final year at school and built in Ljunghusen in southern Sweden.

After this first success, Johan received commissions for several more houses. The office can now showcase an impressive portfolio, with most homes in Skåne and southern Sweden built close to nature and driven by a distinct architectural language. The office has also designed apartments and office environments and created Andrum, a peaceful, elegant spa facility in the town of Höör. The office’s approach always starts from the experience;

“We work from a total effect of the architectural tools, an emotional response, not an artificial order,” says Johan. “It’s about human needs and atmospheres.”

Check out his website: www.johansundberg.com/
Instagram: @johansundbergarkitektur

Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify: Architect My Business

Apple Podcasts: Architect My Business

Podcast Website: www.architectmybusiness.com

Connect with Us!

Instagram: @architectmybusinesspodcast

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Business skills aren’t optional if you want your architecture firm to thrive.

In this episode, I chat with Ray Brown, co-founder of Archibiz, to talk about something most architects never got trained in—how to actually run a business. From pricing and profitability to personal branding and pipeline planning, we dig into why business education is essential for architects who want to grow a sustainable and profitable practice.

Ray shares practical advice from years of coaching firm owners, especially those just starting out. We talk about what’s missing in traditional architectural education, how to separate your identity from your business, and why understanding financials isn’t optional. We also touch on AI’s growing role in the industry and how architects can adapt and thrive.

Key Takeaways:

• Business skills are often the missing piece in an architect’s training.
• Turning hours into revenue is the basic model—but it must be done smartly.
• Personal branding helps architects stand out and attract the right clients.
• New architects need a solid foundation in business, not just design.
• Accountability and regular reviews can drive real business growth.
• Knowing your numbers is non-negotiable.
• Separate your self-worth from your firm’s performance.
• Always plan your pipeline—it’s the key to cash flow.
• A 15–20% profit margin is a realistic and healthy target.
• AI is reshaping the industry, and adapting is part of staying relevant.

Want more tools to help your firm grow smarter?

Download our AI for Architects White Paper — a 100+ page guide where we’ve tested and scored over 50 tools to help architects work smarter 👉 aiforarchitects.ai/c/whitepaper

Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify: Architect My Business

Apple Podcasts: Architect My Business

Podcast Website: www.architectmybusiness.com

Connect with Us!

Instagram: @architectmybusinesspodcast

LinkedIn: Architect My Business

Get in Touch:

Ask Aya anything: www.speakpipe.com/AskAya

Be a Guest: bit.ly/AMBPodcastGuest

Feeling like there’s never enough time for real creative work?

In this episode, I sit down with Mike George, our COO at MGS Global Group, to talk about one of the biggest challenges architects face today—managing time. We break down how architecture professionals can reclaim their hours by using smarter systems, embracing technology, and rethinking outdated business models.

Mike and I share stories from the field, including lessons from our clients, internal training models we’ve built, and how admin work, when done right, can actually drive profitability. We also touch on the role of AI in shaping the future of the profession—and how it’s already helping firms increase efficiency and focus more on design.

Whether you’re overwhelmed with documentation, struggling to improve utilization, or just looking for ways to grow your practice, this episode offers practical strategies that work.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Reclaiming time is essential for creative work.
• Utilization rates are crucial for business efficiency.
• Documentation can eat up a huge portion of project time.
• Training models can help scale your team’s output.
• Technology is key to future-proofing your practice.
• Project management tools can simplify operations.
• Admin work matters—it supports your cash flow.
• Personal branding and marketing aren’t optional anymore.
• AI is actively reshaping architecture workflows.
• Managing your time is a business skill every architect needs.

📥 Want to go deeper into AI for architecture?

Download our AI for Architects White Paper — a 100+ page guide where we’ve tested and scored over 50 tools to help architects work smarter:

👉 https://aiforarchitects.ai/c/whitepaper

Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify: Architect My Business

Apple Podcasts: Architect My Business

Podcast Website: www.architectmybusiness.com

Connect with Us!

Instagram: @architectmybusinesspodcast

LinkedIn: Architect My Business

Get in Touch:

Ask Aya anything: www.speakpipe.com/AskAya

Be a Guest: bit.ly/AMBPodcastGuest