A Plan Is Key To Success For Philadelphia Business Professional
Ian Toner is a registered architect with Toner Architects is a Philadelphia-based firm that is a multidisciplinary firm focused on delivering results that go beyond what their clients expect. For Toner Architects, design is a collaboration, sustainability, and technology, all of which they integrate into their process every day, for every project.
What is your educational background?
"I am a registered architect in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and hold a certification with the National Council of Architectural Review Boards (NCARB). I'm an LEED-Accredited Professional with a specialty in Building Design and Construction. I hold a bachelor's degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia and a Master's of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis."
What is your background as a business person?
"Beginning in 1999, I worked for architecture firms in San Francisco and Philadelphia, on projects ranging from residential to multi-million-dollar hotels and laboratories. Before founding Toner Architects in 2010, I worked as Project Architect for the internationally recognized Bohlin, Cywinski Jackson. I serve intermittently on the Architecture Faculty at Philadelphia University."
How has your education fueled your professional success?
"My education has taught me how to perform a thorough exploration of a project with my clients from the beginning. By creatively developing their ideas and integrating their budget constraints early on, my clients feel respected financially and creatively. With that kind of responsible and consistent approach to design and building, success usually follows."
What advice would you give someone just starting out?
"Keep educating yourself not only in architecture and design, but in how to listen to your clients, and get as much project management experience as possible. Make a five-year professional plan for yourself and set achievable goals--then stick to it. When you take the time to learn from both industry professionals and clients alike and keep your goals in focus, you're bound to succeed."
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.