Theres one lecture that sticks in my memory from my time as an undergrad at architecture school. It was on professional practice in my second year and I remember it clearly. The lecturer stood in front of the assembled students and said: If youre interested in making money, then architecture is the wrong career for you. You wont see success until youre in middle age. I sat there and, in a mix of hubris and naivety, I thought to myself: Yeah, thats cos youre doing it wrong.Looking back now, its clear she wasnt wrong. Architecture is an old mans (or an old womans) game. Its built on the enthusiasm and the work ethic of youth, yet it values experience over all else. Its rarely said but, to make it in architecture, you need an abundance of patience.But heres the problem. This career model was built in a time when money went further. A single, reasonable salary could support a family and, even if you werent fully comfortable, there was a sense of security about the profession. Stick it out and the gains would eventually come your way. Even if you didnt become an architectural star, youd reach a point of stability.AdvertisementIn theory, playing an old mans game is fine, if you can afford to keep playing. But read any architects blog or publication (or bank statement) and its clear that architects are feeling more and more squeezed out of playing. The old model of success doesnt work in 2025.So, what do we want? And when do we want it? I risk making another mistake of youth and trying to run before I can walk, but I would argue that architects can no longer be patient and wait for the good times to eventually come around. It is time for a redefinition of success that comes a lot sooner. We wont all become starchitects with monograph tomes and very few of us are going to end up getting multi-million-pound dividends from knuckling down during our Part 2.Thankfully, a shift may already be happening. Over the past couple of years my university has run a unit that has students look at architects who have practised in a broader arena. Think stage design, property development, game development. The AJ has also previously published engaging articles on architects making waves in other sectors architect entrepreneurs, who arent waiting for opportunity to come knocking but are instead creating their own measure of success.This is perfect for the next generation of architects raised on the idea of non-conformity and side-hustles, who are already forging new careers blending architecture, social media, AI and more. But, make no mistake, wherever we are on the professional ladder, we can all rethink our personal definition of success and ask whether were aiming for the wrong goal.The vast majority of us wont design the next Guggenheim or win the Pritzker, and thats ok. Thats not the measure of success we should be aspiring to. A well-run, profitable small practice can be just as meaningful and impactful as a high-profile award-winning one. Stability through sustainable, ethical business practices should be celebrated just as much as aesthetic brilliance.AdvertisementWe dont need to burn our copies of Le Corbusiers Towards a New Architecture or reject slow and considered bespoke design. We just need to appreciate that success in architecture can also be measured in financial independence, work-life balance and sustainable practice. The starchitect struggle doesnt work and perhaps never did. The old mans game needs an update.Toko Andrews is an associate at Tunbridge Wells-based Kaner Olette Architects and associate lecturer at the University for the Creative ArtsEmerging practices toko andrews 2025-02-19Alan Gordoncomment and share