International Practice for Architects

Book excerpt: How to launch an international design practice and gain projects overseas A comprehensive overview of the rewards and perils of international practice for architects, this book draws on the experience of dozens of leading practitioners to present lessons for the profession. Written primarily for architects, the content is also relevant to any design professional considering working in a foreign country. Among the many questions it helps answer: * Should my firm consider pursuing work overseas? * Can a small or medium-sized firm successfully pursue international work? * How do we start and how do we get a first project in another country? * How is international practice different from working in the United States? * What contract provisions and other measures will help minimize the risks? * Should we have an overseas office and, if so, what type? * Should we consider outsourcing to overseas staff as a way to even out workload and increase profits? * What does the future look like for international practice? The largest section of the book expands on these issues with specific guidelines for working in more than 185 countries. Countries with little potential for North American architects are summarized briefly, while fuller descriptions are provided for more than 25 countries that have been or could be major markets for international design services.