[224] The Architecture of Systems: Building a Self-Running Firm

How can better business systems protect your firm’s profitability and your sanity?

In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee is joined by Darguin Fortuna, founding principal of Flow Design Architects and chair of the AIA Small Firm Exchange. Darguin shares his incredible journey from moving to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 2010, learning English while working night shifts at Wendy’s, to passing all six ARE exams in just over a year and earning his license the same day his daughter was born.

Darguin’s frustration with traditional architecture practice didn’t stem solely from long hours; it also stemmed from the lack of transparency around business operations, the constant scope creep, and the inability to establish a healthy work-life balance. Determined to build something different, he and his partner, Marcos Severino, founded Flow with rigorous systems designed to protect profitability and empower their staff. They share how they categorize their services into three distinct levels, Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian, charge for initial consultations, and use a fictional office manager to handle difficult financial conversations.

“Every line is a source of good, and it’s worth money. If I draw a map to a treasure that has billions of dollars of gold, how much is that map worth? You can’t get the gold without the map.” – Darguin Fortuna

This episode is a masterclass in treating an architecture firm as a business first. Darguin explains his obsessive focus on process, from recording client meetings and creating standard email templates to building a vast library of internal training videos that enable the firm to run autonomously. Whether you are a firm owner struggling with profitability or a young architect looking to carve your own path, Darguin’s story is a powerful reminder that you have the agency to design a career and a life on your own terms.

Guest:
Darguin Fortuna is the founding principal of Flow Design Architects in Salem, Massachusetts, and the first Dominican-born recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award. After immigrating to the U.S. and completing his architecture degree at the Boston Architectural College, Darguin became licensed and quickly recognized the flaws in traditional practice models. At Flow, he has pioneered highly systematic, business-first approaches to architecture, focusing on profitability, clear client communication, and robust internal training. He is also an entrepreneur with ventures in short-term rentals and childcare.
This episode is especially for you if:

• You are tired of scope creep and want to learn how to ensure you are paid for every service you provide.
• You want to understand how to implement tiered service offerings (like Flow’s Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian models) to manage client expectations.
• You struggle with setting boundaries with clients and want strategies for maintaining work-life balance.
• You are interested in how to build internal training systems (SOPs) so your firm can operate without your constant oversight.
• You want to hear an inspiring story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and carving out a unique path in the architecture profession.

What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.

Show Links:

• Learn more about Flow Design Architects
• Connect with Flow Design Architects on LinkedIn
• Connect with Darguin on LinkedIn