Meet Patrick McMichael

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick McMichael.

Patrick, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I wouldn’t have felt comfortable taking the plunge into starting my own practice without three things: ample experience, an economic “boost”, and most importantly, a great network of other small business owners. I had just earned my license to practice architecture, which took a couple of years of internship experience and passing seven exams (another couple of years). I felt like I had the tools to practice as a professional. Right at that time, the last recession hit and I lost my job as my previous firm downsized. This unintentional boost told me it was time to get creative and maybe step out on a limb to stay busy. And fortunately, I had the opportunity to develop a solid professional network of colleagues who were navigating the waters of small business owners on their own. I had the unique experience of understanding their challenges, joining in their triumphs, and helping connect them with others for mutual benefit. This proved the most important piece of the puzzle, helping people solve problems.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There weren’t any real business classes in architecture school. We learned how to design creatively and how to manage the design process. We learned how to meet deadlines and present information to clients. We learned how to learn — how to keep up on the latest technology and design strategies, that thirst for knowledge. But we sure didn’t learn how to run a business. Did you land a job? Cool. That means you somehow put together a proposal that conveyed just enough information to your client that they think you may know what you’re doing. Now it’s time to develop a preliminary cost analysis, a concept design, permitting, and construction schedule, oh and figure out how to invoice the client and actually get paid. In the meantime, provide coaching to your client on how to select a contractor (do you have that RFP ready)? And don’t forget the design! Can you present the information conceptually to get the vision across? Can you prepare the documentation required to secure the permit and get a solid construction bid in hand? Will you need to hire staff? Payroll? Taxes? Insurance? The list goes on!

We’d love to hear more about your practice.
Track dials in on three lanes: tenant finish work (specifically restaurant and office), adaptive reuse projects, and SOS we need help! The tenant finish projects keep bread on the table, though restaurants have been touch and go the past few months. I’ve spent tons of time working in both restaurants and offices over the years, so it’s rewarding to put that experience into new fresh spaces.

I’ve always valued sustainable design, and what’s more sustainable than reusing an existing building! If you can figure out a way to re-purpose an old worn out building to meet the needs of a modern user, more power to ya. Less material used up and off to the landfill and less new material that has to be extracted and processed. And it’s not just buildings. Don’t call me a hoarder. I swear those stacks of train car wall panels will become patio guardrails soon. Not to mention every horizontal surface in the Track office is reclaimed bowling alley from Elitch Lanes!

And let’s face it, we all get into a pickle at some point. Regardless of how it happened, we can help. It’s the responsibility of design professionals to look after the health, safety and well-being of our communities. Design and build to building code requirements. Get building permits. If you didn’t and are facing the consequences, we have the experience and relationships to help. It comes down to one concept, helping people solve problems.

Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc? We would like to be our own client. To develop office space in the Ballpark neighborhood. I’d like to see a hybrid coworking environment that provides small businesses space to incubate and grow roots in the neighborhood. And I’d like to see those businesses leverage their success into the fabric of the community and help grow resources for the homeless. The Track office is located at ground zero in Denver, the corner of Park Ave and Lawrence, across the street from the Denver Rescue Mission. We are reminded of the needs of the homeless community daily and it’s our responsibility to help our neighbors and lift up.

Contact Info:

• Address: Track Architecture
  2265 Lawrence Street
  Denver, CO 80205
• Website: www.trackarch.com
• Email: patrick@trackarch.com
• Instagram: trackarch

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