Most architecture professionals still treat the internet like it’s 2010. They wait until a project is photographed, published, and archived before talking about it. But today, if you’re only showing the polished result, you’re already late to the conversation.

Building in public is your chance to let people in on the process before the final product is complete. It doesn’t mean oversharing or becoming an influencer. It means showing up consistently with honest documentation of your work, thoughts, and process.

This blog is for architecture students, freelancers, early-career architects, and even full-time professionals who want to start showing up online without being cringe, pushy, or fake. 

What is ‘Build In Public’?

Building in public means sharing your work while it’s still in progress. Instead of only posting polished photos after project completion, you share the process: early sketches, design decisions, challenges, and lessons learned. It’s a simple way to document your thinking, explain your approach, and stay visible while the work is still ongoing. 

Benefits of Building In Public for Architecture Professionals 

• Positions you as a strategic thinker, not just a service provider
• Shows how you solve problems under real-world constraints
• Makes your process relatable to both peers and clients
• Builds long-term trust by showing consistency and clarity
• Creates ongoing visibility, even when projects are still under wraps
• Gives clients insight into how you work, not just what you deliver
• Improves your ability to reflect and communicate your decisions over time

The Most Common Fear of Building In Public

When I first started sharing my work on LinkedIn, I hesitated a lot. I wasn’t sure if what I had to say was valuable. I’d write a post, edit it five times, and still not publish it. Sometimes I’d post and then delete it a few minutes later. The fear of being wrong or being judged was very real.

But with time, that fear faded. Not because I suddenly became more confident, but because I realized something simple: most people aren’t looking for perfect answers. They’re curious about how you think, how you approach problems, and what you’re learning as you go.

Many architecture professionals hesitate to build in public because they feel their work isn’t ready or polished enough to share. But the truth is, people connect more with your process than your perfection. And once you start showing up consistently, the fear starts to lose its weight.

How to Build In Public?

Start small and stay consistent. You don’t need to share every detail of every project. Choose one channel, pick one project or topic, and document it as you go. The key is to focus on what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and what you’re learning in the process.

Types of Content 

Here are 8 types of content architecture professionals can share while building in public. Each helps showcase your process without needing a finished project:

• Sketch iterations: Share how your ideas evolve across versions. Add notes on what changed and why.
• Design challenges: Post about specific problems you’re facing, like space planning or material choices, and how you’re approaching them.
• Before-and-after changes: Show how feedback or constraints shaped your design. Let others see your responsiveness.
• Screenshots of working models or drawings: Share a simple screenshot from Rhino, Revit, or CAD. Add a line or two of context.
• Decision-making moments: Highlight a key design decision and explain the rationale behind it.
• Research or precedent analysis: Share insights from case studies or site studies that inform your work.
• Client or studio feedback: Explain how critiques shaped your direction. Shows your adaptability and process thinking.
• Construction or site updates: Share photos or notes from the field, especially if something didn’t go as planned.

The Channel 

Once you know what to share, the next question is where. The platform you choose will directly impact who sees your work and how they engage with it. Don’t try to be active everywhere; choose one based on your audience and your content style. 

1. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is ideal for sharing insights, project updates, and your approach to design problems. It works well if you’re targeting collaborators, clients, or employers who care about how you think, not just what you produce. Use it to write short, structured posts that highlight decisions, lessons from site work, or progress from concept to execution.

2. Instagram
Instagram is perfect for visual storytelling. You can use carousels to show design development, reels for short walkthroughs of your workflow, and stories to share behind-the-scenes moments. It’s a great platform if you want to stay top-of-mind with a creative audience and consistently share informal yet valuable content.

3. Twitter (X)
Twitter is useful for quick observations, idea sharing, and open discussions. It’s less about visuals and more about thoughts. You can share process threads, ask questions, post real-time updates, or reflect on client feedback. It’s especially effective for connecting with niche communities and staying active in ongoing conversations around design.

4. Substack or Medium
These platforms are best suited for long-form writing. If you want to go deeper into your design thinking, break down project phases, or write about industry topics like studio culture or sustainable practice, this is the place. Even one well-written piece per month can help build long-term credibility.

5. Behance
Behance lets you document projects in a structured, portfolio-style format. You can include everything from initial sketches and moodboards to technical drawings and final visuals. It’s useful if you want a publicly accessible archive of your process and outcomes without maintaining a full website.

Final Thoughts 

One of the best things you can do for your future self is to document your journey and share it with people. Show them your highs and the lows, the wins and the roadblocks, the progress and the process.

You won’t go viral in the first week. You probably won’t land a client right away either. But you’ll build something that most architecture professionals ignore for too long: visibility, clarity, and proof of how you think.

You’re already doing the work. Don’t let it sit unseen. Start small, keep it real, and be consistent.