Learn six steps to prepare, practice, and perform better as an architect when presenting your design concepts, decisions, and outcomes to any audience.

This is key to a great presentation. If it’s a big presentation I will practice it audibly by myself or in front of my wife. I even time it so I know how long it will take and the pace I need to meet. There is nothing worse than running out of time.

What are the best ways to overcome presentation nerves in architecture?

Presenting your architectural designs to clients, colleagues, or jurors can be a nerve-wracking experience. You have to convey your vision, explain your choices, and answer questions, all while facing an audience that may be critical, skeptical, or indifferent. How can you overcome your presentation nerves and deliver a confident and convincing pitch? Here are some tips to help you prepare, practice, and perform better as an architect.

1 Know your audience

The first step to overcoming presentation nerves is to understand who you are talking to and what they expect from you. Do some research on your audience's background, preferences, and goals, and tailor your presentation accordingly. For example, if you are presenting to a client, focus on how your design meets their needs, budget, and timeline. If you are presenting to a jury, highlight your concept, innovation, and evidence. If you are presenting to a peer group, emphasize your process, challenges, and solutions.

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Simon Dilhas

Meet the BIM Pirate
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And tell a story. Everybody loves to listen to stories. The more personalnthe better. A side effect is, you know your personal stories. You don't have to think to hard about them and this will ease you into the presentation.

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2 Plan your structure

The second step to overcoming presentation nerves is to plan your presentation structure and content. A well-organized presentation will help you stay on track, cover the key points, and avoid rambling or repeating yourself. A common structure for architectural presentations is to start with an introduction that states your main idea, context, and objectives, then move on to the body that shows your design development, analysis, and outcomes, and finally end with a conclusion that summarizes your main points, implications, and recommendations.

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Selma Sánchez

Designer | Assoc. AIA | NOMA | AIA Austin Latinos in Architecture Co-Chair
(edited)
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In my experience, a well-structured presentation can be a game-changer in alleviating presentation nerves. For a recent jury presentation, I meticulously planned the structure to ensure that my main concept and design development were clear and concise. By following the common architectural presentation structure, I could systematically walk the jurors through our analysis and outcomes, ensuring that the presentation was both engaging and informative. This not only helped me stay focused but also garnered positive feedback on the clarity of my message.

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3 Use visuals and tools

The third step to overcoming presentation nerves is to use visuals and tools that support your presentation and enhance your communication. Visuals such as sketches, diagrams, models, renderings, and animations can help you illustrate your design concepts, explain your design decisions, and show your design impact. Tools such as slides, notes, pointers, and remote controls can help you manage your presentation flow, timing, and transitions. However, be careful not to rely too much on visuals and tools, and avoid cluttering, distracting, or confusing your audience with them.

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4 Practice your delivery

The fourth step to overcoming presentation nerves is to practice your presentation delivery and get feedback. Practicing your presentation will help you improve your speech, tone, pace, and body language, and also help you identify and fix any errors, gaps, or weak points in your presentation. Getting feedback from others will help you gain new perspectives, insights, and suggestions on how to improve your presentation. You can practice your presentation in front of a mirror, a recorder, a friend, a mentor, or a mock audience.

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Steven Biersteker

Architect sharing insights about carbon + architecture.
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This is key to a great presentation. If it’s a big presentation I will practice it audibly by myself or in front of my wife. I even time it so I know how long it will take and the pace I need to meet. There is nothing worse than running out of time.

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5 Relax and enjoy

The fifth step to overcoming presentation nerves is to relax and enjoy your presentation. Relaxing before and during your presentation will help you calm your nerves, breathe easier, and think clearer. You can relax by doing some warm-up exercises, meditating, listening to music, or visualizing a positive outcome. Enjoying your presentation will help you show your passion, enthusiasm, and confidence for your design. You can enjoy by smiling, making eye contact, engaging with your audience, and having fun.

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6 Learn and improve

The sixth step to overcoming presentation nerves is to learn and improve from your presentation experience. Learning from your presentation will help you evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, and also help you appreciate your achievements, challenges, and feedback. You can learn by reviewing your presentation, asking for feedback, and reflecting on your performance. Improving from your presentation will help you set new goals, plan new actions, and apply new skills for your future presentations. You can improve by seeking new opportunities, resources, and mentors to help you grow as an architect.

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Selma Sánchez

Designer | Assoc. AIA | NOMA | AIA Austin Latinos in Architecture Co-Chair
(edited)
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Learning from each presentation experience has been instrumental in my professional growth. Reflecting on my past presentations, I realized that acknowledging both my strengths and weaknesses has allowed me to continually refine my approach. This led me to seek out additional opportunities for personal development, such as attending industry workshops and seeking guidance from seasoned architects. Embracing this learning mindset has not only helped me improve my presentation skills but has also encouraged me to set higher standards for my future endeavors in architecture.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best ways to overcome presentation nerves in architecture?

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1 Know your audience

2 Plan your structure

3 Use visuals and tools

4 Practice your delivery

5 Relax and enjoy

6 Learn and improve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Architecture

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