Archispeak

TopicSparked by a new offer, we revisit the value of NCARB membership. Episode linksDetails about the NCARB offer-----Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com

TopicIn this episode we discuss the use of AI in architecture, including image and text generation. We talk about the potential for AI to automate mundane tasks and increase productivity, including using it to generate meeting minutes and other documents, as well as the ethical implications of its use. We talk about tools such as MidJourney and ChatGPT, and discuss how AI can be trained on a firm's data to generate designs that match their style. Episode linksNotionChatGPTMidJourney-----Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com

TopicIn this episode with special guest Evelyn Lee, FAIA we discuss the pressing need for architectural firms to adapt to changing business models and billing practices in order to survive during economic downturns. We all know that architectural firms and staff are often hit hard during recessions, and that traditional billing models and the commoditization of architectural services are not sustainable in the long term.Episode linksEvelyn’s LinkedIn postArchispeak 291: Architects are an Endangered Species (the episode wherein we originally referenced Evelyn’s LinkedIn post)Evelyn Lee on LinkedInPractice Disrupted Podcast hosted by Evelyn Lee and Je’Nen Chastain-----Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com

TopicCormac and Evan discuss the importance of understanding the "why" in architecture education how that transitions into a career in architecture. They discuss the desire for students to have a deeper understanding of the practicalities of building design, and the importance of practitioners and academics working together to provide this education. They also touch on the challenges of AI in architecture and the need for frameworks and mentorship to help guide students and young architects.Episode linksSubscribe to the Archispeak YouTube channel and watch this episodeArchitecture School is Broken by Ross Brady (Architizer)TRXL podcast episode 112: ‘Start With a Better Framework’, with Christine Williamson of Building Science Fight ClubBuilding Science Fight Club on Instagram-----Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com

We have a conversation with Jake Rudin, co-author of the recently published book titled "Out of Architecture" to discuss the need for architects to appropriately value themselves and their skills to create a more positive and sustainable profession, or to leave it altogether for something else. We talk about the lack of leadership training, the importance of designing our businesses, and the value of architects as problem solvers in architecture firms and adjacent industries.About JakeJake is a strategic thinker and designer with a decade of experience in building things from the ground up. He currently leads teams at Adidas in Computational Design, Digital Technologies, and Pattern Engineering. He also runs Out of Architecture, a career consulting firm helping designers apply their incredible talents in untraditional ways.Episode LinksOut of Architecture websiteOut of Architecture: The Value of Architects Beyond Traditional Practice (Amazon)Out of Architecture on LinkedInOut of Architecture on Inst

TopicWe discuss the power of negotiation that an in-demand candidate has during a job search, the lack of training in architectural education about money and business, the ongoing talent drought, the mythical bonus, AIA dues, waning architectural publications as an analogy to the profession, provide our take on a provocative LinkedIn post by Evelyn Lee, and we take a stab at figuring out how long it actually takes to train an architect.Episode linksEmployees Who Stay In Companies Longer Than Two Years Get Paid 50% Less (Forbes)Evelyn Lee’s LinkedIn postArchitect MagazineArchitectural Record (Wikipedia)-----Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com

TopicWe discuss the value of doing home renovations and learning construction skills as an architect, talk about the importance of compromise, collaboration, and learning from hands-on experiences. We also touch on the differences between architects of the past and present, and the evolving role of technology in the industry.Episode LinksSteve Baczek’s InstagramRisinger Build’s InstagramAwesome Framers Instagram

TopicWe have a conversation about the process of becoming a licensed architect in the United States and discuss the challenges of taking multiple Architect Registration Exams (ARE), NCARB’s rolling clock policy changes, and the need for change in the profession. We also touch on the potential impact of technology on the licensing process with some personal anecdotes and opinions. We also talk about sticky notes, sketching, Cormac’s recent field trip to the University of Michigan Law School with his daughter, how architects can walk into buildings like they own the place, how students can prototype their possible career paths, and some tips on designing one’s life.Episode LinksCormac’s instagramCormac’s old blog post on his love for pensUniversity of Michigan Law School architecture (click through the slides to see the buildings)Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans (Amazon)Stanford: Designing Your Life courseAlexander Calder (Wikipe

TopicWe discuss Evan’s tireless experience of the “sufferfest” that is moving one’s family into a new home, Cormac’s recent experiences with the ACE Mentor program, and we ask the question more people in the profession should be: Would people become architects if the we were honest about what it’s really like to be one?Episode linksRonnie Lott (Wikipedia)ACE Mentor Program of America website-----Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com

Saying goodbye to a house, spaces that evoke memories and emotion, personal experiences of working (and living) remotely, mentoring emerging professionals, and how the architectural profession has been the model for Elon’s recent email to Twitter employees (except for the severance option).LinksElon Musk demands Twitter staff commit to ‘long hours’ or leave: Read the email (CNBC)

We discuss the different types of architectural degrees offered and why one might pick one type over another (To B.Arch or not to B.Arch? That is the question.) based on an #askarchispeak question from a listener, and Cormac toured the Exchange Tower that’s currently under construction in Detroit. It’s being built… differently. LinksWith Exchange, LIFTbuild Delivering First Top-Down Project in the US Since the '70s

In this episode, we discuss Deborah Berke FAIA’s presentation and James Wines’ interview from the 2022 Monterey Design Conference which recently happened at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in California. We get into the adaptive reuse typology as well as environmental art and architecture. LinksMonterey Design Conference (MDC) 2022 websiteAsilomar Conference Grounds by Julia Morgan (Wikipedia)Deborah Berke Partners websiteNXTHVN projectAdaptive Reuse projects and white paperJames Wines SITE websiteBEST Products Company BuildingsGhost Parking LotWhen Art, Architecture and Commerce Collided: The BEST Products Showrooms by SITE (ArchDaily)Listen and Subscribe to Archispeak

Cormac talks about his recent attendance of a lecture about architectural ornamentation from yesteryear in Detroit while Evan is speaking at the inaugural EntreArchitect Annual Meeting in Austin.LinksWirt C. Rowland (Wikipedia)Corrado Parducci (Wikipedia)Albert KahnThe Life of Albert KahnAlbert Kahn (History of Detroit)Guardian Building (History of Detroit)Guardians of Detroit: Architectural Sculpture in the Motor City • By Jeff MorrisonGuardians of Detroit on InstagramMillard Sheets (Wikipedia)

In this episode, we discuss various mental, psychological, and physical injuries sustained from architectural (or construction) projects.LinksArchispeak 31 - Architecture Will Kill You

This episode is about communication in our profession. Are you elevating or dumbing down the conversation? Is anybody listening? We also talk about wasting time in “valuable” “meetings”, how when the size of teams grows the lines of communication and complexity grows at a larger rate (Brooks’s Law), and more.LinksBrooks’s Law (Wikipedia)

It’s a “rantiversary”! We have some fresh follow-up on a 2-year-old episode about a Twitter thread on why one individual was sounding the alarms and contemplating leaving the industry — who then did leave — and hasn’t looked back. The conversation then ties into additional follow-up from a more recent topic about accountability for predatory and toxic educational and workplace environments kindled by the SCI-Arc Basecamp “How to be in an Office” panel discussion.LinksArchispeak 186 - Why I’m Likely LeavingArchispeak 260 - How (not) to be in an OfficeMaryanne’s Twitter threads: how it started vs. how it’s goingEvan’s Twitter thread about why talent is leaving the industryListen and Subscribe to Archispeak

We discuss how Evan’s recent talks about the future of the practice were received by two different audiences: architects and CFO’s. One group is much more excited about where we’re going… can you guess which one?LinkLamy Safari fountain pen (Amazon)

We discuss a recent rant by Thomas Heatherwick about boring architecture, emotional responses to the built environment, the fabric of the city, what community is, cool scars, and more.LinksAdd your name to the list at Tect"We're living through an epidemic of boringness" says Thomas HeatherwickListen and Subscribe to Archispeak

Evan is delivering a keynote titled ‘Disruptive Technology in Architecture, and You’ at the 2022 AIA Kansas Annual Conference, rural architecture and architects, presentation skills, communication, and more.LinksJohnny America ‘zine websiteAIA Kansas 2022 Annual Conference

TopicFollowing our ‘quiet quitting’ episode we now discuss ‘quiet firing’, the objectification of roles in the profession and the unsustainable nature of this approach by incumbents for the future of the labor force, additional thoughts on other recent episodes and how they tie into this discussion and topic, workaholism, MidJourney AI image creation, and more.LinksThe Hustle Architect on Twitter and the Welcome to the Grind Unbuilt Environment storeAfter ‘quiet quitting,’ here comes ‘quiet firing’ (Washington Post)Archispeak #276 - Quiet QuittingArchispeak #274 - Tyranny of the Green LightArchispeak #273 - Know Anyone Interested?Archispeak #269 - Architecture is HardFrom Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks (Amazon)Explore #MidJourney on LinkedIn