Archispeak

We discuss Cormac's recent trip to Saudi Arabia and the extraordinary humbling feeling he experienced during his adventure.LinksCormac's InstagramChina Ranch Date Farm near Death Valley National Park in CaliforniaSponsorThanks to our sponsor for helping make this episode possible:TwinmotionTwinmotion is a real-time rendering solution used by architecture, engineering, and construction professionals to create high-quality imagery, client presentations, and interactive experiences that help communicate your BIM data and design ideas, fast. Visit twinmotion.link/archispeak and try Twinmotion for free.

This conversation is a continuation of our previous episode topic regarding documenting knowledge and includes some deeper theoretical discussion inspired by a recent article on Substack.Subconscious Substack by Gordon Brander Notes are conversations across timeField Notes notebooksSponsorThanks to our sponsor for helping make this episode possible:TwinmotionTwinmotion is a real-time rendering solution used by architecture, engineering, and construction professionals to create high-quality imagery, client presentations, and interactive experiences that help communicate your BIM data and design ideas, fast. Visit twinmotion.link/archispeak and try Twinmotion for free.

We discuss leadership acting as roadblocks and the need for capturing knowledge, teaching, and learning within our practices so we can all participate in leveling up the profession.LinksTRXL 053 – ‘A Growth Mindset’, with Ellen Bensky

Don't let 'good' get in the way of 'great': a story about a slow process of perfectionism versus the instant gratification of good enough.LinksOK Computer Lecture Series: Autonomous Vehicles (Evan's lecture on YouTube)Le Corbusier’s Dream Car: The 1936 Voiture MinimumHeatherwick Studio launches AIRO for IM MotorsZ-Car by Zaha HadidDymaxion #1 by Buckminster FullerThe Extraordinary Dymaxion Automobile

Don't let 'good' get in the way of 'great': a story about a slow process of perfectionism versus the instant gratification of good enough.

If a tree falls in a rainstorm and rips the electrical connection from your house and you don't see it, does it make a sound? Disaster strikes in Cormac's neighborhood, leading to another sidetrack conversation.LinksDisney's Carousel Of Progress (YouTube)

Evan talks about his recent trip to Washington DC and Cormac foreshadows his retirement plan.LinksGlenstone MuseumArchispeak 227 – Hugging Architecture (the Fallingwater episode)IM Pei's east wing addition to the National Gallery of Art (1978)Dwight D. Eisenhower MemorialNational Museum of African American History & Culture

Evan gives an update on his adventures in construction, we talk about the disconnect between architects and contractors informed through Evan's experiences doing design-build, reminisce about learning how to build by watching This Old House, and more.LinksThis Old House on TwitterThis Old House (PBS)Awesome Framers (Instagram)Essential Craftsman (YouTube)Tape Measure Pro TipsNailed It! (Netflix)Great British Baking Show (Netflix)

Cormac tries to help Evan understand sports team loyalties. The topic then leads to the question of whether architectural loyalties (to an architect or office, for example) make sense.LinksHulk Hogan (Wikipedia)Bonesaw McGrawRandy Savage (Wikipedia)Centre Pompidou (Wikipedia)Richard Rogers (Wikipedia)Renzo Piano (Wikipedia)

We discuss Evan’s recent visit (and Cormac’s past visits) to an architectural icon including observations only architects would enjoy and understand.LinksCicadas: 17 years underground & emergence in 2021Frank Lloyd WrightFLW: FallingwaterFLW: Kentuck KnobFLW: Pope Leighey houseRichard NeutraNeutra: Kaufmann house in Palm SpringsNeutra: Visitor Center and Cyclorama at GettysburgRichard MeierMeier: Douglas House

In an attempt to do anything except talk about architecture this episode, we discuss Cormac's sufferfest on the Appalachian Trail (AT), his discovery of the IT Band, tools for hikers, how Evan recently joined Cormac to hike in Great Falls Park, and a 'type-2 fun' story from Evan to round things out.LinksType 2 Fun on the Fun ScaleGreat Falls ParkHarper's Ferry National Historical ParkTrekking Poles (Amazon)Birch Hollow slot canyon in Zion National Park (Summit Post)

We discuss what's for breakfast, going back to the office, the intangible tangibles of the office environment and corporate culture, and how many professions are experiencing the "Great Resignation".Links"Great resignation" wave coming for companies (Axios)MRE (Meal, Ready to Eat) (Amazon)Entrenching tool (e-tool) (Amazon)

We discuss what styles (aka flair) architects can be identified by, Zoom-lash, your ninja skills and how they will play into the future of work, and what Cormac did when he got bored in the desert.LinksRise of the 10x Class by Dror PolegTRXL 041: ‘Stay Curious’, with Dror PolegBarbed wire gloves (Amazon)Pneumatic Palm Nailer (Amazon)Welding gloves (Amazon)Welding helmet (Amazon)

We discuss the current auto fuel shortage, sweat (equity and pants), modeling things no one wants, and HighArc's website.Linkshigharc.com

We discuss all nighters, staffing projects in the context of the current economy, the psychology around the two things that architects hate, and change management.

We discuss our profession's continuing challenge of making meaningful progress within the very real constraints of selling time for money, how we willingly accept workflows the software industry has determined we use, the choice to stay in the trenches or to lead, and more.LinksArchispeak 219: They Became Dinosaurs

We discuss the need for members of our community (that's you!) to support the content creators who are putting their creativity and time into the betterment of the profession. Rate, review, be positive and constructive with your feedback, and share with your friends and colleagues!LinksHow to Architect (YouTube)30x40 Design Workshop (YouTube)Archimarathon (YouTube)She Builds podcastPractice Disrupted podcastBuild Smart podcastBuild Your Brand podcastI've Never Met a Woman Architect BeforeARE Hacks by Evan TroxelThe Little Architect's Alphabet: Learning your letters through design by Lora TeagardenUpcodesYale School of Architecture Lecture SeriesArchitalx lecture series

We discuss the stronghold of the architectural profession's traditional apprenticeship model and how it has decreased innovation potential.LinksTap-Tap-Twist – Climbing Gold Podcast with Alex Honnold (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)

We talk with Tim Leese, the Director of Marketing at Glen-Gery Brick about the launch of FOLIO — a new print publication that showcases inspirational design with the fundamental modular building material we all know as brick.LinksGlen-Gery Brick websiteRequest your copy of FOLIO and/or submit your project

We discuss the topic of trusted brands, loyalty, quality, and how these ideas both do and do not apply to the practice of architecture.