In this episode of Archispeak, Jon Baker shares his unique journey to becoming an architect and discusses the different pathways to licensure offered by NCARB. The conversation covers the importance of licensure, initiatives like the IPAL program, and the need for practical experience to be integrated with education. Jon tackles criticisms and emphasizes the role of licensure in expanding career options. The discussion also sheds light on the ongoing efforts to evolve architectural education...

In this episode of the Archispeak podcast, Je’Nen Chastain, founder of Apostrophe Consulting, joins us to discuss the shifts and challenges in the realm of architectural practice and running a successful firm, emphasizing leadership, business management, mentorship, and the need for adaptability within organizations. Je’Nen also touches on her personal challenges and professional evolution, the impact of the economic downturn on her generation, and the crucial role of mentorship and internal...

The Archispeak University (AU) series provides educational content for architects and designers. In this episode of the Archispeak podcast, Primo Orpilla, Principal and Owner of O+A Architecture, shares his extensive experience in workplace design, tracing his experiences in the evolution of office spaces over the last 30 years. Starting his career during a challenging period, Primo talks about how he adapted to the needs of tech companies in Silicon Valley, contributing to the transformation...

In this episode, Michael Ermann of Amber Book and Virginia Tech joins us as we tackle the topic of architectural internships – both for those seeking and for the firms providing them. We kick off by sharing our early internship experiences and comparing them to modern practices. We discuss the treatment of internships as a scarce resource by many architectural firms and its impact on the industry and transition from education to professional roles. We also reveal essential tips for students...

In this episode, podcaster Enoch Sears joins us to do a deep dive into the evolution of architectural podcasting over the last 12 years, the challenges and triumphs of running an architecture practice, and the importance of adopting a business mindset in order to run a successful practice. Episode Links: Enoch on LinkedInEnoch on InstagramBusiness of Architecture website ----- Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com. Support...

We discuss Australia's 'Right to Disconnect' law, which aims to protect employees from having to engage in work-related communications outside of work hours, and the implications for both workers and companies. We get into the challenges and inefficiencies of modern work environments, including constant connectivity, the impact of email, and how technology has both helped and worsened work-life balance. We conclude with reflections on potential solutions for managing workloads and maintaining...

The Archispeak University (AU) series provides educational content for architects and designers. In this episode, Sara Schneider of TCA Architects joins us to talk about design trends in multi-family and mixed use project types. Sara is a veteran in the interior design field with a 20-year background, predominantly in hospitality, now focusing on multifamily residential projects with a mixed-use aspect at TCA. Located in Irvine, California, with offices in Los Angeles, Oakland, and Honolulu,...

In this episode, we talk about the things we do where we are so “in the zone” that we completely lose track of time. We also talk about the importance of failing as part of the learning process, the idea of the ‘flow state’, and how this can be achieved when deeply engaged in problem solving. We also touch on the notion of self-doubt and imposter syndrome and the importance of intrinsic motivation and good habits in achieving success. Episode Links: System Kid music (Evan’s band)Flow state...

In this episode, Cormac reflects on the challenges, memories, and learnings from his most successful and intense project. He shares the story of the EO Wilson Biophilia Center in Florida which he compares to 'jazz' due to the ensemble of different ideas, skills, and experiences that came together to create something harmonious. We also explore our experiences with difficult projects, budgets, and client relationships that still resulted in remarkable outcomes. Episode Sponsor Chaos For a...

In this episode of Archispeak, we discuss the overwhelming volume of emails we receive and the culture of "ASAP" that often accompanies it. We reflect on the time-consuming nature of emails and question how firm leadership would react if they knew how much time their employees spend managing their inboxes.The conversation then shifts to the topic of boundaries in the workplace and the struggle to maintain a work-life balance in the face of constant communication and demands.We also explore...

In this episode, Cormac tells us a story from the Army which sparks a discussion of various experiences on renovation and remodel projects which brings to light the meaning of the term “unforeseen conditions”.  Episode Sponsor Chaos Enscape is soon launching something special that will make your 3D workflow the best 3D workflow for a special price. In the meantime, you can experience it for yourself for free at https://chaos-enscape.com/trial-14 or simply by Googling “try Enscape”. ----- Get...

In this episode we start off by acknowledging the 12th birthday of the Archispeak podcast. Our first episode titled “That Ah-ha Moment” was published on February 3, 2013 and we don’t recommend listening to it! Then we explore the potential of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in architectural practices and talk about how these technologies could revolutionize the way architects work. We cover real-time rendering, immersive experiences of building designs, and enhanced client...

We discuss Cormac’s snow shoveling incident and then go deep into talking about work-life balance and how architects often struggle with this, and what it means to truly be an architect. We further discuss the impact of emerging technology on architecture, particularly regarding the impending release of Apple’s Vision Pro headset. We also explore the industry’s work culture, explore some intital thoughts about the importance of having a side-hustle, highlight the necessity of architects to...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of details in architectural designs, highlight the influence of technology and BIM on architectural drawings and the art of detailing, and reflect on past experiences, including learning from old architectural manuals and dive into architectural design philosophy and practices. Episode Links: Pocket Ref by Thomas Glover (Amazon)Desk Ref by Thomas Glover (Amazon)Neufert Architects' Data (Amazon)Graphic Standards (Amazon) ----- Thank you for listening...

The Archispeak University (AU) series introduces educational content for architects and designers. In this episode, Danny Wang of Danny Wang Design joins us to discuss new trends in custom residential design and construction, particularly focusing on the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces made possible with his turnkey design build service and some unique building products in the outdoor heating, flooring, and technology categories. One key aspect of Danny's success is his ability to...

We all know architects work hard. Some work way too hard. In this episode, we discuss Cormac’s self-proclaimed workaholism and what he’s going to do about it in 2024. Episode Links: Architizer: New Year, New You? 8 Inspirational Resolutions for Architects in 2024 ----- Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com. Support Archispeak by making a donation.

Main topic: Evan leads us in an AI workshop. As we finish off 2023, we discuss the final printed Architect Magazine, the old ways of hoarding imagery for project inspiration in 3-ring binders, the demise of paper periodicals, what it was like when we could actually remember and recall information from our own memory, our strategy for passing the ARE’s, and then Evan leads us in an AI workshop with some image generation, text generation, and deep fake audio examples to give us a taste of what...

Cormac gets more CEU’s bringing his HSW count to Jedi levels, Evan visits Las Vegas for the Autodesk University conference and gives a full report, and they compare and contrast AU to the AIA National Conference on Architecture. Episode links Autodesk University ----- Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com

In this episode we discuss a bit of site seeing, we discuss what not to say—even if it's too late—when visiting someone’s project house and they ask for your opinion. Let’s face it, they don’t “really” want to know your opinion even if as an architect you have lots of them. We reflect on the 1-year anniversary of Evan’s move to Oregon, his early homesteading days, and his luck in not going the way of the Donner Party. We finish it up with a sportsing conversation Evan didn’t know he wanted...

David Bradley, AIA PCC joins us to discuss the importance of taking control of your career. We talk about defining outcomes, taking responsibility, setting boundaries, and building trust. We also talk about the need for small steps, accountability, and a clear plan to achieve personal and professional goals. David is also offering upcoming opportunities for coaching and mastermind sessions to support solopreneurs and small firm architects, so check the links in the show notes to connect with...

The Archispeak University (AU) series introduces educational content for architects and designers. Liz Neuffer of Aria Group joins the show to discuss the topic of hospitality and outdoor space design. In this episode, we discuss the key factors that contribute to a successful design for hospitality and outdoor spaces. We explore how to design outdoor spaces that cater to different climate zones and enhance user experiences. Additionally, we delve into the use of building products to address...

In this episode, we discuss Cormac’s haunted house, rising license renewal fees, Evan’s first in-person (as an Oregonian) continuing education lunch n’ learn, using the SIPS building system on projects, the challenges of adopting innovative building systems in the building industry, first costs versus operational costs, school projects that are literally driven by the maintenance staff, and the need for architects to educate our clients. ----- Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more...

In this episode, we kick things off with an unsolicited email that Cormac received inquiring about "just needing some plans drawn up”. Then, we welcome Evan back to the darkside as he rejoins the PC realm, as he dives headlong into the world of Microsoft laptops. This plunge down the Microsoft rabbit hole takes us on a nostalgic journey through the annals of Microsoft history, from the Zune to the Windows Phone. But our trip down memory lane doesn't stop there; we also find ourselves...

Anger management kicks off our conversation where Cormac gets to deal with infrastructure replacement in his neighborhood and all of the joys that come with it. Evan shares stories about his ride (Ride the Rim) around Crater Lake. Unbeknownst to both of them, the way Evan decided to tackle his ride would foreshadow the ups and downs of their final conversation in which they discuss a code seminar that Cormac attended and how the constraints of the building code cause many ups and downs on a...