Mary Duggan is a London-based architect known for her well-conceived and thoughtfully-detailed architecture for forward-thinking clients in the cultural and housing sectors. In this episode, Mary and Dave discussed: How keeping the practice small allows her to focus on the work she wants to do, allows her to avoid some of the challenges and compromises required to sustain a larger practice.Why she believes architects don’t have to be involved at every stage of the design and construction...

Matt Loader and Iain Monteith are the directors of Loader Monteith, a Glasgow-based practice known for their approach to meaningful, local and sustainable architecture. In this episode, Matt, Iain and Dave discussed: The challenges of managing clients, project scopes and costs in the early days of starting their practice, and how saying no to work that didn’t align with their vision was just as important as saying yes.How every small project is an opportunity that can lead to larger work in...

Jim Stephenson is an architectural photographer and film-maker, known for capturing the many ways people interact with architecture. In this episode, Jim and Dave discussed: Why photographing people enjoying buildings, rather than empty spaces, can better explain the story and concept of the project, but also serve as a visual testimonial to the success of the building.How architectural filmmaking has grown and evolved over the years, and why architects are increasingly seeing the value in...

Luke McLaren is a director of McLaren Excell, a London-based practice known for delivering beautifully conceived and finely crafted buildings. In this episode, Luke and Dave discussed: The importance of communicating projects in a simple, restrained way, rather than overcomplicating their images with too many distracting elements.How designing to a long-held set of values has led to the practice having a stylistic consistency throughout their work and a more distinctive brand image.The...

Nimi Attanayake and Tim O'Callaghan are the directors of nimtim architects, a London-based practice known for their approach to sustainable, unique and playful architecture. In this episode, Nimi, Tim and Dave discussed: How taking a year off from architecture to travel India led to their first project together and the start of their new practice.They reflect on the challenges in the early days of starting their practice and discussed the importance of connecting with colleagues in the...

Alex Ely is the director of Mae Architects, a Stirling Prize-winning London-based practice known for their approach to sustainable, resilient, and socially conscious architecture and urbanism. In this episode, Alex and Dave discussed: The significance of winning the Stirling Prize in 2023 and how its impact on the practice has gone far beyond the architecture industry.Why having a clear mission statement and a set of values that employees can identify with makes it much easier to consistently...

Fergus Feilden and Edmund Fowles are the directors of Feilden Fowles, a highly recognised London-based practice known for their sustainable and characterful public and cultural buildings.  In this episode, Fergus, Edmund and I discussed: The importance of competitions to help develop their portfolio, studio culture, and connections with potential clients.How they were able to curate their website to appeal to cultural, public and educational sector clients–despite having little built work in...