Episode 078: Leading on Climate Action for a Positive Future How can architects address the challenge of global warming? Planetary warming is one of the biggest disruptions of our time. In this special crossover episode focused on climate action, our friends from Design the Future podcast will join us to discuss the evolution of the sustainable design movement and where it is heading. What can architects do to be part of the solution? The Design the Future podcast is hosted by Lindsay Baker and ...
May 19, 2022•58 min•Season 4Ep. 78
Episode 077: Urban Intervention with Groundcycle What can we learn from a former architectural designer turned sustainable entrepreneur? At the peak of COVID-19 in New York City, farmers struggled to distribute their produce and the city had suspended all composting options. An architectural designer saw an opportunity to make a difference in her community. She began by picking up composting bins from friends and neighbors and has since grown her outreach into a fully operational business with o...
May 12, 2022•44 min•Season 4Ep. 77
Episode 076: Practice Applications Digital Architecture, Block Chain, and NFTS What are practice applications of digital architecture, block chain, and NFTs? This week on Practice Disrupted we are going deeper into technology talk about all the buzzwords around the metaverse, cyber currency, blockchain, and NFTs to talk expert Wendy W Fok on the potential implications these technologies have on practice and the fabric of our communities. This conversation delves deeper into: The Metaverse, is it...
May 05, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 76
Episode 075: Growing an AEC Startup / The Evolution of a Company Why is everyone talking about Monograph? Founded in 2018 by Robert Yuen, Alex Dixon, and Moe Amaya, the initial agency called Dixon & Moe has grown into a 50-person team, now known as Monograph. In their search to build tools and websites for startups and architecture firms, they noticed a recurring challenge—architects and project managers kept complaining about their existing and non-existent project management software. Even...
Apr 21, 2022•57 min•Season 4Ep. 75
Episode 074: Exploring the Evolution of Computational Design What should architects understand about the influence of computational design in practice? Technology has prompted a massive change in the way we practice architecture. This week we’ve invited Andrew Heumann to the show to help us take a deep dive into the world of computational design and coding. This episode aims to bridge the gap between those new to the niche of computational design and those embedded in the community. Andrew will ...
Apr 14, 2022•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 74
Episode 073: Architecture, And: Civic Leadership How are individuals using their training in architecture to explore diverse career paths in government and public service? The Mayors’ Institute on City Design (MICD) is a leadership initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the United States Conference of Mayors. Since 1986, the Mayors’ Institute has helped transform communities through design by preparing mayors to be the chief urban designers of their cities. MICD ha...
Apr 07, 2022•59 min•Season 4Ep. 73
Episode 072: Finding Your Voice as a Leader What lessons on leadership and career growth can we learn from Practice Disrupted co-hosts Evelyn Lee and Je’Nen Chastain? To celebrate the last day of Women’s History Month, Evelyn and Je’Nen sit down to have an open and honest discussion about their career paths as industry leaders. They’ll discuss stepping into leadership responsibilities as emerging professionals in the AIA, challenges they faced in practice, and mentors who helped them along the w...
Mar 31, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Season 4Ep. 72
Episode 071: A Case Study for Practice: Shepley Bulfinch What workplace policies and recruitment strategies actually attract talent? This week is both a case study for practice management and firm leadership, featuring two CEOs working in partnership to help their firm grow and navigate this pivotal moment of industry transformation. Shepley Bulfinch is a national architecture firm that tackles complex challenges, focusing on visionary design in education, healthcare, and urban development. They...
Mar 24, 2022•58 min•Season 4Ep. 71
Episode 070: She Builds Crossover in Three Acts What lessons on change and disruption can we learn from the women who have influenced the industries of building design and construction? To celebrate the 70th episode of Practice Disrupted we’ve teamed up with our friends at She Builds Podcast to create a very special AEC podcast crossover episode. Tune in to discover how women who shaped the history of the design and construction industry relate to modern themes of change, including: identity &am...
Mar 17, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 70
Episode 069: A Case Study on Leadership: Expanding Established Design Practices to New Locations What does it take to help an established firm set up a new office in a new location? This week we host a panel interview featuring three architects representing three award-winning design firms to learn about their individual experiences of helping each of their practices expand into a new location. While each architect’s story is unique, these women will discuss and discover the common themes betwee...
Mar 10, 2022•55 min•Season 4Ep. 69
Episode 068: 2022 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Honor Award Winners: RIDING THE VORTEX What lessons on architecture, practice, and change can we learn from AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Honor Award Recipients Kathryn Prigmore, Kathy Dixon, Katherine Williams, and Melissa Daniel? Named for civil rights leader Whitney M. Young Jr., the AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Honor Award distinguishes an architect or architectural organization that embodies social responsibility and actively addresses a relevant issue, suc...
Mar 03, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 68
Episode 067: Architecture And: The Future of Workplace How can technology simplify workflows for both clients and designers? As CEO of CANOA, Federico Negro is building the first end-to-end platform for designing, procuring, and managing low-carbon, reconfigurable interiors in the workplace. What does that mean in simple terms? Clients and designers can design, purchase, and completely furnish the office space without touching CAD or going through a dealer. Even though CANOA is a technology plat...
Feb 24, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 67
Episode 066: Architecture, And: Technology How are individuals using their training in architecture to explore diverse career paths? Our ongoing series “Architecture, And:” follows the careers of professionals using their education and training in architecture to expand their current role in practice or apply their skills in an entirely new field. These interviews help us understand how an architectural education prepares people for diverse career opportunities. Past interviews include: [055] – ...
Feb 17, 2022•42 min•Season 4Ep. 66
Episode 065: Training Confidence in Technical Detailing How do you teach technical foundations in architecture to boost career confidence? Many emerging professionals struggle to find their confidence in the more technical aspects of practice. There is limited onboarding toward the advanced skills architects aspire to master in building envelopes and systems. This week, we sit down and have a candid conversation with Christine Williamson, founder of the Building Science Fight Club . Her mission ...
Feb 10, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 65
Episode 064: A Case Study for Practice: Stayner Architects How can architects redesign the practice model of architecture? In this week's episode, we interview Christian Stayner to learn more about his process for designing his projects and the business model for his firm. Stayner Architects is a case study firm bridging the role of the architect, developer, designer, builder, strategist, and even expanding into the role of operator. Stayner Architects, a practice based in Los Angeles, is focuse...
Feb 03, 2022•46 min•Season 4Ep. 64
Episode 063: Podcast Live: DAC Leadership Series: From Team Member to Office Leader How can midcareer architects successfully transition from project work into more senior roles dealing with staffing and operations? Traditional architectural training does not often prepare us with the business leadership and people management skills required to successfully lead an office. On top of that, office leadership comes with a variety of challenges that differ from everyday project leadership. Practice ...
Jan 27, 2022•54 min•Season 4Ep. 63
Episode 062: 2022 AIA Gold Medal Winners: Brooks + Scarpa What lessons on architecture, practice, and change can we learn from AIA Gold Medal winners Angela Brooks and Lawrence Scarpa? In this episode, we welcome Angela Brooks, FAIA and Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA of Brooks + Scarpa to talk about their careers together from undergrad to the 2022 AIA Gold Medal. Their firm, Brooks + Scarpa is known for globally award-winning designs across a variety of project types, often elevating the ordinary into s...
Jan 20, 2022•59 min•Season 4Ep. 62
Episode 061: S4 Launch: Leading Change Through Entrepreneurship How can architects lead change through a blended career of entrepreneurship and architecture? Welcome to the fourth season of Practice Disrupted, a podcast where we explore the evolution of architecture practice from many different angles! Mark R. LePage, AIA, NCARB joins us to share his story of becoming an architect and entrepreneur through the creation of EntreArchitect and Gābl Media . EntreArchitect is a community of architects...
Jan 13, 2022•51 min•Season 4Ep. 61
Episode 060: Disruption and the Season 3 Finale How has Practice Disrupted grown and evolved over 60 episodes? This week show creators regroup to celebrate 60 episodes. Dimitrius Lynch, Chief Creative Officer at Gābl Media , rejoins Practice Disrupted co-hosts Evelyn Lee and Je’Nen Chastain to reflect on the 20 new conversations that happened during season 3. What began as an idea to start a podcast has grown into a timely series on change in the industry, featuring conversations with over 70+ d...
Nov 18, 2021•48 min•Season 3Ep. 60
Episode 059: Building the Pipeline Through K-12 Education How are architects increasing representation in architecture through early educational outreach? Project Pipeline was born at the 2002 NOMA conference. Then-president Paul Taylor asked Drake Dillard and David Kirk to research and establish a plan for the camp that would introduce minority students with a focus on black students to architecture with the ultimate goal of creating more licensed black architects. The first camp was held in 20...
Nov 11, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 59
Episode 058: A Case Study for Practice: RIOS How do you build an entrepreneurially forward-thinking firm? The Practice of Architecture was founded on the basis that for architects to remain relevant, we must seek opportunities to increase our careers and firms beyond traditional services, fully embracing entrepreneurship and constantly pursuing new opportunities. Rios is a firm that is doing just that, collectively working beyond boundaries and not only seeking out but diving head-first when it ...
Nov 04, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 58
Episode 057: Southeast Asian American Architects Leaders of the profession share diverse perspectives on race, equity, and architecture. Practice Disrupted is committed to elevating conversations on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion to teach, empower, and build greater awareness across the industry. Building from prior diversity conversations, this week we learn about Southeast Asian Architects. Guests: Meghana Joshi, AIA, NOMA is a strong proponent of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Ju...
Oct 28, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 57
Episode 056: Leading with Finance & Entrepreneurship How can architecture firms focus on elevating their financial management? This week we explore our love/hate relationship with numbers and discover tips and tricks that help keep projects and their budgets financially sound. Bolanle Williams-Olley is a CFO and partner at Mancini, but also an incredible entrepreneur managing multiple businesses in various stages of growth all at the same time. Our conversation with her will help you reframe...
Oct 21, 2021•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 56
Episode 055: Architecture, And: MBA What is the value of an MBA paired with an education in architecture? This week’s episode is a group discussion between our co-hosts and two fellow MBAs in the profession. Each participant has a foundation in architecture education and training, and is at a different stage in the process of pursuing an MBA. Three of our guests are licensed architects, with the last guest through IDP. Together they’ll demystify the MBA and discuss how they pursued and use their...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Season 3Ep. 55
Episode 054: Architecture, And: EDI+J What is the role of a firm leader focused on equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice? As we continue to expand our exploration of diversity in practice, we’ve invited Yiselle Santos Rivera back to the podcast so she can share what she’s learned after two years of serving HKS as their Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Justice. What does it mean to position someone in a firmwide leadership role dedicated to increasing diversity within an archit...
Oct 07, 2021•54 min•Season 3Ep. 54
Episode 053: Immigrant Architects Leaders of the profession share diverse perspectives on equity and architecture. Expanding our diversity series, this week we learn about the lived experiences of individuals who immigrated to the United States. Guests: Originally from Colombia, Graciela Carrillo, AIA, LEED AP , immigrated to the United States in 2003. She recently joined Nassau BOCES Facilities Services as a Senior Manager where she is managing school operational and capital projects. Graciela ...
Sep 30, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 53
Episode 052: Managing a Virtual Practice What does it take to manage an architecture studio virtually? The pandemic has revealed three options for managing an architecture studio: 1. an entirely in-person operation; 2. the new and improved hybrid practice; 3. the entirely virtual operation We speak with two firm owners who have been managing their design studios in a 100% virtual capacity since before the pandemic hit. Leah Bayer returns to Practice Disrupted and is joined by Jennifer Kretschmer...
Sep 23, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 52
Episode 051: Designing a Culture of Mentorship How can architects rethink studio culture through conversations on mentorship? In this week’s episode Evelyn Lee interviews Practice Disrupted co-host Je’Nen Chastain to learn more about her work on mentorship and leadership development at Apostrophe Consulting . Je’Nen shares her vision for helping her clients assess and redesign their talent development strategies. She explains why this is critical at the individual level to support better project...
Sep 16, 2021•48 min•Season 3Ep. 51
Episode 050: TRXL Crossover: Calling on Architects to Embrace Change Why is change necessary in the practice of architecture? To celebrate our 50th episode of Practice Disrupted we’ve teamed up with fellow podcaster and Gābl Media content creator Evan Troxel to bring you a special crossover episode. Evan is an industry-leading design and technology expert and licensed architect in California. Since launching his newest podcast TRXL in 2020, he has interviewed over 50 thought leaders to discuss h...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 50
Episode 049: The Ultimate Building Configurator How are architects leveraging new technology to expedite the design process? This week we interview Clifton Harness, a former University of Texas at Austin architecture student turned CEO. Together with his college roommate, Clifton Harness and Ryan Griege co-founded TestFit in 2017. The team has been on a trajectory of growth ever since. TestFit’s powerful algorithms allow architects to produce buildings in seconds; not weeks. Embracing a data-dri...
Sep 02, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 49
