Archispeak

In this conversation we talk about the fluff and non-fluff in architectural drawings, the Disney-esque nature of Cormac's project, the architect's avoidance of "means and methods", the benefits of bringing other parties in to collaborate early on projects, and finally, Dale Carnegie's quote: "Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday." Links Write Notepads & Co. Dale Carnegie...

Burnout is real. We discuss a recent report on the subject within the architectural profession over the past year with some shocking results, our observations and experiences on the matter, and more. The State of Burnout in Architecture (2021) (Monograph's blog) How To Build A Car by A. Newey (Amazon) Sponsors Enscape is a real-time rendering and VR tool for the AEC market. It empowers design work...

We discuss impostor syndrome, NCARB's IPAL Programs and different paths to becoming an architect, ego and ability, a call to action for the profession, doing theory vs grunt work, and window shopping at auto auctions. Links NCARB's IPAL Programs TRXL 062: ‘Complexity and Opportunity‘ aka the call to action for the profession Sponsors Enscape is a real-time rendering and VR tool for the AEC market....

A visit to Disneyland, exploring various layers of an example of the ultimate architectural experience at Galaxy's Edge, and more. Links *Star Wars*: Galaxy's Edge (Wikipedia) Disneyland's attraction: Galaxy's Edge The Story of Imagineering Walt Disney Imagineering (Wikipedia) Sponsor Enscape is a real-time rendering and VR tool for the AEC market. It empowers design workflows by plugging into bui...

The downsides of hyperrealism during design presentations, when it's time to stop designing, emotional experiences in architecture, and a mini-review of the masterpiece that is Dune. Links Denis Villeneuve (Wikipedia) 'Dune' Director Denis Villeneuve Breaks Down the Gom Jabbar Scene (YouTube) Architect John Lautner (Wikipedia) Architect Carlo Scarpa (Wikipedia) Sponsor Enscape is a real-time rende...

Coming to you from remote locations on opposite sides the world (no, it's not flat—but it does have "sides" 🤣), we have a discussion about the true value of in-person meetings after a year and a half of virtual calls. Sponsor Enscape is a real-time rendering and VR tool for the AEC market. It empowers design workflows by plugging into building modeling software and turning the models into immersi...

Architectural representation and its roles in cinema, world-building, alternative realities, the Metaverse, the concept of "future-proofing" space, and more. Links Metaverse (Wikipedia)

How does the architectural design process work? Is it linear—or is it something else entirely—and why?

Do you ever feel like you're being watched—or experimented on—when shopping online? A/B testing is a standard practice companies use not only for marketing purposes, but in user interface design and user experience as well. Adjustments are then made over time to suit the preferences of users making use of the data gleaned from the testing. Can/should/do architects do this? What kinds of modificati...

Post-justified puns, green roof details, not knowing what we don't know, continuing education and building product selection, educating (and selling!) design concepts and building products to clients with the right information for them to make informed decisions, bad alliances and throwing teammates under the bus, and more.

In this episode we’re talking about corporate-sponsored productivity-enhancing drugs. Cormac jumps back on the wagon after an 8-month hiatus so we discuss our favorite morning ritual. Links Aeropress Go (Amazon) Chemex Classic (Amazon) Mr. Coffee 12-cup Coffee Maker (Amazon) Sponsor Thanks to our sponsor for helping make this episode possible: Twinmotion Twinmotion is a real-time rendering solutio...

We discuss Cormac's recent trip to Saudi Arabia and the extraordinary humbling feeling he experienced during his adventure. Links Cormac's Instagram China Ranch Date Farm near Death Valley National Park in California Sponsor Thanks to our sponsor for helping make this episode possible: Twinmotion Twinmotion is a real-time rendering solution used by architecture, engineering, and construction profe...

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 time Field Notes notebooks Sponsor Thanks to our sponsor for helping make this episode possible: Twinmotion Twinmotion is a real-time renderi...

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. Links TRXL 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. Links OK Computer Lecture Series: Autonomous Vehicles (Evan's lecture on YouTube) Le Corbusier’s Dream Car: The 1936 Voiture Minimum Heatherwick Studio launches AIRO for IM Motors Z-Car by Zaha Hadid Dymaxion #1 by Buckminster Fuller The Extraordinary Dymaxion...

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. Links Disney's Carousel Of Progress (YouTube)

Evan talks about his recent trip to Washington DC and Cormac foreshadows his retirement plan. Links Glenstone Museum Archispeak 227 – Hugging Architecture (the Fallingwater episode) IM Pei's east wing addition to the National Gallery of Art (1978) Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial National 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. Links This Old House on Twitter This Old House (PBS) Awesome Framers (Instagram) Essential Craftsman (YouTube) Tape Measure Pro Tips Nailed It! (Net...

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. Links Hulk Hogan (Wikipedia) Bonesaw McGraw Randy 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. Links Cicadas: 17 years underground & emergence in 2021 Frank Lloyd Wright FLW: Fallingwater FLW: Kentuck Knob FLW: Pope Leighey house Richard Neutra Neutra: Kaufmann house in Palm Springs Neutra: Visitor Center and Cyclorama at Gettysburg Richar...

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. Links Type 2 Fun on the Fun Scale Great Falls Park Harper's Ferry National Historical Park Trekking...

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. Links Rise of the 10x Class by Dror Poleg TRXL 041: ‘Stay Curious’, with Dror Poleg Barbed 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. Links higharc.com