Evan Troxel, Cormac Phalen

Archispeak Podcast

Design EN ↓ 390 episodes

What’s it really like to work in architecture? The hosts of Archispeak know, and they’re here to share real-life experiences. Since 2012 architects Evan Troxel and Cormac Phalen have been podcasting their brand of real talk on everything from design, tools, and work/life balance to generational differences, mentoring, job hunting, and more. Probing questions, revelatory interviews, and unique insights have grown their audience and become a weekly ritual for students and seasoned professionals alike.

Author

Evan Troxel, Cormac Phalen

Episodes

#216 – The Two Things Architects Hate 15.03.2021 43:22

We discuss some comments that have been made about Evan moving to a new job and how some of the fundamental problems in our industry aren't attractive but still need to be solved.

#215 – A Forced Release 11.03.2021 26:42

In this episode Evan and Cormac discuss a bit of nostalgia and how it can shape the future of our workplace.

#214 – It Was At A Zoo 08.03.2021 22:06

We reminisce about the first concerts we attended and link those experiences back to architecture, space, and how they have the ability to affect people.

#213 – Ch-Ch-Changes 01.03.2021 1:59:39

Special guest Bob Habian joins Evan and Cormac in this marathon episode to talk about a new venture poised as a fantastic solution for the AEC industry, and reveal Evan's latest news. Links TectApp

#212 – Detail Suppository 25.02.2021 22:10

We discuss consultant coordination issues, some benefits and trappings of BIM, and raise the question of who is going to get us out of our own purgatory.

#211 – The Way You're Wired 22.02.2021 26:59

We discuss Evan’s new mountain biking YouTube channel and why having something creative to do that’s non-architectural in your life is important. Everyone go subscribe to the channel and follow along on the adventures! Links: Evan’s TRXL MTB YouTube channel

#210 – ‘Architect to Builder‘ with Lance Cayko and Alex Gore 15.02.2021 1:21:24

The founders of F9 Productions and the Inside the Firm podcast join Archispeak to talk about their practice in Colorado, transitioning to developer/builders, and their new course to help architects make the transition. Links Watch this episode on YouTube F9 Productions (Lance & Alex's firm website) Inside the Firm podcast (Lance & Alex's podcast) Lance and Alex’s Architect to Builder cours...

#209 – ”Changes” ”Happened” 11.02.2021 28:04

We discuss what happened between the original and actual submittal dates for Cormac's project, how to more successfully communicate design intent with owners in VR versus 2d drawings, and the correct number of design options to show clients.

#208 – Reinventing the Wheel 08.02.2021 24:34

We compare the size, scope, and purpose of a set of modern drawings to historical examples, how architects are seemingly happy reinventing the wheel, and who is to blame when something goes wrong. Links Evan was a guest recently on Context & Clarity LIVE (YouTube), and the topic was How is technology changing the architectural profession?

#207 – I Had A NordicTrack 04.02.2021 21:20

We discuss the newly released renderings of Amazon's proposed headquarters in Virginia & the resemblance to certain emoji, Tatlin's tower, that we should be paying attention to architects in the middle of the US (not just the coasts), & a McSweeney's article featuring some choice archispeak. Links Pile of Poo emoji 💩 (Emojipedia) Soft ice cream emoji 🍦 (Emojipedia) NordicTrack (Wikipedia...

#206 – It's Not You, It's Me 01.02.2021 21:45

We discuss the relationships and emotional connections between humans and animals, and draw a connection to architects and their projects; and how most people don't understand the latter.

#205 – Potential Levels of Dysfunction 28.01.2021 24:20

We discuss the distinction between comments and communications, what to do with staff during project down-time, the problem with data silos, and there's a little more to add to Cormac's Zoom shenanigans.

#204 – Cooking with Cormac 25.01.2021 21:45

We discuss Cormac's open Zoom room and somehow the timing worked out just right to prank a teammate while recording the episode.

#203 – Fingers Crossed 21.01.2021 32:08

We discuss the architecture reality show we'd want to watch, some buildings by architect William Pereira, and some hopefulness on inauguration day for 46. Links William Pereira (Wikipedia) List of William Pereira buildings (Wikipedia) Pereira monograph (Amazon)

#202 – Surviving 2021 18.01.2021 23:34

Forget goals and resolutions... in this episode, we share how we plan on just staying alive. And there's some new pretty exciting collaboration software we're looking at too, so check the link in the show notes. Links Huddle's Teamflow platform for online communication and collaboration with spatial aspects.

#201 – More Potent, More Purposeful 11.01.2021 16:26

We discuss the two things that architects hate, and about intentionally (re)setting boundaries in our day-to-day to increase our potency. Links Evan's Disruptive Technology in Architecture presentation to AIA Palm Beach (YouTube)

#200 – The Dumpster Fire Episode 07.12.2020 44:08

2 architects. ~20 minutes (MAYBE). 200 episodes. 2020: The Dumpster Fire. Join us in this podcasting milestone episode—the last one of the year—as we discuss what 8 years of podcasting has been like. Links 5Architecture Fatman Beyond The Gābl Media network

#199 – A 'Problem' Problem 03.12.2020 23:22

We discuss promotions, wicked and tame design problems, shell games, and what happens in the sub-sub basement of Cormac's project. Links Archispeak's Gifts for Architects 2020 - Youtube Episode

#198 – Gifts for Architects 2020 30.11.2020 46:14

Looking to find a gift for your favorite architect? Look no further. Here are Archispeak’s top architectural gift picks for the 2020 holiday giving season. This year, there’s also a video version of this episode. Why? Because we wanted to show you what we were talking about. Click here to watch it on YouTube . Check out all the links below! Links Note: We may make a small commission when you use t...

#197 – Mis-reading it Wrong 23.11.2020 23:34

We discuss expectations and boundaries around our always-on communication options, and how fragmented and difficult to manage this has all become due to the multitude of options. Links Watch the Archispeak + Life of an Architect podcast happy hour (YouTube)

#196 – Foot In Mouth Disease 16.11.2020 23:40

What delightful information comes to light when a project team member — hypothetically — thinks they've hung up from a call, but they actually haven't*? * not a hypothetical Links: Live stream happy hour with the Life of an Architect podcast on Nov 19th, 4:15pm PST (YouTube)

#195 – Wordsmithing the Process 12.11.2020 24:24

Being that it's Veteran's Day in the USA, we discuss war stories from the trenches... both from Cormac's time serving in the Army and from architectural practice. Oh, and don't forget the off-the-shelf, range-extending missile parts. Links Evan's temporary service interruption tweet Veteran's Day (Wikipedia) Scud missile (Wikipedia) Patriot missile (Wikipedia) Gulf War (Wikipedia)

#194 – Ad Nauseam 09.11.2020 22:32

We discuss current 2d project delivery challenges and opportunities, how application templates aren't one-size-fits-all, reincorporating lessons learned on projects into standards, and how architects are really damn good at dealing with levels of abstraction.

#193 – Extra Helping of Cheddar 05.11.2020 18:06

We discuss how brick and mortar-based architecture firms are dealing with the changing landscape of remote work due to COVID-19 and all the nuance that comes along with it. And Cormac breaks the news that Sean Connery died, so we talk about Bond movies, of course. Links Sean Connery James Bond George Lazenby The Prisoner Death Race 2000 Roger Moore The Car Duel

#192 – Awards Season 02.11.2020 24:08

Following the last episode's topic of professional 'conference season,' we transition into the topic of architectural 'awards season' to discuss the positives and also how they could be so much better. Links Advancing Computational Building Design Conference Day 1 agenda including Evan's presentation TRXL podcast on Gābl Media