Architecture Social

This archive Architecture Social Show episode is architecture news with a bit of personality: design stories, events, job-market notes and the small signals that make the industry feel alive. Stephen Drew and Will Ridgway discuss weekly updates, architecture gifts, design news, contemporary architecture, underwater public art, office construction, Manchester projects, events, EV charging and jobs....

Elderly living architecture should support identity, community, independence and dignity, not reduce later life to tired stereotypes. Stephen Drew speaks with Dominic Hailey from ColladoCollins about later living, retirement communities, wellbeing, intergenerational living, architecture education, qualification, small practices, Just Living and future opportunities in elderly living design. The co...

An architectural project manager helps turn design intent into coordinated progress. The role needs organisation, judgement, communication and delivery discipline. Stephen Drew speaks with Ruchi Sabale about architectural project management, her route from India to the UK, Benoy, CallisonRTKL, communication, contingency planning, project management myths, asking questions and career routes beyond...

This live pilot tested a simple idea: bring architecture news, jobs, events and community conversation into one informal Architecture Social format. Stephen Drew and Will Ridgway discuss architecture news, job-market updates, live interaction, net zero office projects, RIBA future trends, community highlights, podcast updates, events and viewer contributions. The conversation covers: How the Archi...

BIM is not just software. Done properly, it helps coordinate people, information and design decisions before problems become expensive. Stephen Drew speaks with Pierre Venter about BIM, Revit, moving from South Africa to the UK, digital collaboration, project management, visualisation, VR, Oculus Quest, AI, contractors, team dynamics and the future of architectural technology. The conversation cov...

Quiet or difficult periods can either disappear, or they can become useful evidence for the next opportunity. Stephen Drew and Will Ridgway discuss how architecture professionals can use quiet or difficult periods to build skills, stay organised, support wellbeing, network, learn software, engage with community, prepare for jobs and maintain career momentum. The conversation covers: How to choose...

Architecture mentoring is not just having someone senior tell you to work harder. Good mentoring helps you understand options, judgement and timing. Stephen Drew speaks with Jason Boyle about architecture mentoring, nuclear architecture, mindset, technology, networking, social media, charging for your work, setting fees, financial viability, professional growth and balancing passion with stability...

A client-side architecture role can be a strong move if you want to apply design judgement inside a developer, estate, client or owner organisation. Stephen Drew speaks with David Drews from Allied London about client-side architecture roles, in-house design teams, TP Bennett, Steven Marshall Architects, Manchester projects, design quality, delivery roles, career transitions and creativity during...

Jamiul Choudhury's story is useful because it is not a neat, linear architecture career note. It brings together Part II experience, travel, public visibility and job-search reality. Stephen Drew speaks with Jamiul Choudhury, Part II Architectural Assistant and winner of BBC's Race Across the World, about returning to architecture, job hunting, work experience, persistence, personal profile and tu...

This guest session is a practical job-search reset for architecture students and graduates who need clearer CVs, portfolios and application habits. Stephen Drew joins Sarah Lebner's The Architect Project for a guest session on architecture CVs, portfolios, recruitment, LinkedIn, lockdown job-search tactics, cover letters, employer research, portfolio strategy and overcoming imposter syndrome. The...

Humanitarian architecture is not an abstract idea. At its best, it uses design, technical skill and coordination to improve health, livelihoods and resilience where the need is real. Stephen Drew speaks with David Murray from Article 25 about humanitarian architecture, safe shelter, global projects, schools, hospitals, homes, volunteering, fundraising, COVID-19 challenges and how design skills can...

First in Architecture matters because students and professionals need practical, clear resources they can actually use when detailing, studio or practice starts to feel opaque. Stephen Drew speaks with Emma Walshaw about First in Architecture, practical learning resources, architectural details, Passive House, working from home, social media, perfectionism, productivity, running a business and exp...

Finding a job in architecture is easier when you stop trying to fix everything at once and tighten the basics first. The Architecture Social team discuss practical architecture job-search advice, including CVs, portfolios, organising applications, engaging employers, interview preparation, online interviews, feedback, job offers, networking and recruitment consultants. The conversation covers: How...

The architectural apprenticeship route can make architecture feel connected to real practice from day one, but it still needs structure, mentoring and protected study time. Stephen Drew speaks with Emily Foster about architectural apprenticeships, AHMM, combining work with study, mentorship, traditional degree routes, application process, real-world projects, Part 3, university life and flexible c...

Architecture recruitment works best when it reduces uncertainty for both sides: candidates need clarity, practices need relevant people and the recruiter should help both make better decisions. Jack Moran, Stephen Drew and Will Ridgway discuss how architecture recruitment works behind the scenes, including direct recruitment, recruitment consultants, market conditions, job-search advice, ethical r...

Christopher Hartiss' architecture career is useful because it shows how drawings, communication, teaching, mentoring and leadership all build professional judgement over time. Stephen Drew speaks with Christopher Hartiss about architecture career paths, mentorship, teaching, Squire and Partners, Chelsea Barracks, drawings, leadership, personal interests, teamwork, job-market advice, interviews and...

Architecture salary conversations should start with evidence, not nerves. Your role level, responsibility, location, software, sector and market demand all matter. Jack Moran, Stephen Drew and Will Ridgway discuss architecture salaries, salary negotiation, knowing your worth, market data, salary guides, COVID-19 pressure, experience, employer conversations, skills, responsibility and practical way...

Founder interviews are useful because they reveal what a practice values when the work is real, the deadlines are live and hiring decisions matter. Stephen Drew speaks with Petr Esposito about building Thirdway Architecture, lockdown, Thirdway Interiors, starting and growing a practice, team culture, interviewing, hiring, Ravensbourne, the Bartlett, homelessness research and the origins of Archite...

Alternative careers in architecture are not a failure route. They can be a better fit when your strengths sit in communication, technology, strategy, development, teaching, content or business rather than a traditional practice role. Stephen Drew and Jack Moran discuss alternative architecture career paths, including recruitment, interiors, BIM, computational design, gaming, journalism, freelance...

Architecture storytelling matters because buildings, portfolios and projects are also about people, process, place and connection. Stephen Drew speaks with Alvin Zhu about Projects by People, architecture storytelling, filmmaking, content creation, feeling lost in architecture, study, travel, community building and using creative projects to connect designers globally. The conversation covers: How...

Architecture job boards are still useful, but they work best as one part of a wider job-search strategy. Stephen Drew, Jack Moran and Will Ridgway discuss whether architecture job boards still work, how COVID-19 changed job hunting, direct applications, networking, LinkedIn, candidate visibility, recruitment tools and building a personal brand. The conversation covers: What job boards still do wel...

Architecture writing can help students and early-career professionals test ideas, build confidence and connect with people beyond their immediate studio or practice. Stephen Drew speaks with Nylda Hamchaoui about The Architectural Experiment, architecture writing, journalism, publishing, social media, creative confidence, COVID-19 job searching and building a platform around architectural ideas. T...

Architecture can be a brilliant industry, but people still need proper support routes when work, money, health or personal circumstances become difficult. Stephen Drew speaks with Tom Shore from the Architects Benevolent Society about support for people in architecture, financial help, wellbeing, family support, the ABS Ambassador Scheme, fundraising and how the charity adapted during COVID-19. Th...

Good architecture communities help people learn in public, share work, ask better questions and feel less isolated. Stephen Drew speaks with Sana Tabassum about :scale, architecture community, student support, online collaboration, content, the MAD Collective, community engagement and making architecture feel less isolated. The conversation covers: How :scale started and grew from a blog into a co...

Getting a job in architecture is easier when you treat the search like a focused project rather than a panic sprint. Stephen Drew speaks with Martin Andrews about getting a job in architecture, including the student job market, CVs, portfolios, presenting work, follow-up calls, interviews, communication, timing and standing out without gimmicks. The conversation covers: How students and graduates...