Architecture Social

Setting up an architecture practice is rarely the clean founder story people imagine. It is fees, cash flow, recruitment, content, client education, mistakes and learning where the pressure really sits. Stephen Drew speaks with Oliver Lowrie, co-founder of Ackroyd Lowrie, about the top lessons learned from building an architecture practice and what others should understand before trying to do the...

Personal branding can sound vague, but on LinkedIn it often comes down to whether people understand what you do, what you care about and why they should remember you. Stephen Drew speaks with Beatrice Ronchetti about personal branding for architecture professionals, profile clarity, content strategy and using LinkedIn as a practical career and business tool. The conversation covers: What personal...

Retrofit is one of the biggest practical challenges in architecture: how do we make existing buildings work harder, last longer and use less carbon without treating sustainability as a bolt-on? Stephen Drew speaks with James Rixon of Rixon Architecture about sustainable design, retrofit practice, the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge and the knowledge-sharing needed to decarbonise the built environment....

Sustainable architecture is not only about technical performance. It is also about culture, decision-making, communication and designing places that support better ways of living. Stephen Drew speaks with Michael Woodford of White Arkitekter about sustainable design, healthcare projects, practice culture, carbon calculation, AI and what architects need to communicate clearly as the market changes....

Good technical guidance is not just about making drawings compliant. It protects design quality, safety, ethics, sustainability and the people who eventually use the building. Stephen Drew speaks with Dieter Bentley-Gockmann of EPR Architects about technical leadership, professional standards, fire and life safety, Part III mentoring and why technical expertise needs more respect inside architectu...

With AI, virtual environments and increasingly realistic visualisation changing architecture, where does that leave the physical model? Stephen Drew speaks with Sophie McCarthy and Max Fraser from Atomik Architecture about why physical models still matter, how they support design thinking, and what they can do that a screen cannot. The conversation covers: Why physical models are still relevant in...

Interior design careers are often misunderstood from the outside. The work is creative, but it also depends on technical coordination, procurement, client handling and a clear eye for detail. Stephen Drew speaks with Maria Ramirez of BB Interiors about the role of an interior designer, how interiors overlap with architecture, what FF&E really involves and what candidates need to show when appl...

A good architecture job search is not only about sending more applications. It is about understanding what you want, researching practices properly and showing the right evidence at the right moment. Stephen Drew speaks with Justin Nicholls of Fathom Architects about finding the right role, building rounded project experience, standing out in applications and what practices look for when hiring. T...

Executive architecture is often mentioned in practice, but not always explained clearly. It sits at the point where design intent, technical resolution and delivery have to meet. Stephen Drew speaks with Neal Morgan-Collins and Albena Atanassova from Scott Brownrigg's Design Delivery Unit about what executive architecture involves, who is suited to it and how designers can build a career around te...

Architecture businesses are not only built by one type of professional. Architectural technologists can bring technical focus, delivery knowledge and a practical view of how small practices really work. Stephen Drew speaks with Jon Clayton about his route as a chartered architectural technologist, setting up his own practice, building visibility, finding clients and balancing project work with mar...

Leadership in architecture is not just about job titles. It is about reflection, values, communication, resilience and knowing how to manage yourself before you try to manage others. Stephen Drew speaks with Karen Fugle about leadership coaching, personal development, reflective practice and the habits that help architecture professionals make better decisions in work and life. The conversation co...

Good architecture events are not only about free drinks. At their best, they help architects, developers and built environment professionals understand each other properly. Stephen Drew speaks with the team behind YADA about networking, property development, young professionals, mentorship and why informal events can create useful conversations across the architecture and development world. The co...

Practice culture matters when you are choosing where to work. The right studio is not just a name on a CV, it shapes the projects, people and opportunities around you. Stephen Drew speaks with Bronte Turner about HLW Architects, workplace design, international careers, AI, practice culture and what candidates should think about when researching architecture firms. The conversation covers: What HLW...

Part 4 is a useful way to talk about what happens after qualification: lifelong learning, specialism, leadership and the skills architects need as practice changes. Stephen Drew speaks with Neal Shasore, Head of School and Chief Executive at the London School of Architecture, about professional development, modular learning, heritage, practice knowledge and the future of architectural education. T...

Good engineering is central to sustainable architecture. It shapes how buildings stand up, how teams collaborate and how design decisions perform over time. Stephen Drew speaks with Chris Atkins of Symmetrys about structural and civil engineering, international career lessons, sustainability, landmark projects, AI and how architects and engineers can work together more effectively. The conversatio...

Generative design and AI tools are already changing how architecture professionals test ideas, produce options and think about workflows. Stephen Drew speaks with Keir from Arka Works about AI, generative design, automation, Autodesk Forma, student projects and how architecture professionals can use emerging tools without losing their own judgement. The conversation covers: How AI and generative t...

Recruitment consultants can help architecture professionals, but only when the process is honest, permission-led and actually useful to the candidate. Stephen Drew speaks with Matt Kirk about how architecture recruitment works, what good and bad recruiters do, how candidates should use agencies and where red flags appear in the job search. The conversation covers: What recruitment consultants actu...

BIM and built environment careers reward clear technical evidence, strong software awareness and the ability to explain what you actually contributed on a project. Stephen Drew speaks with Vanessa Cazaubon about BIM careers, architectural technology, career coaching, software skills, CVs, portfolios, interviews and how candidates can present themselves more clearly. The conversation covers: How BI...

Starting an architecture-related business can look appealing from the outside, but the reality is a mix of client work, delivery quality, cash flow, fixed costs and constant commercial decisions. Stephen Drew explores architecture and entrepreneurship, from apprenticeship routes and early business lessons to platforms, delivery models, outsourcing, fixed costs and the practical reality of building...

The metaverse has moved through hype, speculation and uncertainty, but spatial design still has a serious role to play in how virtual environments are built. Stephen Drew speaks with Sergey Nadtochiy of Dearch Space about architects working in the metaverse, virtual exhibitions, 3D product environments, Web3, platforms and what spatial designers can bring to online worlds. The conversation covers:...

Data centres are not just sheds full of server racks. They are complex, highly serviced, mission critical buildings that demand technical coordination, safety thinking and serious sector knowledge. Stephen Drew explores data centres and mission critical architecture, covering specialist project delivery, fire strategy, 3D coordination, recruitment, future demand and why more architecture professio...

Inclusive behaviour is not a side issue for architecture practices. It affects who joins the profession, who stays, how teams work and how design decisions are made. Stephen Drew speaks with Marsha Ramroop about cultural intelligence, inclusive behaviours, workplace culture, representation, defensiveness, listening and how inclusion connects directly to design and practice. The conversation covers...

Holbein Gardens shows how retrofit, circular economy thinking and smarter building technology can turn an existing office into a stronger sustainable workplace. Stephen Drew speaks with Pradumn Pamidighantam of Barr Gazetas about Holbein Gardens, retrofit, sustainability standards, circular economy, building technology, biodiversity and what candidates can learn from low-carbon workplace design. T...

AI is becoming part of architecture and interior design, but it still sits inside a wider process of brief, research, commercial reality and human judgement. Stephen Drew speaks with Antonio Quesada of Morpheus & Co about AI, branded residences, concept imagery, design panels, team culture, portfolios and the future of architecture and interior design. The conversation covers: How AI can suppo...

Effective leadership in architecture is not just about seniority. It is about enabling teams, helping clients make better decisions and creating the conditions for good work to happen. Stephen Drew speaks with Tania Ihlenfeld of Ede Enablers about leadership in architecture, project accountability, client communication and what professionals need to understand as they move into leadership roles. T...