Architecture Social

Architecture can still feel hard to enter, especially for students, overseas professionals and early-career people without the right networks, money, experience or confidence. Stephen Drew speaks with Laurence Richards and Joe Maguire about barriers to entry in architecture, including education, salaries, work experience, technical skills, portfolios, diversity and the practical changes that could...

Augmented and mixed reality can sound like hype, but they raise useful questions for architecture: how people see information, test space, share models and interact with design. Stephen Drew speaks with James Lee Burgess about augmented reality, mixed reality, architecture, HoloLens, Unity, Revit models, NFTs, accessibility, upskilling and where immersive tools may fit in built environment work. T...

Architecture practice websites often look polished but fail to explain who the practice is for, what it does well and why a client, collaborator or candidate should care. Stephen Drew speaks with Bryon McCartney about architecture practice websites, content, positioning, SEO, social media, personal branding and how practices can communicate value more clearly online. The conversation covers: Why m...

Co-living sits between housing, hospitality, community and urban design. The design challenge is not just the private room, but how shared space and resident experience work together. Stephen Drew speaks with David Drews of Node Living about co-living architecture, shared amenities, flexible living, urban community, operations and what designers can learn from modern city living models. The conver...

The future of work in architecture is not only about where people sit. It is about trust, flexibility, inclusion, collaboration and how practices adapt to changing expectations. Stephen Drew speaks with Evelyn Lee about workplace strategy, flexible working, inclusion, agile teams, connected practice, technology and what architecture studios can learn from wider changes in the world of work. The co...

Architecture careers in the Gulf can be attractive, but candidates need to understand the market properly before making assumptions about salary, lifestyle, qualifications and practice culture. Stephen Drew speaks with Andy Shaw about architecture careers in the Gulf, including Dubai practice, relocation, salaries, job applications, Revit, regional differences, lifestyle and what candidates should...

Metaverse architecture becomes more interesting when it moves beyond spectacle and starts to answer a commercial question: who pays, what is built and what value does the space create? Stephen Drew speaks with Matheus Stancati of Sunken Blimp about metaverse architecture as a business, including virtual showrooms, events, client work, behaviour data, community, design affordance and the bridge bet...

GLAM shows how popular culture, fashion and architecture can open doors for young people who might not otherwise see the built environment as a place for them. Stephen Drew speaks with Neil Pinder about GLAM Goes Global, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Architecture and Me, widening access, school outreach, wearable architectures, role models and how young creatives can find a way into architecture and desig...

The future of work in architecture is not one thing. For candidates, it often comes down to role, salary, hours, logistics, culture and whether a practice supports development properly. Stephen Drew discusses how architecture professionals can think about future work decisions, including salaries, job titles, hours, personal development, company culture, logistics and how to compare opportunities...

Mentoring in architecture can change how students and early-career professionals understand their options, build confidence and get practical feedback when they need it most. Stephen Drew speaks with Dhruv Gulabchande about architecture mentoring, Narrative Practice, design reviews, workshops, students, Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 support, access, representation, confidence and practical advice for...

Architecture school can feel like a whirlwind. A clear set of prompts, habits and reminders can help students think through projects with more confidence. Stephen Drew speaks with Jacob Peplow about Points to Consider, his handbook for students of architecture, including design projects, guidance notes, study habits, academic development and practical ideas for getting more from architecture schoo...

Finding an architecture job should not feel harder than doing the job itself. Poor search, stale adverts, hidden salaries and clumsy forms all create friction for candidates. Stephen Drew discusses why many architecture job boards and recruiter websites frustrate candidates, including poor search, outdated roles, hidden salaries, repetitive data capture and what a better job search experience shou...

The metaverse raises a practical question for architecture: if people are gathering, working and experiencing branded environments online, what role should architects and designers play? Stephen Drew discusses the role of architects in the metaverse with Shajay Bhooshan and Andrei Dolnikov, covering computational design, visualisation, digital spaces, virtual communities, NFTs and how architecture...

Architectural photography is one of the clearest examples of an alternative career path connected to architecture, combining spatial understanding, storytelling and business development. Stephen Drew speaks with Chris Hopkinson about moving from architecture into architectural photography, building a portfolio, winning work, understanding buildings and creating a career around visual storytelling....

Business development can sound like jargon, but for architecture practices it is really about relationships, visibility, trust and finding better-fit work. Stephen Drew speaks with Tyler Suomala about business development in architecture, marketing language, online profile, client relationships and why BD matters for practices that want stronger, more sustainable work. The conversation covers: Wha...

Moving client-side can be appealing for architects and architecture professionals, but the applications need to be positioned properly if they are going to make the shortlist. Stephen Drew speaks with Stephen Glands about moving from architecture into a developer or main contractor, including applications, transferable skills, salary pressures, shortlists, positioning and mistakes candidates shoul...

Leaving architecture does not mean throwing away your education. The harder part is learning how to translate the value of that training into another field. Stephen Drew speaks with Jake Rudin and Erin Pellegrino of Out of Architecture about leaving architecture, transferable skills, career consulting, architecture education, moving into other industries and how to use design training beyond pract...

Leaving architecture for art can sound risky, but creative careers are rarely linear. The useful question is how someone turns a side path into a serious body of work. Stephen Drew speaks with David Horgan about leaving architecture to become a successful artist, self-taught painting, storytelling, social commentary, exhibitions, studio practice and what it takes to build a creative career outside...

Architectural technology is a serious career route in the built environment, combining technical knowledge, construction understanding and practical delivery. Stephen Drew speaks with Joe Healey about careers across construction and architectural technology, working as a senior architectural technologist, global practice experience, NBS Specification, relocation and advice for building a career in...

Feeling underpaid and overworked in architecture is not rare, but a career decision made in frustration can still be a bad decision. The useful move is to understand your options properly. Stephen Drew discusses salary pressure, long hours, alternative careers, transferable skills, cost of living, side income and how architecture professionals can think clearly before making a move. The conversati...

Content creation can help architecture professionals build visibility, but it can also become a distraction if it is not handled with intent. Stephen Drew speaks with Thomas Rowntree about architecture content creation, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Reels, building an audience, balancing content with professional work and whether content creation can support an architecture career. The conversatio...

Unionisation in architecture raises difficult but important questions about work, pay, culture, ethics and how people in the profession organise for change. Stephen Drew hosts an open discussion with UVW-SAW about unionising architecture, including overwork, underpay, unstable employment, toxic workplace culture, university culture, discrimination, ethical practice and collective action. The conve...

Graphic design and branding can change how people understand a building, place or practice before they even step inside it. Stephen Drew speaks with Chris Ritter of C-90 about graphic design and branding in the built environment, visual identity, culture, client communication, creative agencies and how branding can enhance architectural projects. The conversation covers: Why graphic design matters...

The cost of living crisis has real consequences for architectural students, professionals and their families. Knowing where to ask for help matters. Stephen Drew speaks with the Architects Benevolent Society about financial pressure, energy bills, confidential advice, support and how architectural students, professionals and families can access help during difficult periods. The conversation cover...

Metaverse architecture asks whether spatial design skills still matter when the environment is virtual rather than physical. Stephen Drew speaks with Michel Vieira and Leonardo Marchesi of Decent Architecture about designing virtual spaces, applying physical-world architecture experience and what immersive environments may mean for the profession. The conversation covers: How architects can approa...