Architecture Social

Architecture content now sits between drawing, social media, AI tools, authorship and the very human need for ideas that feel considered and original. Stephen Drew speaks with Hamza Shaikh about architectural drawing, social media, AI, ethics, image generation, education, practice and how architects can use digital tools without turning design into a commodity. The conversation covers: How drawing...

Public practice gives architecture and urban design professionals a different way to shape places, communities and policy from inside local authorities. Stephen Drew explores the move from private studios into local authority work, covering Public Practice, regeneration, council structures, community-led delivery and how architects can create impact in the public sector. The conversation covers: H...

Community practice can mean more than designing buildings. Sometimes it means running spaces, taking commercial risk and staying close to the people who use the work every day. Stephen Drew speaks with Mark Sciberras of Common Ground Workshop about architecture, community, running a cafe, acting as developer and client, mentoring and the reality of building a practice with local impact. The conver...

Networking in architecture can feel awkward, but in-person events remain one of the most useful ways to build confidence, meet collaborators and understand the wider industry. Stephen Drew speaks with Daniel K Poku-Davies about the London architecture scene, networking, events, diversity, professional relationships and why showing up can make a real difference to a career. The conversation covers:...

Architectural illustration can make buildings feel playful, memorable and human. It sits between drawing, storytelling, place and character. Stephen Drew speaks with Augustine Coll about architectural illustration, turning buildings into characters, AI, animation, creative routes and how illustrators can build a recognisable voice around the built environment. The conversation covers: How architec...

Representation in architecture affects who feels welcome, who stays and who sees a future for themselves in the profession. Stephen Drew speaks with Savannah Williams of POC in Architecture about representation, black architects, imposter syndrome, practice culture, institutions, community and how the industry can better support people of colour. The conversation covers: Why POC in Architecture wa...

A strong architecture portfolio is not just a collection of nice sheets. It has to help an employer understand your level, judgement, technical ability and relevance quickly. Stephen Drew gives a practical portfolio bootcamp for architecture professionals, covering project choice, structure, professional work, technical evidence, file size, interviews and how to make a portfolio easier for practic...

An architecture CV needs to be clear before it is clever. Employers need to understand who you are, where you are, what level you are and why your experience is relevant. Stephen Drew gives a practical CV and resume bootcamp for architecture professionals, covering layout, clarity, role evidence, software skills, references, awards and how to make applications easier for employers to assess. The c...

Built environment technology roles can give BIM-minded architecture professionals a different career path beyond traditional practice. Stephen Drew speaks with Rob Wood and Sarah from Glider about digital careers, BIM, information management, remote working, company culture and what it is like to work inside a built environment technology company. The conversation covers: How BIM experience can le...

Hiring disabled employees is not charity. Done properly, it is a practical route to better talent, better working cultures and a stronger business. Stephen Drew speaks with Jane Hatton about disability inclusion, workplace adjustments, flexible working, inclusive recruitment, disabled talent and how architecture practices can become more accessible and effective employers. The conversation covers:...

AI in architecture is useful when it gives designers better evidence, sharper options and clearer ways to test a decision. It becomes weak when it is treated as a magic answer or a replacement for judgement. Stephen Drew speaks with Steven Charlton of I/O Atelier about AI in architecture and design, including data-led creativity, geospatial information, client communication, public datasets, early...

AI is already influencing architecture through images, text, prompts, concept testing and new communities of designers experimenting with serious workflows. Stephen Drew speaks with Amir Noori about AI in architecture, Midjourney, ChatGPT, visualisation, feasibility work, prompts, recruitment, communities and how architects can use AI without treating it as a gimmick. The conversation covers: How...

Architecture needs strong visual communication. Websites, graphic design, typography and presentation all shape how a practice, project or portfolio is understood. Stephen Drew speaks with Adam Tarasewicz about web and graphic design for architecture, visual identity, practice websites, research, portfolios and how design communication supports built environment work. The conversation covers: How...

Technology and AI are changing the built environment, but the useful question is not whether tools are impressive. It is where they save time, improve thinking and create better professional judgement. Stephen Drew speaks with Jordan Harris about AI, generative design, BIM, visualisation, coding, the metaverse and the skills architecture professionals need as technology becomes part of everyday pr...

Urban design and landscape architecture careers sit close to architecture, but they bring different scales, tools, stakeholders and ways of thinking about places. Stephen Drew speaks with Liezel Du Preez of City Design People about finding jobs in urban design and landscape architecture, career routes, portfolios, drawing, local government, developers and how candidates can tell clearer project st...

Practice culture, transport expertise, sustainability and delegation all shape what it feels like to work at an architecture studio over the long term. Stephen Drew speaks with Chris Williamson about Weston Williamson + Partners, transport-led design, sustainability, office culture, delegation, career advice and the importance of enthusiasm and lifelong learning. The conversation covers: How trans...

This archive episode captures the Just Transition Lobby Hustings 2023, a live discussion around RIBA elections, representation, climate action, education and the future priorities of the profession. Stephen Drew and the panel discuss associate representation, fair pay, sustainability, EDI, education, professional institutions and what Architecture Social's role can be in opening up conversations a...

AI in architecture is not just about fast images or clever prompts. It raises practical questions about design judgement, clients, portfolios, education and how people use new tools with purpose. Stephen Drew speaks with Nathalie Rozencwajg of NAME Architecture about ChatGPT, Midjourney, visual production, client expectations, architecture education and what candidates and practices should underst...

Moving from architecture into real estate can look like a big leap, but design thinking, communication and commercial awareness all matter inside development teams. Stephen Drew speaks with Richard Carr, Design Director at Landsec, about moving from architecture into real estate, leading design from the client side, working with consultants and building a career that connects creativity with comme...

Studio culture can make or break a job. Candidates need to know how to read the signs before joining, and practices need to understand what people actually experience day to day. Stephen Drew speaks with Julia Nicholls about finding the right fit with studio culture, including leadership, transparency, mentoring, inclusion, wellbeing, CPD, social life, salary and how to ask better questions during...

Film can explain architecture in ways drawings and still images often cannot. It can show atmosphere, sequence, use, story and emotion in a form people understand quickly. Stephen Drew speaks with Khizr Studio about architectural film, storytelling, animation, social video, subtitles, AI tools and how moving image can help students, practices and clients understand design ideas. The conversation c...

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...