Architecture Social

This archive live-show episode is a snapshot of Architecture Social's early community rhythm: design references, events, projects and informal industry chat. Stephen Drew and Will Ridgway discuss model making, international projects, Jeff Bezos' yacht, Boston Dynamics, D-Day landing craft restoration, MADCon events, gaming night and community updates. The conversation covers: Why physical model ma...

This archive conversation with Future Architects Front is still useful because many of the pressures around pay, hours, education and early-career architecture have not disappeared. Stephen Drew speaks with Charlie Edmonds from Future Architects Front about exploitation in architecture, unpaid overtime, the role of architectural assistants, education costs, RIBA, grassroots campaigning and the nee...

This archive Architecture Social Show episode opens February with the early mix of architecture news, community, events, project references, jobs and live-stream experimentation. Stephen Drew and Will Ridgway discuss BBC Radio London, architecture news, project references, Will's birthday, MADCon, community updates, job opportunities, awards, live-stream experiments and weekly reflections. The con...

This archive January review shows Architecture Social using a live-show format to connect design ideas, market mood, community updates and career opportunities. Stephen Drew and Will Ridgway discuss smart homes, compact living, drone footage, student projects, Minecraft, live jobs, FAB Architects, The Greenhouse, events and the industry mood in January 2021. The conversation covers: How smart-spac...

This BBC Radio London archive clip is useful because it explains Architecture Social outside the usual recruitment setting: community, careers, visibility and support for people in architecture. Rhael 'LionHeart' Cape speaks with Stephen Drew about Architecture Social, the impact of 2020, community, architecture careers, podcasting, motivation and why the platform was being built. The conversation...

This archive Architecture Social Show episode shows the early format at full speed: architecture news, career updates, community events and unscripted discussion. Stephen Drew and Will Ridgway discuss Tokyo's tallest skyscraper, The Line, virtual city tours, Building of the Week, community events, architecture jobs and Dungeons and Dragons. The conversation covers: How live architecture chat can m...

A BIM career in architecture is not just about knowing software. It is about sharing knowledge, understanding project information and helping other people work better. Stephen Drew speaks with Gavin Crump, the Aussie BIM Guru, about BIM careers, architecture, teaching, sharing knowledge, mentorship, programming, visualisation, Revit, industry standards, open source development and gaming. The conv...

Getting an architecture job in a tough market is not random. You need a system, a target list and enough application volume to create real chances. Stephen Drew explains how to find an architecture job during a tough market, including organising applications, using Airtable, applying proactively, learning from the 2009 recession, increasing application volume and finding hidden opportunities. The...

A good architecture portfolio is not the biggest file you can send. It is the clearest evidence that you can think, draw, design, communicate and contribute. Stephen Drew shares practical architecture portfolio advice, including portfolio length, first impressions, sample portfolios, project order, evidence, graphic design, spell-checking, PDF size and common mistakes that stop candidates getting...

Architecture industry culture is shaped by education, recognition, working habits, public responsibility and who gets heard. Stephen Drew speaks with Dr Liz Walder about architecture education, research, awards, gender imbalance, diversity, remote work, home offices, public safety, community and the future of Architecture Social. The conversation covers: How education and research shape confidence...

This archive Architecture Social Show episode works as a quick industry catch-up: architecture news, project chat, jobs, events and community conversation. Stephen Drew and Will Ridgway discuss market updates, railway stations, mental health, Brentford street art, BDP's community park, the Champs-Elysees, New York skyscrapers, live-streamed offices, events and jobs. The conversation covers: How pr...

This 2021 archive episode catches Architecture Social at the start of a new year: jobs, technology, events, CPD, Brexit and the professional mood after lockdown. Stephen Drew and Will Ridgway discuss architecture news, lockdown life, Foster and Partners' dancing robots, MVRDV, skyscrapers, modular buildings, job-market insights, healthcare roles, Brexit and community support. The conversation cove...

Architects who speak English as a second language can know exactly what they mean and still feel held back in meetings, presentations and written communication. Stephen Drew speaks with Tara Cull, founder of Archi English, about language confidence in architecture, communication, cultural differences, one-to-one coaching, online content, mentoring, remote work and presentations for non-native Engl...

BIM careers can get noisy. The practical question is whether your BIM work helps teams deliver better information, better decisions and better buildings. Stephen Drew speaks with Vaughan Harris, the Baron of BIM, about BIM standards, quantity surveying, data management, technical skills, Exceptional BIM, gamified learning, accountability, certificates and practical BIM career evidence. The convers...

A good architecture CV is not a design poster. It is a clear professional document that helps a practice understand your level, experience and direction quickly. Stephen Drew explains how to improve an architecture CV, covering common mistakes, design, layout, contact details, profile wording, project experience, education, skills, personal details, proofreading and supporting resources. The conve...

Architecture media matters when it creates space for honest professional conversation, not just polished project coverage. Stephen Drew speaks with Dolunay Dogahan, founder and editor of Involved Magazine, about architecture media, education, RIBA, early-career experiences, work cultures, long hours, gender disparities, wellbeing, positive change and getting involved. The conversation covers: Why...

Architecture student productivity is not about making a perfect dashboard. It is about building a system that helps you capture ideas, feedback, deadlines and portfolio evidence. Stephen Drew speaks with Sana Tabassum from to:scale about Archi Brain, Notion, productivity, architecture student resources, social media, LinkedIn, Instagram, networking, content creation, burnout, the MAD Collective an...

Quiet periods can be useful for an architecture job search, but only if you use them deliberately rather than filling every hour with panic. Stephen Drew shares 11 practical architecture job-search tips for using quiet time well, including SMART goals, organisation, CVs, portfolios, online presence, software, market research, community, rest and planning ahead. The conversation covers: How to rese...

Architecture job hunting as an international student is possible, but the search needs clarity around visa status, timing, evidence and employer expectations. Stephen Drew speaks with Donia Khafaga about architecture job hunting as an international student, visa challenges, mentorship, LinkedIn, proactive applications, recruitment, UK experience, opportunities in Egypt and staying persistent durin...

This archive return of the Architecture Social Show mixes architecture news, design links, job-market mood and the personality of a live community format. Stephen Drew and Will Ridgway discuss Christmas office life, working from home, Cyberpunk 2077, architecture news, RIBA benchmarking, Soviet cities, construction policy, Archi Brain, events and digital collaboration. The conversation covers: How...

Architecture careers rarely move in a perfect straight line. The useful parts often come from unusual projects, side opportunities and being able to explain what each experience taught you. Stephen Drew speaks with William Gains about architecture career routes, part-time study, work experience, architectural apprenticeships, Bowman Riley, electric car charging projects, Shell advertising, sustain...

Marketing and business development in architecture are not just support functions. They shape how a practice explains its work, finds opportunities and builds trust. Stephen Drew speaks with Alicia Yau about moving from architecture into recruitment, marketing and communications, PR agency work, client relationships, media relations, fees, valuing work and the business side of architecture. The co...

BIM implementation is not just a software decision. It needs leadership, patience and a clear link between models, teams and real construction outcomes. Stephen Drew speaks with Rene van Zwijndrecht about BIM implementation, architecture in South Africa and the UK, EPR Architects, Berkeley Modular, Revit adoption, modular construction, digital twins, industry standards and BIM career advice. The c...

CSR in architecture should be more than a paragraph on a practice website. Done well, it connects money, time, skills and visibility to causes that need built environment support. Stephen Drew speaks with David Murray from Article 25 about Giving Tuesday, humanitarian architecture, the impact of COVID-19 on charities, the Cornerstone CSR programme, global projects, volunteering, fundraising and ho...

Architecture careers are not only about portfolios, interviews and promotions. Sometimes people need confidential support with money, housing, mental health, redundancy or a crisis outside work. Stephen Drew hosts Tom Shore and Mark Thomas from Architects Benevolent Society for a special livestream about ABS support, its history, the impact of 2020, financial help, housing advice, mental health su...