Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture

Episode 036: Architecture, And: Robotics How are individuals using their training in architecture to explore diverse career paths? Continuing our on-going series “Architecture, And”, we invite Brian Ringley onto the show to discuss his role as a construction technologist at Boston Dynamics . Brian is part of the team developing Spot , an agile mobile robot that navigates terrain with unprecedented...

Episode 019: Architecture, And: Film How are individuals using their training in architecture to explore diverse career paths? Guest: Rebekah Bukhbinder Rebekah Bukbinder is an Art Director working in film and television. She has collaborated on notable productions including The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. A graduate of SciAr...

How can a deeper understanding of materials and a closer collaboration with builders reshape the way we design? In this special episode of Practice Disrupted, we spotlight a hidden gem for architects: the Architecture Center at the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). While AISC has long been a technical hub for engineers, the Architecture Center is working to change that perception, o...

What happens when the disruptors pause to reflect on the disruption? For the 200th episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee welcomes back a very special guest: her original co-creator and former co-host, Je’Nen Chastain. Five years after they launched the podcast to challenge the conventions of architectural practice, they reunite for a milestone conversation about how their paths have evolved, t...

How can architects build more equitable, accessible, and tech-forward tools for the profession? This week on Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee sits down with Niknaz Aftahi, architect, technologist, and founder of AEC+Tech, to explore how design and technology intersect, and how a background in architecture can lead to reimagining the future of AEC innovation. From early experiences with educational i...

How can architects build creative careers in the creator economy? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee speaks with Henry Gao, architect turned digital creator, educator, and founder of Draw With Gao, a platform that teaches architects and designers how to leverage iPad sketching as both a creative outlet and a new revenue stream. Henry’s path offers a rare glimpse into how an architec...

How can virtual architecture expand the role of the architect? In this week’s episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee talks with Ryan Scavnicky, better known as Scav, about the future of architectural education, immersive digital environments, and redefining what it means to design space. As the Assistant Professor at Marywood University and creator of its new Bachelor of Virtual Architecture (B...

How can architects redefine experience through storytelling and space? This week on Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee talks with Kate Aoki, architect, educator, and founding partner of Golden Egg Creative, to explore how designers can blend architecture, storytelling, and community to create immersive, intentional experiences. With a career path that’s taken her through fine arts, museum design, arch...

How does a personal passion project become the world's largest archive for modernist residential design? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee sits down with George Smart, founder and CEO of USModernist, to explore how a personal interest blossomed into a vital national resource for architecture enthusiasts and professionals alike. George's journey takes us from a late-night internet s...

How can architects build better relationships with materials - and each other? In this episode of Practice Disrupted , Evelyn Lee sits down with Nima Balasubramanian, Director of Architecture at the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), to explore how architects can deepen their material knowledge, challenge industry norms, and find joy in alternative career paths. Nima’s story takes us...

How can architecture build dignity, belonging, and home? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee sits down with Rochelle Mills, President and CEO of Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO), to explore how architecture and development intersect with justice, memory, and transformation. Rochelle’s story weaves together the worlds of design, cultural tourism, housing equity, and personal gri...

How can radical transparency redefine leadership in architecture? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee reconnects with Robert Yuen, CEO and co-founder of Monograph, to explore what he calls radical transparency - a bold leadership approach that challenges firm owners to rethink how they share information, build trust, and lead with clarity. Drawing on his experience building a tech co...

How can mid-career architects redesign their lives around joy and curiosity? In this episode of Practice Disrupted , Evelyn Lee talks with Clarence Kwan, an architect-turned-entrepreneur who spent three decades building a career in architecture and tech before pivoting to launch his own lifestyle concierge business, CK Curated. Together, they explore Clarence’s transition from corporate life to cr...

What does it truly mean to run a regenerative business, not just design regenerative buildings? In this episode of Practice Disrupted , Evelyn Lee sits down with Matthew Broderick, President and CEO of Ashley McGraw Architects, Susanne Angarano, Principal at Ashley McGraw and Founder of Vaysen Studio, and Josie Plaut, Associate Director of the Institute for the Built Environment at Colorado State...

How can architects shape cities through public service? In this episode of Practice Disrupted , Evelyn Lee sits down with Rico Quirindongo, Director of the Office of Planning and Community Development for the City of Seattle. After spending 27 years in architectural practice, Rico transitioned into civic leadership, where he now influences urban policy and planning at a citywide scale. His journey...

How can storytelling empower women in architecture? In this episode of Practice Disrupted , Evelyn Lee talks with Jadyn Anderson about the power of storytelling and advocacy in architecture. As a Master of Architecture student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and junior designer at Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Jadyn is deeply invested in fostering community and representation within th...

How a non-technical founder built a tech solution to transform material selection for architects. In the latest episode of Practice Disrupted , Evelyn Lee sits down with Vardhan Mehta, co-founder of AceLab, an AI-powered platform transforming how architects research and specify building materials. Vardhan shares his journey from practicing architect to tech entrepreneur, the inefficiencies he saw...

How can AI transform knowledge sharing and efficiency in architecture? In the latest episode of Practice Disrupted , Evelyn Lee explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping workflows in architecture firms. She is joined by Emily Lotterer, National Marketing Operations Leader at CannonDesign, and Joel Yow, Director of Digital Products, to discuss the firm’s AI-powered tool, Billie. Designed as...

How can hip hop and architecture create a more inclusive future? In this episode of Practice Disrupted , Evelyn Lee sits down with Michael Ford, architect, entrepreneur, and founder of the Hip Hop Architecture Camp. Known as "The Hip Hop Architect," Michael has dedicated his career to increasing diversity in architecture by using hip-hop as a tool for education, storytelling, and activism. The con...

How can firms rethink leadership to create more equitable career paths? In this episode of Practice Disrupted , we explore a new approach to leadership development in architecture with the team from FIFTEEN Architecture & Design. Firm founders and team members share how they’ve challenged traditional hierarchies by implementing a flexible, inclusive leadership model that prioritizes mentorship...

How does an architectural background shape a career in creative direction? Architecture teaches more than just how to design buildings—it shapes the way we see, think, and create. In this episode of Practice Disrupted , Evelyn Lee sits down with Obiekwe "Obi" Okolo, a Nigerian-American photographer, multimedia artist, and creative director at Bittersweet Creative, to explore how his design educati...

How can small architecture firms innovate for a sustainable future? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, we sit down with Carina Coel, Founder and Principal Architect of Restructure Studio, and Alexandra Chaves, Project Manager at the firm. Together, they share how their firm balances custom and pre-designed home offerings, embraces flexible work models, and fosters leadership in architecture. W...

Reflections on podcasting, leadership, and the future of the profession. Season 10 of Practice Disrupted begins with a twist as host Evelyn Lee shares the microphone with special guest Michele Grace Hottel, architect, advocate, and host of I’ve Never Met a Woman Architect Before . Together, they reflect on the growth of their podcasts, the evolving profession, and the personal stories that shaped...

How do you rethink a career in architecture to get unstuck? Guest: Laura Weiss Founder at Design Diplomacy As a professional coach, facilitator, mediator, and consultant, Laura Weiss helps creative leaders engage in powerful conversations that drive change. A former licensed architect, Laura spent a decade with the global design firm IDEO as a Practice Director and Associate Partner. An expert in...

In this episode of Practice Disrupted, we begin to explore technology as a disruptor to the industry of architectural practice. Guest: Nels Long, Co-Founding Director of RotoLab  Nels Long (SCI-Arc ’14) is a designer, strategist and educator with a passion for projects that seek to improve the world through a relationship between technology and the built environment. As an Associate Principal...