Archispeak Podcast

In this episode, join Evan and Cormac as they reminisce about unique road trips, discuss the importance of taking time off, and share plans for exciting summer adventures. Discover why it's essential to leave the office, explore new destinations, and enrich your life with meaningful experiences.-----Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com...

Join us in this episode as we recount our time at the 2024 AIA Conference on Architecture recently held in Washington DC. We highlight the travel, keynote speakers, the expo hall, the incredible museums, and the architectural community.Episode Links:Mecanoo and OTJ Architects complete renovation of Mies van der Rohe's Martin Luther King Jr Memorial LibrarySteven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (the oth...

Archispeak welcomes Scott Selzer, CEO of StruXure, and Scott Smith, CEO of Bromic Heating, to discuss the evolution, current state, and innovations in building products, specifically focusing on outdoor heaters and pergolas. In this episode we talk about these building products in both residential and commercial projects and how they enhance outdoor living spaces. Scott and Scott share their uniqu...

In this episode, we use a critical analysis of Radiohead’s ‘In Rainbows’ album as a jumping-off point to discuss the parallels between creating music and buildings, including the management of client expectations, budget constraints, and the value of documenting the design process.Episode Links:Dissect podcast: Radiohead’s ‘In Rainbows’In Rainbows: From the Basement (YouTube)-----Thank you f...

Cormac is on a new project. In this episode we explore the complexities of working with historic buildings and the nuances of adaptive reuse projects. We discuss the importance of accurate documentation, the impact of technology in documenting existing conditions, and the implications of design decisions on future use of the building through the negotiation between preserving history and accommoda...

In this episode of the Archispeak podcast, Thomas Ventura of Gensler joins us to talk about evolving expectations in office and outdoor space design, influenced by sustainability trends and the need for adaptable, multi-use spaces in response to changing client needs and environmental responsibilities.We talk about Gensler's massive scale as a firm, boasting close to 7,000 employees and over 50 of...

In this episode of Archispeak, Jon Baker shares his unique journey to becoming an architect and discusses the different pathways to licensure offered by NCARB. The conversation covers the importance of licensure, initiatives like the IPAL program, and the need for practical experience to be integrated with education. Jon tackles criticisms and emphasizes the role of licensure in expanding career o...

In this episode of the Archispeak podcast, Je’Nen Chastain, founder of Apostrophe Consulting, joins us to discuss the shifts and challenges in the realm of architectural practice and running a successful firm, emphasizing leadership, business management, mentorship, and the need for adaptability within organizations. Je’Nen also touches on her personal challenges and professional evolution, the im...

The Archispeak University (AU) series provides educational content for architects and designers.In this episode of the Archispeak podcast, Primo Orpilla, Principal and Owner of O+A Architecture, shares his extensive experience in workplace design, tracing his experiences in the evolution of office spaces over the last 30 years.Starting his career during a challenging period, Primo talks about how...

In this episode, Michael Ermann of Amber Book and Virginia Tech joins us as we tackle the topic of architectural internships – both for those seeking and for the firms providing them.We kick off by sharing our early internship experiences and comparing them to modern practices. We discuss the treatment of internships as a scarce resource by many architectural firms and its impact on the industry a...

In this episode, podcaster Enoch Sears joins us to do a deep dive into the evolution of architectural podcasting over the last 12 years, the challenges and triumphs of running an architecture practice, and the importance of adopting a business mindset in order to run a successful practice.Episode Links:Enoch on LinkedInEnoch on InstagramBusiness of Architecture website-----Thank you for listening...

We discuss Australia's 'Right to Disconnect' law, which aims to protect employees from having to engage in work-related communications outside of work hours, and the implications for both workers and companies. We get into the challenges and inefficiencies of modern work environments, including constant connectivity, the impact of email, and how technology has both helped and worsened work-life ba...

The Archispeak University (AU) series provides educational content for architects and designers.In this episode, Sara Schneider of TCA Architects joins us to talk about design trends in multi-family and mixed use project types.Sara is a veteran in the interior design field with a 20-year background, predominantly in hospitality, now focusing on multifamily residential projects with a mixed-use asp...

In this episode, we talk about the things we do where we are so “in the zone” that we completely lose track of time. We also talk about the importance of failing as part of the learning process, the idea of the ‘flow state’, and how this can be achieved when deeply engaged in problem solving. We also touch on the notion of self-doubt and imposter syndrome and the importance of intrinsic motivation...

In this episode, Cormac reflects on the challenges, memories, and learnings from his most successful and intense project. He shares the story of the EO Wilson Biophilia Center in Florida which he compares to 'jazz' due to the ensemble of different ideas, skills, and experiences that came together to create something harmonious. We also explore our experiences with difficult projects, budgets, and...

In this episode of Archispeak, we discuss the overwhelming volume of emails we receive and the culture of "ASAP" that often accompanies it.We reflect on the time-consuming nature of emails and question how firm leadership would react if they knew how much time their employees spend managing their inboxes.The conversation then shifts to the topic of boundaries in the workplace and the struggle to m...

In this episode, Cormac tells us a story from the Army which sparks a discussion of various experiences on renovation and remodel projects which brings to light the meaning of the term “unforeseen conditions”. Episode SponsorChaosEnscape is soon launching something special that will make your 3D workflow the best 3D workflow for a special price. In the meantime, you can experience it for you...

In this episode we start off by acknowledging the 12th birthday of the Archispeak podcast. Our first episode titled “That Ah-ha Moment” was published on February 3, 2013 and we don’t recommend listening to it! Then we explore the potential of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in architectural practices and talk about how these technologies could revolutionize the way archit...

We discuss Cormac’s snow shoveling incident and then go deep into talking about work-life balance and how architects often struggle with this, and what it means to truly be an architect. We further discuss the impact of emerging technology on architecture, particularly regarding the impending release of Apple’s Vision Pro headset.We also explore the industry’s work culture, explore some intital th...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of details in architectural designs, highlight the influence of technology and BIM on architectural drawings and the art of detailing, and reflect on past experiences, including learning from old architectural manuals and dive into architectural design philosophy and practices.Episode Links:Pocket Ref by Thomas Glover (Amazon)Desk Ref by Thomas...

The Archispeak University (AU) series introduces educational content for architects and designers. In this episode, Danny Wang of Danny Wang Design joins us to discuss new trends in custom residential design and construction, particularly focusing on the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces made possible with his turnkey design build service and some unique building products in the outdoor hea...

We all know architects work hard. Some work way too hard. In this episode, we discuss Cormac’s self-proclaimed workaholism and what he’s going to do about it in 2024. Episode Links:Architizer: New Year, New You? 8 Inspirational Resolutions for Architects in 2024-----Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.Support Archispeak by making a d...

Main topic: Evan leads us in an AI workshop.As we finish off 2023, we discuss the final printed Architect Magazine, the old ways of hoarding imagery for project inspiration in 3-ring binders, the demise of paper periodicals, what it was like when we could actually remember and recall information from our own memory, our strategy for passing the ARE’s, and then Evan leads us in an AI workshop with...

Cormac gets more CEU’s bringing his HSW count to Jedi levels, Evan visits Las Vegas for the Autodesk University conference and gives a full report, and they compare and contrast AU to the AIA National Conference on Architecture.Episode linksAutodesk University-----Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com

In this episode we discuss a bit of site seeing, we discuss what not to say—even if it's too late—when visiting someone’s project house and they ask for your opinion. Let’s face it, they don’t “really” want to know your opinion even if as an architect you have lots of them. We reflect on the 1-year anniversary of Evan’s move to Oregon, his early homesteading days, and his luck in not going the way...