Life of an Architect: Recent Episodes
Bob Borson and Andrew Hawkins
A gifted storyteller communicating the role and value of architecture to a new audience, host Bob Borson uses the experiences acquired over a 25-year career to inform his podcast. It responds to the public’s curiosity and common misunderstanding about what architects do and how it is relevant to people’s lives, engaging a wide demographic of people in a meaningful way without requiring an understanding of the jargon or knowledge of the history of the profession. With a creative mix of humor and practicality, Borson’s stories are informative, engaging, and approachable, using first-person narratives and anecdotes that have introduced transparency into what it really means to be a practicing architect.
Ep 200: Hate to Love You looks back at favorite episodes, hard lessons, great guests, and the conversations that made this podcast worth your time from day one.
Ep 199: Conflict Resolution explores how architects manage tension, stay useful under pressure, and move hard conversations toward better outcomes.
Ep 198: The Creative Process | Why creativity in architecture depends on process, judgment, and knowing which ideas are worth pursuing
Ep197: The Knowledge Gap: As veteran architects retire, the profession risks losing hard-won knowledge, mentorship, and judgment no handbook can replace.
Ep 196: Do Architects Retire explores why architects work longer, what comes next, identity shifts, and how money choices that shape retirement options.
Designing Your Own House explores why architects hesitate to design their own homes: pressure, endless choices, ego vs livability, money, and what it reveals.
Being your own boss isn’t about starting a firm. It’s about control, momentum, money, and owning the tradeoffs shaping your career long before you noticed.
Ep 193: The Client Experience, looks at why client relationships feel adversarial and why architects have more control than they think.
Have a Plan is a reflective conversation about why pausing to think matters and how intention can help you move off square one this year.
Architects ask the questions they actually want answered as Bob and Andrew dig into careers, practice, and the occasional absurdity.
The Truth about Titles explores why architectural titles matter, why they don’t, and how their meaning shifts over the course of a career.
Discover the ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Architects – curated picks, tools, and books that every designer will actually want to unwrap this season.
s Perspective: The biggest adjustment I had to make when I joined a larger firm was learning how defined the roles were. In my previous offices, I did everything from concept design to field coordination, and while that breadth came with its challenges, it also gave me control and continuity. If I wasn’t there, things waited on me, which at the time felt like both a burden and a compliment. At BOKA Powell, the structure was completely different. Project Designers, Project Architects, and Project Managers all had distinct responsibilities, and understanding who handled what took time. The process wasn’t less collaborative, but it was more specialized. That specialization made the machine efficient, but it also meant I had to learn to trust people to do the work I had always done myself. It was harder than I expected.The pace was another shock. I probably shouldn’t have been surprised by the difference between an office of eight and one with a hundred, but it still caught me off guard. I had to figure out which decisions required collaboration and which I could make on my own. Even as a principal, there was an invisible line between what was mine to solve and what needed higher approval. That took patience to learn. The larger the organization, the more the success of one person depends on everyone else being aligned, and that coordination takes time. Once I began to understand the rhythm of how information moved through the office, I started to see how scale itself can become a design constraint - not just a logistical one, but a creative one too.Adapting to that new rhythm meant rethinking how I approached design. The team dynamic was different, the process was different, and even the codes were different. At times I felt like I had the practical value of someone five years out of school. I had plenty of experience as a leader and communicator, but the act of being an architect was distinct at this scale. The confidence I once had in high-end residential work didn’t automatically transfer to commercial projects. It took more time, more collaboration, and more humility. The details I used to solve instinctively now required layers of coordination across disciplines....
Architects explore the stories behind objects of design that remind us why design matters — revealing creativity, purpose, and meaning in everyday things.
Every rule was made to be broken, except in architecture, where even the act of breaking rules seems to come with its own set of rules. Modernism promised liberation from the past, but it quickly wrote its own commandments into the story—flat roofs, open plans, white walls, and exposed structure became the expected vocabulary. A movement that arrived as rebellion soon carried the weight of convention, and those conventions still shape how we design and judge buildings today. This week, Andrew and I are taking a closer look at the commandments of Modernism—where they came from, why they matter, and what they mean for the way we practice now. Welcome to Episode 186: The Rules of Modernism. [Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] If you are interested in seeing just a few of the houses I mentioned on the podcast, you can see them listed on the Realtor.com (here and here are just a few of them)The Roots of Modernism jump to 6:30Modern architecture did not emerge in a vacuum. It was a response to seismic shifts in society, technology, and culture that took place in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Industrialization had transformed the way people lived, cities were expanding at unprecedented rates, and new materials like steel, reinforced concrete, and large sheets of plate glass were suddenly available to architects. These inventions were not simply practical tools, they were symbols of a new age. Architects began to ask why they should keep designing buildings that looked like medieval castles or classical temples when the world around them had become faster, lighter, and more efficient. The very idea of progress seemed incompatible with copying the past, and so Modernism positioned itself as the architecture of a new century - an architecture that would represent industry, rationality, and optimism for the future.This rejection of the past was more than an aesthetic preference, it was a manifesto. Ornament was not just unnecessary, it was cast as dishonest and wasteful. Historical references were treated as evidence of cultural stagnation. In their place, Modernists put forward ideas of functional clarity, open planning, and structural honesty. The promise was bold: architecture would no longer serve as a backdrop for tradition, it would become a tool for shaping a better society. Housing would be healthier, cities would be more efficient, and design would finally align with the realities of modern life. It was not only about how buildings looked, but about how they could transform the way people lived … and that is why the roots of Modernism matter to this conversation. The movement began as a radical break from the architectural traditions that came before it, yet it also established a new set of values that quickly hardened into conventions of their own. Before we can explore the “rules” of Modern design, we need to understand the cultural and historical conditions that gave rise to them. Only then can we appreciate the irony that a movement born from revolution became one of the most codified design languages of the twentieth century.By the time Modernism had established itself internationally, the movement that began as rebellion had already created its own set of unwritten rules. Architects may not have published them in a single manifesto, but they were understood all the same. You could look at a building and know whether it was ‘Modern’ or not, based on a handful of essential qualities. These rules were never carved into stone, yet they became the code that defined the movement for decades. To understand Modern design, and to really grasp how it operates, we need to lay out those unspoken commandments - the ideas that quietly dictate what belongs inside the Modernist tradition and what falls outside of it.The Ten Commandments of Modernism jump to 13:42Modernism never published a rulebook,
It’s one thing to be busy and another to be productive – and most of us are far better at the first than the second. The reality is that architects live in a world of deadlines, meetings, and endless to-do lists, but somehow there’s always time to check Instagram, rearrange your desktop icons, or spend twenty minutes deciding which playlist will help you focus before actually doing the work. Procrastination has a way of disguising itself as “just five more minutes” until suddenly tomorrow is looking a lot worse than today. This week, Andrew and I are taking a closer look at procrastination – why it happens, how it disrupts even the best-laid plans, and what you can actually do to keep it from derailing your work. Welcome to Episode 185: Procrastination: Today’s Problems Tomorrow. [Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] The Struggle is Real jump to 4:09Procrastination is not about a lack of discipline or effort, it is more like a default response that shows up once the to-do list starts outpacing the hours in the day. Think of it as that urge to tidy up your inbox, check social media one more time, or find anything else to do besides the one task that really matters. It is less about bad intent and more about a short-term survival instinct. I would not describe myself as someone who avoids work, but I can admit there are times when I put things off until there is no other choice, and I suspect that puts me in the same company as most people reading this.There is research that connects personality traits with procrastination, and some of it feels uncomfortably familiar when applied to architects. People who score high in conscientiousness usually do well in professional settings, but that same trait often brings with it a strong tendency toward perfectionism. When you are wired to want things done at a very high level, it can be easy to delay getting started until you believe conditions are “just right.” The irony is that the higher the standard, the harder it becomes to begin, and procrastination finds a perfect opening. Other personality studies using Myers-Briggs categories found that INTP (Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, Perception) types were among the highest procrastinators. Those individuals tend to be analytical, independent, and comfortable living in their heads, which can be useful qualities for architects, but those same strengths can also create a pattern of putting things off. When you are wired to keep analyzing and refining your ideas, starting the work can feel less urgent than thinking about it just a little longer.There is another angle to consider, which is that procrastination can actually act as a coping mechanism. Psychologists describe it as a form of avoidance, but not always in a destructive sense. Putting something off can create short-term relief, and that breathing space can sometimes be what allows a person to function in the moment. The problem is that the stress does not go away, it simply accumulates and grows heavier with time. For some people, that mounting pressure even becomes the fuel they rely on to finally act, which is why procrastination is not only common but oddly effective for those who claim they “work best under pressure.”Architects are Busy jump to 16:03a look at my weekly calendar for the time we recorded today's podcast episodeProcrastination is not always about laziness, and more often than not it shows up as the result of overload. Nobody in this profession plans to avoid their responsibilities, but when the day fills up with meetings, deadlines, and emails, something is going to slip. That delay might look small in the moment, like moving one task to tomorrow’s list, but it still qualifies as procrastination. It is not intentional avoidance, it is triage, and triage always comes with consequences. Architects are especially vulnerable to this because so much of our time is spent in coordination mode,...
The Architect as Brand explores how personal reputation and firm identity collide, coexist, and shape modern architectural practice.
Architectural career tips meet life lessons in a conversation about balancing professional success with being a genuinely good person. This is Tips for being an Architect and a Good Person.
Discover how AI tools are transforming architecture, from design and research to workflow efficiency, and shaping the future of practice.
How leadership behavior shapes culture, trust, and growth - why people mirror what leaders model, and how influence is built through everyday actions.
The phrase “it’s just a small project” has probably caused more confusion, blown more budgets, and strained more relationships than we’d care to admit. It sounds harmless, maybe even charming - the architectural equivalent of a quick favor. But that phrase carries weight. Because behind every modest addition, bathroom remodel, or garage conversion is the same professional rigor we apply to larger work … just without the benefit of scale. Whether it’s fees that don’t shrink as expected, construction costs that defy logic, or clients caught off guard by the number of decisions they’ll need to make, these projects demand clarity, patience, and experience. So today, we’re talking about what architects need to communicate, anticipate, and prepare for when the work is small but the expectations are not. Welcome to Episode 180: Size Doesn't Matter. [Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] Architectural Fees Don't Scale jump to 3:50One of the most misunderstood aspects of residential design is how architectural fees are determined. Many clients assume that a smaller project should result in a proportionally smaller fee. But architectural fees don’t scale like that. A 400-square-foot addition still requires site measurements, code research, zoning analysis, (possibly) consultant coordination, and detailed documentation. Whether the project is 400 or 4,000 square feet, many of the baseline efforts remain the same. You still need floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, building sections, wall sections, electrical layouts, and coordination with structural engineers or energy consultants. And while the documentation may be shorter, the care and precision required to make a small project work can sometimes take even more time. For example, a kitchen renovation might involve more detail and coordination per square foot than an entire house.The AIA has published guidance on fee structures in the "Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice," (this is a book that I highly recommend) which notes that project complexity and risk should be used to help determine compensation, not just size. As architects, we must be clear in helping clients understand that fees represent time and expertise, not floor area. If you charge a fixed fee or percentage of construction cost, be sure to explain what that covers and what it doesn’t. Helping clients see the value in pre-design services, permitting assistance, and construction observation can prevent misunderstandings later. Saving the best for last, just because it’s a small project doesn’t mean the liability is small. Professional risk remains, which means the time spent to get it right matters, regardless of scale.the post that I referenced in our discussions was this one ...*the penalty of drawing too much - Excessive or Essential?The Entire Timeline jump to 9:43Clients often think the timeline for a small project will be quick. And to be fair, the design phase might be shorter than that of a ground-up custom home. But that’s only one piece of the puzzle. Permitting can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the jurisdiction. In some cities, small additions are routed through full plan review just like new homes. And once the project is permitted, the construction timeline is subject to the availability of contractors and materials, site conditions, and even weather. It’s our responsibility to help clients understand the full arc of the process.According to a 2023 survey from Houzz, the average design-to-completion timeline for a kitchen remodel is around 8-12 months, even when the construction itself only takes 2-3. Why the gap? Because there are lags built into the process. Design review boards, HOA approvals, contractor bidding windows, and permit review times all add up. When you add in backorders on appliances or materials, things can shift quickly. That’s why it’s so important to map out the process...
Architectural influencers on social media can bring real insight to the table while others blur the line between experience and performance, you should evaluate what you’re seeing, questioning why it was shared, and learn how to tell the difference between helpful guidance and a well-lit shortcut.
What happens when architects face extreme pressure? Ep. 178 explores how stress reveals character, process, and priorities in practice.
There’s a moment in almost every architect’s career where the idea first surfaces—quietly at first, then louder over time: What if I started my own firm? Maybe it’s the itch for creative freedom, maybe it’s frustration with someone else’s decisions, or maybe it’s just the instinct to build something of your own. I’ve had this conversation more times than I can count—at desks, on job sites, over drinks after a long day. It’s a topic that stirs up excitement, fear, pride, and possibility all at once. Today, we’re stepping into that mindset—the leap, the hustle, the vision behind doing your own thing. Welcome to Episode 177: Hanging Out Your Shingle[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] We have a special guest to assist us with discussing today’s topic. Joining us is Daniel Istrate, AIA — a licensed architect and co-founder of Kontexture, a Phoenix-based architecture firm with a growing international presence. Originally from Romania, Daniel moved to the United States as a teenager and went on to earn his architecture degree from the University of Arizona, with studies that also included Italian, Literature, and a minor in studio arts.He began his career at a small local firm, later navigating the challenges of the 2008 recession while gaining experience at a large national practice. But like many of us, he felt the pull toward something more personal, and in 2013, he made the leap, leaving a stable job to start his firm with longtime friend and collaborator Jorge Toscano. Since then, Kontexture has grown to include two offices - one in Phoenix and another in Hermosillo, Mexico - and in 2018, they expanded into construction by launching a design-build company.Daniel is joining us today to discuss betting on yourself, building with intention, and creating a firm from the ground up - all themes at the heart of today’s topic.Let’s start at the moment just before you decided to launch your own firm - what pushed that decision from a long-time idea into something real? The first time I played with the idea of opening a firm with another colleague from the first firm I was working at was in 2007 right before the recession. We quickly realized that was not good timing so we decided against it. Looking back that was a really good thing, I was only two years out of school and still very green. After weathering the recession at Smithgroup and getting licensed while there, I started taking on some side work. I got an offer from another firm to move there as the principal was thinking of retiring soon and was looking to have someone take over. After being there for a year, on a Friday night at 1:00 am while still at the office I decided that this is the time. I already had a steady stream of clients and projects that I was doing on the side (moonlighting) Binkowitz Residence - KontextureYou didn’t start Kontexture alone - can you talk a bit about that partnership and how you and Jorge divided up the early responsibilities? I started Kontexture with Jorge whom I met while we were both in first year at the U of A. We always talked about starting a firm together, even while in college. Early on we were each responsible for our own projects, from early meetings with clients, to design, construction documents, Construction Administration, etc. But we have identified early what each of our strengths were and we worked off of that. Jorge is a stronger designer and I am more technical. Marigold Dispensary - KontextureWhen you first opened your doors - how did you find work? Did you chase the kind of projects you wanted, or take what came? We started the firm with about 20 small projects that we were both working on, on the side. Once we started the phone kept ringing and we kept getting work based on recommendations from engineers we were collaborating with, contractors and most important, the clients we had were recommending us.
We’ve all stared at the calendar, convinced there’s a hidden twenty-fifth hour—plenty of room to redline that section, nudge the model, and squeeze in just one more detail. “We’ll sort it during bidding,” we promise ourselves, and the optimism buys another day of breathing room. Architects thrive on this kind of self-talk; some versions are harmless, others lurk like change-order booby traps. Today Andrew and I are spotlighting the greatest hits—the stories we repeat, the messes they create, and the habits that can stop the cycle before it snaps back on us. Grab your favorite red Sharpie ... Welcome to Episode EP 176: Little White Lies.[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] I've Got Plenty of Time jump to 4:24This may be the single most prevalent lie we tell ourselves the most during our career. We always are telling ourselves we have the time. Time to finish. Time to do just one more thing. Time to get enough sleep. Time to make it work. Time to meet that deadline and have all the details complete. I’m not saying all architects do this, but there is a large number. I think it’s our underlying optimism in our abilities and skills. Maybe that’s ego, but whatever the reason, it happens. A lot.We'll Deal with it During Construction jump to 8:13Another beauty. This is one we tell ourselves as well quite often. We have a looming deadline and we need, no we MUST, publish a set of drawings and meet the deadline. We know we have left some things to deal with later. Sometimes, in the good cases, we make it back to those elements and finish our task in the manner we intended. Often, we deal with the element, but not always in the same manner and care we might have during the design phase. Then, there are those times when we just don’t ever make it back to that and the contractors solve those issues for us. Whether that is how we wanted to not is a different story.I'll Just do a Little Work Tonight jump to 11:38Some architects are most assuredly better at this than others. The best of us never even tempt the fates and do work “at night.” Others can actually do just a task or two and then close up shop and move one. Then there is that group that sits down for a few small tasks and doesn’t realize until 4 hours later that they are still working. We knew we should have not sat down at the desk at all. But once it starts, sometimes it’s just too tough to stop.I'll Do a Little Conceptual Work to Show Them jump to 15:56This one costs us the most. Not just as an individual, but as a profession. Don’t get me wrong, I have said this one to myself many times. If I just can show them my ideas, surely that will convince them to give me the project. My ideas are so outstanding, how can they not! But more often than not, they like the ideas, don’t hire me for the project, and probably take some of my ideas to the team they did hire. Again, this one hurts. But it also hurts all of the profession for us to give away any work at any time. It devalues our skills and knowledge to those who hire us. I’m not saying it’s easy to avoid that temptation, but for the benefit of all, we most definitely should.You Can Never Draw Too Much jump to 19:53This one has manifested itself more and more in our digitally produced documentation world. The easier the software has become to operate and generate drawings, the more drawings we seem to WANT to make. Here the fallacy of just adding more drawings is a lie that gives us comfort that we have done enough and that we have proven our value. More sheets. Larger CD sets. On and on. I think is a way that we choose to compensate for being undervalued in general. It’s like we are the kindergartener that is showing everyone all the drawings they can make with a blue crayon. I can throw out this judgement because I too have fallen victim to this seemingly harmless lie.At Least We Got this One Detail in the Project jump to 27:53...
Nobody wants to be the person who asks a question that causes everyone else within ear shot to turn and look at them. We spend the early part of our careers trying to prove we deserve a seat at the table, hoping we sound competent, sharp, with just the right amount of confidence. But architecture isn’t a field you get good at by pretending. It’s a craft you grow into by doing, which ultimately leads to asking questions early, often, and sometimes awkwardly. We are going to embrace that process. We’re digging into how architects keep learning after school, what a real internship should feel like, and how long it really takes to get good at what we do. Welcome to EP 175: Stupid Questions.[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] Today, Andrew and I are going to be talking about why becoming an architect takes a long time, that this process involves doing a lot of different things, and how "stupid" questions play an important role in the education process of everyone in this profession. Just to get this out of the way, I am admitting here and now that I ask stupid questions all the time – maybe not as often as I used to, but they’re still there.The Myth of Knowing Everything jump to 3:51Architecture school is a beginning, not an ending — a place where students are exposed to broad ideas, creative problem-solving, and the early language of the built environment. But the idea that graduation signals readiness for professional practice is a myth. Schools tend to focus heavily on conceptual design, theoretical frameworks, and academic critiques, with far less emphasis on the realities of technical documentation, consultant coordination, regulatory compliance, or contract administration. According to the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), while accredited programs must address professional competencies, mastery of technical skills is not expected upon graduation. The gap between academia and practice isn’t a flaw — it’s an acknowledgment that architecture is too vast to teach all at once. True expertise comes from layering education with experience, not from assuming a degree makes you "complete."Understanding this myth matters because it reframes early career experiences from imposter syndrome into opportunity. If graduates expect to know everything, they’ll view asking questions as a failure; if they expect to still be learning, questions become the most important tool they have. According to a survey by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Emerging Professionals Committee, 78% of young architects reported feeling “unprepared” for the technical and managerial aspects of practice upon graduation. Yet, firms consistently report that curiosity, not technical perfection, predicts long-term success. Accepting that you won’t know it all — and that you're not supposed to — builds the humility and resilience needed to become a great architect. The myth is persistent, but the truth is far more empowering.It turns out that the real measure of growth isn’t how many answers you can recite, but the kinds of questions you’re willing to ask."Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers."— VoltaireThis quote emphasizes the point that questions are more important than knowing all the answers — a perfect fit for reframing graduation not as mastery, but as the start of real learning. It aligns with breaking the myth that you're supposed to "know it all" after school.Learning on the Job: Interns jump to 13:46Internships are often misunderstood by both students and firms. They aren’t simply about cheap labor or task delegation; they are an essential stage in transforming theoretical knowledge into applied skill. A well-structured internship fosters structured exposure to different phases of work: schematic design, construction documentation, consultant coordination, site visits, and client meetings. In 2021,
There are bits of advice that one collects over a 30 year career and when given the chance, some are worth passing on to those who care to listen. While this could have been a lessons from my father sort of episode, we decided to keep things focused on those of us who either are, or want to be, architects, and we are going to pass along a handful of things that we wish we had known at the start of our careers. Welcome to Episode 174: Dear Future Architects.[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] Partial Results from an Instagram Poll asking the question what "Future Architects" should know ... click to enlargeToday we are going to be talking about those interesting considerations and bits of advice that have been shared with us during our career. While they might not be applicable to everyone, I feel pretty confident that all the items we will be discussing today are of value. This will be the first “Dear Future Architects post as there are too many items to work through in a single episode. These are in the order than they came to mind and I didn’t want to presume a specific priority to them and set them in order of value. I also want to throw in there that a few of these are pretty hot and I fully expect people to think I am full of s%!t … but I am here to bring the pain.01 Dear Future Architects ... jump to 04:55Choose your firm based on the skills you want to build.Residential firms often hone your soft skills—communication, empathy, and negotiation—while commercial firms emphasize technical depth, systems coordination, and documentation.Source:https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/big-or-small-whats-the-right-sized-firm-for-you/In reflecting on my career, I’ve come to realize that the size of the firm you work for can shape the skills you develop, especially early in your career. If you’re just starting out, a small firm offers the opportunity to develop soft skills like communication, empathy, and negotiation because you're often thrown into situations where you're the point of contact with clients, contractors, and team members. You're more involved with every aspect of a project, and that experience helps you build your confidence. On the other hand, in larger firms, you get more exposure to complex projects that require technical proficiency, systems management, and understanding of legalities. While big firms can make you a better architect in that sense, they may not provide as many opportunities to hone those soft skills until you reach a higher level in the company.Personally, I’ve found that small firms, while sometimes lacking in technical depth, gave me the chance to sharpen my communication skills and gain a more intimate understanding of how a project works from start to finish. This has served me well as I’ve moved up in my career. But the reality is, each environment teaches you something different, and depending on what you want to learn, one might be a better fit for you than the other.02 Dear Future Architects ... jump to 11:58Start small if you plan to go solo.Working in a small firm exposes you to every aspect of running a practice—from contracts and client meetings to redlines and billing—which is invaluable if owning your own firm is in your future.Source: https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/architectural-job-starter-kit/Looking at the question of whether to start in a small firm if you plan to eventually go solo, I believe it’s the best way to prepare. In a small firm, you’re exposed to everything: you write proposals, manage clients, and get a feel for what it really takes to run an office. When I switched from a small firm to a larger one, I found that my skills didn’t always align with what was expected. In a larger firm, tasks like proposal writing are handled by specialists, not generalists like I had been in a small firm. That experience made me realize that if you want to open your own office one day,
Mentorship turns confusion into clarity, builds confidence, and connects you with people who help you grow faster than you ever could alone.
Most people have no idea what I do for a living, and to be honest, most of how I spend my time doesn’t look like the things I did when I was in college. Have things gone terribly wrong for me? What about Andrew? I’m pretty confident that his role as an architect is different than how he imagined it to be … and I think that this is all okay. It should be an interesting conversation, and possibly a mandatory exercise, to find out how architects actually spend their time. Chances are better than likely that the day to day experience for every single architect is unique with only a small bit of overlap … and that is what we are here to talk about. Welcome to EP 172: A Week in the Life of an Architect[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] Today we are going to be talking about how we spend our time. I have answered this question as “A Day in the Life of an Architect” exactly 4 time previously on this website.https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/an-actual-day-in-the-life/The very first "day in the life" sort of post that I ever wrote back on March 10, 2010. At this point, the website was barely 2 months old and I was with a firm that specialized in residential work. Since this was the first time I decided to talk about "a day in the life" I literally went minute by minute through my entire day, starting at 5:50am.https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/a-day-in-the-life-of-an-architect/Fast forward over 4 years to December 1, 2014 ... by this point I had changed jobs and was now working at a company where I had my name on the door, which suggests that I had some control over how I worked and spent my time. In this post, rather than going minute through minute along the tasks of my day, I broke into big chunks based on tasks ... one of which was making a margarita.https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/ep-064-a-day-in-the-life-of-an-architect/Time for some more changes - on to job number 3 since I started the website. This particular day was the first to be immortalized into a podcast episode that went live on December 6, 2020. Andrew was struggling with Covid at the time of this recording so I had frequent guest and neighbor/architect Lane Acree on to discuss our particular days as it related to how we go about our business in the capacity of Principals at our firm. In an attempt to keep things somewhat fresh, beyond having another person's perspective being added to the mix, we simply broke down our days into early morning, morning, lunch afternoon, and evening.In each of these episodes, I typically choose a pretty interesting day – mostly because I wanted to look cool and that my job was exciting. I also think it is interesting to go back through these “day in the life” snapshots to see how my typical day changed as I changed firms and as I changed responsibilities. So rather than simply looking at a singular day that was selected because it was a “cool” day, we are going to change it up and actually look at a week of time so that we can avoid the possibility of selecting a singularly fabulous day.Monday jump to 7:58a look at my work calendar for the week we are discussing todayBobI can’t stand Monday … it is easily the worst day of the week. All the meetings associated with preparing everyone for the work to be done that week, as well as all the in-house obligations – meaning, I don’t actually get a lot of work done on Mondays but yet my day is always full and I start the week off behind every single time.While the "Staffing Meeting" isn't the first thing I do on a Monday morning, it is typically the first meeting I have. Since I have Project Manager responsibilities in the office, that means I have some dominion over who is working where and on what. This meeting is generally about making sure that people are all keep busy, but not overly so. Almost immediately upon the completion of this first meeting, I have a Marketing and Digital strategy meeting.
Being an Architect is difficult and there is plenty of evidence that this is not a vocation that is suitable for everyone. The coursework you will take in college is all over the place – from the drawing and design classes to physics and upper level math requirements, you seem to have to be both an artist and a scientist to go down this path. This begs the question, Just how smart do you need to be in order to become an architect? Welcome to Episode 171: The IQ of an Architect[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] Today Andrew and I are going to be talking about intelligence quotient and architects. This was a topic that I tackled with the 3rd blog post I ever wrote (titled IQ's and Jobs), and for years, it was a foundational blog post in the development of my website because so many people read that article. I just checked and it currently has 92 comments, and almost amusingly, there are some angry people out there and they are vocalizing their discontent.When I was younger, probably between the ages of 8 and 12, I bet I took 20 of them. My mother was a school teacher and all of her schoolteacher friends Would use me and my sisters as practice subjects as they were pursuing diagnostician licenses. I am going to confess right now that this is a nerdy episode because there is a lot of data that needs to be presented and digested in order for us to have a fruitful conversation.The History jump to 8:21The origins of the IQ test can be traced back to early-20th-century France. In 1904, the French Ministry of Education commissioned psychologist Alfred Binet and his colleague Théodore Simon to develop a method to identify children who required special educational assistance. The result was the first practical intelligence test, known as the Binet-Simon Scale (published in 1905). The French government needed a systematic way to distinguish students whose learning challenges were not being met in the regular classroom. The aim was to provide extra support, not to label them pejoratively or permanently, but to help tailor education to their needs.Binet and Simon introduced the concept of a “mental age.” The test included a series of tasks grouped by age level (e.g., tasks that an average 7-year-old could handle, an average 8-year-old could handle, etc.). A child’s performance on age-relevant tasks indicated their “mental age”—a reflection of cognitive performance relative to age-based norms. Memory: Recalling digits or sentences Problem-Solving: Completing puzzles or analogies Verbal Skills: Defining words, understanding analogies Attention & Comprehension: Following instructions, basic reasoningThe tasks grew progressively more complex. If a child could perform the tasks that most 8-year-olds could but not those of a typical 9-year-old, the test would assign that child a “mental age” of 8.Although Binet did not explicitly define IQ as a single number, the later concept of IQ was directly inspired by the idea of mental age. Psychologist William Stern (1912) introduced the term Intelligenzquotient (Intelligence Quotient) as a ratio.Not long after Binet and Simon released their scale, Lewis Terman at Stanford University adapted and expanded their test. The resulting Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales (first published in 1916) formalized the IQ concept for the English-speaking world and continued to refine “mental age” benchmarks. Terman’s goal was to make Binet’s test more suitable for the American population by adjusting questions, norms, and scoring based on data from U.S. schoolchildren. He also introduced the now-familiar numeric scale with an average (mean) of 100 and a set standard deviation—initially, each standard deviation was 15–16 IQ points.Terman’s (Circa 1916) Stanford-Binet CategoriesAlthough the exact cutoff points and names varied slightly in different editions,
There is a moment of realization that occurs when you get your first real job in an architectural office that maybe architecture school and what is now going to be expected from you are a little out of phase with one another. Are you prepared, do the differences matter, and what happens when you come to the conclusion that your job and almost everything you have experienced so far based on your time in college, seem so different. Have you made a terrible mistake, or are things about to get amazing? Welcome to Episode 170: Studio versus Real Life[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] today we are going to be talking about the differences between the studio experience of architecture students versus the realities of an actual job. There are a handful of emails that I routinely receive and in almost all cases, I would write a blog post with my normal response so that rather than rewriting my answer to the same question over and over again, I could simply point them towards the blog post on the matter.01 The Pace is Different jump to 3:49photoI’ve noticed that once you transition from school to professional practice, the pace of architectural work changes drastically. In school, you might have an entire semester to refine every last detail, but in a firm, every hour is assigned a dollar value (that might be an overly dramatic way of saying it but not entirely inaccurate). As your experience (and billing rate) grows, so do expectations for quicker, more efficient problem-solving. It can be just as cost-effective to pay a higher-rate veteran for one hour as it is to hire a newcomer for five. That dynamic pushes me to rely on my familiarity with codes, circulation, and design principles without having to look everything up or explore countless dead-ends.At professional architectural offices, this emphasis on speed is front and center. We frequently prepare proof-of-concept studies before contracts are even signed, compressing weeks of design into just a day or two. Recently, another colleague and I modeled a 160+ key hotel with retail, a parking garage, and amenities—complete with a commercial kitchen—in roughly a day and a half. Though not entirely final, it was accurate enough to move forward with confidence. This accelerated process can be stressful, but it also highlights how crucial experience is in making fast, informed decisionsSpeed and stress02 Project Typology jump to 9:24photoI’ve been thinking about project typology—the kinds of buildings we design in school versus the kinds we actually end up designing in the real world. In my own college experience, I worked on three or four museum projects, but I’ve never once designed a museum in my professional career. Instead, everyday architecture often involves strip centers and anchor stores, which are obviously less flashy. Yet someone has to design them, and that’s where many of us find ourselves in practice. It doesn’t mean there’s no pride in such work; in fact, the hotel project I’m involved with now is shaping up beautifully, with plenty of room for creativity and thoughtful design moves.Still, there’s an undeniable difference between the conceptual exercises we tackle in school and the real-world projects we take on later. My theory is that academic assignments are intentionally fantastical because professors want to teach you how to think rather than lean on preconceived notions. In school, you might end up designing a space for traveling poets and butterfly researchers—something so unusual that you can’t rely on a cookie-cutter approach. My colleague suggests that projects like museums and interpretive centers also have simpler programs, which keeps students from being overwhelmed by logistics and allows them to remain creative. Whatever the reasoning, I’ve come to realize that those outlandish academic projects serve a valuable purpose: they stretch your imagination and push you to develop...
The act of creating architecture is a fairly unique process and the manner in which you learn how to think both creatively and technically is a skill that requires certain training and nurturing to develop. When young and eager architects in training head off to college, this development will take place in the architecture studio. This is a topic that – shockingly - we haven’t pointedly discussed on the podcast before and today, that is going to change. Welcome to Episode 169: Architecture Studio[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] I’m excited to dive into a conversation that centers on the architecture studio—a pivotal experience in any architecture student’s life. I get a lot of questions about how studio differs from traditional classes like structures or history, and how it transitions into the real world of practice. In the upcoming discussion, Andrew and I will explore how studio life shapes a student’s creative mindset, sets the tone for collaboration (and sometimes competition), and can either inspire a lifelong passion or push someone to walk away entirely. Drawing on my own experiences and numerous inquiries I’ve received over the years, I want to shine a light on the essential lessons and challenges that make studio the heart of an architect’s education—and, ultimately, guide how we thrive once we leave the academic environment.All-Nighters jump to 04:26When we started discussing the concept of all-nighters in architecture school, I was reminded of just how universal that experience is - or at least was when we were in college. Whether you’re pulling your very first late night as a new architecture student, or reminiscing about it decades later, the all-nighter stands out as singularly stupid rite of passage—one that I believe can (and should) be avoided. Not because I don’t value hard work, but because I don’t think anyone produces their best ideas at 3:00 am, most likely just a continuing marathon session in the studio that started hours previously. Time management, especially for younger students, is often a serious challenge. We’re learning how to generate designs, how to collaborate, and how to gauge how long things will take. That last part trips up almost everyone (but to be fair, this is something that takes YEARS to get a grip on...)Still, part of the appeal—and the chaos—of studio is that it’s a highly social place. I remember plenty of late nights where conversation drifted from design critiques to philosophical debates about architecture and back again. Those interactions were frequently more illuminating than formal lectures, because there’s an energy in a room full of tired, passionate, slightly delirious architecture students. Unfortunately, that reality today is different. Technology has enabled students to work wherever they want, which is more convenient, but it also fragments the collaborative spirit that was once a hallmark of studio culture. While I have never been on the all-nighter bandwagon, I feel like there is something missing when students pack up their tools (or in most cases, fold their computers closed) and retreat to their dorms and apartments to complete their assignmentsLast Minute Changes jump to 13:05I strongly believe that last-minute changes often create “negative work”- which is effort that doesn’t actually help you finish your project. It’s tempting to keep designing if that’s your passion, but in school (and in the professional world), you need to set realistic deadlines and work backward to decide how much time to devote to each phase. If you don’t leave enough time for making models or preparing drawings, you’ll end up with amazing ideas that you can’t effectively present. I’ve seen students come to critiques with almost nothing pinned up, talking about what they intended to do, and as someone sitting there looking at your finger pointing at some scribbles telling me what you were going to do,
Building upon our last episode when we discussed the path we have taken to get where we are, how unpredictable and in some cases, how circuitous that path can take, what we didn’t really talk about was if the journey was what we wanted. It’s all fine and dandy to look back and make lemonade from lemons, but now that we are decades into our careers as architect, there is another question we want to ask … Episode 168: Architectural Career – Is It Worth It?[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] I am going to start by defining, at least or me, what “it” might mean to help shape this conversation. It starts right out of the gate with quality of life – which I would presume is the case for most people. I don’t need to be rich and I have been fortunate enough that money for the most part does not influence the decisions I’ve made in my life. The most important thing for me is that I want to be a part of something. I want what I do to matter – which admittedly, “who it matters to” can and has changed. Some things I do matter to me, but as I’ve aged in my career, making things better for other people has worked its way into my motivation. When your activities have an impact on others, there is validation that occurs of your decisions, and your behavior. I do want to address the money consideration for a minute. I said it doesn’t influence me, but that’s really because I make a pretty decent living. I don’t care what other people doing other jobs make – good for them. Money simply represents freedom to make certain decisions and to present options.http://lifeofanarchitect.com/golden-handcuffs-a-lesson-learned/For those of you who might be new here, or just stumbled on to this article, I shared the post I wrote a long time ago about “Golden Handcuffs” and an experience I had at the beginning of my career (when I wasn’t actually making very much money) where I learned the lesson that money does not bring fulfillment and if you can learn what you need to exist, you can stop the process of chasing a paycheck and focus on being the best version of yourself … which will typically bring with it that larger paycheck.Now that some baselines are in place, let’s get into the first section ...The Realities of the Architectural Dream jump to 10:19When I look back on my career in architecture, I remember how I started out with some enthusiasm. I was convinced I would spend my days doing creative work, designing amazing spaces, and leaving my mark on the world. Now, over three decades later, I can see how that vision of my career evolved in ways I never predicted. The essence of that passion is still there—I love what I do—but the daily realities are far more nuanced than what I imagined as a student. Architecture turned out to be about more than just design; it involves project management, mentorship, business considerations, and sometimes grappling with budgets and fees that don’t always reflect the effort we put in. Despite these challenges, I still believe it’s worth it.One topic I’ve discussed a lot with Andrew, and with the mentees in my firm, is how the “dream” compares to the “reality.” In architecture school, we’re immersed in design theory and creative exercises; it’s easy to believe that’s your entire future. But then you join a firm, and someone hands you a stack of construction documents or code research spreadsheets. It can feel jarring—I’ve seen many young professionals struggle with the gap between what they thought they’d do and what they actually end up doing. At the same time, that early shock is often what expands your skill set the most. As you handle real-world challenges, your perspective grows, and you start to see the broader impact of architecture beyond just the initial creative spark.Part of the dream is also about the work having meaning beyond yourself. Architects generally don’t go into this field to make big money; if you truly wanted that,
It is the start of a New Year, everything still smells fresh and most things looking forward are theoretically in place for an amazing year … at least I think so. Since it is first podcast episode of 2025, today’s conversation is more of an introspective look into a career and just how bad or good things have gone over the last 30+ years. While this is not a look into my own personal diary, it should provide you with a framework when you decide to look at whatever it is you’ve got going on as well. Welcome to Episode 167: How Did We Get Here?[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]I have a guest on today’s episode as my typical co-host Andrew Hawkins, who was supposed to be in Japan during the time we needed to record, fell sick enough that he had to cancel this trip and is currently recovering at home. To that end, I have another good friend of mine sitting in to play point/counterpoint in today’s conversation. I have asked friend, neighbor, and just like me, a Principal and Senior Project Designer at BOKA Powell, and 3-time participant on the podcast Lane Acree to sit in and hopefully not point out just how dumb I am. Given today’s topic, I thought it would be interesting to see how two people who didn’t even know each other a few years ago both ended up in the same place, despite the reasons behind the journey being completely different.Bob Borson one fateful Christmas morning ...The Beginning jump to 05:06When I reflect on how I got started in architecture, it all goes back to the moment my dad gave me a drawing table at age five. From that day on, I knew I wanted to be an architect (he might have been angling for engineer but that's on him for not being more specific). I never questioned whether I would go to college—it was a given in my house—but I did face doubts that the profession that I had decided on might not be the right fit for me once I actually started my freshman year. I wasn’t as driven as my classmates, and I began to worry that I wasn’t cut out for architecture after all. Looking back, it wasn’t that I lacked ability; I just wasn’t putting in the same level of commitment. My parents had been strict, so when I got to Austin, I had all this freedom and indulged in everything the city had to offer.Eventually, I hit crisis point at the end of my freshman year and and took a year off from design studio during my sophomore year. I continued my other classes, but I needed that break to figure out what I truly wanted. When my junior year began, something clicked. I realized I wasn’t actually bad at design—I just needed to put in the work. That realization changed everything. It was a lesson in prioritizing my goals, a skill that still matters to me to this day.Meanwhile, Lane took a different path. He discovered architecture at a young age—around sixth grade—when he witnessed the process of designing his family’s home with a draftsman. From that point on, he immersed himself in art classes and drafting throughout high school and then once in college, he ended up landing a job at a small architecture office where he spent every summer and holiday break. That real-world experience gave him a big advantage over classmates who never set foot in a firm until after graduation.I find Lane’s background intriguing because he gravitated towards the use of computers, even when some of his professors believed technology stifled creativity. He taught himself tools like 3D Studio Max and came out of school with cutting-edge skills at a time when most people were still using the drafting board. By contrast, we didn't even have the option to use computer software while I was in college (despite only being only 10 years older than Lane). My focus was never on starting my own firm ... I just had 3 goals for myself once I graduated. I wanted to make a good living (which meant a yearly salary of $100,000), see one of my buildings get published in a history book,...
December 2024, and Andrew and I find ourselves in front of the microphone for the final time until 2025 – from my perspective a mere 28 days away. It is the annual state of the state address where we look back at all the interesting bits and pieces covered over the last 12 months while providing a sneak peak at the adventures to come in 2025. . … Welcome to EP 166: 2024 Yearapalooza.[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player][hoops name="top1"]Today we are wrapping up the 2024 podcast season. I don’t know about you but I am ready for a break. Any part of wrapping up should include some sort of reflection but we will also be spending a portion of the show – presumably towards the end – of looking forward, what do we think we are doing and what might we be talking about.I built todays conversation based on a similar format to how we wrapped up 2023 – a pulling back of the curtain to talk about what matters – at least where this website and podcast are concerned, and what we are thinking for next year. In an effort to look forward, I am a believer that you have to look back, take a look at what work – and what didn’t – so that you can modify behavior in a way that is beneficial and meaningful to all those involved (us as creators, you the listener as participants.)impossible to read but even at this size, this is only 4 of the 8 years worth of downloadsBy the Numbers jump to 6:56I will admit that I used to be obsessed with the numbers associated with the blog site - and eventually the podcast - but the reality is that I don't care so much anymore. That doesn't meant that I don't ever look, but my reasons for looking have less to do with how the show or site is performing and more about what topics and discussion are of interest to the people who visit this site and listen to the podcast. While I still end up choosing topics that represent my current activities and interests, it's interesting to know what people think is worth their attention.Since there is a lot of secrecy surrounding the true metrics of how podcasts perform, most of the benchmarks I refer to are fairly generic and all are free to access. The gold standard to determine how a podcast is performing is how many downloads an episode has at the 30 day mark, and according to data commonly cited by platforms like Libsyn and Buzzsprout, this is where ALL podcast (regardless of genre or topics) fall based on that standard:Podcast Performance by Percentile Top 50%: ~30 downloads per episode in 30 days. Explanation: This is the median—half of all podcasts achieve fewer than 30 downloads within 30 days. Top 25%: ~100 downloads per episode in 30 days. Explanation: Podcasts in this range are doing better than 75% of shows and likely have a niche audience with consistent engagement. Top 10%: ~400-500 downloads per episode in 30 days. Explanation: These podcasts are often well-established and attract a steady audience, making them appealing to niche advertisers or sponsors. Top 5%: ~1,000 downloads per episode in 30 days. Explanation: At this level, a podcast is highly successful in its niche, with a strong following and the potential for premium sponsorships or monetization. Top 3%: ~3,000 downloads per episode in 30 days. Explanation: These podcasts are industry leaders within their category and are often approaching mainstream popularity. Top 1%: ~5,000+ downloads per episode in 30 days. Explanation: These podcasts are typically professional productions with large budgets or significant marketing reach. They often attract substantial sponsorship deals and are highly recognized within the industry.For the 2024 season, the Life of an Architect podcast averaged 4,847 downloads per episode at the 30 day mark ...which puts us just shy of hitting the Top 1% of all podcasts. Andrew and I are obviously proud of this accomplishment but the reality...
We’re going to explore some of the most common myths about architects and peel back the layers to reveal what this profession is really about.
It’s almost that gift-giving time of the year and if you have an architect in your life, you know that getting them a gift is possibly among the most agonizing experiences possible – but that’s why we’re here. Now in its 15th consecutive year, Life of an Architect is putting out the increasingly difficult yet still definitive gift guide for architects so that you don’t have to figure these things out completely by yourself. Welcome to Episode 164 Holiday Gift Guide for Architects 2024[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player][hoops name="top1"]Disclosure: We only recommend products that we would use ourselves and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that add no additional cost to you and a small commission may be earned. These commissions go towards paying the operational costs associated with 'Life of an Architect'. Please consider using them as a way of supporting the content on this site.Like last year, Andrew and I had the same categories to select a gift. For some of the items selected for this year's list, they were extremely easy additions, whereas others were extremely difficult. I will also go on record – right at the beginning of the show – that I either already have these things (and therefore Bob verified and approved) or I want them … which means if you buy them, we are both at some risk. Am I going to tell you which one is which? MaybeWe are going to do the big reveal to one another and then talk about them – we are going to take turns, and Andrew is going to kick things off with:Best Gift for your Bar jump to 7:10Whiskey Peaks Rocks Glasses Andrew's Selection -$38I recently wanted some new whiskey type glasses or low balls. So, I took a mountain biking trip a summer or two ago and when I started looking I came across these glasses and they resonated with me for that reason. These glasses are a typical low ball glass, but have a “special feature” in the bottom of the glass. There is a topographical 3D form of a mountain range in the bottom. There are several different mountain ranges to choose from depending on your preference. While these are not anything extremely fancy or extravagant, I don’t think they are a unique and cool item. As mentioned they do not work well with iced drinks or on the rocks, unless you have pebble ice. But you can also put any mixed or shaken drink in them that is already cold.Higonokami VG10 Folding KnifeBob's Selection - $80Coming up with just a single gift selection for your bar was probably the most difficult choice I had to make on this list. I make my fair share of craft cocktails, and more times than not there are people watching me at work. I was gifted a handmade knife a few years ago by Joshua Hiett and it has been AMAZING ... but it is showing the effects of a lot of use (don't judge me) and I need to send it back to him for some repairs to the edge. As a result, I have been on the hunt for another cool knife that I can use in my bar and I stumbled onto this Higonokami knife. The issue with this particular knife is that you can't get it yet. If you follow the link provided, there are all sorts of other knives you can choose from if you aren't willing (or capable) of waiting. You can also join the waiting list like me.Best Gift for your Desk jump to 12:02Dual Monitor StandBob's Selection - $125Is a monitor stand an exciting gift? Yes - if it is someone who spends a lot of time at their desk and appreciates the freedom of moving their monitors wherever they want while enjoying the luxury of reclaiming the entirety of their work surface. I spent a fair amount of time looking for these (which I do not own but currently want ... badly) because of two very important details. First, I can attach very large monitors to this stand - 35", and secondly, I can move each monitor independently IN ALL DIRECTIONS! The stand I currently have does not allow me to mo...
One of the most enjoyable activities is traveling on vacation – at least for most people, but it takes a special sort of individual who actually loves to plan the activities when it comes to traveling. I know I don’t love it, but I am also willing to admit that I have opinions on where to go and what to see. Today we are going to have a conversation where wanted interest and unwanted responsibility intersect. … Welcome to EP 163: Architectural Wanderlust.[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player][hoops name="top1"]Today Andrew and I are going to talk about traveling for architects and how certain technologies have emerged that have made the process of planning excursions and itineraries a joy. Gone is the laborious process of buying travel books, searching the various “activities” based websites, where you are hoping that the comment and review from Frank from when he visited Bilboa last September actually is in some alignment with your own perceptions (or even values … is Frank an Architect?)The premise for today's post and conversation are simple ... what happens when you use Artificial Intelligence to plan a vacation for you? What does the problem solving process look like, what sort of questions should you ask, and finally, a look about the sort of returns you get in response.Question #1 jump to 6:02Prompt Entered:You are an architect going on vacation with the goal of selecting a place that is rich in its architectural culture as well as the opportunities to visit and experience significant architectural projects and properties. Once we have completed this exercise, I will ask you to put together a daily itinerary of things to see and places to visit. We will start this exercise by having you recommend 10 potential destinations for me to visit, but I want you to ask me a series of questions to make sure that you have the information and guidance you need to make an appropriate recommendation.The Response:To recommend the perfect architectural destination for your vacation, I’ll need to ask you a few questions to better tailor the suggestions to your preferences: Style of Architecture: Do you have a specific architectural style you're most interested in (e.g., modernism, classical, vernacular, sustainable design, etc.)? Cultural Experience: Would you like to immerse yourself in a place with a deep historical architectural legacy, or do you prefer contemporary and cutting-edge architecture? Travel Comfort: Are you comfortable with long-distance travel, or do you prefer something closer (considering travel time as part of the week)? Interests Beyond Architecture: Would you like a mix of architectural exploration with other cultural experiences, such as museums, cuisine, or natural landscapes? Activity Level: Do you prefer a more relaxed trip with guided tours and time to reflect on the buildings, or are you looking for an immersive, on-the-go experience? Sustainability: Would you like to visit places known for sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, or is this not a priority for you?The prompt above was a good starting place to begin this exercise. To better understand your holiday objectives, getting the program to engage with about what you hope to accomplish is a great place to start. You could get as specific as you want here, adding in all sorts of parameters, but for my process, I wanted to keep this fairly high level in order to potentially discover some place I should be visiting that I might not be considering.Question #2 jump to 13:10I asked ChatGPT to prepare a World map indicating the locations that were selected ... this was a completely failed experiment. This image is the result of 11 attempts.Prompt Entered:For each of these cities, can you rate how safe they are for tourists on a scale from 1-10 based on the US State department travel announcements?The Response:
Some things are cool – even if you don’t know it yet. Andrew and I have prepared some stories today about some things you are probably familiar with but probably don’t actually know the whole story. We have each selected two things and we are going to share with you what we believe are some amazing stories … Welcome to EP 162: Objects of Design[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player][hoops name="top1"]Today we are going to share with you something we feel is meaningful to us and why, maybe, it should be meaningful to you. Rather than making this a list of things we like – and by extension – things we think you should like as well, we are going to dig a bit deeper and talk about the story behind each item we discuss today. In a sense, it’s that story that should make today’s podcast interesting … just that fact that WE think it’s interesting probably isn’t good enough, so we are stepping up our game.Objects of Design - Bob #1 jump to 2:30Evolution of Coca-Cola Bottles (image source)The Coca-Cola bottle is one of the most recognizable designs in the world, and this story kicks off in 1915, at a time when Coca-Cola was exploding in popularity across the U.S. But they had a problem: competitors were copying their bottles and confusing consumers. They needed something unique, a design that wasn’t just about looking different, but one that could be identified by touch alone!That’s when Coca-Cola issued a design challenge to glass manufacturers: come up with a bottle that would stand out, even in the dark or if it shattered on the ground. Enter Earl R. Dean from the Root Glass Company in Terre Haute, Indiana. His team turned to an unexpected source of inspiration—the cocoa pod. Sure, the sexy and curvaceous cocoa pod had nothing to do with the ingredients of Coca-Cola, but it had the perfect form and ridges that made for a unique, tactile experience. The result? The “contour bottle,” a masterpiece of industrial design. Its exaggerated curves and slim waist immediately set it apart from anything else on the market. Patented in 1915, by 1916 it became the Coca-Cola bottle—the one we all know today.But the story doesn’t end with the creation of this iconic design. In fact, things really start getting interesting right around this point.A Global Symbol and Wartime NecessityAs Coca-Cola became a part of everyday American life, it wasn’t long before it spread globally. And during World War II, Coca-Cola made a brilliant strategic move: they supported American troops by providing them with Coca-Cola wherever they were stationed. They even set up mobile bottling plants in war zones to make sure soldiers could get “a taste of home,” no matter how far from home they were. This wasn’t just about quenching thirst; Coca-Cola became a symbol of American culture and morale during one of the darkest periods in history.By the end of the war, Coca-Cola had solidified its dominance, but with that success came new problems. Overseas, as Coca-Cola became a prized commodity, counterfeiters jumped at the chance to exploit its popularity. What’s even more fascinating (and scandalous) is just how involved the black market became in producing fake Coca-Cola. This is one of those lesser-known stories, but at the time, it had a major impact.The Black Markets and Counterfeiting RingsDuring WWII, many countries were hit with strict rationing and import restrictions, especially those under the control of the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan). Western goods became scarce, and Coca-Cola was no exception. But where there’s scarcity, there’s demand—and the black market was all too happy to step in. In regions where American goods were banned or heavily restricted, underground factories started churning out fake Coca-Cola. These counterfeit operations were selling everything from watered-down soda to dangerous concoctions disguised as Coca-Cola,
It happens on every project – sometimes you know exactly what it is because you had a hand in bring it into existence. Other times, you might be visiting the work of another architect, or really, you could just be going to a nice restaurant … but if you look around, you can always find that something special that seemed to get just a little more attention than the rest of the project. Andrew and I are going to dive into this idea a bit today Welcome to EP 161: Wow Moments[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player][hoops name="top1"]Andrew and I are going to be talking about wow moments in architecture. This is really about their existence and if possible, I wanted to use this conversation to like to look for some sort of pattern in my own thinking – whether or not it obviously presents itself. The reason today’s topic came into existence is that I taught a professional practice class last week and the professor asked me to discuss a pretty wide range of topics as part of that presentation. Most of the discussed topics were not really related to one another so I was challenged a little more than normal to develop a way to move from one topic to the next in a way that made sense … at least, that was the goal so I settled in on trying to make it interesting and to hold the attention of these college seniors for a 2-hour lecture.It's All in the Details jump to 5:55I’ve always thought the front door of a house holds a lot of potential as a "wow moment." In fact, the first time I wrote about it was back in October 2010, not long after I started my website, and that article in particular was about a spec house I designed for a developer - which means that there was no specific client in mind. When you're designing for a client who's really the developer and not the end user—it changes how you think. There’s a certain amount of "lowest common denominator" thinking involved, not in terms of cheap materials, but in the sense that the house needs to appeal to a broad audience. You don’t want one person to love it; you want a lot of people to like it. In the example above, we concluded that this special moment should be one of the very first architectural items you encounter ... the front door. To make things even more interesting, we added an exterior skylight just above the entry door.I believe that the front door "experience" can do a lot of heavy lifting. It's the porch, the steps leading up to it, the space around it—it all plays a role. I wanted to do something different for this spec house, so we decided to add a skylight right at the entrance. You’re still outside, but you get this incredible natural light coming through, which makes the whole area feel open and welcoming. And on top of that, we built in a strip light fixture so even at night, or on a cloudy day, the space feels bright and inviting—not like you’re walking into a dark tunnel. It turned out great. The detail worked exactly how I envisioned it. I think that’s when it really hit me—if you’re going to create a wow moment in a house, make it something most people are going to experience. Almost everyone who visits is going to come through the front door. That’s why I focus on that space. You’re not going to get the same reaction by putting all your effort into something like the kitchen pulls, which not everyone will even notice.So apparently, as a result of the first front door experience, a seed was planted in my brain that this entry experience should be something special on all projects. The drawing above was a custom steel and wood infill door that really read more as a wall than the front door. Measuring in at 5'-7 1/2" wide, this was not a normal door and we wanted everyone who it to experience just how special this moment was - from the act of walking up to it, as well as the manner in which is swung open, revealing the passageway into the main social area of the house.
Ep. 160 explores how architects define, communicate, and prove their value—to clients, collaborators, and themselves.
It is time for the second and last installment of the Life of an Architect “Ask the Show” episode for 2024. Once again, as is our practice we solicited questions to be submitted through our Instagram channels and selected as many as we thought we could reasonably get through in the time allocated for the show. If there were duplications, that simply made that question more likely to get answered. All this and more on today’s episode as Andrew and I answer your burning questions… Welcome to EP 159: Ask The Show Fall 2024[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player][hoops name="top1"]What are some challenges facing part-time workers? Or for those hiring them? jump to 3:50Question submitted by MakieliamirBob: From a management position, I've found that part-time work can be a challenge, especially when it comes to workflow and productivity. We don't have a formal policy for or against part-time workers, but I can't deny that it complicates things—scheduling, coverage, and overall productivity management can become harder to manage. My main issue stems from the impact on the company's bottom line, where part-time employees often receive the same benefits as full-time workers, even though they're working less. Additionally, it affects opportunity distribution within the firm. Part-time workers don't get the same opportunities for leadership and career advancement because those responsibilities are usually added on top of a regular job. When someone is capped at working part-time, I have to be mindful of what I assign to them, and that limits their potential growth. It's a tricky balance, and while part-time workers can be incredibly efficient, there are inherent limitations in what they can accomplish compared to full-time staff.Andrew: From my experience, having many part-time employees in my office, especially students, the key challenge is balancing their workload and availability with the needs of the firm. Setting consistent schedules is important; if someone is always available in the morning or afternoon, that works fine, but it can still be tricky ensuring that all tasks are covered effectively. The major issue is that part-time work might slow career advancement. While it works in smaller firms with proper management, larger firms might struggle with maximizing productivity or providing growth opportunities to part-timers. I believe it's important for part-time workers to find employers who don't have a bias against them and to have conversations about growth, even though it may take longer to climb the career ladder when you're part-time. Finding the right balance is critical, and part-timers should know the potential limitations upfront.What can a new employee in the office do to stand out amongst the seasoned individuals? jump to 9:35Question submitted by arch_jbrownBob: This is a question that comes up in my mentor/mentee meetings fairly frequently in my office. Standing out in an office, whether it's a small or large firm, starts with involvement. In a small firm, where everything you do is highly visible, participation is key. You can't just sit back and blend in; you need to actively engage with those around you. Even in larger firms, where you may primarily work with a smaller team, finding ways to connect outside of your immediate circle, such as joining design groups or attending firm-wide meetings, is essential. I’ve seen that new employees who are willing to step out of their comfort zones and get involved across the board are the ones who stand out the most. It’s not about mastering every technical aspect right away but rather showing that you care about your work and are eager to participate in different areas. It's about engaging with colleagues, speaking up, and showing that you're invested in the firm's success.Andrew: I agree that involvement is crucial, but I think another important way to stand out is by actively seeking out opportu...
For architects, todays post is a analysis of why you want to use an iPad and what applications are worth your consideration and money.
You sit down at your desk, you turn your computer on, maybe you sharpen your pencils, you lay out your rolls of trace and your sharpie pens – whatever your creative process - and you are about to start work solving the problems at hand … But where do you start? Sitting before you are all the normal tools and a big fat blank piece of paper. This is a moment where you have to make a make a decision on what happens next. Where do you start? How do you set the priorities to the issues you will be addressing? Andrew and I are going to discuss the process of when you start, what happens next. Welcome to Episode 157: Blank Page versus Project Constraints.[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player][hoops name="top1"]The word "constraints" often carries a negative connotation, as if they are problems we have to deal with. When starting a new project and hearing about constraints, it can feel like they are already limiting our ability to pursue our passion and creativity. However, I believe that constraints are not something to complain about. They help us make decisions, prioritize, and move forward. Constraints are like rules that guide us, almost like a how-to book.Andrew and I both agree that having complete freedom might actually freeze us. Too many options can be overwhelming, and without any limits or rules, it’s hard to know which direction to take. Even with the same constraints, different architects can come up with multiple solutions because we all have different values and priorities. Constraints shape our creativity and force us to think critically.Budget jump to 7:00 Scope Limitation: A tight budget can limit the overall scope of the project, potentially necessitating compromises on materials, finishes, and features. Quality Compromises: Lower budget constraints might force the selection of cheaper, less durable materials, which could affect the building's longevity and performance. Design Adjustments: Innovative design solutions might be required to meet budget constraints, which can lead to creative outcomes but also might limit some design aspirations. Project Delays: Insufficient budget can lead to delays if additional funds need to be sourced or if cost overruns occur.In my conversation with Andrew, we spent a fair amount of time talking about budget as possibly the most critical constraint that owners and architect have to address. Many architects, myself included, fantasize about the ideal scenario where there is unlimited time, budget, and creative freedom. However, I have come to realize that this notion is neither realistic nor desirable. Constraints are essential and beneficial, as they provide a necessary framework that guides the design process and helps prioritize decisions. At first glance, constraints might seem limiting, but they actually facilitate creativity and problem-solving. Constraints can include budget limitations, client requirements, existing structures, and site conditions. Andrew was of the opinion that having too much freedom could be paralyzing, with endless possibilities leading to indecision.I used residential projects to illustrate how constraints function - mostly because it is easier to explain because residential projects typically have fewer constraints. Building a new house on an empty lot might seem closer to having a blank page, but it still comes with constraints like zoning laws and environmental regulations. On the other hand, renovations and additions have more obvious constraints due to the existing structure. However, these constraints help narrow down options and inform design choices.Time jump to 27:14 Accelerated Schedule: Tight deadlines might require an accelerated construction schedule, which can increase costs and potentially affect the quality of workmanship. Limited Design Development: Insufficient time can limit the design development phase,
We are discussing residential projects that focus on incorporating high value building science techniques with guest Steven Baczek.
The vast majority of practicing architects view the time spent practicing their craft as a calling, but what happens when you don’t want to get out of bed? Today we discuss the role of "optimism" in architecture.
Today we are tackling a topic that we have never covered before, not even a little. Imagine walking into a crowded room and not knowing who to talk to or what to say, a situation I have found myself uncomfortably in more times that my therapist can ignore. The ability to build meaningful relationships and strategic alliances is a critical part of the success of any business. Today, Andrew and I will discuss a topic that at least from my side of things, have zero training in but is nonetheless a part of my job description and responsibilities in the office. Time to have a frank conversation about the indispensable practice of turning professional interactions into valuable assets. Welcome to EP 154: Networking[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]Today we are going to be discussing the topic of Networking as it pertains to business development, not the cat5 cables running from your computer to some windowless closet in the building.On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate myself as a solid 5 when it comes to networking - which I define as “better than most” but worse than those that are actually skilled at the process, and my skills drop off once you get past charm and Leprechaun stories. So when I decided to make "networking" as a topic for today's conversation, I knew it would require a lot of research and a fair amount of self-reflection specific to what I think I am actually good at doing. In preparation I started with the most basic definition of what networking actually is:Networking is a part of business development that ultimately addresses the question of how leads come into the office.This is a topic that I have wanted to talk about for a long time, mostly because I have some pretty significant responsibilities in my office to network and bring in business. I am constantly asking myself “How do I go about networking?!?” There are a million questions on this and depending on your goals, or responsibilities, there are a million different answers to this question. When I talk to the more experienced principals and owners in my office, they tend to answer the “How do you network” question in a similar manner - almost all of them say that it has very little to do with talking about work, but rather it's about making a personal connection and finding people you like and want to work with.What is Networking and Why is it Worth Your Time jump to 7:53Networking is the eventual evolution for anyone who is in a professional services profession if you have any sort of leadership and business responsibilities. The long and short of it is that networking is the engine that drives your business and as a result, its value is self-evident. Now that I am 15 years into that portion of my career where I have some responsibility to bring in work, I have come into the decision the hardest part of networking is showing up. The second hardest thing is walking up to someone and saying hello and asking people questions. What makes these simple things hard is the idea that you are putting yourself out there and have opened yourself up to some level of embarrassment and rejection.Andrew and I talk about our own experiences networking, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and with the experience and success we have achieved, we have broken this topic down into 8 key areas for consideration.1. Relationship Building: Initial Contact: Making the first connection, often through introductions, events, or online platforms. Nurturing Relationships: Consistently maintaining and strengthening these connections over time through regular communication and engagement.2. Exchange of Information: Sharing knowledge, insights, and updates relevant to your industry or profession. Learning from others' experiences and expertise to enhance your own understanding and skills.3. Resource Sharing: Providing and receiving access to valuable resources such as contacts, tools,
Inspiration can come from many different sources - but can you actively seek it out when you are feeling like you are in a dry spell?
When you are starting a new job, even you very first job, here are some tips that might make the transition a bit easier and potentially, more fruitful.
We are finally conceding to a request that’s been made a thousand times – do an episode on starting an architectural business – a topic that I have resisted for essentially 6 years, and I think I’ve finally broken. This is not as easy of a topic to discuss as you might think because there are a million different ways you could answer a question this broad. In an attempt to make this conversation of value, we are going to start at the beginning, and we are going to eat this whale one bit at a time. Welcome to EP 151: Starting a Business[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]Starting at the Beginning jump to 1:36Business plans are not that difficult to prepare, and when created properly, they can be used as a guide to help make long term decisions on to best set up you new firm. Since we are going to go about today's conversation at the beginning, we are going to adopt the strategy of "eating this whale one bite at a time".Student Example Business Plan from Andrew's classExecutive Strategy jump to 4:40The first thing to do is to take some time to figure out exactly who you are, and more importantly, who you want to be - which means creating an overview of your firm, its mission, and goals. For me, the most important part of this process is to focus on your goals. This can mean a handful of different things, (type of work, geographic location, size of your new firm, how much money do you want to make, etc.) but how you decide to answer this question will fundamentally guide your behavior in the beginningSummary of services offered and target market jump to 7:12This should be an easy one for most people to figure out. What type of work will you be providing and who will you be providing it for? Let’s say you want to start a residential architecture firm. Will you be focusing on developers, builders or end users as your client base (maybe all three?) Will you be designing new houses, additions renovations, full documentation or something at a reduced capacity (i.e. “Builder set”?) Maybe you think you will simply be taking on whatever you can and for whomever – which is a reality for most people starting out in a residential firm but you still need to have some sort of understanding at what level of service and documentation each of these user bases will require and how to establish an appropriate fee for each one (which is probably the most asked question I get on this topic).For the record, there is no canned ready-to-serve answer to this question due to the number considerations that fall into place.Firm Description jump to 11:10History of the firm (if any if it is a modification of an existing firm) and its partners. This is exactly what you think it is and might be the easiest thing about creating a business plan. The purpose of this section is to really demonstrate competency to the people you want as clients. This is really a personal history of the individuals that make up the firm (which could be one) but it explains how and why you ventured out to create this firm.Develop a Vision and Mission Statement jump to 12:40I am not a big fan typically of mission statements, mostly because I don’t think people use them properly. A mission statement is typically used to clarify what business you are in, focus your goals, and identify your business objectives. They should be internal vision statements to help guide the decision making process not some pandering message shared with the public espousing things you should be doing anyway (like providing excellent service, providing solutions, or any sort of “listening to your clients”)I wrote a post on Mission Statements back in 2014 (https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/mission-statements/) and my thoughts on the matter haven’t changed at all. Other than me making fun at how bad a lot of them are, there are two key takeaways on this matter – Keep it simple and at a high level,
So here we are ... Episode 150, and I am a little surprised that I made it this far into this Life of an Architect experiment, but due to the support and interest we have received over the last 6 years, we find ourselves as what I believe to be a fairly significant milestone. When it came time to pick today’s subject matter, there was really on one topic that was up for consideration … Welcome to EP 150: Drawing Stuff![Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1562005974350-0'); }); Today we are going to be talking about "drawing stuff", and if you are wondering what that really means, you are in the right place because that’s what Andrew and I are going to try and figure out. There are all sorts of examples and references in today's post so this is a good post to earmark for future reference (if you're into that sort of thing).Life of an Architect and Drawing Stuff jump to 01:00When I say “drawing stuff” to you, what comes to mind? Do you think there is some relevance to the fact that the question is framed because I said “drawing” and not “drafting”? I will confess that there is a difference for some, but not for me. I make drawings. I can draft them, I can sketch them, I can get on a computer and use software like Revit (well, I can’t use Revit), AutoCAD, or whatever your drafting software of choice might be. Drawing stuff can mean anything and in any software - I am just referring to visual communication and how we think and talk through ideas. I'd like to say that I don't think there is a wrong way to draw stuff - but we all know that's not true. Sketching, drafting, 3dmodeling, rendering, I've talked about all of it at one time or another but there are some particular moments that stand out for me ...Notable Blog Posts for "Drawing Stuff" 08:47https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/do-architects-draw-too-much/It wasn’t that long ago that I could produce construction drawings for a 6-figure residential project in little more than a dozen sheets of drawings. The last one I worked on was quite a bit more as the architectural set having around 45 sheets to it. That is a 400% increase within the last 20-years. Once I add in the structural drawings, grading and drainage drawings, as well as the dedicated HVAC drawings, we will approach 60+ sheets in this set.What is going on? What is the reason for all the increased drawings? Is it the complexity of the projects? Maybe it’s because architects anticipate a contentious relationship with contractors? Maybe it’s the overly-specific design intentions that architects are wanting in our projects and we know that we can’t expect the contractor to read our minds?!? This entire post was a bit of a rant because things are starting to feel as if some residential contractors are punishing those of us that produce drawings that tell them how we want things done - that this makes us appear difficult and fussy when the exact opposite is the goal.https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/design-process-redlines/I might not always be a nice person and I like to complain as much as the next person but if there is one trait someone who visits this site with any regularity knows, I do like to be helpful. During the design process, this typically manifests itself as “redlines”. For those of you that may not be familiar, redlines are typically created when architects make editorial notes on a set of drawings to convey changes that are needed to be made. This process typically occurs during the construction drawings phase, but I find that they are more helpful for how I like to work during the design development phase of the projects.Let’s take a look at some redlines I recently made (just click the picture about to be taken to a magical redline wonderland ...).https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/sketching-is-hard/
This will be the 5th time in 5,209 days that I have put my opinions about taking on extra work outside of your normal job and typically during ridiculous hours of the day and night. This practice has come to be known as “moonlighting” and depending on your age and where you are at in your career, it is either the light at the end of the tunnel or an oncoming train. Andrew and I originally had something else scheduled for today’s show but this topic has been forcing itself into my brain over the past month or so and I want to talk about it . Welcome to EP 149: Moonlighting.[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]Today we are going to be talking about moonlighting. I mentioned in the opening that in some capacity, I have brought this topic up for discussion 5 times over the past 14 years but it has never been the focus of a dedicated podcast episode. Is that irony?answer are from a poll I presented on my Instagram account with an average of 1,200 responses per questionFun Facts jump to 01:52The etymology of the word “moonlight” as a verb, "hold a second job, especially at night," and this version or use came into use in 1957 (implied in the verbal noun moonlighting), from moonlighter "one who takes a second job after hours" (1954), from the notion of working by the light of the moon. Earlier the verb had been used to mean "commit crimes at night" (1882), from moonlighter in reference to members of organized bands that carried on agrarian outrages in Ireland.Did you know there was a phrase called “sunlighting” which is in obvious contrast to the word “moonlighting? “Sunlighting,” as the term indicates, is work done outside the company—but with complete transparency and within the boundaries of what is allowed by professional ethics and individual conscience. sunlighting is considered ethical because it is done transparently after work hours and does not conflict with the employee's obligations to their primary employer.The names suggest that moonlighting is done after hours and without the knowledge and consent of your employer while sunlighting is doing essentially the same thing with full disclosure and the approval of your employer.Experience with Moonlighting jump to 8:39Andrew and I have both taken on moonlighting jobs in the past, and since I don't really want to speak for Andrew, I will admit that my experiences fall into both the moonlighting AND sunlighting categories. I've also had both positive AND negative experiences. One of the things I tried hard to convey in today's episode is that I can see both sides of the argument of why moonlighting takes place, it's value to the individuals, and the benefits that can happen as a result of the extra experience and, and lets be completely blunt about this, the extra money. I bought my first house with moonlighting money ... and the client on that job also stiffed me on my completely reasonable bill (I worked without asking for immediate payment for services rendered until the business was up and running and to this date, almost 30 years later, they have never paid me ... I should let it go but it provides an extremely valuable life lesson).Side Effects of Moonlighting jump to 15:58Originally this was going to be a list of pros and cons, but the pro list was short and incredibly easy to identify. Our conversation on the cons was really about the ramifications - or side effects - or taking on moonlighting work. Without any real effort, the first things that came to mind are: Exhaustion Burnout Decreased productivity Health problems Getting FiredThese all seem pretty bad to me and came to mind instantly and there is a cascading of effects - meaning, #1 leads to #2 which leads to #3, and so on.Working long hours can lead to exhaustion and burnout, which can result in decreased productivity, increased errors, and even serious health problems such as heart disease,
You check the time and realize that you have 4 minutes before your next meeting. Maybe it’s an internal meeting, maybe clients are coming in. Is it in person or online? Depending on how you answer those questions, time to start scrambling so that you are where you need to be and have the information required to make this meeting a good use of your time. But guess what? I promise that you will end up waiting on someone … maybe you are that someone. Either way, you aren’t getting that time back and you haven’t even started yet. Welcome to EP 148: Meetings are a Waste of Time[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1562005974350-0'); }); I wrote a post on this topic 11 years ago – and it was also titled “Meetings are a Waste of time.” When I wrote this down as a topic, it wasn’t because I had already covered this topic a decade ago, it was because I had forgotten that I had covered it and I most likely had just come out of a meeting that I felt was an unproductive waste of time. Is this going to be a crabby podcast episode? It’s entirely possible, but you can hit the pause button, go grab a beer, and then restart the show because I feel like most people feel like I do when it comes to the majority of meetings they attend.I am becoming more and more sensitive to sitting in meetings where I think:What am I doing in this meeting?You already said that, move on …What does that have to do with what we are supposed to be talking about?I went back to reread that post from 2013 and as I went through the points, I typically thought to myself “Nailed It” but things are a little different for me now and shockingly, I thought I was in a lot of meetings before, I am in ten times that number now. It’s not even close!A couple of caveats to consider:There is a huge difference between professional environment meetings and volunteer organization meetings, Meetings with Clients, and internal meetings. Along with those distinctions comes a slightly different pain threshold for what is acceptable behavior or not. While I would like volunteer meetings to be run with the same efficiency, I have to acknowledge that these are "volunteer" based meetings and if the people attending have to do something as part of their real jobs, I am not going to get in their way.Probably 50% of the time I spend in meetings isn’t scheduled. My office (air quotes) is pretty open and it lends itself to pop-in meetings – which was purposeful at the time of design. Exactly what is supposed to happen DOES in fact happen, but it does become disruptive to developing any sort of rhythm to the creative process.Client meetings generally fall outside of the requirements I considered, unless I am the one who is slowing things down – which does happen. I wrote in the 2013 post the following:“At least half of the meetings I attend, nothing is really happening other than the swapping of stories. One on hand, that’s okay because I’m the Pecos Bill of stories, but I simply don’t have the time for it anymore.”So in an effort to reclaim some lost time, here are some tips I have collected and follow to help make sure that my days don’t get longer by sitting in unnecessary or gratuitous meetings.Start your meetings on time jump to 17:39If someone is late, that’s their problem. Don’t review information that’s already been covered. I make it an effort to be on time to meetings and it drives me insane when someone else is late and I have to just sit there waiting on them. Not only a waste of time, it’s disrespectful – it says “my time is more important than yours”. I wrote "For the Love of All That is Holy ... Be on Time" and it sums up my opinion on the matter rather succinctly.Set the meeting length to an hour and end the meeting on time. jump to 20:19Unfortunately, some meetings always seem to take longer than an hour but I’ve found...
How good do you need to be at drawing if you want to become an architect? Or … How can I be an architect – I can’t draw? Is there an easy answer to these questions? Of course there is, but that doesn’t mean the getting is easy.
Tracking productivity, Bucket list vacation, Leadership styles, and Learning how to Draw Details ... We answer these questions and more today on Ep 146: Ask the Show Spring 2024
If you have ever wondered what Delegated Design and Design Assist mean and how the distinction between the two could impact you and your liability and responsibility then this is a good resource of information as we break it down and discuss it in fairly simple terms.
From a design standpoint, some things are just cooler than other things – and these things don’t need to be justified to anyone because people either understand it or they don’t … but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an interesting and amazing story behind these objects that might contribute to their coolness in a meaningful way. Today Andrew and I each selected three items and we are going to share with you some amazing stories … Welcome to EP 144: Objects of Design[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1562005974350-0'); }); Today we are going to share with you something we feel is meaningful to us and why, maybe, it should be meaningful to you. Rather than making this a list of things we like – and by extension – things we think you should like as well, we are going to dig a bit deeper and talk about the story behind each item we discuss today. In a sense, it’s that story that should make today’s podcast interesting … just that fact that WE think it’s interesting probably isn’t good enough, so we are stepping up our game.The rules are simple – Andrew and I were each tasked with identifying a handful of items that we think are worthy of being labeled “Objects of Design” and we are going to present them in an alternating fashion. We are going to be keeping score because, at the end, I want my list to be better than Andrew’s list.Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier (image credit here) CC by SA 3.0 DeedVilla Savoye jump to I am starting my list today with a building – one that architects, fans of architecture, and French people should all be familiar with … Villa Savoye, a modernist villa designed by Charles-Edouart Jeanneret-Gris, better known as “Le Corbusier” and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret located just outside Paris, France in the town of Poissey. It was built out of reinforced concrete between 1928 and 1931. The villa was designed for Pierre and Eugenie Savoye as a country home but the reality is that they barely lived there, but I’ll get to that in a moment.I visited this building in the Fall of 1990 after having become quite familiar with the work as a result architectural history classes and quite honestly, even though it was not the popular still of architecture at the time, I really enjoyed Le Corbusier’s work, not so much some of his ideas on Urban planning.But to really get to the interesting part of this particular project, we have to go back to 1927 when the League of Nations rejected the modern building that Le Corbusier and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret proposed for its headquarters. To say Le Corbusier was disappointed would be an understatement and this moment became a jumping off point that led to Le Corbusier forming the International Congresses of Modern Architecture in 1928. Another Swiss from Zurich, Siegfried Giedion, who was trained as an Engineer, attended the Bauhaus School where he met Walter Gropius and formed his initial interest and opinions on the modern architecture movement, was the Secretary of the International Congress of Modern Architecture and he, along with Le Corbusier wrote the Working Programme of the congress and formulated the text of the declaration. This program would eventually be distilled into the 5 principals of architecture that I will mention in aJust from that standpoint, Gideon plays an important role into what Villa Savoye is at its essence but he actually continued to play a role in the building as well as its salvage from destruction.So it’s now September 1928 and Le Corbusier has taken on the commission of Villa Savoye. It is called that, maybe obviously because it was the summer house for Pierre and Eugénie Savoye.The Savoye’s developed a brief that called for the programming of the villa, but according to apparently Le Corbusier was given free reign aesthetically and he used this project to articulate some ideas that he had be...
The episode "Architectural Drawings: Excessive or Essential" will focus on drawings and the question that first comes to mind is to talk about what we draw, why we draw it, and who we draw it for and why that impacts all other considerations
In Episode 142: When I Grow Up, Andrew and I discuss how things take place that divert you from your expected path as you move through your career. It's a natural evolution to move into new roles and responsibilities that break the idea you have for yourself when you decided to chart your future.
As the end of the 2023 season comes to an end, Life of an Architect looks at Fan Favorite Episodes, the Blog posts, and the graphics created to support the topics.
Drawings have always played a role in the process of study and discussion of what we do and why we do it. Today we are going to look at the different forms of drawing and talk about when they are used and how we align these different drawing types and the messages they convey as we discuss "Communicating Through Drawings"
It’s almost that gift-giving time of the year and if you have an architect in your life, you know that getting them a gift is potentially the most agonizing experience possible - but that’s why we’re here. Now in its 14th consecutive year, Welcome to Episode 139 Holiday Gift Guide for Architects 2023!
Are students graduating from architecture school prepared for the profession? Is the educational system aligned with the workplace? What is the best software to teach students? Can we all just get along? We started this exploration of the idea that Architecture School may need some modifications in Episode 137. The system needs to change to provide the skills, knowledge, and pathways for the future of the profession, but what else may need to be addressed? What does all of this mean to students, architects, and the public at large?
The architectural education system hasn't been around for that long, yet it has it's issues and concerns. So that leads us to ask the question... Is Architecture School Broken? Join us for Part One of the conversation in Episode 137. We discuss the short history of arch edu, some common concerns with the system, and the shortcomings of the studio-based learning environments.
What is the difference between Leadership and Management – there is definitely some overlap, but the key distinction lies in … wait, you thought I was going to tell you in the opening? It’s going to take some time to talk through those distinctions before we get there …Welcome to EP 136: Leadership vs. Management[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1562005974350-0'); }); Today we are talking about the nuanced distinction between leadership and management. In the circles I travel in, these terms are often used interchangeably, yet they encompass distinctive sets of skills, values, and priorities. We set today’s topic up for discussion during episode 134: Management 101 when attempting to answer the question “Do you have any pointers for architects who are transitioning into management roles.” I felt that we needed to clarify the difference between management and leadership to focus our conversation but recognized that there was a lot to unpack and discuss not only what sets leadership and management apart but also how their collaboration can propel an organization to the success they no doubt aim to achieve.Since I like to do a little research and preparation for each show, I went back into the Life of an Architect archives to see what I had written or discussed in the past where Leadership and Management were concerned.August 2013 - Leadership versus Management - the first time I pointedly thought on this subject.July 2014 – Leadership - I was one of three people who presented a day-long symposium on the topic and where most of my initial research was started.March 2017 – Attitude Reflects Leadership – anecdotal observation of how your behavior matters and how it impacts and influences others.July 2020 - Ep 054: Leadership – had my sister on the show because she’s quite literally the most qualified person I’ve ever met to discuss what it means to be a leader (possibly read some of the topics/questions we covered)September 2023 – Ep 134 Management 101 - discussing what it means to transition into management and how that is different from simply being good at your previous job.In the very first post, I ended with a quote I found, and it has unintentionally become the foundation upon which most of my thoughts on leadership have been built. It was a quote from Margaret Thatcher, and I found it when researching a new role that I was transitioning into. It is:“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.”If you have to tell people you’re the leader, you aren’t. “Leadership” and “Management” are inextricably linked to one another, but management is a role you are hired into while leadership is thrust upon you by others.I went back through all of these remarkably insightful posts and episodes to organize today’s conversation into 5 Key areas of distinction where there overlap but the approach to the process of solution is different based on management or leadership.For this "Vision and Strategy" image, I started with the basic concept of something old, but endeavoring to build (in secret) something centuries beyond assumed capacity, and the group captured this moment for posterity. Prompt: cowboys, high-tech stagecoach, no wheels, remote desert, Daguerreotype --ar 16:9 --s 750 --v 5.2 Iterations/Modifications to final image? 18Vision and Strategy jump to 12:54Management Focus: Managers focus on planning and executing strategies. They develop detailed plans, set targets, and ensure resources are allocated efficiently to meet objectives.Leadership Focus: Leaders are visionary. They set the direction for the organization, articulate a compelling vision, and inspire others to share in that vision. They guide the development of a long-term strategy.Advice: While managers implement strategies,
It was podcast Episode 130: Employee Evaluations, and Andrew and I were discussing the process and criteria used to assess and measure an individual employee’s performance when we made the point that there would be value in creating a process where upward evaluations could be implemented, one that allowed the employee to share their thoughts and opinions on what mattered to them from their managers, from their team leads, even their employers. We decided to have that discussion to do just that …Welcome to EP 135: Employee Takeover
Today we are talking about firm management – but at a fairly introductory level so that we can focus on a broad range of considerations that are applicable to a broader range of individuals who are transitioning into management roles.
Management transition, Where to start a design, the Role of Artificial Intelligence in architecture, and What Cocktail Should Architects drink ... We answer your questions today on Ep 133: Ask the Show. Fall 2023
You have made the decision where to study architecture. You've chosen the architecture school and your degree path. So now what? How much work is this going to be? How much will this cost? We covered some issues in Part 1, and now we will finish the monumental task of summarizing what it's like to start architecture school.
So you are thinking about starting architecture school or looking to study architecture. Well, no matter your situation; we’ve got you covered today with all the introductory info in Episode 131: Starting Architecture School Part 1.
In this episode we discuss the role that structured and organized employee evaluations have a valuable role to play in the process of evaluating the role that employees fill in any office environment
Historically, modern trends in the AEC industry do not provide for buildings with a longer life span. In 'Built to Last' we will discuss ways to improve the lifespan of buildings through mitigating various aspects of impact on the built environment.
Focus is a subject matter that warrants revisited attention from each of us as it is something that is in a constant state of change and in need of improvement.
Do architects have a responsibility to acknowledge the time, place and style of architecture they design? How does form based zoning figure into this? Context and Design are the topics we are exploring in today's episode.
Almost 4 years to the day and 100 episodes later, Andrew and I are going to go through an architectural bucket list of people places, and things. I don’t know what Andrew has in mind but I’m feeling that my list will inspire you and change your life…
How do you define a great employee? The answer is most likely dependent on who is attempting to respond, the employee or the employer. I will concede that I have told previous employers that I would be the best employee they have ever had. And I actually meant it when I said it. Did it happen? I like to think so; at least once or twice, but it’s not for me to say. Andrew and I have been both employee and employer, and this is a topic that I think deserves a little time in the spotlight … Welcome to Ep 125: A Great Employee[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]A Great Employee - Definitions jump to 2:10As a primer to the conversation, I thought it would be useful to get an understanding of what other people think makes a great employee. To do this, I sought out the input of people from different age brackets, different stages of experience, architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and owners - just to see if there was a pattern in place that presented itself regardless of the baggage people were bringing with them. Turns out that people generally have the same idea of what makes for a great employee.Miranda Davis – Architect at BOKA Powell:"A great employee first takes care of all the tasks they are assigned in the time that they were given/gave themselves. This includes taking notes/mental notes to facilitate that in the capacity that they know they will need to not forget/miss steps (self-awareness). They communicate well, giving notice as soon as they realize they might not finish something on time, giving their team a chance to pivot if needed. They cannot go above and beyond without first fulfilling the original assignment thoroughly and on time, otherwise the extras cannot be appreciated. They listen actively and ask good questions after first troubleshooting on their own, acknowledging that everyone’s time and brain-space is important. They present a willingness to take on other tasks to learn and grow with a good attitude, bonus points for visible enthusiasm."Brannon Heake:"What makes “a great employee” is not only willing to go the extra distance, but also know when it is necessary to do so. A great employee creates healthy boundaries with work, instilling a sense of pace, forecast, and rigor with a project. Lastly, having the self-awareness to remain cool and collected and check your ego at the door is critical. Although hierarchy is important, a great employee looks at their team as a collective rather than who oversees whom."Paul Freeland - Landscape Architect Kimley-Horn:"A great employee thinks critically about their task and the deliverables at hand. They are proactive, checking quality in their work, holding themselves to a high standard. They solve problems on their own and are great at follow-up internally and externally. They are self-motivated and collaborative, with a positive attitude and a willingness to help their team in times of need. They are easy going, open to feedback, and don’t take themselves too seriously."Melanie Hanna - Interior Designer BOKA Powell:"A great employee is subjective and can greatly vary depending on a company’s leadership style, culture, and values. For me personally, a “great employee” can be defined as a self-motivated individual who has excellent communication skills, embraces a growth mindset, and is aligned with the company’s mission, vision, and values. This individual is respectful, celebrates success, learns from failures, and has a “rising tide lifts all ships” mentality."Nick Thorn – Architect at Marlon Blackwell Architects:"A great employee has many positive traits and attributes, but first and foremost, they are effective communicators because this leads to positive engagement with others. They also possess a duality of other important traits; confidence in their abilities while remaining humble, understanding their role while striving to advance their career,
In Ep 124: Show Me the Money, we discuss the current architectural marketplace, where we can find value, what’s the going salary rate based on skill set and experience, and how badly we need this spot or that spot filled. Understanding your value involves a lot of variables and this will help you set your own priorities when making a decision on your worth.
You’re about to graduate from architecture school, or maybe you already have a job, and you’re just simply looking for a change. Going through interviews is part of the sequence of getting a new job, and there are some things that are worth knowing before you step into the room.
Even though artificial intelligence can conceptually trace its roots back to the 1950s, the reality is AI and Machine learning went mainstream not too long ago, but what does this mean to the profession of architecture?
When you think of a building – whatever scale or project type, the items that go to create that building are most frequently associated with the materials that are selected that define the appearance of the building. Brick, glass, wood, and metal are all great choices – but the decision on what to clad your project in goes a long way towards deciding things beyond the appearance. . … Welcome to EP 121: Material Selection[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player] The "When" jump to 4:13When does it happen in the process? Is it early? Late? All the time? Do architects do it differently?These were the questions we discussed in this section and one revelation that I discovered was that I have never had a conversation with another architect about when in the process they choose their materials. For me, the first time I start thinking about the materiality of the projects really has more to do with when I start assembling my drawings. If I am going to consider using a masonry wall - I don't need to know which brick I am going to use, just whether or not I need to provide a certain thickness wall that will accommodate using masonry.We also discussed when we start making those decisions. Andrew thinks that due to the nature of the projects he works on (K-12 schools), clients frequently drive the "when". One of the things that has evolved over the last few years is our use of visualization software that depicts a more finished product. I discussed this in greater detail in the article "Renderings for Residential Design" about how we are indicating a more finished product MUCH earlier than in years past. I'm not entirely convinced this is a good thing because it moves the conversation more along the lines of "I don't like that color of brick" rather than talking about how the space works.The "Why" jump to 12:51Why choose the material? What are the considerations? Do certain clients value characteristics over others?Cost: This is a major consideration and driver in almost every decision that is made. When we get a budget (and we always have a budget) right out of the gate that will influence materiality. Where is the material coming from - am I paying a premium to get a certain material for my project? We also discuss how labor is almost always more expensive than materials. Due to the remote nature of some of the projects I have worked on, and the lack of specifically trained skilled labor, we will not use certain materials. For example, finding a mason in Northern Wisconsin is not as simple as you might think and if I want to build a brick wall, I'm having to import a brick mason in from another part of the state.Performance - Maintenance - Durability - Climate: Maintenance and climate are strong motivators driving material selection and both of those drive performance. For Andrew, especially with his public work, how the material performs contributes directly towards its consideration for selection. Can we select a material that doesn't need to be painted (think burnished block versus painted CMU) so you are trading upfront material cost for long-term reduced maintenance cost. Also, choosing a material based on climate and the labor market that develops to support that selection ... let's consider wood siding. I rarely get to use wood on the exterior of my projects because it requires routinely scheduled maintenance to keep it from falling apart or looking shabby. Even if I paint it, and despite the readily available labor market we have in Texas, we do not have the same robust industry of home painters here that you might find along the east coast. Few clients are interested in stripping down and repainting their house every few years because it is an expensive process.Availability - This might be a bigger consideration for some architects than others. The project that I started that was remotely located in Wyoming was challenged due to a lack of concret...
Deficiencies of the Architectural Profession? Best non-architecture source for creative inspiration? When are you going to retire? We answer questions and more on Ep 120: Ask the Show - Spring 2023
There are a lot of things going on behind the scenes on the Life of an Architect podcast. In today's episode, we cover some changes that we think you will find amazing and some other changes that might merely be incredible. We are pulling the curtains back and discussing 2023 in a way that we've never done before.
Getting a job as an architectural intern is important, it is critical to gain an understanding of what type of firm and what sort of projects you will want to work on as a practicing architect. Welcome to Episode 118: Architectural Interns.
Architects still communicate their designs through the use of graphics – and there are a lot of techniques that are up for consideration ... these are Graphic Matters.
Does the architectural profession expect more time out of its employees compared to any other highly educated service provider? Architects do seem to romanticize the amount of time and effort that goes into our craft, but are we actually a workaholic?
Architecture is not a trade, it’s a craft … and since this suggests that time and evolution are a consideration to development, it also suggests that architects don’t always get it right. Today we are discussing Architects and "The Art of Getting it Wrong"
For the 13th consecutive year, Life of an Architect presents THE definitive holiday gift guide for architects.
The design of an Architect's office presents a unique opportunity to address design culture while providing an opportunity to show off your creative side.
We are talking about "Final Presentations in Architecture School" today as we review what that process looks like, how to prepare, and discuss what really matters.
In this episode of our Talking Shop series. we are joined by Kevin Rice of Diller Scofidio + Renfro and we discuss careers, office culture, and architecture.
We are starting a design exercise called the "Modern Home Challenge" with the intent to go through a design process that would help us understand how to design a modern house that people could afford and would actually want to live in.
Most architects are able to get out of the office and travel as part of their job ... but is work-related travel as awesome as we all thought it would be? In today's post and podcast, we discuss the pros and cons of "Traveling for Work".
How much drafting does a fully licensed architect do? What is something you learned in the industry that you hadn’t been taught in school? Are you as condescending to your employees as your redlines let on? All this and potentially other hateful questions on today’s episode as Andrew and I answer discuss the questions submitted by the listeners. Welcome to episode 108: Ask the Show – Fall Edition.
[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]
Today’s show consists of questions that were submitted through my Instagram account – well, technically speaking, I asked people to submit questions, and we choose about 10 or so interesting ones that we thought we could effectively handle when only allotting ourselves about 5 minutes to answer. If you submitted a question and we didn’t answer it here, it’s probably because your question is either a topic that we plan on really focusing on in a later episode, was too complicated and specific to you that nobody else would really be invested in the answer, or it didn’t make sense – mostly because it wasn’t in the form of an actual question. In addition, we keep questions that were submitted for previous Ask the Show episodes and consider them as well – so some of these questions date back to episode 64.
Should we be more realistic about true practice in school or keep up the romantic ideals? jump to 3:13 Question submitted by @allisonharris – Allison Harris
Bob: If I can only choose between these two options, I would choose romantic ideals – mostly because I believe that you go to school to learn how to learn and for architects, this manifests itself in critical thinking. I know that is not the point of Allison’s question – it most likely has to do with making sure that architecture students come out of school equipped with the knowledge they need to not only be successful but to contribute in a meaningful way.
For most of the roles that are possible, as far as careers in architecture go, most people do not go into school, nor do they come out of school with any real understanding of what those roles are or the part they play in the process. Andrew and I spent some time talking about the educational process and debating the merits of having the first year of an architectural education be more of a primer that introduces architecture students to the entire gamut of what traditionally exists in our industry. This might then allow students to choose a more focused path while in undergraduate school that allows them to zero in on the things that suit their interests and skill sets rather than potentially preparing them to perform a role that they are not suited to perform.
Andrew: I think there needs to be a precise balance between the two options. After a few years in academia, I have changed my thoughts on this question, and they continue to evolve. I think the issue is that most schools seem to push to one option or the other when in my opinion, the sweet spot is in the middle ground. Architecture school is about learning how to think about architecture in a way that involves a process of critical evaluation and thought. That is a skill that you will utilize for the rest of your life in the profession. Yet, there is not enough information provided about the actual work that happens within the profession. I think some of this is just academia. Many of your professors, to be bluntly honest, may not know how the profession operates currently. Many have either been out of practice for many years or some never were in the practice at all. So the push to insert more of the “profession” into the curriculum is not always easy or possible.
I hate to ride the middle ground here, but in reality, you need to learn the process of creating and thinking about architecture and also be made aware of the possibilities and operations of the practice. It is not an easy balance. I am still trying to find that balance in all the studios I teach.
Learn about what happens during the design development phase of a residential project when you hire an architect. This is typically the phase the clients enjoy the most as they see their project come to life and start to get an understanding of what their new home will look like once completed.
Around this time every year that a new crop of potential future architects are about to start their first year of architecture school, and they have questions. What equipment and supplies do I need? Well, get ready as we talk about everything you could possibly need in Episode 106: Architecture School Equipment.
Architecture is a field with a wide variety of possible pathways and careers. Today we will focus our attention on the closely related field of Interior Architecture. We have a conversation with award-winning architect Joey Shimoda to discuss all things interior architecture.
Depending on your age, sooner or later you will end up at one convention or another. For some people, this is a yearly migration full of can’t-miss opportunities. For others, it’s three days of questionable decisions and most likely, a lot of fun. Welcome to Episode 104: Conventions – The Best and Worst of Times
Architects and the Art of Being Happy is a difficult topic but there are some direct and simple steps you can take that will improve your daily experience.
Today, we are discussing the concepts around business development, which is something that, with almost 99% certainty, no architect was ever taught in school. So we invited our long-time friend, who has dedicated himself to improving the business aspects of small firms across the country, to join us in this conversation.
The design process for each person is different even though there will always be some similarities. I assembled my own sequence process of Discovery - Exploration – Presentation – Modification – and then Execution. This is a formulaic process that I use that allows creative people a methodology to going about their business without needing “inspiration.”
It's taken almost 4 years to get here, but the Life of an Architect is celebrating a milestone. Welcome to the 100th Episode where Andrew and I take exactly 100 minutes to tell you all the insider secrets as well as behind-the-scenes stories of things that went wrong.
Construction Drawings are the documents architects use to convey architectural intent - size, location, quantity - and learning how to properly prepare them is getting harder and harder.
Being an architect for some people means standing up in front of a bunch of people and talking about your architectural decisions. If you are a student, you definitely will be architecture presentations so you might as well learn some tips that will make those moments wildly more successful.
The architectural profession seems to unnecessarily romanticize the amount of work it takes to do our job so it was only a matter of time before we discussed "Burnout" in today's post and episode 97 of the Life of an Architect podcast.
Every good architecture project has a concept. Every. Single One. This is the Big Idea that you will build your entire project around and if you look at your project and can’t recognize it, you need to keep working until you’ve developed one. Today, Andrew and I will be discussing what this might mean and what it possibly looks like.
Whenever an architect sits down with a client on a new residential project, the first phase that happens is “Schematic Design”, the initial part of the process where everyone tries to figure out what exactly the project is supposed to accomplish.
Bob Borson and Andrew Hawkins from Life of an Architect answer the most commonly asked questions about being an architect
Ever wondered if you should be an Architect? Here are the Top 10 Reasons NOT to be an Architect - revisiting the list I wrote 12 years ago.
Here are the Top 10 Reasons to be an Architect - a list that has been revisited since I originally wrote it 12 years ago.
Traveling is an important part of being an architect - Seeing different cultures, climates, materials, and spatial solutions is an ongoing life adventure. Welcome to Architects and Traveling.
Graphics are the language that architects use to communicate intent to the people we serve. We draw to explain our designs, to explain the materials, and much more ... so welcome to Episode 90: Architectural Graphics.
Can a large architecture firm operate with a small firm mentality? In this episode, we discuss this concept with Mike McGlone from Alamo Architects.
For the 12th consecutive year, Life of an Architect presents THE definitive holiday gift guide for architects.
Architectural model making is built into the creative process in school - so why do we quit once we leave school? Here is a case for making models:
Getting licensed as an architect is difficult. It requires considerable time and dedication but what if we reimagined the Path to Licensure
Design and fabrication is a topic that all architects discuss. How does it inform the creative process, who gets involved, why does it make sense?
There is a process in "Building an Architect" that starts when you are a shiny teenager, through college, with the process continuing for your entire career.
In today's 'Ask the Show' episode, we answer ten questions ranging from salary, quitting your job, the value of a prestigious degree, and more.
Do you know what a Side Hustle is? And if you are an architect, it isn't if you have one, it's how many of them are you likely to have?
Motivation is the ingredient that defines the difference between desire and will in the process of setting and attaining goals …
Is Architecture Art? THis is a question I have been asking architects for years and the answers are always interesting ...
Managing design vision, personalities, budget, and construction techniques are just a few things discussed today in Episode 79 “Designing a House”
“Redlines” is the word used by architects to reference the red ink that is used to mark up corrections that need to be made on architectural drawings.
Most architects design until the drawings leave the office so why is there so much bad architecture out there? We can all aspire to Design Better.
Here are the top 4 critical skills a person should have to experience success and satisfaction as a practicing architect.
When developing architectural skills, should you focus on a specific area of expertise or do you attempt to do it all? Ep 075: Should Architects Do It All?
There are a handful of moments in a person’s professional life that really make an impact, and today we are discussing "Architectural Memories That Matter"
Most architects dream of having their own architectural firm - There are many reasons why this makes sense, but it isn’t the right path for everyone.
We are going to be talking about the fantasy of being an architect versus reality. Welcome to episode 72 “Architectural Disconnect”
For an Architect, being on the job site is a vital part of their work process, but job site visits are a series of obligations fraught with increased liability.
When discussing the dirty side to clean buildings, we are focusing on Material Health and Transparency as it pertains to the practice of architecture
You've heard the phrase “Better, Faster, Cheaper, you can have 2” but is that true? This is really a conversation about quantity, quality, and ultimately value.
Becoming an architect is hard - You go to school for a long time and work and study but upon graduation, you are not an architect … so when does that moment happen? Welcome to episode 68 “Where is the Finish Line”
Should architects date one another? How do you get your first client? Your greatest challenge? We answer your questions today on Ep 067: Ask the Show.
There is a nostalgia associated with architects and sketching but is it still an integral part of the design process anymore?
It takes 5 people to answer 3 questions on this, The Hypothetical Show. Three questions of varying degrees of absurdity are discussed, but all will brighten up your Holiday week.
Answering the question of what exactly does a typical day in the life of an architect look like is nearly impossible - but we are going to give it a go. Typical days for an architect vary wildly and are more often than not a reflection of your role, where you work, the market sector, the size of the firm, and how far along in your career you have journeyed.
It’s that gift-giving time of the year and if you have an architect in your life, you know that getting them a gift is rough since they are sooo particular – but that’s why we’re here. Now in its 11th consecutive year, Life of an Architect is once again putting out the definitive gift guide for architects so you don’t have to figure these things out for yourself.
The phrase "Virtual Office" has a much different ring and connotation to it now than it did just a few months ago. As more and more people work from home (more times than not in a spare bedroom or from the dining room table) what changes will take place within the architectural profession moving forward? Has anyone else noticed that everyone seems to be nesting in their makeshift home offices these days?
When I say the word “architect” what do you imagine? It seems that most people imagine architects in black clothing, heavy rimmed glasses, and they most-likely possess other-worldly glue skills. We are going to set the record straight regarding the disconnect between the public’s perception and the reality of architects.
At one point or another, every architecture student or graduate has a portfolio of their work that they have agonized over creating. Portfolios are important, they demonstrate your range of skills and will most likely play a significant role in whether or not you land your dream job … so why are so many of them completely ineffective? Today we are talking about the “Perfect Portfolio” and what that actually means.
[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1562005974350-0'); });
Depending on the time of the year, about 15% of the emails I receive have something to do with portfolios in some form or fashion. There are a handful of questions that get asked over and over again ...
What do they look like? What sort of information do I put in them? What do people want to see? How much information should I put in them? How much text versus graphics?
People have questions, and we are going to answer them.
So where do you start? Let's start with what a portfolio is and why do we still use them - Portfolios are all about illustrating your proficiency in the various skills of the trade and demonstrating that you know how to think and process information. Sounds pretty simple and considering all the moving parts, it is really simple. Most people still don't seem to understand some very basic considerations that surround the process of building a portfolio.
How is it reviewed? What are people like me looking for? jump to 5:00 The key to having a successful portfolio is to think about how it will be viewed, what messages you are sending based on the content you are providing, and to consider how much time someone will actually be looking at your portfolio. I can promise you it won’t even be a fraction of what you think it will be. The work you spent weeks or even months agonizing over and trying to skillfully articulate in the forms of diagrams, plans, perspectives, collages, etc. etc… won’t be looked at for more than a few moments when it crosses my desk. I’m looking for the tone, trying to see how your brain works, how you process information, how you articulate information – not the specifics of the content itself.
On my first pass through your portfolio - which could be your only pass - I am not reviewing the quality of your design solutions of the items you are displaying within your portfolio. I am treating your portfolio as a standalone project and what I am reviewing is the actual portfolio.
Curate the content jump to You need to carefully think about which projects, and how many, you want to include in your portfolio – pick only those that are supported with the visuals that tell the story you want to tell. The first time I look at someone’s portfolio, I might spend a maximum of 5 seconds on any given page - that's it - and that's not a lot of time to convey your message. What I do look for from your portfolio is how they are laid out on the page, the balance of positive and negative space, as well as the balance of white space versus the image you are putting on display.
example from the portfolio of Prarthan Shah
Let Your Images Tell the Story jump to 28:47 You should consider how much text you decide to include in your portfolio … because I probably won’t read it the first time I flip through your pages. This is something that I think about every time I look at a portfolio … or even write one of my blog posts. Most people like to look at the pictures, and if the images are evocative enough to catch someone’s attention, you might get them to go back and read the small bit of text associated with that image. The takeaway here is that you need to rely on your pictures and graphics to draw in the people who are reviewing your portfolio. Reading text comes later - maybe during pass number two or three. You should consider your text as a secondary or tertiary cont...
Do you have architectural visualization skills? Maybe you’re asking yourself “what does even mean?” Well, you are in luck because today on the Life of an Architect Podcast we are dedicated to discussing all things related to architectural visualization and graphics and we have the perfect guest, Alex Hogrefe.
Understanding the physical behavior of the building as a system and how it impacts the energy efficiency, durability, comfort, and indoor air quality is pivotal in the creation of high-performance buildings. This means we are talking Building Science Fight Club with Christine Williamson.
Leaving your mark on the place where you live is built into the DNA of most architects and designers. This can manifest itself in many different ways but for many of us, working on the place where we live is the most obvious choice. Today we are talking about Renovating your House – the good, the bad, and (hopefully not) the ugly.
If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own design firm, maybe you’ve just graduated from school, perhaps you’ve worked for another firm and seen first-hand what not to do and decided it’s time to go out on your own, today is the show for you because today’s topic is “Starting a Design Firm”.
How does scale factor into the practice of architecture? For any architect, scale and proportion are two skills that appear to be the most challenging to master.
What exactly is leadership and what does it mean to be a leader? Leadership is thrust upon those who, through the strength of conviction and moral character, lead through personal example.
Do you have a design culture in your office? Why is it that some firms have it and others don’t? A culture of design isn’t something that just happens, there has to be a plan, it needs to be cultivated, and even then, without the right sort of people in place, you might be fighting an uphill battle.
When an architect goes to work … what happens? Do they pull out a pen and sketch paper? Maybe they power up some hardware – quite possibly a bit of both. Ask and architect what they need to do their job and they’ll all give you different answers but we’ll give you the real scope on today’s episode … Architectural Tools
We are all familiar with the phrase “style over substance” but those words might mean something else to architects. If I were to look at a project and describe it with this particular phrase, there is no question that this would reflect a negative opinion ... but is it unnecessarily harsh or does it have a place in any conversation where architecture is discussed?
We have special guest Marlon Blackwell, FAIA on the podcast today and if you are not intimately familiar with his work, I am excited to be in a position to share it with you. Marlon and I go back a long way and it seemed only fitting that we should finally ask him to be on the podcast.
For every architect and designer, there are objects out there that resonate for them in a profound manner and can even shape their design philosophies. These can be buildings, products – even materials – but no matter what you call them, they are "Objects of Design".
Today we are talking about the design process and how different that process is between residential projects and commercial projects. While you might think that this is a conversation about scale, budgets, and complexities, it's really about something quite different.
Architects are using technology more and more and with each passing day, more of this technology is available from the comforts of your cellphone or smart tablet. This list has been curated and categorized to provide the best mobile apps for architects.
A lot can happen in just a few weeks.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, business as usual is anything but … and Andrew and I felt like we should interrupt our regularly scheduled podcast to take some time and talk about working from home – something that we all are going to have to deal with for the foreseeable future.
Since so many of the people we listen to this podcast are single or small office practitioners, we thought that instead of running our scheduled (and completed - DOH!) podcast episode – which was titled “A Culture of Design” and will be released a bit later in the year - that we should take this moment in time and talk a little bit about how the current climate is impacting our daily routines, our jobs, the basic stuff that for the vast majority of us, are the givens that help ground us. A bit of this is purely selfish on my part because I wanted to make a record of sorts of this particular moment in time - talk about what is happening to our daily lives in what is unquestionably unprecedented activities.
We will also be talking about working from home – what that actually looks like – home office setups, multiple people all working from home, teaching classes remotely, thinking about what that might be like from both the teacher and the student side of things, along with some more mundane realities that we are having to deal with. I will go on record and say that I am not really a "work-from-home" fan. As an employer, I will concede that I don't think that the vast majority of people really do their best work when left completely to their own devices, a big part of that is based on my own behavior, but as an employee, I really feed off the energy and conversations that take place within the work environment.
[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]
Traveling and Going to the Grocery Store [ 4:36 mark] Just about every part of our daily routines is being affected in ways that still don't make a great deal of sense to me. I'm not sure if it's hoarding behavior taking place, or something along the supply chain has been impacted (across the entire planet) but I don't know why it's so difficult to get your hands on some toilet paper.
I was out of town for the week when most of the craziness took place where I live. I was in Northern California spending the week at a rental house in Sea Ranch (if you're not familiar with this landmark project, I've written about it in detail previously here: Sea Ranch, California) and from afar I watched more and more things close down and become unavailable. Friends were telling me about how everything in the grocery stores was gone and that by the time I get back into town all that will be left will be canned asparagus and potted meat.
Luckily it wasn't that bad but there were limits put in place on the number of specific items you could purchase. Luckily, my wife and I do not exhibit hoarding personalities and most of the things on this restriction list were not an issue for us.
Working from Home [ 15:12 mark] I would be interested to hear from people how their work from home situation is shaping up. Andrew and I recorded this episode on Sunday, March 22nd, and I have now spent 1 week working from home ... and my opinions on the matter have been profoundly impacted by this single week.
I will say that my dogs LOVE having all of us at home all day. In the beginning, it was a bit overbearing - they wanted to be around me all the time and for them, they wanted me to pet them, throw the ball and play fetch, even a game of tug-of-war was not out of the question. On day one, I thought "Okay, I'll do some of this so you will leave me alone ..."
They still aren't leaving me alone.
Hopefully, they will start to tone down their neediness of my attention because I honestly don't have the time to pay attention to them. I was very surprised by just how much time I spent working last week.
The process of preparing construction drawings has evolved from “What do we need to do to “What can’t we do?” Today we are going talking about construction drawing best practices in what is essentially creating the graphic instruction manual of constructing a building.
Architectural Technology is changing how architects work and what’s in today might be irrelevant and out of date by next week, but ignore these developments at your own peril. For even your average run-of-the-mill architect, technology is a way of life … but despite knowing this information, I am frequently amazed by just how amazing technology actually is and the role it plays daily in my work and my office.
So you’ve graduated from architecture school and received a university degree in architecture - so what happens next? What exactly does an architect do? What if you don’t want to be a designer, maybe you have interests in how buildings are detailed and built, the selection of materials and finishes, firm management … so many directions you could go and today we are going to talk about a bunch of them and take you Inside the Firm!
[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1562005974350-0'); });
No matter the size of the architectural firm, almost all of them have a similar set of roles to be filled in order to run the firm and make it successful. These roles can be multiple people in a large firm but as the firm size decreases, the number of roles taken on by a single person most likely increases. I’ve talked many times about the multiple hats worn by those of us in the profession who work in small firms, and until recently, this is the only environment I've known for the majority of my entire career. Considering that this is the 944th post I have personally written on this site, it's a little shocking to learn that this is really the first time that I've really dived into the various roles someone can pursue within an architectural office. So, armed with that knowledge, let’s get into the roles and discuss how there is a place for all types of people within the architectural profession.
We should point out – or maybe have a small primer conversation that not all of these roles are available at every firm but based on your interests, it is a consideration that might point you towards a particular-sized firm. In no particular order – well that’s not true, we’ve tried to group roles together that might make sense or share some path of growth and development, I suppose I am trying to stay away from implying there is any hierarchy to these roles.
Production Manager / Production Staff [5:20 mark] – the backbone of any architectural firm. Everyone in this area is focused on the creation and coordination of the main deliverable of the firm . . . the construction documents. This is also the department of the firm that makes up the largest percentage of staff and effort. Typically this area is where most new graduates start their careers.
Construction Administration [11:00 mark] – There is actually an entire department within this category. All the work in this department is concentrated on the execution of the products created by the production department. The effort of making sure that the project is built according to the construction documents by reviewing submittals, visiting the job site, and overall involvement in the process of construction.
Specification Writer [14:12 mark] – Until I came to my current office, I’ve never had a dedicated specification writer. I have either written and assembled all the specifications or we hired a third-party to handle it for us, which for the record, never worked out very well. Reviews drawings and other project information to write and edit project specifications. Uses a thorough understanding of project design requirements to translate project needs for specific materials, equipment, installation, certifications, testing, and methods applicable to the project. Performs product research, assists in material selection, develops and maintains relationships with vendors, performs quality management reviews, and provides technical advice to project teams.
Business Development [17:25 mark] – While this doesn’t have to necessarily be an architect, I think it helps. To a certain extent, all the people in leadership positions do business development just be doing good work and making clients happy.
Business development is about making connections. It’s building upon the brand that you have established through marketing efforts to connect your audience to you...
Finding the right sort of person who can help guide you through the various stages of your career can be incredibly valuable and beneficial. Today, Andrew and I are talking about mentorship and what that means, what can make it great, why it doesn’t necessarily work, what you can do so that you might actually benefit from the experience, and what sort of relationship can make a mentor a great fit for you.
That's a fairly tall order of things to accomplish but we are going to give it a go.
[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1562005974350-0'); });
Mentorship is intended to be a mutually beneficial arrangement between two interested individuals, but it can really only be instigated by the younger party. I often hear that the entire Life of an Architect site is a form of mentorship … sort of a “mentorship by proxy”, but I couldn’t disagree more. At best, my website is full of unsolicited advice made available to people who are looking for some sort of information or guidance, but without the give-and-take of a meaningful dialog over an extended period of time, it is lacking at its core the real value that mentorship provides.
Mentors are more than advisers, they are interested in your professional development and career advancement. Mentors are those individuals or research teams who are excited, willing and able to share their experience and expertise.
At the end of 2019, Andrew and I got together to work on a topics list for what we might want to discuss on our 2020 because surprise surprise, these episodes take some planning and preparation. Based on the emails I receive, one of the topics we knew that we would include was on "Mentorship" and we penciled this is as today's topic for discussion. About a week before we recorded today's episode, I received an email from Max Underwood, AIA who teaches at Arizona State University, and in his email, he suggested that we have an episode on this very topic. In his effort to be helpful, Max included some information from a University-wide grad-mentoree workshop and Andrew and I ended up using part of this information as the basis for today's conversation.
Ten Essential qualities that should be sought or cultivated in your mentor are:
1) Enthusiasm for our discipline, field, and profession [20:24 mark] 2) Experience and insight into what works and what does not [20:59 mark] 3) High standards and expectations for oneself [23:30 mark] 4) An open mind with regard both to complex issues such as definitions of success and to the changing nature of our field and its support structures [24:44 mark] 5) Inquisitiveness, to be able to help identify and evaluate underlying assumptions [31:20 mark]
6) Empathetic, the ability to articulate and address sensitive issues is helpful in dealing with the realities and needs of relationships. [32:53 mark] 7) Excellent communicator, the capacity to be both a good questioner and a good listener [35:43 mark] 8) Clear decision maker, to be able to help examine difficult situations and/or choices [41:41 mark] 9) A willingness to expend time and effort to provide relevant mentorship [42:31 mark] 10) An appreciation of diversity in perspective and worldview. A belief of what individuals can and should be in our discipline, field, and profession regardless of gender or ethnicity. [43:42 mark]
One item that we would have like to have spent more time on is that you should not confuse someone who is giving out advice for someone in the role of mentor. The main distinction between these two is that someone giving advice can simply pop onto the scene, drop some possibly poorly considered advice bomb on you, and then enjoy the luxury of not necessarily being around to pick up the pieces or deal with the consequences. A real mentor is someone who evolves with you,
Today is a special episode because we are sitting down with my very close and personal friend, even though we have never actually met, Canadian architectural rock star Omar Gandhi.
This is the first in a series of posts we are rolling out for the 2020 podcast season titled “Talking Shop with __________.” We anticipate doing around four of these specialty episodes this year and we decided to come out the gate strong with our first guest - Canadian Architect and Emerging Voice in the architectural community - as well as my friend - Omar Gandhi.
[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]
Before we get into all the pretty photography, drawings and models, here is a professional bio from Omar that should help you understand who we are talking with today.
[l-r: Canadian Architect Omar Gandhi; the letter from Omar to Bob Borson ... to hear how this letter came to be, listen at the 16:26 mark]Omar Gandhi is a Canadian architect currently practicing and residing in both Halifax, Nova Scotia and Toronto, Ontario.
After studying in the Regional Arts program at Mayfield Secondary School (Caledon) and then the inaugural Architectural Studies Program at the University of Toronto Omar moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he received his Master’s degree in 2005 at Dalhousie University. After graduation, Omar worked for Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects, Young + Wright Architects, and finally MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects upon his return to Halifax. Gandhi started his own design studio in 2010 and became a registered architectural practice in 2012. Omar is the recipient of the 2014 Canada Council for the Arts Professional Prix de Rome and was listed in Wallpaper* Magazine’s 2014 Architects Directory – their list of the top 20 Young Architects in the World. Omar was named one of the Architectural League of New York’s ‘Emerging Voices’ of 2016, one of Monocle Magazine’s 20 most influential Canadians, and was named one of Architectural Record Magazine’s Design Vanguard for 2018. Most recently the studio was the recipient of the 2018 Governor General’s Medal in Architecture for the cabin at Rabbit Snare Gorge – Canada’s highest honor for built projects. Omar was appointed as the Louis I. Kahn Visiting Assistant Professor in Architectural Design at the Yale School of Architecture for the Fall semester of the 2018-19 academic year.
Just to help you understand the context and talent of who we are speaking with today on the podcast, we decided to isolate a single project and put it on display so you could see the finished product, the rigor associated with the floor plans, and the creative process which includes model-making as well a hand-drawn concept sketch.
The project we are focusing on today is The Lookout at Broad Cove Marsh located in Inverness, Nova Scotia. While I have included several images here, I did not include all that are available - not that you need an additional reason to visit Omar's website but go here to see more images, including several from the interior of the project.
This is a beautiful project and we promised Omar that we would recognize the individuals who contributed to its creation.
Architect Omar Gandhi, Jeff Shaw, Peter Kolodziej, Amber Kilborn Engineer Andrea Doncaster Engineering Structural model Ben Angus Contractor Joseph ‘MacGee’ MacFarlane Photography Doublespace Photography
Okay, time for the hypothetical question – which is really the only reason why the first part of this podcast exists … it’s all just leading up to this moment. As it turns out, Omar is familiar with how this works except I had to clarify that either Omar or Andrew could answer first, but no matter what order, I will go last so I can change the rules and make fun of everybody's answers. Andrew is very familiar with how this works! [46:00 mark]
Would you rather only age from the neck up or the neck down?
Changing jobs is exciting and terrifying at the same time – particularly if you are making a drastic change wither in the type of work or the size of the firm. Today we are talking about “Changing Jobs” a topic that seems somewhat fitting given that it is the first podcast episode of 2020 and both Andrew and me have changed jobs.
Andrew and I really enjoy answering hypothetical questions as part of each Life of an Architect podcast episode. In our final recording of the year, we are happy to present to you the "Director's Cut" on three of our most favorite Hypothetical questions from 2019, as well as two new questions as our way of saying thanks for listening to the show this year.
Buying gifts for Architects can be tough for some people because architects are very specific about the sorts of things they want. This is the 10th consecutive year of "What to Get an Architect for Christmas" and there is something here for every sort of architect.
What music do you listen to? What’s your design process? What is your favorite building and why? What do you eat for breakfast? All this and more today as architects Andrew Hawkins and Bob Borson answer your burning questions where almost no topic is off-limits.
Architecture and skilled craft go hand in hand, but you may not be aware that the number of skilled individuals that are required to bring an architect’s ideas to reality and in today's episode, Andrew and I are talking about the state of skilled labor in the construction industry.
If you ever thought about being an architect but thought you couldn’t handle the math, you aren’t alone. At parties across the land, as soon as someone finds out there is an architect in the crowd, there is a story being told about how they wanted to be an architect but since they couldn’t draw or weren’t very good at math, they decided to do something else.
Architectural models are clearly within the architect's domain but are you within the "physical models are better" or "digital models are better" camp? Physical models have a bigger impact on the space when people can interact with them, but digital models are a more powerful tool for the act of creating architecture.
Taking the architectural registration exam is a crucial step in the process of becoming an architect. The test is long, difficult, and stressful, but it is an absolute necessity if you want to be an architect.
Your college architecture projects will be silly because they are designed to make you think outside what you already know. They are also supposed to force you to evaluate your own belief system, your own understanding of how spaces work, and the things that shape your ideas.
Do Architects have obsessive personalities? I tend to think so, and only partially based on my own behavior. I should throw out the caveat that I don’t think you should have to explain why you obsess over something. Isn’t that the nature of any obsession – that there is some level of irrationality associated behind it? Of course, people seem to typically feel that their logic is flawless and that they are completely justified in their behavior and if you can’t see the wisdom in their position, the fault lies with you.
Is It the dream of every architect to start their own architecture firm? Most architects think about it at one point or another and Austin Architect Michael Hsu sits down to talk about how he started his own firm.
If I have one regret during my college education is that I never worked on a construction site. Once I graduated from college, I went straight to work in an architectural office, drawing up all sorts of stuff that I had literally never seen before in my life. I managed to get along but I was acutely aware of my lack of practical knowledge and I have been trying to make up for it over the last 20+ years.
[Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1562005974350-0'); });
We'd like to thank today's guest, Nicholas Renard, the owner, architect and registered residential contractor of Dig-Architecture, an architect-led design-build firm in Jacksonville, Florida. We recorded today's episode live in Las Vegas from the Expo floor of the 2019 AIA Conference on Architecture as special guests of Huber Engineered Woods.
a small portion of Bob's tool collection
My practical experience, and I suppose formal construction education, really didn’t start until I bought my first house and didn’t have the money to pay someone else to do the work. My wife had a job that required an extensive amount of traveling and since I am not a “go out to the bar” kind of dude (despite what others might think) I would stay home in the evenings and work on projects around the house. It was during this time that I started building up my tool collection.
Did either of you work construction when you were in architecture school? [2:30 mark] Both Bob and Nick worked on projects with their father around the house and this gave them their initial exposure to the basics of the construction process. They spent time either watching or helping their fathers around the house as they took on projects of various scales. But of the three, Andrew is the only one who has ever actually worked in the construction industry during their architectural education. Andrew worked in construction during the summers as a high school student. Then, while in grad school, he worked in a cabinetry shop construction custom cabinetry in a small shop in Oregon. Apparently, the common thread among the three of us is having built a deck in our backyards at some point in our lives.
How do you think working in construction would benefit an architect? [10:17 mark] The translation from the drawing environment to the built environment typically takes time for a new professional in architecture. The knowledge of the process of construction, the tolerances involved, the order of operations and other physical activities all have an impact on the design and final product. So being able to understand all of these aspects of the downstream portions of your design is very beneficial and can impact your ability as a designer to impact the final result, the budget, and the overall process. Being able to understand and apply this to your projects is a valuable skill for any architect.
Understanding the differences between the exactness of the drawing environment versus the built environment. [14:30 mark] The system of education tends to push you as an architecture student to strive for perfection in your processes. This seems to translate over into your career and the way you design or draw digitally. The reality of the construction site is that there is not a possibility for perfection. Part of being on a construction site allows you to understand the tolerances of this process. Every part of the assemblies on a job site has built-in tolerances. And as they are assembled, those tolerances compound and create project dimensions that cannot be held to the digital perfection. Understanding this concept and how it affects your design is something that takes time as a young professional. One of the benefits of being on construction sites early in your education or career is that it reduces this time frame and allows you to grasp that concept quicker,
In order for social media to have an impact, you first have to decide on what you want to achieve and from there, you actually have to put yourself out there as an individual because social media only functions when you are social - which means there has to be a 1st person narrative. I should point out that this doesn't necessarily mean talking about yourself, it means talking about things from your perspective.
How much time have you spent thinking about the legal side of architecture? If you are like most architects, you probably haven't spent enough time thinking about it. While it may not be the sexiest part of the architectural profession, it is something that every licensed architect must consider on every single project.
“Your first architectural job is important.” I’m not talking about summer jobs or internships … those don’t really count because they have a known shelf-life associated with them. I’m talking about the first job a person takes once they’ve graduated from college – the job that signals the beginning of their professional career.
Today we are talking about Architectural Bucket lists. Everyone knows what a bucket list is – things you want to do or achieve in your life. For an architect, this could be visiting Therme Vals in Switzerland by Peter Zumthor, or if this was prior to 1969, maybe it would be smoking cigars with Mies van der Rohe.
[Note: If you are reading this via email, you will have to click here to access the on-site audio player]
Items that an architect would put on their Architectural Bucket list could cover a lot of ground, but that’s what we are going to be talking about today. Preparing for this show was actually agony for me because I tend to not identify with favorites. There is an ebb and flow to my interests and while I might really like something today, chances are better than good that I will replace this current object of my fascination with something else before too long.
Never the less, let's see where our current interest lies as of today.
Person
Who would you like to have as an ideal "Architect" buddy for your life/practice? I would assume that this would be a famous architect but it doesn’t have to be. But let’s put the caveat on here that they have to be living?
Photo of Renzo Piano Photo: Eric Feferberg/AFP/AFP/Getty Images Photo of the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre Photo: Sergio Grazia/ADCK/Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre/RPBW
Andrew I chose Renzo Piano. While there may be a language issue, as pointed out by Bob, I went a more professional route and chose him based on my appreciation for his work and the impact his friendship might have on my own work. So for this one, it would be a true "architecture buddy". I think Renzo is thoughtful in his work and he has a fantastic sense of detail and creativity. He has long been an architect that I admire, so therefore I would want him for my practice side of life. As noted in our conversations, I chose a different direction of thought than Borson on this one.
Photo of Tom Kundig: Juliana Sohn for The Wall Street Journal.Photo of the Delta Shelter: Tim Bies/Olson Kundig Architects.
Bob This was a tough one for me because most of the architects who I admire are probably too mature to actually enjoy spending time with me. Answering this question came down to narrowing a few perceived character traits. Do they like to party? Could we talk about something other than architecture? And for what traits have I selected them? Design? Technical prowess? Business acumen? Originality in their thinking? How about all of these items? For that reason, I went with Tom Kundig. On one hand, this seems like it would be a popular choice, the non-architect’s choice, but I chose Tom because I like the technical nature in which he designs appeals to my own process. I would live in every house he has ever designed, he looks like he enjoys what he does and despite the ability to change the scale of the projects he tackles he has continued to accept and design single-family residential works.
I almost went with Omar Ghandi but he seems either so cool as to appear disinterested in everything or maybe he’s mean. Every project of his I love but whenever I see pictures of him, he seems too intense to be my friend ... but maybe I'm wrong about that.
Place
This would be a location you would like to visit. It could be a broad point and/or a very specific one … I’m not even sure that it has to be “architectural”.
A riverside view in Bavaria, Bamberg, Germanyphoto credit FOROLIA/AP
Andrew I chose a region of a country for this one. Bavaria Germany was my choice as a "place". I have never been to this area so it holds a romantic mystique for me. I feel drawn by my ideas of the mixture of landscape, history, architecture, food, and drink. I believe I would enjoy this area for all of those reasons and more. While I am a "modernist" at heart, the idea of traveling through medieval towns and visiting castles while enjoying great food and beer sounds like the best experience imaginable.
Unlike most professions, architects are fairly accustomed to standing up in front of a group of people and public speaking ... but that doesn't mean they like it (or even worse) - that they are any good at doing it. The concern going through almost everyone's head before they get up in front of a group is that they will look stupid, sound stupid, or generally come across as someone who shouldn't be talking about whatever it is they are talking about. If that's you, the good news is that you are not alone.
Sometimes bad things happen, and it impacts you in a way that you weren’t anticipating – takes you out of your normal head space. Since I don’t like feeling bad, we’re going to do something about it. Welcome to "The Fun Show".
[Note: If you are reading this via email, you will have to click here to access the on-site audio player]
Just like the occasional blog post, the podcast (and blog post) today will be a "life" day because we are talking about, well, whatever we want to a certain extent. As of this writing, Notre Dame Cathedral suffered a tragic fire this last week and it put Andrew and me in a somber mood … but I’m ready to have some fun so today is a bit of a course correction and we are going to have a good time. For almost a year now I have wanted to record a podcast episode that was centered around a more "life" centric theme. I don't know if you are a regular visitor on the site or not but the last few podcast topics have been:
Episode 19 - Architectural Fees
Architectural Fees are a mystery to most people and there is no shortage of methods that architects charge for their services. How do you make sense of which method works best for you and your clients?
Episode 20 - The Construction Bid Process
Every client wants to know what their project is going to cost and who’s going to build it. That means sending the drawings out and getting contractors involved.
Episode 21 - Making an Architect
Becoming an architect is the dream of many people, but it is rare that these individuals learn enough about themselves and what it means to be an architect prior to finding themselves in a position to have to make the decision to actually become an architect.
Episode 22 - Residential Construction Costs
Architects and General Contractors typically use certain rules of thumb to determine residential construction costs at various stages of development. Here is a guide of approximately what you get per square foot when building a new home.
While I think all of these are important topics to cover, they are really focused on some very technical aspects of the profession and according to some of the feedback we received, pretty technical in nature. Andrew and I did not take this feedback as critical, we actually appreciate when people take the time to give us feedback on the show, we did take as the opportunity I've been looking for to do a "life" episode. Well, that and the whole Notre Dame Cathedral burning thing I mentioned earlier.
To get our heads right, this episode is really Andrew and I sitting around the proverbial campfire (otherwise known as my bedroom) and telling adventure stories from some of the trips we've taken in our life. As in the image above [11:02-minute mark] when Mike Buesing, one of my friends from architecture school, and I decided to take a trip through the great Southwest visiting destinations like Chaco Canyon and Monument Valley which is where this picture was taken. This was 1992 and there aren't many pictures from this time in my life. I captured the image above by balancing my 35mm Nikon SLR on a boulder with some smaller rocks in my attempt to level the image. I set the timer and depressed the photo button and ran like mad to try to get back to this spot before the photo was taken.
While I almost fell off a Mesa taking this picture, I almost died climbing up to this spot with lawn furniture around my neck. This entire trip was amazing for me since I had never visited this part of the country before but as I think back to this trip, just about all of the memories I have, start with the moment when things start to go sideways on us.
Even when I scheduled trips that I believed were basically architectural vacations, just with my family in tow, turned out to be something completely different. The now infamous "Borson-Paris" trip of 2010 was the moment when I realized that while vacations and trips are great for opening your mind to different cul...
Residential construction costs are not that complicated unless you really want to make them that way. There are some general broad stroke pieces of information that if you know them, you will not be surprised when it comes time to plan your budget.
Becoming an architect is the dream of many people, but it is rare that these individuals learn enough about themselves and what it means to be an architect prior to finding themselves in a position to have to make the decision to actually become an architect.
Every client wants to know what their project is going to cost and who’s going to build it. That means sending the drawings out and getting contractors involved … Let’s get ready to rumble because “The Construction Bid Process ” is today’s topic.
[Note: If you are reading this via email, you will have to click here to access the on-site audio player]
For those of you who might not know, a construction bid is the process in which the contractor takes the drawings and specifications as prepared by the architect and their consultants, reviews them for materials, quantities, and submits a price in which to undertake the scope of work as defined in those construction documents.
This should all sound pretty normal because this is what happens for any professional scope of service. I tell you what I want, you tell me what it’s going to take to give it to me, and I either agree or disagree to pay this price. In the construction world, it basically works the exact same way but there are some nuances and subtleties to discuss.
Let’s get into it and let’s start by discussing how projects are bid. I am going to start by stating that there is a difference between how public and private projects are bid but the basics are the same but there is a lot less formality and procedures for residential projects.
The bid process has several steps that are typically standard no matter what “delivery method” you are utilizing for your project. (We will get to those "delivery methods" in a future episode). So the basics of the bid process are as follows:
Step 1: Construction Docs Completed The Architect and their team have completed a full set of construction documents that should include all of the important information required for contractors to provide a price to build the project.
Step 2: Advertise the Project (at large or to invited bidders) During this period, the construction documents are provided to contractors and tradesmen to review, question, and price. This process can be handled in several ways depending (once again) on the delivery method. These days the majority of this process occurs electronically, though some forms of paper distribution still take place. The future for this step will be completely electronic at some point and may not even involve drawings.
Step 3: Bidding Q&A Period During this step a set period of time is established, typically 3-4 weeks, that the documents are reviewed and such by anyone who hopes to provide a price to construct the work. This is directly tied to Step Two. The contractors can ask for clarifications or product substitutions or additional information within this set number of days. Also during this period it is the architect’s job to continue to distribute information to all those contractors who are bidding the work. This is always a set period of time, that once it ends, the pricing is due… the bid.
Step 4: Reception of Bids So this is the step, usually an exact day and time, when everyone is required to provide their bid. Many times this is a frantic race to the end with bids coming in at the very last minute. The general contractor or construction manager assemble all of the trade bids they receive into a single number that is considered the price to build the project.
Step 5: Evaluation and Selection This step involves reviewing all the bids and requirements of the bid documents by the owner, architect and other involved stakeholders if any. The goal here is typically to identify the best value for the project; this is not always the lowest bid. This review process is also ensures that the bidders meet all the requirements put forth in the request. It can also give time to get some clarifications on the bid number from the contractors. This part of the process varies again based on delivery method and the number of stakeholders in the project.
Step 6: Contract Negotiations & Start This is the last one. At this point, bids have been evaluated and the contractor that is going t...
Architectural Fees are a mystery to most people and there is no shortage of methods that architects charge for their services. How do you make sense of the options, which method works best for you, and how do you provide a method that suits the needs of both the architect and their clients.
For today's episode, Andrew and I sit down with photographer Poul Ober to discuss the role photography plays in telling an architectural story, as well as the evolving impact photography is having on popular culture.
It happens to almost all of us eventually, and for pretty much everybody, the experience ranges from unpleasant to downright panic-inducing … so get your moving box ready because “Quitting Your Job” is today’s topic, something that I, unfortunately, know a lot about.
What is it like to be an architect? Architecture in the real world is a lot different than people think. Does school prepare you for being an architect?
All industries have specific tools that make their business work - and architects are no different in this regard. Today, we will be discussing virtual reality, 3D printers, drafting software and many more modern day tools for architects.
As an architect, every space I walk in to, I look at … intensely. I scrutinize, evaluate, process, and redesign.
Every. Single. Space.
For the 9th year in a row, Life of an Architect presents its "What to buy an architect for Christmas" - gift ideas that will please even the most particular and demanding of architects.
What does a day in the Life of an Architect look like? There are a lot of different answers to that question and even if I look at what my day looks like, it has varied over the years as I move through my career and took on different roles and responsibilities.
So how much money do architects make? They're all rich, right? Well, that's the topic today and we are going to take a look at how best to answer that question.
There are many things I do during a typical day – designing “stuff” is just one very small portion – but I still consider myself a designer more so than a project architect. Since I work at a smallish firm, everyone wears many hats and nobody has just one task or label. To be considered a designer just means you need to think about the design of everything – and I mean everything. Not everything I do is BIG picture design – compared with the overall time spent, very little of it is – but I consider the creation and coordination of the details of every project integral to the process that yields a successful design.
[Note: If you are reading this via email, you will have to click here to access the on-site audio player]
How do you define Designer? [0:45 mark]
This is a pretty generic definition and fails to recognize allied design professionals.
Where does Creativity fit in? [2:00 mark]
I started thinking that creativity has more to do with how a person thinks, views, and processes information rather than their ability to draw or paint well. As a result, I think some of the most creative people are scientists – people who don’t generally come to mind when the topic of creativity comes up. But you don’t have to be a genius level intellect to demonstrate creativity. Sometimes it’s about being clever and noticing what’s around you and realizing that you can do something with what you see.
If you don't see yourself as a designer when you're doing construction drawings - you're not in the right job. [10:40 mark]
"You don't just design buildings, you design details, you design execution ... you design the entire process".
There are many skills a designer must demonstrate, but in my opinion, here are the 6 most important:
Observation [14:17 mark] If you consider yourself a designer, you make it a point to notice your surroundings. As a characteristic, designers are curious and they take notice and make notes of things others overlook. Communicators [19:44 mark] Designers need to be able to articulate their ideas in a way that builds consensus and fosters an atmosphere of confidence. Integration [26:18 mark] And by this I mean they are able to take their ideas and put them into play. Evaluate [29:18 mark] Designers need to be able to look at their own work critically and keep the good bits and get rid of the parts that don’t work. Context [33:18 mark] Designers are great at understanding context, and context is what enables us to make sense of things and put some sense of order to the task at hand. Context is the bit that allows us to decide if something is relevant ... and determining if something is relevant is crucial when designing because if you design a solution to a problem that isn't relevant in a given context it’s worthless. Forge Their Own Path [37:39 mark] Rather than forming a belief of what a solution can or can’t be, designers tend to look at the process and ask themselves "What if?" and "Why not?" Designers often see rules as guidelines and will work along the edges and as a result generally feel unbound by rules that others follow.
We have decided to introduce a new segment to the podcast. We have been ending each episode with a segment meant to humanize us as individuals while taking a few minutes to talk about what we are doing in our spare time - a segment aptly titled "In My Spare Time". However, and after some reflection, since there are times when I don't really seem to have any spare time, I felt like I was forcing the issue and trying to come up with something to talk about (and if you really knew me, you'd know that this is not normally a problem). So after talking with Landon, I decided that in these moments we will cut the IMST segment and add in this new segment that I am going to call "Hypotheticals".
If you are not familiar with the concept of a hypothetical, let me take a minute and explain it. I will present an imaginary situation or concept (that will almost always ...
With their clarity often confused with simplicity, modern houses require a far greater attention to execution and as a result, seem to surprise everyone with how expensive modern houses actually cost.
If you are interested in becoming an architect, what are the best reasons to pursue your dream? The field of architecture can be extremely rewarding and today we discuss a few of the reasons why.
Fall is just around the corner and that means it's time for students around the country to return to their desk at architecture school. For most, this time is a mixture of excitement and enthusiasm while for others, it's a mixture of anxiety and sleepless nights ...
Architectural offices do a lot more than simply provide a space in which the occupants do their job ... they represent the culture of the office and provide a context in which people imagine what they are capable of doing.
In this fifth episode of the Life of an Architect podcast, Landon and I take on the topic of Architects and cooking and how those two things come together in a way that could be unique.
Architects like to travel, at least that's what all my friends who are architects would like you to believe. While I will agree that this is a true statement, I think it's a fairly generic statement because don't all people like to travel?
In this fourth episode of the Life of an Architect podcast, Landon and I take on the topic of traveling - or at least we start a conversation about traveling. When we sat down to prepare our show notes, it quickly became apparent that this was a topic worthy of several episodes. So to that end, we start with some of the up-front bits of traveling - traveling as a young person compared to a more "mature" person, traveling with children, packing, architectural bucket lists, and traveling for work. So much good stuff - so check out the podcast and be sure to stick around to the very end ... the last two minutes are quite memorable.
[Note: If you are reading this via email, you will have to click here to access the on-site audio player]
Hard to believe that this is what I used to look like ... young.
Traveling in Europe as a Student (6:10 mark) 27 years ago, as a fourth-year architecture student, I spent the Fall semester traveling around Western Europe soaking in all the architectural wonders I could find. I was 22 years old and had done very little traveling of any kind … through the good graces of my parents, The University of Texas School of Architecture, and Virginia Tech, I was able to travel extensively at an age when I was barely prepared to do much of anything in the real world. Most of what I learned from that time didn’t have as much to do with architecture as I anticipated … I grew up.
Since my college trip to Europe predates the widespread use of the internet, the only way to really communicate with people back home was through letters and postcards. I will admit that my parents kept every postcard and letter I sent home and gave them to me once I got back ... and I have kept all of them to this day.
Kate Borson riding a go-cart in a park in Paris
Traveling with Children (8:20 mark) During a trip to the Museé d'Orsay, I was reminded of how to look at something by my 5-year-old daughter. Sometimes you have to slow down in order to see what you are looking at - a lesson that I didn't learn until I was forced to learn it when my wife and I took our daughter to Paris. Little kids are great at doing lots of things but walking around fancy museums for hours on end is not one of them. As expected, after about 30 minutes my daughter said she was bored and I wasn't ready to leave. In an effort to extend our stay, I picked her up and started carrying her around with me as we looked at the paintings.
Distraction tactics commenced.
Au Café dit L'Absinthe by Degas, Museé d'Orsay, Paris, France
Sad Woman in a Bar (10:30 mark) This painting in particular, by Edgar Degas, captured the imagination of my daughter and she spent the better part of 15 minutes coming up with a narrative on why this woman looked so sad. Kids are funny that way, their impatience or intolerance with a thing typically comes from not understanding it or from being disinterested in the current activity. The slightest of changes will impact the way they see something, and as a result, their behavior will change your behavior.
Bring your kids to museums.
Packing (24:40 mark) I am a packing master - and this is the weekend bag that I use as often as I can. I will readily acknowledge that roller-bags are easier to move around but the old-school version of me thinks this is more manly. I have already taken about a dozen trips through the first seven months of the year, and have another Five taking place within the next two months - somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 miles - and my average trip lasts no more than 3 days. Unless I am packing 3" D-ring binders and stone samples, I prefer to carry a bag with some style.
Favorite Building in Paris and "The Herd" (21:14 mark)
Sketching is a hot topic regardless of the people having the discussion, but I have learned over the last nine years of writing this site that sketching is one of the more hotly contested topics. While few architects would dispute the value in sketching, HOW that sketch is generated seems to fall into camps of individuals: Team Analog versus Team Digital and I don't think anyone would be surprised to learn that the age of the individual seems to decide (more times than not, but not a guarantee) which camp an individual belongs.
These are the show notes to accompany the 3rd Life of an Architect podcast, and I hope that these notes will help bridge the gap between a pure blog post and a pure podcast. Unlike some other podcast show notes, my goal - at least for the foreseeable future, is going to include as many graphics as possible to support the podcast content, so that even if you don't listen to the podcast, there is something here that is of value. I will also concede that after several lengthy conversations with my wife, I have finally conceded to her point that I should include links to the items I mention or reference so that you don't have to go hunt them down yourself. This was a practice that I have generally avoided since I started writing this blog, but hopefully, this is also of some value.
So let's get to it!
[Note: If you are reading this via email, you will have to click here to access the on-site audio player]
Architectural Sketching - or - How to Sketch like Bob Borson (6:40 mark) Without trying to present you with false modesty, I am fairly comfortable with my ability to sketch ... but this was not always the case. A friend of mine gave me a handful of tips that made a fundamental change to how my sketches appeared. While I don't typically draw perspectives or try to capture the mood of a space, I have been sketching almost daily to create the sorts of sketches I do produce.
Sketchbook - (36:04 mark) My business partner Michael Malone is many things, and right at the very top of traits I would assign him is prolific sketcher. He literally is at it every single day and his sketches are rather amazing and absolutely recognizable in their style. I have no doubt that I could pick one of his sketches out amongst thousands of other sketches. The image above is a cabinet in Michael's office and you can see that lining a few of the shelves are loads and loads of sketchbooks. Towards the top are fairly simple, hardback covered volumes, whereas on the bottom are these incredibly nice leather-bound volumes - all of which represent decades worth of ideas and thoughts.
Almost 4 years ago I wrote a post on sketchbooks and Michael's handiwork is on full display in this post - Architectural Sketchbooks.
These leather-bound sketchbooks are ridiculously nice - almost too nice for me - but Michael uses these types of books to record meeting notes and other "this is what's going on in my life" sort of items. He has been buying these 8.75" x 11" leather journals from Graphic Image for decades - and they certainly have an archival feel to them.
The pages are lined and while Michael does produce sketches in them, they are primarily used for record notes and for keeping track of other items ...
Like parking passes, museum receipts ... even stickers from jeans. While it might sound a bit random, when taken in as a whole, they are ridiculously cool.
And then there are the "regular" sketchbooks that both Michael and I use - they aren't anything fancy ...
See? Nothing fancy and if I'm being honest, while they take a fair amount of abuse, they aren't indestructible. I have a few that are in fine working order that dates back to 1990 ... but they sorta look like they date back to 1990. Almost all of mine are 8.5" x 11" hardback books from Strathmore but Michael said he also buys Canson sketchbooks as well.
In addition to design concept sketches, Michael will put anything that motivates him in these ske...
Life of an Architect podcast discusses the College years in this second episode. How do you pick the right architecture school? Is there a portfolio requirement? What sort of classes should I take? This and more are discussed.
Life of an Architect has finally entered the podcasting world! In the first episode, Bob Borson and Landon Williams discuss why they decided to start a podcast, their objectives for the podcast, as well as possible future topics.