Episodes

What’s it really like to work in architecture? The hosts of Archispeak know, and they’re here to share real-life experiences. Since 2012 architects Evan Troxel and Cormac Phalen have been podcasting their brand of real talk on everything from design, tools, and work/life balance to generational differences, mentoring, job hunting, and more. Probing questions, revelatory interviews, and unique insights have grown their audience and become a weekly ritual for students and seasoned professionals alike.

#55 - This Episode is Rejected

Architects face rejection all the time, from the very first critique all the way through their professional careers. How one deals with that rejection can make a huge difference in their personal and professional lives. In Episode 55, Archispeak explores the different rejections architects encounter, including turning the tables and rejecting potential clients, then provides insider tips on how best to turn those rejections into positives.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#54 - Agent of Change

Sometimes, how we start our architectural careers can ultimately pigeonhole us. Are you tired of the same old routine day after day, week after week, or project after project? Do you feel like you or your employees are in a rut? If so, tune in and listen to Episode 54 of Archispeak as we talk about how to break free of monotony and ways leaders can help their people get unstuck.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#53 - How Did We Get Here

And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack…
in another part of the world…
behind the wheel of a large automobile…
in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife…
And you may ask yourself… Well... How did I get here?

In episode 53, Archispeak takes a trip back and explores how we each got into this crazy profession we call architecture.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#52 - Liability

Warning! Archispeak is not a lawyer, we just play one on this podcast. In episode 52, we partner with the prestigious law firm of Dewey, Cheatem & Howe to discuss the dark side of the profession: liability. Every architect or student hoping to become one needs to understand what their liability will be and we start by looking at a California Supreme Court ruling, which opens up architects to decisions made by an owner regardless of the recommendations of the architect.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#51 - Architectural Fight Club

Welcome to Architectural Fight Club. The first rule of Architectural Fight Club is: you do not talk about Architectural Fight Club. The second rule of Architectural Fight Club is: you DO NOT talk about Architectural Fight Club! 

For Episode 51, Archispeak breaks the first rule of Architectural Fight Club and discusses architecture's so-called "crisis of confidence." As more and more mainstream figures in the field are admitting that the profession has lost its way, we ask the question: what, if anything, can architects do?

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#50 - 2014 Year in Review

For Episode 50, Archispeak takes a look back on 2014 and examines some of our most commented upon shows. Along the way we discuss office holiday policies and ask our listeners to let us know what their favorite episodes of 2014 was. We also look forward to 2015 with some enthusiasm for what the year may bring.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#49 - Gifts for Architects 2014

Buying a gift for someone is tough. When that person is an architect, it is almost impossible. Just in time for the holidays your friends at Archispeak are here to help with some of our favorite things. Remember, whatever you get, make sure it's in the preferred architectural color - black.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#48 - Brain Drain

There is a crisis coming to the profession of architecture. Over the next 15 years the number of architects aged 55-64 will increase by 47%, while the number of those aged 33-54 will decrease by 6%. In Episode 48 of Archispeak, we discuss if this will become either a great opportunity for those willing to stay in the profession and help remake it, or will it be a catastrophic loss of valuable knowledge?

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#47 - Equity by Design

Archispeak is proud to have Rosa Sheng, Architect, Senior Associate with Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and AIA SF Board of Directors join us as we touch the "third rail" of the architectural profession and discuss equity in architecture. Rosa shares with us the results from The Missing 32% Project's, Equity by Design 2014 Symposium, her thoughts on women in architecture and where we go from here.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#46 - 98 Percent

According to Frank Gehry: "In this world we are living in, 98 percent of everything that is built and designed today is pure shit." So, where does that leave us, the rest of the worlds architects? In Episode 46 of Archispeak, we discuss Mr. Gehry's comments and whether you agree or disagree, it's good to have these conversations.

We are the 98 Percent!

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#45 - Critique and Criticism

It's time to critique the work, but don't take it personally. It's not about you. Episode 45 of Archispeak dives into the delicate process of the do's and don't when it comes to critiquing a project. We discuss the importance of arguing (spoiler: it's good for the project) and that the goal should be for a better project. People often have "good" ideas, and it takes others to make them "great" ideas.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#44 - Preservation Pants

For Episode #44, Archispeak does some followup on several listener calls and comments from prior episodes. We then spend the remainder of the show on another listener suggested topic (see, we do listen so keep calling in) and put on our "Preservation Pants" and tackle the Louis Cherry designed Oakwood Modern Home controversy.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#43 - Value Engineering

Value engineering is a part of the architectural process. Sometimes for the good, but more often to the detriment of our projects. In Episode 43, Archispeak discusses what happens to a "value engineered" project and what we can do to make it less painful. Along the way we ask if value engineering or cost estimating should be taught in architecture school? Join us as we explore a more efficient or cheaper solution to achieve the intent at a more cost effective solution. #archispeak 

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#42 - Architects’ Websites

Architects and their websites. For episode 42, Archispeak crawls all over the web and examines the questions of whether or not you should have one, who your audience should be, what it should include and what it shouldn't. Join us for a lively discussion and be sure to share your opinions in the comments.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#41 - Collaboration & Consultants

A listen recently asked to hear our thoughts on working with engineers and other consultants. So, for Episode 41, Archispeak accepts the challenge and dispenses some wisdom on what it is like to try and herd cats in the world of Architecture.

Be sure to check our Facebook page to see Evan, Neal and Cormac taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and read the show notes for the winner of Episode 40’s Contest.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#40 - Hobbies

What do architects do outside of architecture? In episode 40, Archispeak looks outside the office window and discusses our hobbies. Stick with the episode, through the comic geekery, for some solid advice on the advantages of taking a break from architecture.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#39 - Srsly Millennials?

In this episode Archispeak gets fired up and takes on the latest architectural meme, Millennials. We question the self proclaimed “millennial architect” and discuss how we can help them be the agent of change they so desperately want to be. Well, really we just riff on one millennial that does everything he can to make sure he will never work in the architectural profession.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#38 - Interviewing

After a five plus year drought the market for architects is once again picking up. For this episode, Archispeak sits down and takes on the dreaded interview process. We discuss what architectural graduates or licensed architects should present (i.e. drawings, photos), wear and ask in an interview.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#37 - #aiacon14 "Architecture is the Sh!t"

Archispeak attends the AIA Convention in Chicago! Well, not really, but we did gather around the dinner table (literally) and have a conversation with a number of friends of the show who were there. In this very special episode we are thrilled and appreciate everyone that paused, from eating and drinking long enough, to share their thoughts and experiences from AIA Chicago 2014.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#36 - A New Path to Licensure?

NCARB set off a firestorm recently by announcing, “their endorsement of the concept of an additional, structured path that leads to licensure.” For Episode 36 of the Archispeak Podcast we are joined by special guest host Lee Calisti to discuss what this means to the profession and architectural education.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!