In the episode, Cormac shares his experiences from his most intense and fulfilling project, the EO Wilson Biophilia Center in Florida, likening the collaboration of different ideas and skills to 'jazz'. The discussion also covers challenges with difficult projects, budgets, and client relationships that nonetheless led to remarkable results.
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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.
#326 - The Culture of “ASAP”
In this episode, we dive deep into the future of architecture in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology, but we start by stepping back and making an assessment of the sheer magnitude of email we are all drowning in. As architects, we can't help but feel a sense of excitement about the potential that new tools hold for enhancing architectural design and storytelling, but how will that happen if we’re all doing email all day every day?
Read More#325 - Unforeseen Conditions
Cormac tells us a story from the Army which sparks a discussion of various experiences on renovation and remodel projects which brings to light the meaning of the term “unforeseen conditions”.
Read More#324 - Archispeak Turns 12
In this episode we acknowledge the podcast’s 12th anniversary. We then jump into exploring the potential of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in architectural practices and talk about how these technologies could revolutionize the way architects work now that the Apple Vision Pro is out.
Read More#323 - The Life Afforded
We discuss work-life balance in architecture, the impact of emerging technology like Apple's Vision Pro headset, the importance of a side-hustle, and the need for architects to continuously adapt. We also chat about on the financial implications in architectural projects and the tension between design aesthetics and budget constraints.
Read More#322 - A Special Place in Hell
In this episode, we discuss the importance of details in architectural designs, highlight the influence of technology and BIM on architectural drawings and the art of detailing, and reflect on past experiences, including learning from old architectural manuals and dive into architectural design philosophy and practices.
Read More#320 - A Workaholic’s Resolution
We all know architects work hard. Some work way too hard. In this episode, we discuss Cormac’s self-proclaimed workaholism and what he’s going to do about it in 2024.
Read More#319 - Goodbye and Good Riddance
In this episode we discuss the final print edition of Architect Magazine and Evan leads us in an AI workshop with visual, written, and audio examples.
Read More#318 - What Happened in Vegas
Cormac gets more CEU’s bringing his HSW count to Jedi levels, Evan visits Las Vegas for the Autodesk University conference and gives a full report, and they compare and contrast AU to the AIA National Conference on Architecture.
Read More#317 - Siteseeing
In this episode we discuss a bit of site seeing, reflect on the 1-year anniversary of Evan’s move to Oregon, and we finish it up with a sportsing conversation Evan didn’t know he needed… So join us on this special Thanksgiving/Evan’s Birthday episode.
Read More#316 - ‘Designing Your Career’, with David Bradley
David Bradley, AIA PCC joins us to discuss the importance of taking control of your career. We talk about defining outcomes, taking responsibility, setting boundaries, and building trust. We also talk about the need for small steps, accountability, and a clear plan to achieve personal and professional goals.
Read More#314 - Getting Called on the Carpet
In this episode, we discuss Cormac’s haunted house, rising license renewal fees, Evan’s first in-person (as an Oregonian) continuing education lunch n’ learn, using the SIPS building system on projects, the challenges of adopting innovative building systems in the building industry, first costs versus operational costs, school projects that are literally driven by the maintenance staff, and the need for architects to educate our clients.
Read More#313 - Cormac Phalen.PDF
In this episode, we kick things off with an unsolicited email that Cormac received, inquiring about "just needing some plans drawn up”. Then, we welcome Evan back to the darkside as he rejoins the PC realm, as he dives headlong into the world of Microsoft laptops. This plunge down the Microsoft rabbit hole takes us on a nostalgic journey through the annals of Microsoft history, from the Zune to the Windows Phone. But our trip down memory lane doesn't stop there; we also find ourselves wandering down the Atari trail as we talk about the dawn of computer gaming and other things old people talk about.
Read More#312 - Nerd Fest
Anger management kicks off our conversation where Cormac gets to deal with infrastructure replacement in his neighborhood and all of the joys that come with it. Evan shares stories about his ride (Ride the Rim) around Crater Lake. Unbeknownst to both of them, the way Evan decided to tackle his ride would foreshadow the ups and downs of their final conversation in which they discuss a code seminar that Cormac attended and how the constraints of the building code cause many ups and downs on a project.
Read More#311 - Why We Glorify Overwork and Refuse to Rest
First we refresh Evan’s memory on what an “ASI” is, then move on to talk about an article from the Harvard Business Review on the glorification of overwork as we apply it directly to the profession of architecture.
Read More#310 - How Do We Manage It? Caffeine!
In this episode Evan tells us about “Riding the Rim” which to much of Cormac's chagrin is not an all-you-can-drink margarita bar. We also reminisce about trips to Radio Shack and our first computers, and finally we discuss the insanity of the amount of drawings we tend to submit on a project for agency approvals.
Read More#309 - Field-trippin’ with Frank
In this episode of the Archispeak podcast, we continue to catch up with FLW and join Cormac as he continues his road trip adventure in search of Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic buildings. However, this time around, Cormac doesn't have to venture far from home as he's uncovered a surprising abundance of Wright's architectural gems right in the heart of the Detroit Metro area. Join Cormac and Evan as they dive deeper into Cormac's summer of architectural exploration.
Read More#308 - Road-trippin’ with Wright
When a project shouldn't go wrong… it will. After a brief counseling session we move beyond the trauma and discuss Cormac’s latest architecturally-epic road trip through Wisconsin on the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail.
Read More#307 - HA HA
In this episode we discuss Evan’s earliest of 3D modeling and feeling slighted by Cormac’s reaction to the cutting edge imagery from decades past. Cormac revisits his despair about what he feels is the downfall of architectural magazines and their “content".
Read More#306 - North, South, East, or West?
In this episode Cormac discovers that math can determine the age of his house faster than his mind can, Evan prepares his house and property for the inevitable, and we talk about the permanence of buildings and the link to true sustainability. Oh, and we go on a journey to find the tallest peak in the continental United States… spoiler alert: it's not Mt. Shasta, which comes in at an elevation of 14,180ft.
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