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.

#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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".

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#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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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!
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#305 - The Weather Episode

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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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!
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#304 - The Summer Vacation Happy Hour

In this episode we discuss a much needed summer vacation for Cormac: a complete cold turkey detachment from architecture as he ventures into the woods and how he can miraculously turn any trip into an architectural trip. Then we go out of the woods and into the big city of Chicago where we talk more in-depth about how the world's largest Starbucks and the river front Apple Store create experiences for their patrons.

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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!
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#303 - The X Episode

In this episode Evan asks Cormac 2 questions about the potential impact of AI on the architecture profession & have a discussion about the need for firms differentiate themselves in a commoditized market.

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#302 - We Absolutely Suck At It

In this episode we discuss Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, Cormac’s desire to design, own and operate an old timey feeling movie theater, Evan quizzes Cormac on AI and gives him a few what if questions…and at the end of the day we suck at it (but what does that mean?).

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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!
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#301 - NCARB the Gift That Keeps on Taking

This episode we discuss Archispeak Podcast joining the new socials like Threads and Instagram (finally). Evan discusses the letter NCARB send out welcoming back all of the new members with a little gift of fee increases and how Cormac avoided future fee increases by not reinstating his NCARB record.

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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!
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#300 - Coffee Sketch and Archispeak: A Crossover Episode Without Coffee

A conversation about the use of technology in architecture, including the evolution of tools and the importance of maintaining a creative mindset. The discussion touches on the idea of what constitutes a "sketch" in the modern era, and the potential pitfalls of relying too heavily on technology in the design process. The hosts also offer a glimpse into their own creative processes and the tools they use to bring their ideas to life.

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#299 - Networking and Community at the AIA Conference

In this episode we discuss our experiences at the 2023 AIA Conference on Architecture and the election of Evelyn Lee, FAIA as the 2025 President elect. The conversation also touches on the increasing role of AI in architecture and the need to reinvent the profession for the future.

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#298 - Prototyping Ideas and Making Stuff with Cam Anderson of BlacktailStudio

In a conversation about woodworking and content creation, Cam Anderson of BlacktailStudio joins the podcast to discuss the importance of making interesting projects rather than chasing algorithms or demographics.

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#297 - Literal and Figurative Scars

We discuss scars from our youth and scars from the profession, object visualizers versus text-based learners, the lack of hands-on education in schools and the devaluation of blue-collar work, and the result of a disconnection between architects and the physical construction process.

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#296 - From Ice Cubes to CEUs

Sparked by a new offer, we revisit the value of NCARB membership.

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#295 - AI in Architecture

Evan and Cormac discuss the use of AI in architecture, including image and text generation, automating mundane tasks, increasing productivity, as well as the ethical implications of its use, and more.

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