Life of an Architect

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? 18 Vision and Strategy jump to 12:54 Management 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] googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1562005974350-0'); }); A Great Employee - Definitions jump to 2:10 As 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 whi...

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] googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1562005974350-0'); }); The "When" jump to 4:13 When 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 12:51 Why 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.

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