Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture

Episode 019: Architecture, And: FilmHow are individuals using their training in architecture to explore diverse career paths?Guest:Rebekah BukhbinderRebekah Bukbinder is an Art Director working in film and television. She has collaborated on notable productions including The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. A graduate of SciArc with a Master of Architecture, Rebekah’s background in architecture and fascination with the ephemeral has led her into the world of filmmaking and ultimately has informed a career in set design and world building. Her work in television and film transports audiences into imaginary worlds for people to experience.  She believes her career has been a balance of taking risks, and serendipitous moments that led her to where she was meant to be. You can see more of Rebekah’s work on October 30 when Season 2 of The Mandalorian airs. Show Links:https://tinyurl.com/disneyplusTheMandalorian https://tinyurl.com/disneyplusTheRiseofSkywalker https://tinyurl.com/netflixTheDarkCrystal

Episode 018: Remote PracticeHow do you manage a virtual design studio?Guest:Leah Alissa Bayer, Founder and Managing Director of EVIA StudioLeah Alissa Bayer, AIA, NCARB, LEED GA, is Founder and Managing Director of the architecture start-up EVIA Studio. First registered in 2017 in California, Leah is licensed to practice in CA, Hawaii, and Washington state and is based out of home offices in Palo Alto, CA and Bellingham, WA, while EVIA Studio serves clients throughout the Pacific States. A true multi-disciplinarian, Leah received her Bachelor of Architecture with an aerospace-centric thesis, a Minor in Fine Arts, and four years of structural engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2014.Equally passionate about serving as a leader in practice for her profession as she is to her firm, Leah is dedicated to volunteer work. She is the AIA Silicon Valley Treasurer and incoming Vice President for 2021, founding Chair of the AIASV Practice Leadership Committee, Founding Co-Chair of the Architectural Intelligence Conference, Advisor to AIA National's Center for Practice, and Chair of the NCARB Experience Advisory Committee.EVIA Studio isn't your traditional architecture firm. They’re an award-winning, 100% women-led, virtual team of diverse professionals spread across the country who are passionate about creating exceptional living spaces for everyone. From extra space for a growing family to a vibrant showroom for a new business, healthy affordable housing or a luxurious getaway - whatever it is, they've got you covered with their commitment to outstanding service and design. They believe buildings should look great, feel great, and do great things for our communities. Show Links:https://www.eviastudio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/eviastudio/ https://www.facebook.com/eviastudio/ https://twitter.com/eviastudios Related Podcasts:https://tinyurl.com/entrearchitectLeahAlissaBayerhttps://tinyurl.com/youngarchitectLeahAlissaBayerhttps://tinyurl.com/insidethefirmLeahAlissaBayer

Episode 017: Building CultureHow do organizations build and manage culture? And, why is culture so important anyway?Guests:Anne Foreman, Co-Founder of At Your CoreSteph Mann, Co-Founder of At Your CoreAnne is a cross-functional, values-oriented business leader who thrives when facilitating a team and simplifying and solving complex problems. She has worked for major companies including Method and Mattel, managing large brands, budgets and teams as well as go-to-market plans for start-ups with limited resources. She flexes from strategic to tactical to impact company values and operating principles.Steph has 15 years of experience in brand management and management consulting, delivering profitable growth with a key focus on people leadership and strategic choices. She has always sought to improve organizational culture and team effectiveness and gets a LOT of energy from cultivating new connections and nurturing relationships in work and life.Show Links:Learn more at: www.atyourcore.coBlog article mentioned in the show:How to live your company values across the employee experience https://www.cultureamp.com/blog/how-to-live-your-company-values-across-the-employee-experience/Client Interview with Tile’s CEO, CJ Prober:https://www.atyourcore.co/2019/04/02/new-ceo-cj-prober-starts-with-trust-at-tile/Stats worth sharing with your leadership team:In an employee experience study, 80% of employees felt more engaged when their work was consistent with the core values of the organization.1  And, when employees are engaged, absenteeism lowers by 41%, productivity boosts by 7%, turnover lowers by 24%.2 Speaking of turnover, 84% of workers would consider leaving their current job if offered another role with a company that had an excellent reputation (and most would require only a 1-10% salary increase to make the move). 3 And attracting high talent is the goal here: companies with cultures that attract high talent enjoy 33% higher revenues.4“Employee Experience Index” IBM White Paper, 2017 “State of the American Workplace” Gallup, 2016“Americans Would Rather Remain Unemployed than Work for Companies with Bad Corporate Reputations” by Elaine Quayle, HR Daily Advisor, October 2013“Culture Wins By Getting the Most Out of People” Gallup, July 2018

Episode 016: Voices from the Future of the Profession (LGBTQIA+)Future leaders of the profession share diverse perspectives on architecture and the LGBTQIA+ community.Guests:Ryan Gann, Designer at Ross Barney ArchitectsA.L. Hu, Design Initiatives Manager at Ascendant Neighborhood DevelopmentLora Teagarden, Architect at RATIOYiselle Santos Rivera, Firmwide Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at HKSAmy Rosen, Sociospatial Designer at PLASTARCRyan Gann, Assoc. AIARyan Gann has blazed a trail founded on service, leadership, and design. From his time as an engaged student leader to his expanding contributions to the built environment, Ryan has managed to stay ambitious while having fun along the way.As a designer at Ross Barney Architects he has worked on some of the studio’s most ambitious civic projects. These architectural and urban design investigations have allowed him to collaborate with communities across Chicago and the world, expressing the role public space plays in everyday life.Ryan is the recipient of the 2018 AIA Associates Award, Schiff Foundation Fellowship from the Art Institute of Chicago, and was the inaugural Architect-in-Residence at the Hyde Park Art Center. Ryan previously served on the national boards of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).A.L. Hu, Assoc. AIAA.L. Hu is a queer, trans, nonbinary Taiwanese-American architect, organizer, and facilitator who lives and works in New York City. Their practice synthesizes organizing for racial, class, and gender justice with world-building and design; rethinks the architect’s role in facilitating accessible spaces; and manifests in design, visual media, and collaborative cultural work. They are a 2019-2021 Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellow and Design Initiatives Manager at Ascendant Neighborhood Development in East Harlem. They shared their experiences on a panel of queer architects at the AIA National Conference on Architecture in 2019; was a Thought Leader at the AIASF Equity by Design Symposium in 2018; and received the 2018 AIANY Emerging New York Architects ARE Scholarship. They received a Master of Architecture from Columbia University GSAPP in 2017, and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with a minor in Sustainable Design from UC Berkeley in 2012.Lora Teagarden, AIA, LEED AP BD+CLora is an Architect at RATIO, headquartered in Indianapolis, and the founder of L² Design, LLC. A published author and creator of #AREsketches, her passion for the profession drives her to mentor young professionals and volunteer in her community. She is a 2017 Young Architect Award winner, the 2019 Chair of the Young Architects Forum, 2020 AIA Indianapolis President, and was recently elected as an At-Large Representative on the AIA National Strategic Council. Her website and blog offer unique insights into professional practice, together with inspiration and tips for young architects.Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA, NOMA, LSSYB, WELL AP, LEED APYiselle Santos Rivera is a medical planner and the Firmwide Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at HKS, Inc. With national and international experience on a broad range of healthcare, institutional, and commercial/mixed-use projects, she thrives on building belonging and designing for inclusion.Seeking to empower the next generation of leaders, she co-founded the Latin American Interior Designers, Engineers, and Architects (LA.IDEA) DC Committee and founded the “Women Inspiring Emerging Leaders in Design” (WIELD) event, recipient of the 2019 AIA Diversity Program Recognition Award.Mrs. Santos currently serves on the AIA National Board, the AIA DC Chapter Board, and is Advisor to the DC NOMA Board. She is a member of the AIA Equity and the Future of Architecture Board Committee, the New Urban Agenda Taskforce, and the AIA COVID-19 Health Impact Taskforce.Yiselle is an author, storyteller, and recipient of the 2018 AIA Associate Award.Amy RosenAmelia ("Amy") Rosen recently served as the 2018-2019 National President of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and the 2019 Student Director on the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2019 National Board of Directors. Amy is currently working as a Sociospatial Designer at PLASTARC in New York City and is a 2020-2021 At-Large Representative on the AIA Strategic Council, where they serve as a co-convener for the Mental Health and Architecture Incubator. They were born and raised in Los Angeles, and moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2012, where they received a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Science in Sustainable Design from Carnegie Mellon University.Amy applies integrated design methodologies to everything they do - seeking opportunities to tie architecture into systematic and fluid urban networks. Amy is an advocate for the power of design - to inspire, to unify, and to heal - and is especially passionate about queer space theory, efficient urban water management strategies, and innovative ways to blur the boundaries between the private and public realms. Using their architectural education as a backbone, Amy incorporates equity and social sustainability into their design process. Amy further leverages a passion for data, research, difference, and experimentation in order to unveil innovative design strategies that empower users and ensure a more resilient future. Show Links:http://www.r-barc.com/https://www.enterprisecommunity.org/solutions-and-innovation/rose-fellowshiphttps://ascendant.nyc/ https://www.l-2-design.com/https://www.ratiodesign.com/https://www.hksinc.com/https://www.aiadc.com/committee/laideahttps://www.aiadc.com/event/wield-women-inspiring-emerging-leaders-design https://plastarc.com/ 

Episode 015: Architecture, And: Social Impact [or Social Justice]?How are individuals using their training in architecture to explore diverse career paths?Guest:Wandile Mthiyane, CEO at Ubuntu Design GroupWandile Mthiyane is an Obama Leader, Tedx Fellow, architectural designer, social entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of Ubuntu Design Group (UDG). Ubuntu Design Group is an architectural organization that focuses on social impact design projects ranging from individual housing to urban design scale. Influenced by his childhood experiences growing up in post-apartheid South Africa, Wandile founded UDG on the core idea that if apartheid architecture could be used to segregate and oppress, then community-led design should liberate and enable opportunities for all.Learn more about Ubuntu Design Group:Ubuntu Design Group exists to solve architectural design and financial inclusion problems of low-income communities around the world. Our mission is to empower inadequately sheltered families to overcome economic and social challenges and barriers, through innovation and collaboration in designing for the future vision of their home and community.Show Links:https://ubuntudesigngroup.org/https://www.ubuntuasa.org/ related podcasts:https://tinyurl.com/youngarchitectWandileMthiyane https://tinyurl.com/midnightcaretteWandileMthiyane articles:1.https://www.archdaily.com/947507/i-grew-up-where-architecture-was-designed-to-oppress-wandile-mthiyane-on-social-impact-and-learning-from-south-africa 2.https://archinect.com/features/article/150208185/undoing-apartheid-architecture-with-wandile-mthiyane3.https://www.noma.net/news/the-architects-of-systemic-racism-south-african-wandile-mthiyane-tells-an-american-story-on-architizer/

Episode 014: Training the Next Generation of LeadersWhy is leadership development important for architects?Guests:Ryan McEnroe, Co-Founder, AIA|DC Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program Korey D. White Co-Chair, AIA ForefrontKavitha Mathew, Director, Leadership and Engagement, AIA New York--Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP)Website: ckldp.comBeginning in 2013, the AIA|DC chapter undertook an initiative to develop a program to help train and nurture the next generation of leaders. The year-long program consists of nine individual half-day sessions attended by a competitively selected group of 16 emerging professionals (someone who has graduated from college with an architecture degree and is within 10 years of their first licensure). Prospective participants must go through an application process for selection where proven career success, community involvement and the individual’s firm support will be considered. Applications for the 2021 cohort are open.Ryan McEnroe, Co-Founder, AIA|DC CKLDPAs both a licensed architect and landscape architect that grew up on an organic farm, Ryan has a unique understanding of sustainability practices. With 13+ years of professional experience Ryan allows his firm to embrace a wide range of project types and has spoken and written extensively on how agriculture can serve as an amenity. He is an Associate at Quinn Evans Architects in Washington, DC, the Co-Founder and Past-Chair of the AIA|DC Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program and currently serves as the 2020 Chair for the National AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF). He has been recognized with the AIA|DC Emerging Architect Award (2014), AIA Young Architects Award, ENR Mid-Atlantic Top Professionals Award, BD+C 40 Under 40, and the AIAS Emerging Professional Honor Award (all in 2018).--AIA ForefrontWebsite: aiaforefront.comLaunched in 2015 as a national leadership program of the AIA, Forefront aims to inspire, empower, and engage architects and emerging professionals so that they become effective leaders serving at the forefront of society’s most pressing challenges. This one-day virtual event brings together visionary speakers on individual, civic and professional leadership for the architectural profession. The event is happening on Oct 30, 2020. Visit aiaforefront.com to learn how to register and participate.Korey D. White, Co-Chair, AIA ForefrontKorey White is an architect and urban planner at DLR Group, working on educational facility master planning for K-12 school districts. In 2018, Korey stepped into the Co-Chair role for the AIA Leadership Institute, guiding the vision and programming for the one-day national conference. In collaboration with her Co-Chair, Sarah Wahlgren-Wingo, they revamped what is now known as Forefront. Korey is recognized for her leadership within architecture by her recent election to the AIA Strategic Council as an At-Large Representative for 2021-2022 and has been awarded the AIA Young Architects Award, the BD+C 40 under 40 and the AIA Colorado Leadership Award.--AIANY Civic Leadership Program (CLP)Website: aiany.orgAIA New York is the oldest and largest chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The Chapter’s members include over 5,500 practicing architects, allied professionals, students, and public members interested in architecture and design. The AIANY Civic Leadership Program (CLP) develops a class of emerging architectural professionals into civic leaders by refining the critical skills that design professionals need to better represent the people that they serve. Each year, the CLP selects ten emerging AIA members to participate in a six-month journey to improve their community outreach and public relations skills, strengthening the AIANY’s culture of advocacy by providing opportunities to interface with municipal agencies, community development organizations, and local stakeholders.Kavitha Mathew, Director, Leadership and Engagement, AIA NY The founder of Equity Co:LAB, Kavitha partners with organizations to research, identify and implement strategies that foster a more equitable and diverse workplace. She has a wide range of experience both as an architect and advocate for equity in the profession. As Director, Leadership and Engagement Initiatives of AIANY, Kavitha oversees programs intended to provide opportunities for members to move beyond their daily work lives to interface with diverse communities, engage in the civic realm, and connect with students who may not be familiar with architecture as a career. Her varied background allows her to view practice from different perspectives, including as a practicing architect, consultant, client, and an advocate working directly with professionals to address the change they would like to see in the workplace and the profession. Show Links:https://ckldp.com/https://www.aiaforefront.com/ https://www.aia.org/pages/81841-leadership-education-for-architects-and-emerhttps://www.aiany.org/civic-leadership-program/--https://www.quinnevans.com/https://www.dlrgroup.com/home/ https://www.equitycolab.com/

Episode 013: Architecture, And: EntrepreneurshipHow are individuals using their training in architecture to explore diverse career paths?Guest: Moe Amaya, Co-Founder of MonographMoe Amaya is the Co-Founder of Monograph, a San Francisco-based software company revolutionizing the future in how architectural projects are managed. Born in Arizona, Amaya discovered his passion for design and technology at an early age. Building a bridge between his technological and creative sides, Amaya pursues his career with innovation, organization, and enthusiasm.While garnering in-depth experience in building tools for startups and architecture firms, and expertise in custom content management systems, Amaya discovered a void for an intuitive cloud-based project management application that was tailored to the industry. He co-founded Monograph with the mission to help architects and engineers oversee projects in an integrated, user-friendly, and ever-evolving interface.Amaya graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Design from Arizona State University and a Masters of Architecture in Computation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he gained profound experience as a frontend engineer. Upon graduation, Amaya, along with his roommate, Alex Dixon, started a digital agency building websites and interactive tools for architects. Soon after meeting Robert Yuen, the three collaborated and formally became partners at Dixon & Moe – the agency from which Monograph was born.Learn more about Monograph:Founded in 2019, Monograph offers firm management software designed to help architects and engineers oversee projects, timesheets, and forecasts in one, integrated and simple interface. The software is deeply rooted in the founders’ experiences in building tools for architecture firms, where they noticed a recurring challenge—architects and project managers were discontent with their existing and non-existent management software. Seeing this void for a simple cloud-based project management application, the co-founders set out to create Monograph, the solution for architects, designers, and engineers to manage their firms more effectively and transparently. As the creators of a software designed by architects for architects, their company is on a mission to empower and arm the professionals who create our buildings and cities with better tools. Learn more about Architechie:We're an intrepid band of architects now working in the tech industry and helping others do the same. We host events, workshops, and throw a killer happy hour.1. Architechie is first and foremost people.2. Our unconventional backgrounds are our best asset.3. Everyone has a different path, and that's a good thing.4. Together we make up a living wiki: ask us anything.5. Networking is paramount. So come to our next event.Show Links:https://monograph.io/https://dixonandmoe.com/https://architechie.org/

Episode 012: Communication StrategyHow is marketing and communication changing in AEC?Guest:Amanda Walter, Owner of Walter CommunicationsAmanda Walter works behind-the-scenes with companies and individuals in the related design and planning fields of the built environment. She helps clients share their knowledge and stories that shape their public reputation and advance toward their business goals. Her specialties are building robust thought leadership programs, developing emerging communications leaders and training executives to be effective spokespeople and advocates.Amanda spent a decade in-house creating and driving EDAW’s global communications and publishing program, and leading media relations across AECOM. She understands the complexity of firm-wide communications initiatives and the challenge of scaling programs across the nation and world. As a result, her advisory services come from the perspective of an internal resource. Her book, “Social Media in Action: Comprehensive Guide for Architecture, Engineering, Planning and Environmental Consulting Firms” was the first book of its kind and the start of Amanda’s exploration of how new media impacts how people form impressions and make decisions. Show Links: Waltercomms.com

Episode 011: New Service Lines - Building a Multidisciplinary PracticeWhat types of new service lines are architecture firms designing?Guests:Christina Cho Yoo, Co-Founder of Atelier Cho ThompsonMing Thompson, Co-Founder of Atelier Cho ThompsonChristina Cho Yoo, AIA, PE, LEED AP BD+C, IIDAChristina leads the San Francisco office of Atelier Cho Thompson. She is a licensed engineer and architect in California. Christina received a BS & MS in Civil & Structural Engineering and Construction Management from Stanford and her M. Arch from the Harvard GSD. She started her professional life as a structural engineer at internationally-renowned Arup, working on projects like the California Academy of Sciences, labs, universities, bridges, and more. She has worked in LA, NY, SF, Seoul, and Shanghai at firms like SHoP Architects, Neri & Hu, and Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. She is an adjunct professor at the California College of Arts, most recently teaching an advanced urban studio on the Post-Retail City, which has led to involvement in the SPUR Working Group for Reopening the Ground Floor in a COVID era. Ming Thompson, AIA, IIDAMing leads the new New Haven office of Atelier Cho Thompson. As a practicing architect, Ming is focused on bettering human experience through design; she insists that good design must occur at all scales, from the building to the furniture to the logo, and everything in between. Ming is a licensed architect in California, Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut. She is a recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award. Ming attended Yale College and the Harvard GSD, and has taught at the California College of the Arts. She has served on design juries around the U.S., and is co-chair of the AIA CT Women in Architecture committee. She writes and speaks frequently on the topic of equity in architecture. She is a first year advisor at Yale and serves on the board of the Yale-China Association. Show Links: https://www.chothompson.com/

Episode 010: Organizational Design, Process, and InnovationHow does organizational design support an innovative firm culture?Guest:Andrew Cronin, Principal at KieranTimberlakeIn over 15 years as an architect, Andrew has focused on a variety of project types including award winning renovations for university clients, an addition and renovation at a local religious institution, a private home in rural Northern California, and an innovative new education center at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Andrew is currently working on a student residential planning study for a liberal arts college in New England and a precinct planning study for a university in Washington D.C. Andrew takes a holistic approach to design practice. As a Principal at KieranTimberlake, he remains deeply connected to digital design, prototyping, and systems integration and engages project teams across the office by co-leading KieranTimberlake's BIM Practices group and works to spread lessons across the firm through KT’s regular weekly knowledge sharing forums. Andrew supports KieranTimberlake’s pursuit of the 2030 Challenge in his role in the Beyond 2030 working group and leads KieranTimberlake’s internal mentorship program. He is also a jury critic and adjunct faculty member at the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University.  Show Links: https://kierantimberlake.com/