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Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture

Evelyn Lee

The evolution of architectural practice has been relatively slow towards change, yet modern shifts in business and design management have prompted today's leading architects to rethink how they work. On Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee, FAIA, NOMA, an architect, angel investor, fractional COO, and Founder of Practice of Architecture, sets out to illuminate the future of the profession to help architects remain relevant and valuable in a changing world. She will explore how technology, cultural shifts, and emerging best practices are prompting firm owners to reassess their business models and adjust their studios. Each episode features an industry leader who explores the new frontier of architectural practice.

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  • 23 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 54 min
  • English

Episodes 23

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  • S13 · E246
    Thursday · 1 hr

    246: Getting Chosen: How Storytelling Changes the Way Firms Win Work

    How can architects leverage storytelling to differentiate their practice, build authentic client connections, and communicate the true value of design? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee sits down with Lee Schneider, founder of Red Cup Agency and adjunct assistant professor at the USC School of Architecture. With a rich background spanning screenwriting, network news production at Dateline NBC, and over a decade teaching media making to architecture students, Lee brings a unique outside perspective to the profession. Together, they explore how narrative carries weight in business development, firm positioning, and project selection. The conversation dives deep into the three foundational stories every architect must learn to master: the origin story of purpose, the testimonial story of social proof, and the tailored case study that addresses specific client needs. Lee breaks down common pitfalls, such as relying on the "genius reel" or assuming projects will simply speak for themselves, and emphasizes why collaboration and active listening matter more to clients than pure prestige. They also examine how evolving digital media, short-form video, and AI are shifting how firms communicate. Beyond digital marketing, Lee and Evelyn unpack the mechanics of high-stakes interview preparation, team composition, and building project advocates on both sides of the table. Lee shares practical strategies for overcoming public speaking hesitations, grounding presentations in authentic personal purpose, and adapting narrative delivery across different mediums. Ultimately, they highlight how clearer storytelling can elevate public appreciation for the architectural discipline as a whole. "Clients want you to listen to them. For the most part, they're looking for a collaboration. They're not looking to be talked down to. If you're giving a case study, a really smart case study would include a little taste of that, the idea that this firm listens to clients." - Lee Schneider This episode serves as a powerful reminder that architecture is communicated not just through drawings and budgets, but through human connection and shared purpose. By mastering narrative strategy and focusing on client collaboration, practitioners can stand out in a crowded market and demonstrate the indispensable value of design. Guest: Lee Schneider is the founder of Red Cup Agency, a communications consultancy based in Santa Monica, and an adjunct assistant professor at the USC School of Architecture, where he has taught media making for over ten years. A former producer for Dateline NBC, playwright, and screenwriter, he specializes in helping firms, technical startups, and emerging leaders articulate complex ideas through compelling linear and non-linear storytelling. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You want to understand how narrative strategy can differentiate your firm in competitive business development and RFP processes. ✅ You are curious about the three essential stories every architect needs - origin, testimonial, and case study - and how to avoid the "genius reel" trap. ✅ You want to explore practical ways to adapt your firm's communications across emerging media formats, short-form video, and podcasting. ✅ You are looking for actionable strategies to prepare for high-stakes client interviews, build authentic team advocacy, and improve room-reading skills. ✅ You believe that better storytelling across the AEC industry can broaden public appreciation for the full value of architectural practice. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about Red Cup Agency Connect with Lee on LinkedIn Listen to Lee’s Podcast 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S13 · E245
    August 27 · 48 min

    245: The Intelligent Designer: Navigating the Realities of AI Adoption

    Why are the youngest designers often the most resistant to adopting AI, and how can firms effectively navigate this technological shift? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee sits down with Stacy Thorwart, former global AI strategist for Steelcase and founder of The Intelligent Designer. Stacy shares her unique journey from running a small residential interior design firm to leading enterprise-level AI strategy, and eventually launching an educational platform full-time to teach other designers The conversation challenges common assumptions about AI in the AEC industry. Stacy reveals that the lowest adoption rates she sees aren't among senior staff, but junior designers coming straight out of school who lack exposure to the true capabilities and limitations of the tools. She unpacks the reality that the biggest barrier to AI integration isn't necessarily fear, but a severe lack of time for experimentation and context-building within already overwhelmed schedules. Stacy and Evelyn also tackle the nuanced conversation around AI and sustainability, the vital role of leadership sentiment in determining organizational success, and why AI image generators are not yet a one-to-one replacement for technical drawing tools. Ultimately, they explore how AI might not replace design professionals, but rather elevate the value of human-to-human connection and create net new opportunities within the industry. "AI is everywhere. It is in our email, it is in our phones, it is in our GPS, and it is baked into the design tools and design software we're using. So by saying you're opting out of AI, really that means you're opting out of all technology." - Stacy Thorwart This episode serves as an essential guide for navigating the impending wave of AI technology, emphasizing that true innovation requires a balanced approach to education, responsible implementation, and a continued appreciation for the human element of design. Guest: Stacy Thorwart is an interior designer, educator, and the founder of The Intelligent Designer. With over a decade of experience at Steelcase, culminating in her role as global AI strategist, she bridges the gap between complex technology and creative practice. In 2023, she launched her educational platform full-time, which has since trained over 8,500 designers on how to responsibly and effectively integrate AI into their workflows, from conceptual visualizations to administrative tasks and procurement. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You want to understand why junior designers are often the most resistant to AI and how to address this education gap at the firm level. ✅ You are curious about where AI tools can save the most time right now, especially in administrative, marketing, and procurement workflows. ✅ You want to explore the real environmental implications of AI data centers and how to approach sustainable tech usage without taking an "all or nothing" approach. ✅ You believe that adopting AI will ultimately elevate the value of human relationships and in-person connections within the architectural and design process. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about The Intelligent Designer Connect with Stacy on LinkedIn Follow Stacy on Instagram 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S13 · E244
    August 20 · 54 min

    244: Architecture, And: From Mass Timber to Behavioral Health, with Michael Caton

    How can architectural thinking, technology, and a shift from outputs to outcomes empower designers to solve complex human challenges beyond the built environment? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee sits down with Michael Caton, a Pratt-trained architect whose non-traditional career trajectory spans international mega-projects, technology-driven practice, mass timber housing, and pediatric behavioral health. Michael shares how graduating into the 2008 financial crisis launched a global journey, from construction administration on an Abu Dhabi hotel spanning a Formula One track to civic leadership in Brooklyn, that fundamentally reshaped how he views the architect's role in the room. Michael reflects on his evolution through technology-focused roles at Studio V, enterprise spatial delivery at WeWork, and his five-year tenure as the first design hire at mass timber startup Juno. Along the way, he completed a full-stack engineering bootcamp and navigated the counterintuitive realities of scaling housing innovations. He discusses the critical mindset of falling in love with the problem rather than the solution, and how his personal journey as a parent to a neurodivergent son led him to found Lumi, a pediatric behavioral health startup delivering real-time, multi-player behavioral guidance for families. The conversation culminates in an inspiring case for the future of architectural agency. Michael challenges firm leaders to look beyond drawing sets and physical artifacts to focus on the true transformations clients are buying. By prioritizing outcomes over outputs, he argues, design thinkers can leverage their problem-solving superpowers to create profound, measurable impact across the built environment and far beyond. "If we really focus on those outcomes and that impact through the eyes of that client, those users in very deep ways, that makes the work that we create all the more powerful." - Michael Caton This episode serves as a powerful reminder that an architect's greatest skill is not merely generating drawings, but applying systems thinking and design synthesis to complex human needs. By focusing on outcomes over outputs, design leaders can expand their agency and unlock meaningful transformation in traditional practice and new industries alike. Guest: Michael Caton, AIA, is an architect, technologist, and founder of Lumi, a pediatric behavioral health startup dedicated to supporting neurodivergent families with real-time, personalized behavioral guidance. A graduate of Pratt Institute, Michael’s multi-faceted career spans international project delivery in the UAE and Switzerland, civic leadership advocacy with AIA New York, enterprise workplace delivery at WeWork, and mass timber product development as the first design hire at Juno. Combining architectural expertise with full-stack software engineering, he is a passionate advocate for outcome-driven design and leveraging technology to strengthen human connections. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You are curious about how architectural training can open doors to non-traditional, high-impact careers outside conventional firm practice. ✅ You want to explore the compelling case for prioritizing outcomes over outputs to increase client value and professional agency. ✅ You are eager to learn about the counterintuitive challenges and supply-chain realities of scaling mass timber housing startups. ✅ You want to understand how personal lived experience and empathy can drive the creation of human-centered tech startups. ✅ You believe that technology should be leveraged to foster deeper human connections and solve sticky societal problems. How are you prioritizing outcomes over outputs in your practice? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about Michael Caton Connect with Michael on LinkedIn Learn more about Lumi 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S13 · E243
    August 13 · 52 min

    243: Stop Waiting in Line: Lisa Sauve on Owning the Risk

    How can architects move away from billable hours, trade traditional fees for equity, and step into the role of initiators rather than waiting for client calls? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee speaks with Lisa Sauve, co-founder of Synecdoche, a design-make practice based in Detroit. Lisa’s entrance into practice bypassed traditional firm hierarchies entirely. Her firm’s first project came off Craigslist before she finished undergrad, a 110-square-foot office interior for $1,500 that she skipped graduation to build, which ultimately won Architizer and Inc. Magazine's World's Coolest Offices in 2009. As a 22-year-old single mother balancing parenthood and education, Lisa built her business out of necessity. The flexibility of working asynchronously on small projects was the only path forward that allowed her to parent while earning three degrees. For eight years, Synecdoche operated in partnership with architects of record who stamped their drawings. Lisa intentionally delayed licensure to serve as a model for alternative practice, sitting for exams only when defending her model to traditional peers became a distraction from the work itself. The conversation explores how Synecdoche operates without billing time or tracking billable hours. Instead, Lisa focuses on outcome-driven, value-based compensation, taking equity in client ventures, receiving distributions, and structuring creative deals like exchanging formal rent credits for tenant sweat equity during building renovations. She also breaks down her approach to client intake, including asking the fundamental question that most architects overlook: "How did you arrive at that budget?" "We don't track time. We've never billed time. Because the client doesn't care about how much time I spend on things, they care about if they're getting the outcome." - Lisa Sauve This episode offers a fresh perspective on firm ownership, risk, and value creation. By challenging the profession's reliance on time-based billing and rigid operational norms, Lisa demonstrates how architects can expand their agency, align with client goals, and build resilient, multi-stream business models. Guests: Lisa Sauve is the co-founder and CEO of Synecdoche, a Detroit-based architecture and design-make studio working across commercial design, development feasibility, branding, and fabrication. Balancing practice and academia, she serves as an educator and advocate for alternative licensure pathways, code reform, and non-traditional business models in AEC. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You want to learn how to transition away from billable hours toward value-based pricing and equity-driven compensation models. ✅ You are curious about non-traditional career paths, alternative pathways to firm ownership, and navigating practice as a parent. ✅ You want to understand how to structure creative real estate deals, tenant sweat equity, and passive income streams for your practice. ✅ You are interested in how asking deeper financial questions during client onboarding can align design solutions with business metrics. ✅ You believe architects should act as proactive initiators and instigators rather than passive service providers. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about Synecdoche Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S13 · E242
    August 6 · 59 min

    242: Architecture, And: Killing the Profession's Ego with George Valdes

    How can killing the profession’s collective ego unlock new business models, elevate client experience, and modernize business development across the AEC industry? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee welcomes back George Valdes, co-founder of ToolBlocks and marketing and design lead at companies such as Monograph, IrisVR, Paperspace, and WeWork. Five years after his initial appearance on the podcast, George returns to reflect on his non-linear trajectory, from studying landscape architecture at FIU and earning an M.Arch at Columbia GSAPP to navigating the tech startup ecosystem without a traditional coding background. George unpacks how early experiences, including running a design firm prior to graduation and leading accreditation efforts at Columbia that brought him deep inside NAAB and NCARB, shaped his decision to step away from traditional practice and realize that professionals can simply take agency and "just do things". The conversation explores the mechanics of tech adoption, the friction around firm portfolios, and how his latest venture, ToolBlocks, leverages network intelligence and AI agents to collapse non-billable time and streamline business development for AEC firms. The discussion also dives into client experience as the critical battleground for the next decade, pushing firm leaders to challenge received ideas around marketing, fee structures, annual reviews, and compensation models. George advocates for a shift in how architectural education and practice view the "expanded architect," emphasizing that the profession must be willing to dismantle its ego to adapt to changing client expectations and market realities. "It's just this energy of 'you can just do things.' When there's friction or a lack of agency, I'm always questioning why. Who's saying that you can't do something?" - George Valdes This episode serves as a powerful reminder that architectural practice is moving beyond traditional boundaries, requiring firm leaders to align business strategy, client experience, and internal operations. By questioning inherited norms and embracing operational leverage, architects can position themselves for sustainable growth in an evolving industry. Guests: George Valdes is the co-founder of ToolBlocks (now called Zensets), a platform focused on helping AEC firms grow their network, build pipeline, and automate business development workflows. With an academic foundation in landscape architecture from Florida International University and an M.Arch from Columbia University GSAPP, George spent a year leading GSAPP's accreditation process before transitioning into tech. Over the past decade, he has held leadership roles across product, marketing, and strategy at Augmate, IrisVR (acquired by Autodesk), Paperspace (acquired by DigitalOcean), WeWork, and Monograph. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You are curious about how to navigate non-traditional career paths in AEC, product management, and tech leadership. ✅ You want to learn how relationship mapping and AI tools can modernize business development and collapse non-billable hours. ✅ You are looking to reframe client experience as a primary driver of firm value and differentiation. ✅ You are interested in challenging received ideas around firm operations, performance reviews, and seller-doer compensation models. ✅ You believe architectural education and practice should embrace the concept of the "expanded architect" to stay relevant. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about Toolblocks Learn more about Studio Marlowe Learn more about George Valdes Connect with George on LinkedIn Listen to a previous episode featuring George Valdes 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S13 · E241
    July 30 · 55 min

    241: Unboring Architecture Business, Live Events, and AI-Driven Operations

    How can architecture leaders navigate economic uncertainty, build authentic brand voices, and transform practice operations through live connection and practical AI tools? In the Season 13 premiere of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee opens the season with a dynamic roundtable featuring Aya Shlachter and Nikita Morell. Aya is the founder and CEO of MGS Global Group, the production partner behind more than 500 architecture firms worldwide, and host of the AI for Architects and Architect My Business podcasts. Nikita is an architecture messaging strategist and the founder of Dirt, a brand messaging agency for AEC tech and construction companies. Together, they discuss the state of the industry, why traditional practice models need a fresh approach, and why they co-founded Archicon, the "unboring business conference" landing in Melbourne, Australia. The discussion explores the pressing business challenges facing AEC firms today, from drying pipelines and economic uncertainty to standing out in a crowded market. Rather than relying on traditional formats, Aya and Nikita break down how Archicon flips the standard conference setup by using shorter 15-minute presentations, extended Q&A sessions, candid panels on firm failures and regrets, and a total ban on all-black dress codes. The trio also delves into the operational shifts necessary to build sustainable practices - emphasizing how clear systems, business model refinement, and operational efficiency give leaders the headspace needed to think strategically about their firm's future. "You can be professional and have personality, and you can learn and have fun too. It doesn't have to be so serious." - Nikita Morell Looking toward the future of practice, Evelyn, Aya, and Nikita tackle content creation, personal branding, and the practical implementation of AI. From leveraging dynamic tools like Notion and custom AI agents to guardrail email workflows and record repeatable tasks, they emphasize that technology should support human judgment rather than replace a unique brand voice. They also preview an upcoming masterclass collaboration between Evelyn and Nikita designed to give practitioners actionable, high-impact AI skills for positioning and practice growth. Guests: Nikita Morell is a messaging strategist who has spent over a decade helping architecture firms around the world articulate their value and win better projects. She is the co-founder of Archicon and founder of DIRT, and is widely known for her sharp, thought-provoking insights on branding and business in the AEC industry. Aya Garcia Shlachter is the Founder and CEO of MGS Global Group and co-founder of Archicon, with nearly two decades of experience helping architecture firms grow and scale. A recognized entrepreneur, AI thought leader, and podcast host, she empowers architects to build future-ready practices through strategy, technology, and leadership. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You want to explore new, "unboring" formats for business development, industry networking, and conferences like Archicon. ✅ You are looking to overcome pipeline slowdowns and differentiate your practice through clear positioning and distinct brand messaging. ✅ You want to streamline practice operations using systems like Notion, ClickUp, and CRMs to reduce mental load and gain strategic headspace. ✅ You want to build authentic trust with potential clients by embracing content creation, personal storytelling, and human-centered marketing. ✅ You are seeking practical, actionable ways to integrate AI, speech-to-text tools, and custom workflows into your firm without losing your unique practice voice. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about ArchiCon 2026 Learn more about Nikita Morell Connect with Nikita on LinkedIn Connect with Aya on LinkedIn Listen to a previous episode featuring Aya Garcia Shlachter Listen to a previous episode featuring Nikita Morell 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • July 23 · 51 min

    Bonus Episode 4: Redefining Client Trust with Warren and Mahoney

    How can architects expand their role upstream in project decision-making, and what happens when live massing, area data, and cost metrics replace fragmented, slow feasibility workflows? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee explores what it takes for architecture practices to show up earlier with clients, entering the room before the brief is fixed and the budget is locked. She is joined by Brad Sara, Principal and Digital Services Lead, and Anton Shaw, Senior Associate, BIM Manager, and Automation Lead at Warren and Mahoney (WAM), a 70-year-old practice named one of the 10 most innovative architecture firms in the world by Fast Company. Together, they discuss how WAM developed Quick Stack, a feasibility playbook enabled by Arcol that brings real-time cost, area, and zoning metrics directly into massing models. Brad and Anton unpack the traditional friction of early feasibility phases, where teams constantly cycle through disconnected tools like SketchUp or Rhino, Excel spreadsheets, and InDesign reports. This fragmented workflow creates version drift, manual data errors, and delayed answers during fast-paced client negotiations. By implementing Arcol within WAM’s "One Studio" approach, connecting 350 staff across offices in New Zealand and Australia, the firm enables live, single-environment updates. The moment a design or massing shape changes, the numbers update instantly for the entire team and client. The discussion dives into the business and relationship benefits of swimming upstream. Brad and Anton share how co-designing live with clients and cost consultants builds deep trust, eliminates the traditional "starving artist" dynamic, and enables WAM to generate fees for pre-concept feasibility work they previously couldn't capture. "Architects don't need to become developers. They don't need to become cost consultants or software companies. But we do need to become more fluent in the decisions our clients are making before that project becomes a project." - Brad Sara They also share practical advice on change management, explaining how targeted rollouts, solving real workflow pain points, and letting computers handle tedious tasks allow architects to focus on strategic judgment and design quality. Guests: Brad Sara is a Principal and Digital Services Lead at Warren and Mahoney. Over a two-decade career spanning New Zealand, Australia, the UAE, Asia, and the US, he has advocated for digital transformation and strategic client partnerships across all stages of project delivery. Anton Shaw is a Senior Associate, BIM Manager, and Automation Lead at Warren and Mahoney. With a background in technical delivery, he specializes in building internal systems, automation workflows, and digital tools that improve project efficiency and overall design quality. This episode is especially for you if: ✅You want to learn how Warren and Mahoney uses ArcOL and Quick Stack to unify massing models, area metrics, and cost data in one live environment. ✅You are interested in "swimming upstream" to engage clients earlier during site selection and pro forma testing before project briefs are locked. ✅You want to explore how live, collaborative feasibility sessions build deep client trust and unlock new revenue streams for early-stage design services. ✅You want practical change management strategies for introducing new technology into multi-office practices without causing friction or tool fatigue. ✅You want to eliminate manual data entry, version drift, and slow iteration loops between modeling software, spreadsheets, and design presentations. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about Warren and Mahoney Learn more about Arcol 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • July 16 · 49 min

    Bonus Episode: Inside the Data, NCARB by the Numbers, and the Future of Flexible Licensure

    What does the data tell us about the real path to becoming an architect, and how is NCARB shifting its model to build a more adaptable, modular roadmap for future candidates? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee breaks down the 15th edition of the NCARB by the Numbers report. She is joined by Jenny Kawecki, who leads data analytics and research at NCARB, and Gabriella Bermea, a licensed architect and NCARB volunteer who chaired the Experience Committee. Together, they explore the shifting dynamics of the architectural pipeline, unpacking why the median time to licensure has dropped to 12.3 years and what these statistics mean for the future of the profession. Jenny provides an insider’s view of how NCARB uses this annual data report to track attrition points and actively improve its programs. She highlights major programmatic changes driven by historical data trends, such as retiring the rolling clock and revamping the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) reporting policy to give thousands of candidates their experience credits back. Gabriella adds an on-the-ground perspective, explaining how challenging past assumptions about rigid timelines helps eliminate systemic barriers and re-engages candidates who have stepped away from the path. The conversation also digs deeply into NCARB’s massive "Pathways to Practice" initiative, a multi-year effort to pivot away from a single, rigid route toward a highly modular, competency-based framework. They address critical pipeline pinch points, including firm culture support during the AXP and the stark demographic pass-rate disparities within the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). "Instead of pushing everyone through the same path, how can that path meet the needs of the individual? How can it be customizable almost to the candidate so that it aligns with your background, your career path, your educational path, your social path. We want there to be a licensure path that exists for you." - Jenny Kawecki Finally, they look forward to how a more flexible, customizable licensure path can help mitigate the steep financial burdens of higher education and foster a significantly more diverse, representative body of architects. Guests: Jenny Kawecki is NCARB’s Assistant Vice President of Data, Analytics, and Research, where she leads a team that analyzes industry trends and oversees publications like NCARB by the Numbers and Baseline on Belonging. Before joining NCARB in 2016, she wrote for Barnes & Noble and SparkNotes, and she holds a degree in Media, Culture, and the Arts from The King's College. Gabriella Bermea, AIA, is a Senior Associate and Architect at Perkins Eastman with more than eight years of experience in educational design, stakeholder engagement, and community-focused solutions. A fifth-generation Tejana, she is a passionate advocate for educational equity and community empowerment and currently serves as Chair of NCARB’s Experience Committee. This episode is especially for you if: ✅You want to know why the median time to licensure dropped and how policy changes like eliminating the rolling clock shifted the needle. ✅You are curious about NCARB's "Pathways to Practice" initiative and how a modular, competency-based framework will offer diverse alternatives to the traditional degree path. ✅ You want to explore the primary pinch points in the licensure pipeline, from firm culture barriers during the AXP to pass-rate disparities within the ARE. ✅You want to learn how the revised AXP reporting requirements allow candidates to receive 100% credit for hours up to a year and 75% credit indefinitely. ✅You are interested in how scholarship programs through NOMA chapters and state boards are helping candidates facing financial and institutional adversities stay on the path. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about NCARB Learn more about NCARB by the Numbers report Learn more about Pathway to Practice 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • July 9 · 50 min

    Bonus Episode: Never Draw It Twice, Giving Design Firms a Working Memory

    How can architecture firms unlock decades of buried institutional knowledge, and what happens to the apprenticeship model when every detail the firm has ever drawn is just a single query away? In this bonus episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee dives into a conversation created with Pirros, exploring how technology bridges the gap between historic firm data and daily production workflows. The episode features Ross Wagner, who leads sales at Pirros, alongside Xander Ellenbogen, a senior BIM manager at Clark Nexsen. Together, they explore how firms can transition from hunting through endless subfolders to operating with an intelligent, centralized knowledge base. Ross shares his trajectory from designing high-rise residential projects to riding the technology wave at PlanGrid and Autodesk, eventually joining Pirros to help firms maximize their workflow efficiency. Xander provides an on-the-ground perspective from Clark Nexsen, discussing his evolution from a traditional architect and the firm’s first commercial drone pilot to managing advanced BIM workflows. He explains how his firm used Pirros to adapt to a post-COVID, discipline-based model, allowing team members across multiple offices and states to access vetted, high-quality details instantaneously. The conversation digs deeply into the broader implications of AI in the AECO space, specifically addressing the common comparison to the historical CAD-to-BIM shift. While the CAD-to-BIM transition still resulted in flat 2D drawing deliverables, the guests argue that AI represents a fundamentally different leap focused on data portability and knowledge preservation across an entire firm. They also tackle the crucial element of change management in a trust-driven profession, outlining the "sandwich effect" required to achieve widespread software adoption from leadership down to production staff. "We're not here to flatten creativity and just be a place where you copy and paste. It's a place where you learn, you mentor, but also ensure that you don't go through the tedious tasks of reinventing the wheel each time and basically spend a bunch of hours hunting for something that you are trying to learn from." - Ross Wagner Finally, they look ahead to the future of design with recent tools like Mira, a Revit agentic copilot, and discuss how firms can maintain the critical thinking required in the traditional apprenticeship model while letting AI do the tedious heavy lifting. Guests Ross Wagner, Assoc. AIA, began his career in architecture before moving into design technology, where he helped scale PlanGrid from under $10M to over $100M in ARR before its acquisition by Autodesk. Now Head of Sales at Pirros, he helps AECO firms improve productivity by transforming historical design content into trusted, accessible knowledge. Xander Ellenbogen, AIA, is a licensed architect and Senior BIM Manager at Clark Nexsen, where he leads BIM standards, Revit workflows, and reality capture initiatives across the firm. With a background spanning architectural design and BIM leadership, he is currently directing a firmwide template rebuild as part of the JMT merger while continuing to serve as an Associate Principal. This episode is especially for you if: ✅You want to understand how Pirros captures a firm's historical work into an intelligent, AI-based search engine to prevent team members from redrawing existing details. ✅ You are curious about the "sandwich effect" in change management and how to secure software buy-in from both firm leadership and production staff. ✅ You want to explore why the CAD-to-BIM shift failed to move past 2D deliverables and how the AI shift focuses on data portability instead. ✅ You want to learn how firms can preserve the traditional apprenticeship model by using AI to handle 70% of the baseline work while keeping designers focused on the remaining 30% of critical problem-solving. ✅ You are interested in the potential of agentic workflows in Revit, such as Pirros' recently released chatbot copilot, Mira. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about Pirros Learn more about Clark Nexsen 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • July 2 · 51 min

    Bonus Episode: Closing the Gap Between Sketch and Build with Trimble 0-60 and Formas.AI

    How can early-stage startups drive true transformation in the AECO space, and what happens when AI-native tools are designed to amplify human intent rather than replace the architect? In this bonus episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee explores the intersection of corporate acceleration and cutting-edge startup innovation. The conversation brings together German Aparicio from Trimble Ventures alongside Yiping Goh and Carlos Banon, the co-founders of Formas.AI. German walks listeners through the Trimble 0-60 accelerator program, which was recently named Built World's Accelerator Program of the Year. This 12-week, historically equity-free program invites early-stage startups to build on top of Trimble platforms like SketchUp and showcase their live integrations at Trimble Dimensions in Las Vegas this November. Herman outlines how Trimble acts as a system of record, searching for partners to create systems of action and intelligence across three key pillars: connected data, connected design, and the connected field. He also defines what "early stage" means for the program, targeting companies founded within the last five years, making under $2 million ARR, and operating with a couple of early customers looking to scale. The spotlight then shifts to Formas.AI, a participant in the current cohort operating in the connected design space. Co-founders Yiping and Carlos explain how their AI-native design workspace is bridging the gap between an initial sketch, reference image, or floor plan and a buildable 3D model in hours instead of months. Carlos, an architect and professor, shares how the tool was born out of personal frustration with fragmented interfaces and broken workflows that detach designers from the joy of creating. Yiping provides an entrepreneurial lens on the broader AEC industry, noting that while it represents 13% of global GDP, it remains one of the least digitized sectors, heavily reliant on legacy software and restricted by the slow timeline of physical building processes. Together, the group tackles the critical challenges of technology adoption, highlighting trust as a core barrier for practitioners who have invested heavily in traditional tools. Rather than replacing human designers, the founders argue for a democratization of design through guardrails that preserve creative authorship and intent. As Formas.AI navigates its 12-week acceleration path, they aim to leverage Trimble's ecosystem to deliver a validated, highly precise design experience that brings excitement and joy back to the craft. "We are believing in the future of design being more human led, less or not even about human replaced. That the winners of AI are the ones that really can give people more creative power, not less." - Yiping Goh This episode serves as an inspiring look at how industry giants and agile startups can co-create workflows that amplify human intuition and make design fun again. Guests German Aparicio runs the Zero to 60 accelerator program at Trimble Ventures. As a trained architect, he focuses on scaling early-stage software and hardware innovations that connect data, design, and job sites across the full project lifecycle. Yiping Goh is the co-founder and CEO of Formas.AI. She is a tech entrepreneur currently scaling her fourth company, with a professional background spanning a real estate degree, venture capital, corporate venture building at McKinsey, and multiple successful company exits. Carlos Banon is an architect, computational designer, and professor who has taught design in Singapore for the last 13 years. A self-taught coder since age six, he is the design and technical mind behind Formas.AI, having built its foundational versions to streamline creative workflows. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You want to understand how the Trimble 0-60 accelerator helps early-stage startups scale by integrating directly into established industry platforms like SketchUp. ✅ You are curious about how Formas.AI closes the gap between a rough sketch and a buildable model using natural language and multimodal AI tools. ✅ You want to explore why trust, legacy tools, and authority code submissions present unique adoption challenges within the AEC space. ✅ You believe that AI technology should amplify a designer's creative intent and preserve human authorship rather than generate generic, unmeaningful variations. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about Trimble Learn more about 0-60 accelerator Learn more about Formas.AI Listen to the previous episode featuring German Aparicio 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • June 25 · 52 min

    Bonus Replay: Intellectual Property and the Future of Practice

    How can architects protect and monetize their creative work with the help of intellectual property (IP) laws? On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we’re joined by Ana Juneja, an award-winning intellectual property (IP) attorney and founder of Ana Law® – the first law firm offering flat-fee, 100% guaranteed services for patents, trademarks, and copyrights. In our conversation, Ana explores the essential role of IP in the architecture field. First, Ana breaks down the four main types of intellectual property: copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets. She explains how each type applies to architecture and protecting creative works within client relationships and employee contracts. Then, we dive into the intersection of AI and IP rights. Ana shares advice on protecting your designs, tools, and software created with AI and outlines the steps to securing patents and trademarks for your work. You're investing in your trademark in order to protect your name, your marketing, and your branding. If you're building up this brand, you're putting in so much time, money, energy, and effort into doing so – you wouldn't really want to lose it…Whereas copyrights and patents are things that, for architects in particular, are incredibly valuable avenues to monetize your brand. It is really protection for your own investments that you're making into your business. - Ana Juneja To wrap up the conversation, Ana highlights common IP mistakes architects make and offers practical tips to avoid them. She emphasizes the importance of understanding IP laws, using strong contracts and NDAs, and taking proactive steps to safeguard your work. Tune in next week for an episode about Guests: Ana Juneja As an award-winning intellectual property attorney and the founder of Ana Law®, Ana Juneja helps celebrities, athletes, influencers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and corporations secure + monetize their brands and ideas in the US and abroad. Ana Law® is the first and only law firm that offers flat-fee, 100% guaranteed patent, trademark, and copyright services. Ana has a 100% success rate and often speaks on important topics such as emerging legal issues surrounding security, AI, and social media. Additionally, Ana has extensive experience with social media intellectual property infringement issues. Ana’s insider connections with premier media agencies allow her to have direct access to key social media platforms, such as Meta (Facebook/Instagram), TikTok, and Twitter. These essential services are an important component of brand protection strategy for Ana’s celebrity, athlete, & influencer clients. 📍 Show Links: Connect with Ana on LinkedIn 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S12 · E240
    June 18 · 1 hr 2 min

    240: From Innovation to Transformation: Building an AI-Native Practice with Evelyn Lee

    How can architects transition from marginal innovation to true business transformation, and what does it look like to run a diversified, AI-native practice that prioritizes attention over productivity? In this Season 12 Finale of Practice Disrupted, the tables are turned as host Evelyn Lee steps into the hot seat. Instead of interviewing an industry guest, Evelyn is interviewed by Sage, her own AI chief of staff, in a dynamic conversation that pushes past traditional scripts to explore the cutting edge of architectural practice. Evelyn reflects on her post-presidency transition from focusing on "innovation" to pursuing true "transformation," explaining how running a diversified, resilient portfolio model protects her business from market volatility. She pulls back the curtain on her exact four-tier AI agent stack, demonstrating how a sole proprietor can leverage technology to handle workloads that would traditionally require multiple people to run. Rather than chasing sheer productivity, Evelyn reveals why her system is intentionally built to protect human focus and relationship building. The conversation moves deep into business model design, architectural education, and macro industry shifts. Evelyn discusses her course at the University of Michigan, arguing that business model thinking is a critical design craft rather than a betrayal of architecture. She also addresses the accelerating wave of private equity acquisitions in the AEC sector, urging smaller firms to consider proactive consolidation on their own terms. Finally, Evelyn shares personal reflections on leading publicly as an introvert and balancing transformational industry work with raising her family. "Business model thinking is a craft and not necessarily a betrayal of design work." - Evelyn Lee This episode serves as a powerful blueprint for any practitioner looking to treat their firm as a design problem and build a resilient, forward-looking business. Guests: Evelyn Lee is the founder of Practice of Architecture and a past president of the AIA. As a pioneer in architecture firm operations, technology integration, and business strategy, she balances institutional leadership with hands-on advisory work, teaching at the University of Michigan, and building AI-native operating models for the next generation of practitioners. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You want to know the precise architecture of a four-tier AI agent stack used to run a modern, diversified advisory business. ✅ You are curious about how to shift from billing hourly to positioning your architecture firm as a high-value strategic partner. ✅ You want to understand the accelerating impact of private equity on AEC firms and why succession planning is critical for survival. ✅ You believe that introverted leadership has distinct strengths and want practical strategies for managing energy and recovery time. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Listen to FIFTEEN Episode Listen to Architects FORA Episode Listen to WPA Episode 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S12 · E239
    June 11 · 54 min

    239: AIA Architecture Firm Award Winners: The Next Generation at LPA

    How can a 60-year-old architecture firm maintain an 80% energy reduction across its portfolio while fostering an integrated "no excuses" culture that empowers its future leaders? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee sits down with three future leaders from LPA Design Studios, the winner of the 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award. Federico Cavasos, Jake Junge, and Rachel Nasland join the show to discuss how they are shaping the firm's operations and what winning the profession's highest honor means for their continued trajectory. The group reflects on their distinct roles and how LPA's culture encourages individuals to design their own career paths. From Federico's recent transition to principal in San Antonio, to Jake spearheading the firm's new digital and data infrastructure, and Rachel pioneering an applied research function rooted in environmental psychology, they highlight the power of an interdisciplinary, integrated practice. The conversation delves into the tangible impacts of their integrated approach, particularly their impressive achievement of an 80% energy reduction cost across their portfolio. The guests unpack their "no excuses" culture, demonstrating how prioritizing human outcomes and equipping teams with sustainability fluency allows them to design smarter, high-performing spaces without inflating budgets or timelines. "LPA is helping shift architecture from designing buildings to designing outcomes." - Rachel Nasland This episode serves as a powerful reminder that an architecture firm’s legacy is built on continuous innovation, investing in people, and empowering every discipline to have a voice at the table. Guests: Federico Cavazos is a Principal and Design Director in LPA’s San Antonio studio who has devoted his career to designing public spaces that educate and facilitate better lives. Inspired by his architect father, he leverages an open mind and a passion for integrated design to deliver impactful results and solve client problems, even on the tightest budgets. Jake Junge is an Architect and Digital Manager at LPA Design Studios who focuses on advancing how technology, data, and digital products support architectural practice. He partners with interdisciplinary teams to develop data-driven workflows, automation tools, and scalable digital experiences that improve efficiency, enhance collaboration, and empower teams across all sectors. Rachel Nasland is a Senior Design Researcher at LPA Design Studios who leverages her master’s degree in Environmental Psychology to understand how people interact with the built environment. She partners with design teams and clients across various sectors to translate behavioral insights into practice, utilizing pre- and post-occupancy evaluations to uncover how design decisions shape user experience and organizational outcomes. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You want to understand how a top-tier architecture firm sustains an 80% energy reduction across its portfolio. ✅ You are curious about the integration of data, AI, and digital tools to enhance design processes rather than replace human connection. ✅ You want to explore how environmental psychology and applied research can elevate user experience and human outcomes. ✅ You believe in a flattened hierarchy where every discipline has a voice and "no excuses" is the baseline for sustainable performance. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn about LPA Design Studios Follow LPA Design Studios on Instagram Connect with LPA Design Studios on LinkedIn 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S12 · E238
    June 4 · 1 hr 4 min

    238: Out In Architecture Volume II: Gestures of Love

    What happens when intersectional storytellers from different generations sit in a room together to connect their personal narratives and design a more inclusive future for architecture? In this special episode of Practice Disrupted, the format shifts as host Evelyn Lee steps back to listen, handing the moderation over to Sarah Woynicz. This conversation marks the second of two episodes celebrating the release of Out in Architecture Volume 2 during Pride Month. Sarah sits down with three of the volume's authors, Gaby Espinosa, Lisa C. Henry, and Kody Chung, who share what happens when storytellers sit in the room together to connect their lived experiences. The group reflects on the unique, vulnerable formats they chose to share their deeply personal histories. Gaby discusses her interview-style chapter, "Space to Be: A Conversation on Finding Ground," which features a dialogue with a close friend who witnessed her gradual coming-out process within a Dallas architecture office. Lisa reads an excerpt from her piece, "Topographies of Becoming," recounting how spatial experiences in New Orleans and Utah influenced her identity and her academic practice. Meanwhile, Kody returns to the project, having first met the Volume 1 authors as a student three years ago, to contribute "A Query on Space," reflecting his growth as an emerging designer. The conversation also addresses the role of intersectionality and the importance of bringing one's full, embodied knowledge into the workplace and the classroom. Lisa shares a transformative positionality framework exercise she utilizes with her students to break down binaries and dismantle patterns of supremacy. Kody explains how his senior thesis leverages Chinese philosophy and the concept of yin and yang to explore the true essence of queer spaces. Ultimately, the authors emphasize that creating spaces for open dialogue allows individuals to realize they are not isolated, empowering the next generation to take up space entirely. "Once you scratch that surface and you realize that no two experiences are the same, it opens your eyes to possibilities and what your future could be." - Gaby Espinosa This episode serves as a powerful reminder that architecture is shaped not just by physical spaces, but by the diverse worlds of the people who navigate them. By honoring cultural heritage and sharing moments of resilience, this collective is actively expanding the endless possibilities of inclusivity across the AEC industry. Guests: Sarah Woynicz is a Project Manager at HKS who utilizes her cross-industry design experience to lead wellness-focused healthcare and mixed-use developments that blend client business goals with community health outcomes. She is deeply engaged in professional advocacy, currently chairing the AIA National Young Architects Forum and previously serving on the AIA Atlanta Board, where she spearheaded leadership initiatives to empower emerging professionals. Kody Chung is a senior architecture design student at Drexel University whose work bridges queer and Asian identities. His senior thesis project investigates the intersectional relationships of space by leveraging Chinese folklore, philosophy, and intergenerational memory. Gaby Espinosa is an architect at HKS who specializes in senior living design and is a contributor to Out in Architecture Volume 2. As a lesbian Latina architect who grew up in a conservative Catholic family in Mexico, she is passionate about representation and creating inclusive spaces where people can be free to be themselves. Lisa C. Henry is an academic architectural practitioner and design educator who has spent 27 years teaching gender, race, and queer theory in architecture. Her pedagogy utilizes organizing and activism tools to foster liberatory practices, guide difficult conversations, and build community within academic and professional spaces. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You want to understand the profound impact of intersectional representation for LGBTQIA+ professionals in the AEC industry. ✅ You are curious about how unique storytelling formats like personal interviews and spoken excerpts can capture the vulnerability of becoming. ✅ You want to explore what it means to use positionality frameworks to dismantle patterns of supremacy in design education and practice. ✅ You want to look at how cultural heritage, philosophy, and concepts like yin and yang can be utilized to define the true essence of queer space. ✅ You believe that building community through continuous conversation is an indispensable tool for ensuring no architect feels isolated. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Explore Out in Architecture Publications Follow Out in Architecture on Instagram Buy the First Edition Listen to the previous Practice Disrupted episode featuring Out in Architecture Listen to Out in Architecture Volume I episode Buy Lisa’s new book 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S12 · E237
    May 28 · 54 min

    237: Out In Architecture Volume I: Gestures of Love

    How can sharing personal narratives empower the LGBTQIA+ community to hold the line and design a more equitable future for architecture? In this special episode of Practice Disrupted, the format shifts as host Evelyn Lee steps back to listen, handing the moderation over to Sarah Woynicz. This conversation marks the first of two episodes celebrating the upcoming June 1st release of Out in Architecture Volume 2 at the start of Pride Month. Sarah sits down with the team behind the original publication, Jha D Amazi, Beau Frail, Julia Oderda, and Andrew Grant Houston, who have transitioned from co-authors in the first volume to co-editors of the second. The group reflects on how their roles have evolved since Volume 1 was launched at the NOMA conference in October 2023. Moving from writing their own stories to holding space as editors for over 20 new contributors was described as a deeply humbling and emotional journey. They discuss the unique responsibility of stewarding deeply personal histories and guiding new authors through the vulnerable process of contributing to the professional archive. The conversation also addresses the heightened stakes of visibility in today's political climate. The editors open up about the necessity of executing safety check-ins with potential authors following recent elections, recognizing that being visible carries distinct risks. Ultimately, they emphasize the critical importance of leveraging professional privilege and cachet to shine a light, ensuring that the next generation of architects feels empowered to do the same. "No one can tell the story that you have to tell. So come tell it, come tell it however you want to. Whatever format, whatever language, whatever medium, tell the story because somebody needs to hear it." - Jha D Amazi This episode serves as a powerful reminder that architecture is shaped not just by the buildings we draw, but by the lived experiences of the people who design them. By paying it forward and honoring those who came before, this collective is actively shifting the baseline of inclusivity across the AEC industry. Guests: Sarah Woynicz is a Project Manager at HKS who utilizes her cross-industry design experience to lead wellness-focused healthcare and mixed-use developments that blend client business goals with community health outcomes. She is deeply engaged in professional advocacy, currently chairing the AIA National Young Architects Forum and previously serving on the AIA Atlanta Board, where she spearheaded leadership initiatives to empower emerging professionals. Julia Oderda, AIA, is a principal at VCBO Architecture with over 25 years of experience leading award-winning higher education, recreation, and K-12 projects from concept to completion. In 2018, she came out as one of Utah’s first openly transgender architects in leadership and has since become a prominent advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation in the profession. Andrew Grant Houston (Ace) is an architect, urban designer, and housing activist who runs his own practice, House Cosmopolitan, and previously ran for Mayor of Seattle in 2021. As a queer, mixed-race individual and sixth-generation Texan who splits his time between Seattle and Austin, he leverages his background and mastery of five languages to advocate for inclusive, culture-rich urban communities where people can thrive together. Jha D Amazi is a Principal at MASS Design Group and leader of the Public Memory and Memorials Lab, where she engages communities to design inclusive monument projects that honor historically underrepresented histories and cultures. Beyond her architectural practice and academic background, she is a spoken word artist, LGBTQ+ SpaceMaker, and advocate who was appointed to the Massachusetts Governor’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment in 2023. Beau Frail, RA, is an architect, poet, and artist who serves as a Project Architect at Fox Fox Studio and leads his own consulting firm, Activate Architecture, balancing his practice between Savannah and Austin. A dedicated advocate for equity, community-engaged design, and LGBTQIA+ visibility, he helped launch major EDI committees and alliances at the AIA, co-edited Out in Architecture, and even shared his poetry as an opening act on Rupi Kaur’s 2022 World Tour. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You want to understand the profound impact of visibility and representation for LGBTQIA+ professionals in the AEC industry. ✅ You are curious about the internal journey and responsibility of moving from a co-author to a co-editor of personal narratives. ✅You want to explore what it means to pay it forward and pay it backward by honoring the legacy of those who paved the way. ✅ You are looking for strategies on how communities can hold the line and support one another through volatile political and social climates. ✅ You believe that individual storytelling is an indispensable tool for uncovering the true history and future potential of architectural practice. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Explore Out in Architecture Publications Follow Out in Architecture on Instagram Buy the First Edition Listen to the previous Practice Disrupted episode featuring Out in Architecture 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S12 · E236
    May 21 · 40 min

    236: The Blueprint of Apparel: Applying Architectural Thinking to Fashion

    Can the rigorous, systematic process of architectural design be the secret ingredient to disrupting the fashion industry? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee sits down with Aidan Turner, the founder of The Garment Architect. Aidan, who graduated from the Syracuse School of Architecture just one year ago, is challenging the standard "fast fashion" model by treating apparel design with the same technical precision and systemic discipline typically reserved for buildings. Aidan’s journey began well before his first day of architecture school; he was running a clothing brand as an undergraduate, balancing studio critiques with supply chain management. He explains how he bridges these two worlds by viewing a "tech pack" (the documentation for a garment) as an architectural blueprint. By applying principles like site analysis (market research), structural integrity (fabric testing), and construction sequencing (production), Aidan has created a studio that prioritizes quality and longevity over the rapid-fire releases common in the apparel world. The conversation explores the "architectural mindset" as a transferable skill. Aidan argues that the value architects bring to any industry, whether it's real estate, manufacturing, or fashion, is the ability to see a project through a full, multi-phase lifecycle. They discuss the challenges of being an entrepreneur in a field that often demands 100% of your time, and why Aidan believes the "veil of mystery" surrounding the design process needs to be lifted to better communicate the true value of professional expertise to clients. "We communicate through drawings, but our process is definitely not communicated through our deliverables. It's everything that goes on in our brains. I think if architecture can evolve in a way where our skills are valued as highly as they should be, then we would be able to be more entrepreneurial and more business-minded." - Aidan Turner This episode is a compelling case study on the versatility of an architectural education. Aidan highlights that when you understand how to design systems and manage complex production, the scale of the object, whether it’s a skyscraper or a jacket, is secondary to the process itself. Guest: Aidan Turner is the founder of The Garment Architect, a Syracuse School of Architecture alumnus, and an entrepreneur who successfully merged his love for fashion and architecture. He is redefining apparel design by implementing professional architectural workflows, including rigorous blueprinting, sourcing, and project management, to create more sustainable and high-quality clothing. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You are curious about how architectural skills and workflows can be applied to fields entirely outside of the built environment. ✅ You want to learn how to bridge the gap between "design-focused" creative work and "business-focused" operational work. ✅ You are a student or recent graduate wondering how to leverage your education to start a business early in your career. ✅ You believe the architecture profession needs to remove the "veil of mystery" and communicate our value more clearly to non-architect clients. ✅ You are interested in the parallels between construction documents and technical apparel packs for streamlined production. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Connect with Aidan on Linkedin Check out The Garment Architect Website Follow The Garment Architect on Instagram Follow The Garment Architect on TikTok 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S12 · E235
    May 14 · 35 min

    235: From Trash to Power: Diverting Construction Waste at Industrial Scale

    How can the AEC industry turn 41 million tons of annual wood waste into a circular economy powerhouse? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee ventures into the construction and manufacturing side of the built environment to speak with Todd Thomas, founder and CEO of Woodchuck. While the podcast typically focuses on architectural practice, Todd’s work at the intersection of AI and sustainability offers a glimpse into a future where waste is no longer an afterthought, but a valuable commodity. Todd explains the staggering scale of the problem: over 41 million tons of wood are sent to U.S. landfills every year, accounting for nearly 40% of all landfill volume. He details how Woodchuck uses advanced AI platforms to identify, sort, and divert this material at industrial scale. By bridging the gap between construction sites and manufacturing outlets, Todd is building the infrastructure necessary to move the industry away from a "take-make-waste" model and toward a truly circular economy. The conversation also touches on the speed of execution in the tech world versus the slower pace of traditional architectural practice. Todd shares insights into how Woodchuck was "spun up" quickly to meet market demands and why architects need to start thinking about the material life cycle, and deconstruction, long before a project breaks ground. "If we don't have a way to divert it, it goes to a landfill. It's that simple. And when it goes to a landfill, it produces methane, which is 80 times more potent than CO2. We have to treat waste as a resource if we want to change the math on sustainability." — Todd Thomas This episode is a fascinating look at how adjacent industries are solving the problems architects design for. Todd emphasizes that while architects have the vision, they must partner with technologists and "builders" of systems to ensure their sustainable goals are actually met in the field. Guest: Todd Thomas is the founder and CEO of Woodchuck, a technology platform dedicated to wood waste diversion at industrial scale. With a background spanning construction, manufacturing, and emerging technology, Todd has spent his career building AI-driven platforms that solve complex environmental and supply chain challenges. He is a leading voice on the circular economy and the role of tech in scaling sustainability. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You want to understand the true environmental impact of construction waste and why wood is the most overlooked resource in the waste stream. ✅ You are curious about how AI and machine learning are being used on the ground to identify and sort materials for reuse. ✅ You want to learn how to design for deconstruction and help your clients participate in a circular material economy. ✅ You are interested in the speed of tech startups and how their approach to business execution differs from traditional architecture firms. ✅ You believe that architectural value should extend beyond the building's completion and into the responsible lifecycle of its materials. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about Woodchuck Connect with Todd on LinkedIn 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S12 · E234
    May 7 · 41 min

    234: Build the Future You Want: A Builder's Path with German Aparicio

    How can architects transition from being passive users of technology to the master builders leading the next wave of industry innovation? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee sits down with German Aparicio, a licensed architect who operates at the intersection of architecture, software development, and venture capital. As the lead for early innovation and partner development at Trimble Ventures, German shares his journey from a fifth-grade dream of becoming an architect to building the frameworks that are now reshaping the AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations) industry. German discusses his early career at Arup, where he first encountered the friction of broken industry systems and "redundant rework," which sparked a lifelong pursuit of better technological frameworks. He recounts his time at MIT and Gehry Technologies, his experience through the Trimble acquisition, and the evolution of G-Team into what is now Trimble Connect. The conversation explores how these experiences led him to co-found 0 to 60, an equity-free accelerator that integrates startups like TestFit, Monograph, and ScaffPlan into the broader technology stack to drive industry-wide change. Beyond corporate innovation, German remains deeply rooted in academia, teaching advanced digital design and entrepreneurship at Cal Poly Pomona. He challenges the traditional "service-for-time" business model and presents a vision for an AI-native design practice, one that leverages natural language and automation to do more with less, allowing architects to reclaim their roles as master builders. "I encourage all my students to do the same. Imagine the future you want to see and then go build it. Nobody's going to come and save you." - German Aparicio This episode is a call to action for architects to take ownership of their professional evolution. Whether through building software, designing ecosystems, or rethinking the value of architectural output, German emphasizes that the future of the profession depends on architects leading technology rather than being led by it. Guest: German Aparicio is a licensed architect in California and the project manager for early innovation and partner development at Trimble Ventures. He is the co-founder of the 0 to 60 accelerator and a faculty member at Cal Poly Pomona. With a background from Cal Poly Pomona and a master’s in design and computation from MIT, German has spent his career building systems, software, and ecosystems that bridge the gap between design and construction. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You are interested in how accelerators and venture capital are influencing the development of new tools for architects. ✅ You want to understand the potential of an AI-native design practice to shift the industry from a time-based to an output-based business model. ✅ You are a student or early-career professional looking for ways to take ownership of your career path outside of traditional firm structures. ✅ You want to learn about the history and future of Trimble Connect and how it facilitates better data flow across complex projects. ✅ You believe the architecture profession needs to adopt systems thinking to solve long-standing productivity and collaboration challenges. 📍 Show Links: Connect with German on LinkedIn Learn more about 0-60 Learn more about Trimble 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S12 · E233
    April 30 · 1 hr 6 min

    233: Methods and Mindsets: Navigating Practice Transformation in a Shifting Market

    How do we manage the rapid transformation of the AECO industry without losing the human systems that make the work possible? In this first-ever live recording of Practice Disrupted, captured at the NASCC Steel Conference in Atlanta, Evelyn Lee is joined by Shelby Morris and Emily Schickner to discuss the "methods and mindsets" required to lead through industry-wide change. From the dramatic shift in the Atlanta real estate market, where zero new office buildings are currently under construction while billions are poured into data centers, the conversation explores how firms must adapt their business lines to remain relevant. The guests discuss how flexibility and a willingness to pivot are no longer just survival tactics but core operational strategies. The episode delves into the nuances of communication, particularly how AI-generated renderings are shifting client expectations and the way architects articulate their value. Beyond technology, the discussion focuses on building a resilient firm culture through "co-creation" rather than top-down mandates. Shelby and Emily share insights on radical transparency in fees, the importance of intentional mentorship, and why viewing the entire AEC industry as a collaborative "family" is essential for raising the profession's standing. This live discussion offers a rare look at how leadership happens in real-time during market volatility. By focusing on the intersection of market data and human capital, Shelby and Emily provide a roadmap for firms to move beyond traditional hierarchies toward a more integrated, transparent, and agile way of working. "It's the family culture and environment that should spread across our entire AEC industry because we absolutely are all in this together and we all must support each other to continue being the profession that needs to be respected in the way that it needs to be." - Shelby Morris This episode is a masterclass in leading with transparency and empathy. Shelby and Emily emphasize that while the technical requirements of the job will always evolve, the business of architecture is, at its heart, a people business built on trust and shared values Guest: Shelby Morris is the Co-Managing Director of Gensler’s Atlanta office and a former AIA Atlanta president. He has led over $3 billion in transformational projects across the Southeast and is a leading voice on office management, market adaptation, and firm-wide diversification. Emily Schickner is a Principal at Harrison Design, the firm’s first female principal, and the past president of AIA Atlanta. She serves as the chair of AIA’s 2025 Women's Leadership Summit and is a sought-after voice on mental health, mentorship, and equity within the profession. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You are curious about how large and small firms are shifting their business models to meet new market demands like data centers and retail. ✅ You want to learn strategies for communicating the value of architectural expertise when clients arrive with AI-generated renderings. ✅ You are interested in implementing "reverse mentorship" and structured development programs to retain the next generation of talent. ✅ You struggle with the transition from being a technical expert to being a leader focused on HR, finance, and relationship management. ✅ You want to understand the difference between hiring for "culture fit" versus "culture ad" to build a more diverse and agile practice. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about Gensler Learn more about Harrison Design Learn more about AISC Learn more about NASCC Connect with Shelby on LinkedIn Connect with Emily on LinkedIn 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

  • S12 · E232
    April 23 · 1 hr 24 min

    232: The Five Conversations That Drive Growth in Creative Organizations

    Why does the architecture profession’s investment in human capital development still lag so far behind its investment in technology and tools? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee is joined by Laura Weiss, an architect who stepped away from traditional practice thirty years ago to focus on the human systems that make design possible. With a decade-long tenure at IDEO as a practice director and associate partner, where she co-led the original service design practice, and experience as a principal at Korn Ferry, Laura brings a precise, unsentimental perspective to the profession. Now an ICF-certified coach and mediator returning to teach at Yale, she explores why the quality of the conversations we have is the ultimate determinant of a firm's success. The conversation centers on Laura’s framework of the "five conversations" essential for the growth of people, firms, and projects. She breaks down the mechanics of why feedback often collapses in creative organizations and why conflict avoidance is a "leadership strategy" that inevitably leads to higher long-term costs. Laura challenges the industry to rethink its approach to leadership, moving away from the "worker bee" mentality toward a more holistic understanding of agency and influence within the "spider web" of organizational systems. "Organizations or systems are like spider webs. You touch one part of it and the whole thing can move. So anyone that thinks, 'I'm just a worker bee,' think a little bit more creatively. If you lean into your own personal sense of power and agency, it will come." - Laura Weiss This episode is a masterclass in the "soft" systems that drive "hard" results. Laura provides a roadmap for architects to reclaim their power, navigate the discomfort of difficult feedback, and build a more resilient professional culture. Whether you are a firm leader looking to evolve your leadership style or a young professional seeking to understand your own influence, this discussion offers a framework for navigating the complex human dynamics of practice. Guest: Laura Weiss is an architect, leadership coach, and facilitator. She spent a decade at IDEO as a Practice Director and Associate Partner, where she helped pioneer the service design practice. She has served as a Principal at Korn Ferry and is currently an ICF-certified coach and mediator. Laura is also a member of the faculty at the Yale School of Architecture, where she teaches on leadership and organizational development. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You want to understand why conflict avoidance in leadership is a strategy that always costs more than it saves. ✅ You are curious about why feedback systems often fail in creative environments and how to fix them. ✅ You are interested in the "five conversations" framework for fostering growth in people, firms, and projects. ✅ You want to learn how to view your firm as a "spider web" of influence where every individual has agency. ✅ You are looking for ways to elevate the profession's investment in human capital to match its investment in technology. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: Learn more about Laura on her website Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Listen to the previous Practice Disrupted episode with Laura 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube Check out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

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