Alex Gore is an architect, Principal and co-owner of the firm F9 Productions and the build firm F14 Productions. He also co-hosts the Inside the Firm podcast, is the author of the Creativity Code, and teaches at CU Boulder in the Architectural Engineering department.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Alex's origin story and what led to him becoming an architect
• how F9 Productions began during the 2009 recession and what baggage they left behind when starting his own firm
• F9's beginnings and figuring out how to find work
• F9's foray into design/build and construction
• F9's 9 principles
• how F9 has grown over the last few years
• why F9 pivoted the firm after developing their own projects
• the idea of a feedback loop informing one's trajectory
• what Alex's main role at F9 is today
• the definition of leadership
• how Alex created a culture of permission through mentorship
• why Alex said, "The most I know is about architecture and construction, and I'm finding out I know less and less about that every day."
• what to do when you don't know what you don't know
• what exists between what architects draw (design intent) and making the building into reality
• the importance of real world experience in design and construction
• what's missing from almost all technology solutions in AEC
• why architects can't prescribe means and methods for contractors
• Alex's advice for the best way to get the information you need when you need it
• how to communicate to your team for the best outcomes during an iterative process
• why human-to-human connections are underrated
• how technology can help the most in AEC by mimicking reality
• what kind of lunch and learns bring the most value to architectural firms
• Alex's message to the building industry regarding government bureaucracy that affects an architects ability to offer their services
• a peek into the life of an architect to help building product reps understand their day-to-day

Episode Links:

• Alex on Twitter
• Alex on LinkedIn
• F9 Productions on Twitter
• F9 Productions on LinkedIn
• F9 Productions website
• Inside the Firm Podcast
• Evan's episodes as a guest on the Inside the Firm podcast (episode 8 | episode 69)
• The Creativity Code by Alex Gore
• CU Boulder's Architectural Engineering program
• Wait but Why blog by Tim Urban
• Tim Urban on Twitter
• Tim Urban's tweet with past and future paths diagram
• Steve Jobs 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech (connecting the dots) (YouTube)
• Steve Jobs Secrets of Life (YouTube)

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