Episode 124: Architecture, And: Mental Health in the Profession

How can we better support the mental health of architects and designers?

Co-hosts Evelyn Lee and Je’Nen Chastain sit down with the moderator of Practice Disrupted’s Season 7 kickoff, Joann Lui, licensed architect turned-marketer and founder of the Women Architects Collective, to discuss how she transitioned from architecture into marketing for tech startups, and why this decision was in support of her passions and her mental health.

Joann shares her newest project, the Mental Health Summit, which she created in response to a statistic stating that 97% of architects experience burnout. Joann curated the entire run of show to help attendees find and apply real, actionable strategies to managing their mental health and burnout. Session topics include people-pleasing, journaling, and building a practice that promotes mental health.

“I was so unhealthy. I was constantly getting sick and not taking care of my own health. And I just want a profession where while we're building great buildings, and designing for other people, that we take care of ourselves, and we can be happier and just healthier individuals in general.”  

Joann further discusses her work as an entrepreneur and illustrates how she has helped architects build their personal digital brands during the pandemic and, in turn, was inspired to create multiple businesses as a way to support the community — ranging from coaching to an online matcha shop. 

Tune in next week to hear a conversation with Evelyn and Je’Nen with Architects FORA discussing the Feminist Practice Model.

Guest:

Joann Lui, AIA is an architect, speaker, and the Founder of Women Architects Collective, a digital space where she provides community, conferences and coaching for 4,700+ members. To spread the voice of the community, she hosts annual events such as the Women Architects Festival and the Mental Health in Architecture Summit. Joann developed her professional experience at Gensler NY and transitioned into a Content Marketer role at AEC tech startups such as Monograph and TestFit. You can find her on her website, watch her YouTube channel, and follow her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

📍 Show Links:  

https://www.joannlui.com

Women Architects Collective

Sign up for the MentalHealthSummit.co

📚 Past Episodes Referenced:

PD #96 Addressing Mental Health in Architecture

Leah Bayer:

PD #52 Managing a Virtual Practice

PD #18 Remote Practice

Ben Kasdan:

PD #115 Leading a Culture of Mentorship

Jennifer Matthews:

PD #95 Voices of Mothers in Practice

📚 Continue Learning:

Burnout in Architecture 2021 Survey 

💻 Learn about our podcast partner:

👉 This episode is sponsored by the American Institute of Steel Construction 

 Interested in using your design training to prompt change in our industry? The AISC is looking for creative architects to help shape how our profession approaches structural steel. They’re building a program to bring industry leaders together to harness structural steel innovations. Learn more at aisc.org/architecture. 

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