How can architects build better relationships with materials - and each other?

In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee sits down with Nima Balasubramanian, Director of Architecture at the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), to explore how architects can deepen their material knowledge, challenge industry norms, and find joy in alternative career paths. Nima’s story takes us from long nights at overworked firms to welding workshops and global entrepreneurship, and along the way, she invites us to imagine a better way of practicing architecture.

Nima opens up about her early days in traditional firms where overwork was rewarded, not questioned. She speaks candidly about the toll it took on her health, family, and sense of purpose, and how two pregnancy losses ultimately pushed her to reexamine her future in the profession. After launching her own practice in the Netherlands and experiencing a radically different approach to work-life balance, Nima returned to the U.S. with a new perspective -and an openness to roles that extended beyond conventional practice.

Today, she leads AISC’s Architecture Center, where she works to bridge the gap between architects and the steel industry. Through hands-on learning experiences like job site tours and welding workshops, Nima is helping architects reconnect with material craft and access information in ways that are practical, visual, and engaging. She and Evelyn discuss what it means to build collaborative cultures, the power of small shifts in firm leadership, and how designers can advocate for healthier, more sustainable ways of working.

“When we give architects the chance to pick up a welding torch, to walk a steel mill, to actually feel the material - that’s when real learning happens. It’s not about memorizing data sheets. It’s about creating experiences that stay with you and inform your design choices.”- Nima Balasubramanian

The episode concludes with encouragement for anyone exploring nontraditional paths: your architecture education is not wasted, it’s a foundation. Nima shares how skills like communication, empathy, and project management translate far beyond firm life, and offers advice for others navigating career transitions, burnout, or culture misalignment in their current roles.

Guest: 

Nima Balasubramanian is the Director of Architecture at the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), where she leads the Architecture Center in creating tools, events, and resources that connect architects more deeply with the steel industry. Trained as an architect in India and the U.S., Nima has worked across three continents, founded her own practice, and held leadership roles in both design and operations. Her mission today is to champion hands-on, human-centered approaches to material education and professional development.

Is This Episode for You?

This episode is for you if:

✅ You’re an architect curious about career paths outside of traditional practice

✅ You’re burned out and wondering what else is possible

✅ You want to reconnect with materials and craft in your work

✅ You’re thinking about how firm culture affects health, happiness, and retention

What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.

📍 Show Links:

• Connect with Nima on LinkedIn
• Learn more about the AISC Architecture Center

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