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#60 Rethinking the Architect-Builder Relationship with Saxon Hall - Part 1
Architects get blamed for blowouts. Builders get blamed for misreading plans. But what if the old way of doing things is the actual problem?
In this episode, Dean and Luke sit down with Saxon Hall, Lead Architect at Align Architecture, who made the trek over from Tassie to share how his team is flipping the traditional architect-builder dynamic on its head. From growing up on construction sites in regional Tasmania to leading a six-person team across Hobart and Victoria, Saxon brings a unique perspective shaped by both high-end traditional architecture and hands-on building experience.
We dig into the rise of AI in the design industry, why architecture is more than just a floor plan, and how Align is pushing Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) as a smarter, more transparent way to build. Saxon also shares a behind-the-scenes look at what could be Tasmania's first architecturally designed Passive House Plus project, and why having the right people around the table changes everything.
If you've ever wondered why some projects run smoothly while others spiral into variation hell, this one's for you.
What You'll Learn:
- Why Early Contractor Involvement beats traditional tendering for residential builds
- How AI is reshaping the architectural workflow (and what it still can't replace)
- The real value of transparency and open-book pricing between builder, architect, and client
- Why the builder-architect-client triangle is the foundation of every successful project
- How Align Architecture blends traditional rigour with a modern, collaborative approach
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
00:33 – Meet Saxon Hall from Align Architecture
01:46 – Growing up on the tools in Tassie
03:04 – Joining Align and shaping the vision
05:46 – Inside the Align team
08:58 – AI in architecture: hype vs reality
11:46 – Why architecture isn't just a floor plan
12:36 – Inside a Passive House Plus design meeting
14:31 – Breaking the architect vs builder mentality
15:46 – Early Contractor Involvement explained
17:52 – Relationships before budgets
18:57 – The hidden cost of tendering and variations
21:48 – Wrap up Part 1
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite
View all episodes
By Build InsiteArchitects get blamed for blowouts. Builders get blamed for misreading plans. But what if the old way of doing things is the actual problem?
In this episode, Dean and Luke sit down with Saxon Hall, Lead Architect at Align Architecture, who made the trek over from Tassie to share how his team is flipping the traditional architect-builder dynamic on its head. From growing up on construction sites in regional Tasmania to leading a six-person team across Hobart and Victoria, Saxon brings a unique perspective shaped by both high-end traditional architecture and hands-on building experience.
We dig into the rise of AI in the design industry, why architecture is more than just a floor plan, and how Align is pushing Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) as a smarter, more transparent way to build. Saxon also shares a behind-the-scenes look at what could be Tasmania's first architecturally designed Passive House Plus project, and why having the right people around the table changes everything.
If you've ever wondered why some projects run smoothly while others spiral into variation hell, this one's for you.
What You'll Learn:
- Why Early Contractor Involvement beats traditional tendering for residential builds
- How AI is reshaping the architectural workflow (and what it still can't replace)
- The real value of transparency and open-book pricing between builder, architect, and client
- Why the builder-architect-client triangle is the foundation of every successful project
- How Align Architecture blends traditional rigour with a modern, collaborative approach
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
00:33 – Meet Saxon Hall from Align Architecture
01:46 – Growing up on the tools in Tassie
03:04 – Joining Align and shaping the vision
05:46 – Inside the Align team
08:58 – AI in architecture: hype vs reality
11:46 – Why architecture isn't just a floor plan
12:36 – Inside a Passive House Plus design meeting
14:31 – Breaking the architect vs builder mentality
15:46 – Early Contractor Involvement explained
17:52 – Relationships before budgets
18:57 – The hidden cost of tendering and variations
21:48 – Wrap up Part 1
🎧 Listen to the Build Insite Podcast on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
🌐 Explore more at: https://buildinsite.com.au/
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @build.insite
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