Architecture Social

By Architecture Social, Stephen Drew

It is hard to get a job in architecture. We exist to help you get there. Hosted by Stephen Drew, Architecture Social is the unfiltered guide to the UK Built Environment. We decode the realities of the... more

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FAQs about Architecture Social:

How many episodes does Architecture Social have?

The podcast currently has 262 episodes available.

Architecture Social episodes:

November 07, 2023How do you become an effective leader in Architecture? Ft. Tania Ihlenfeld at Ede Enablers
Effective leadership in architecture is not just about seniority. It is about enabling teams, helping clients make better decisions and creating the conditions for good work to happen.
Stephen Drew speaks with Tania Ihlenfeld of Ede Enablers about leadership in architecture, project accountability, client communication and what professionals need to understand as they move into leadership roles.
The conversation covers:
Why leadership becomes part of architectural practice whether you planned for it or not

How leaders help teams, clients and stakeholders make better decisions

Why communication and expectation-setting matter on projects

How accountability frameworks support stronger leadership

What emerging leaders can start practising earlier in their careers
____
▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=getvl_6pNg4
📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/how-do-you-become-an-effective-leader-in-architecture-ft-tania-ihlenfeld-at-ede-enablers/
Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/
The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/
Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.
____
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to effective leadership in architecture

02:00 Tania Ihlenfeld, Ede Enablers and Build Success

05:00 Leadership beyond design and creating better project conditions

08:00 Key leadership takeaways and closing reflections
...more
9min
October 31, 2023Creating Smart Buildings And Healthier Urban Environments, Ft. Winka Dubbeldam From Archi-Tectonics
Smart buildings and healthier urban environments are about more than technology. They involve sustainability, adaptive reuse, carbon, water, public space and the way people actually live in cities.
Stephen Drew speaks with Winka Dubbeldam of Archi-Tectonics about sustainable infrastructure, smart buildings, sponge city thinking, adaptive reuse, academia and how architects can design more resilient urban environments.
The conversation covers:
How hybrid buildings can support more sustainable urban infrastructure

Why sponge city thinking matters for future development

How adaptive reuse can create new value from existing buildings

What it takes to defend complex design ideas through delivery

Why alternative routes into architecture can widen access to the profession
____
▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl7dWkIoc7U
📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/creating-smart-buildings-and-healthier-urban-environments-ft-winka-dubbeldam-from-archi-tectonics/
Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/
The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/
Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.
____
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to smart buildings and healthier cities

05:00 Hybrid stadiums, sponge city thinking and sustainable infrastructure

10:00 Reworking existing buildings and expanding within constraints

15:00 Careers, academia and finding a route through architecture

20:00 Defending design and turning complex ideas into built work

25:00 Buildings that absorb carbon and produce oxygen

30:00 Publishing, research and communicating design ideas

35:00 Apprenticeships, access and different routes into architecture

40:00 Archi-Tectonics, contact details and closing thoughts
...more
42min
October 24, 2023Equality, Diversity And Inclusion In Architecture Q&A Ft. Marsha Ramroop
EDI in architecture only becomes useful when it moves beyond website statements and into real behaviour, better access, fairer outcomes and stronger workplace culture.
Stephen Drew speaks with Marsha Ramroop about equality, diversity and inclusion in architecture, cultural intelligence, equity, bias, positive action and what practices can do to make inclusion practical.
The conversation covers:
Why EDI needs more than good intentions

How diversity includes both visible and invisible difference

What equity can mean inside an architecture practice

Why cultural intelligence supports inclusive behaviour

How positive action can help improve representation lawfully
____
▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg2d_GRhXr8
📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/diversity-inclusion-architecture-marsha-ramroop/
Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/
The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/
Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.
____
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to EDI in architecture

05:00 Why EDI can be misunderstood or treated superficially

10:00 Diversity, access and visible and invisible difference

15:00 Equity in architecture practice and workplace outcomes

20:00 Inclusion and what it means in practice

25:00 Bias, assumptions and conscious behaviour change

30:00 Cultural intelligence and where to learn more

35:00 CQ action and building inclusive behaviours

40:00 Business outcomes, retention and profitability

45:00 Positive action and improving representation
...more
50min
October 17, 2023Generative AI In Architecture And Design, Ft. SaSi Studio
Generative AI is changing how architecture and design professionals talk about images, information, specification, websites and creative workflows.
Stephen Drew speaks with Mattia Santi of SaSi Studio about generative AI, Midjourney, ChatGPT, meta intelligence, website experiments and how architects can test new tools without switching off critical judgement.
The conversation covers:
How generative AI relates to older design and material experiments

Why AI can democratise access but still needs careful control

How product data and specifications could be supported by AI

What happens when AI is embedded into websites and interfaces

How architects may respond as these tools become normal
____
▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om_K1DQNUkE
📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/generative-ai-architecture-sasi-studio/
Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/
The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/
Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.
____
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to generative AI in architecture

05:00 Metaverse ideas, AI tools and the setup for the discussion

10:00 Meta intelligence, material intelligence and design precedents

15:00 Democratising access while still needing control and testing

20:00 Product data, specification complexity and AI support

25:00 Testing AI on the Architecture Social website

30:00 Websites, interfaces and AI-assisted decision making

35:00 Midjourney, ChatGPT and emerging architecture tools

40:00 How the architecture community may respond
...more
42min
October 10, 2023Infill, Inspire, Innovate: Exploring Non-Traditional Architecture With Alex Nikjoo
Non-traditional architecture often starts with awkward sites, overlooked opportunities and practical problems that need a sharper commercial and design response.
Stephen Drew speaks with Alex Nikjoo about infill sites, sustainable upgrades, adaptive reuse, construction payments, AI, developers and the reality of building a practice around relationships and delivery.
The conversation covers:
How infill and brownfield sites can become design opportunities

Why sustainable upgrades often depend on budget and client commitment

How payment disputes affect construction projects

What AI may and may not change in smaller practice work

Why published projects do not remove the need to keep winning work
____
▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU77tTBHsWI
📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/non-traditional-architecture-alex-nikjoo/
Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/
The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/
Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.
____
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to non-traditional architecture

05:00 Sustainable upgrades and improving existing buildings

10:00 Infill sites, brownfield land and overlooked opportunities

15:00 Construction payments and making projects more transparent

20:00 Builder payments, disputes and practical industry problems

25:00 AI, design risk and what not to panic about yet

30:00 Developers, contractors and understanding different roles

35:00 Winning work, publishing projects and the reality of practice

40:00 Architecture Social, job searching and closing reflections
...more
45min
October 03, 2023Drawing Attention To Architecture In The Age Of Social Media, Ft. Hamza Shaikh
Architecture content now sits between drawing, social media, AI tools, authorship and the very human need for ideas that feel considered and original.
Stephen Drew speaks with Hamza Shaikh about architectural drawing, social media, AI, ethics, image generation, education, practice and how architects can use digital tools without turning design into a commodity.
The conversation covers:
How drawing and process can build attention around architecture

Why human creativity still matters in an AI-heavy media environment

What ethical and legal risks architects should consider when using AI tools

How image generation changes thumbnails, visuals and presentation

Why universities and practices both have roles in testing new tools
____
▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvQoxbOFeZI
📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/hamza-shaikh-architecture-social-media/
Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/
The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/
Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.
____
Chapters
00:00 Livestream chaos and introduction to Hamza Shaikh

05:00 Drawing attention, process and the story behind the book

10:00 AI, human ideas and why creativity still matters

15:00 Ethical and legal caution around GPT tools

20:00 Design thinking, problem solving and accessibility

25:00 AI, logistics tasks and the risk of commodifying design

30:00 Image rights, thumbnails and visual generation tools

35:00 CGI, realism and the future of generated images

40:00 Large language models and AI inside everyday software

45:00 Design directors, practice models and commercial implications

50:00 Universities, practice and experimental learning

55:00 Logistics versus creativity and where AI fits

01:00:00 Midjourney learning, hybrid tools and closing links
...more
1h 4min
September 26, 2023Embracing Public Practice: A Journey from private studios to designing in the Local Authority
Public practice gives architecture and urban design professionals a different way to shape places, communities and policy from inside local authorities.
Stephen Drew explores the move from private studios into local authority work, covering Public Practice, regeneration, council structures, community-led delivery and how architects can create impact in the public sector.
The conversation covers:
How architecture professionals move from private practice into councils

What local authority design and regeneration teams actually do

Why public sector structures can feel confusing at first

How Public Practice supports people testing this career route

What job descriptions and early career access need to communicate better
____
▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FPBPFjQabg
📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/embracing-public-practice-a-journey-from-private-studios-to-designing-in-the-local-authority/
Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/
The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/
Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.
____
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to public practice and local authority design

05:00 Career routes into councils and regeneration teams

10:00 Questioning private practice and finding a public sector route

15:00 Navigating local authority structures and building internal networks

20:00 Culture shock, agency and public sector priorities

25:00 Applying to Public Practice and testing a different career path

30:00 Local authorities, delivery skills and community value

35:00 Public Practice networks and officer communities

40:00 Job descriptions, terminology and where architects fit

45:00 Early career access and entering public sector work

50:00 Part-time opportunities and final audience questions
...more
55min
September 19, 2023From Blueprints to Lattes: Serving the Community ft. Common Ground Workshop
Community practice can mean more than designing buildings. Sometimes it means running spaces, taking commercial risk and staying close to the people who use the work every day.
Stephen Drew speaks with Mark Sciberras of Common Ground Workshop about architecture, community, running a cafe, acting as developer and client, mentoring and the reality of building a practice with local impact.
The conversation covers:
How Common Ground Workshop combines architecture and community use

Why running a cafe changes the relationship between practice and place

What happens when architects act as developer, client and designer

How practical building problems shape real projects

Why mentoring and technical work matter in small practice life
____
▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFqio4Tc6T0
📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/common-ground-workshop-community-practice/
Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/
The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/
Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.
____
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Common Ground Workshop

05:00 Starting the practice and how the cafe came about

10:00 Projects, community work and Common Ground Workshop's approach

15:00 Running a cafe alongside an architecture practice

20:00 Acting as developer, client and architect

25:00 Solving practical building problems and making spaces work

30:00 Studio life, project types and daily practice pressures

35:00 Mentoring, early career skills and the work behind design

40:00 Closing reflections and where to find the practice
...more
42min
September 12, 2023From Drafts To Drinks: Navigating The London Architecture Scene With Daniel K Poku-Davies
Networking in architecture can feel awkward, but in-person events remain one of the most useful ways to build confidence, meet collaborators and understand the wider industry.
Stephen Drew speaks with Daniel K Poku-Davies about the London architecture scene, networking, events, diversity, professional relationships and why showing up can make a real difference to a career.
The conversation covers:
Why architecture networking is more useful when it is relaxed and regular

How students and early career professionals can build confidence

Why professional bodies and informal communities both matter

How diversity and representation affect networking spaces

Why in-person relationships can open doors that online content cannot
____
▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7EvXkNC3Y
📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/daniel-poku-davies-london-architecture-networking/
Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/
The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/
Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.
____
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to London architecture networking

05:00 Events, developers and meeting people across the city

10:00 Confidence, students and learning to speak to people

15:00 Building relationships and getting past nerves

20:00 RIBA, collaboration and protecting the role of architects

25:00 Diversity, age and representation in professional networks

30:00 In-person events, people behind projects and community

35:00 Networking names, friendly rivalry and audience comments

40:00 Closing reflections and where to meet in person
...more
43min
September 05, 2023Frames And Facades, Ft. Augustine Coll
Architectural illustration can make buildings feel playful, memorable and human. It sits between drawing, storytelling, place and character.
Stephen Drew speaks with Augustine Coll about architectural illustration, turning buildings into characters, AI, animation, creative routes and how illustrators can build a recognisable voice around the built environment.
The conversation covers:
How architectural illustration can bring buildings and places to life

Why playfulness and character matter in visual storytelling

How AI affects illustration without replacing creative judgement

What animation can add to an architectural illustration practice

How creative professionals can build attention around their work
____
▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX9y1eD2H-g
📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/augustine-coll-architectural-illustration/
Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/
The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/
Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.
____
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to frames, facades and architectural illustration

05:00 Playfulness, buildings as characters and visual storytelling

10:00 Drawing places, cemeteries and characterful architecture

15:00 AI, illustration and what creative tools can and cannot replace

20:00 Animation, the Ignite development scheme and new creative routes

25:00 Audience questions, Architecture Social and industry chat

30:00 Closing thanks and final notes
...more
31min

FAQs about Architecture Social:

How many episodes does Architecture Social have?

The podcast currently has 262 episodes available.

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