Most Podern Podcast

The Sphere in Las Vegas is a unique and captivating building that has gained viral attention. It is a giant LED screen and a building in one, displaying dynamic and immersive content. It has quickly become a symbol of Las Vegas and its entertainment culture. In this episode, we discuss the Sphere's impact on the built environment and its place in the prioritization of spectacle and entertainment, pushing the boundaries of architecture and real estate.

13:41The Sphere as an Immersive Experience

28:57The Sphere: Building or Billboard?

39:35The Importance of Entertainment in Buildings

In this conversation, we explore the challenges of running an architecture business. Why architects are reluctant to view their practice as a business and the stigma associated with prioritizing profit. We dive into the intersection of architecture and entrepreneurship, how architects can become developers and create their own projects. We discuss the business side of architecture and the importance of having the ability to adapt and pivot in response to market changes.

Chapters

00:00The Stigma of Viewing Architecture as a Business

01:50The Lack of Emphasis on Business Practices in Architecture Education

05:09Why Architecture Firms Are Not High-Value Businesses

09:19The Role of Branding and Specialization in Architecture Firms

14:30The Limitations and Risks of Running an Architecture Business

29:59Bridging the Gap: From Architecture to Development

32:17Innovation in Architecture: Addressing Market Needs

35:26The Business Side of Architecture: Understanding Codes and Zoning

38:12Challenges and Rewards of Running an Architecture Business

49:03Building a Strong Team and Network for Success

52:53Self-Awareness and Continuous Learning in Architecture

In this conversation, we explore the definitions of work, career, and job, and how they differ from each other. We discuss the importance of finding work that aligns with one's values and provides a sense of fulfillment. What is the role of office culture and politics in work satisfaction, and how it can it vary across different industries and regions?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Work

08:14 Work-Life Balance and Approaches

25:50 Finding Flow

38:04 Lessons Learned and Applying Them to Business

Have you wondered how the buildings you live, work, learn, and play in actually get created? Libo, Minkoo, and Alex break down the process of making a building and who is involved - who allows it, who pays for it, who designs, and who builds it. The group breaks down how it all comes together and starts to get at the important challenges and opportunities that the process enables.

06:12 Market Conditions and Incentives in Building Construction

23:45 The Importance of Community Feedback in the Design Process

31:17 Balancing Risk and Certainty in the Construction Process

39:03 The Importance of Project Completeness and Quality

49:43 Becoming Informed and Engaged Occupants of Buildings

Brandon Hall, architect and founder of BHA in Chicago, discusses his career journey and experiences in the field of architecture. He shares how his early interest in building and design led him to pursue a career in architecture that saw him work across continents for some of the most recognized firms in the world. Brandon reflects on his own education and training, and the lessons he continues to learn as the founder of an active architecture practice that looks to build buildings of character and value.

00:00 Introduction and Career Journey

09:30 Design Competitions in Europe

29:17 Embracing the Journey of Your Career

38:54 Articulating Your Design Process and Ideas

Can design training translate to technological innovation?

Zach Soflin, architect turned tech entrepreneur joins Most Podern to discuss his journey from studio to startup. Zach discusses his path from being an architect to building Layer, a transformative software for the building industry, that tackles the unique challenges of working with spatial data. Zach shares how he first became interested in architecture and how his passion for design led him to pursue a career in the field and then beyond.

00:00 Zach's Background and Journey to Architecture

03:18 The Birth of Layer: Solving a Project's Problem

08:16 Financing and Funding a Startup

35:26 The Future of the AEC Industry and Layer's Role

Evan Smith is Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Highland Park Technologies, a company focused on developing automated and cost effective ways to retrofit our built environment. As a licensed general contractor, creator, developer, and serial entrepreneur, shares his career journey moving through various roles and organizations to shape the world around us.

The discussion touches on creating a culture of learning and adaptation, both personally and professionally, shifting focus to leaner approaches in design and building, and challenging assumptions to embrace innovation.

https://www.hiparktech.com/

00:00 Introduction to Evan and his career journey

03:02 Starting a business in landscape architecture

04:27 Transitioning to energy efficiency in housing

09:16 Lessons learned from the failure of Placetailor

16:22 Founding Highland Park Technologies

24:16 Partnership with architects and their strengths and weaknesses

28:19 The Impact of AI on Architecture

29:19 The Changing Job Landscape for Architects

30:41 The Role of AI in Architectural Design

32:04 Creating a Culture of Learning and Adaptation

33:31 Shifting Focus and Leaner Approaches in Architecture

34:51 Challenging Assumptions and Embracing Innovation

37:39 Improving Communication and Collaboration in the Construction Industry

38:06 Speaking the Same Language as Builders

41:16 Creating a Multidisciplinary Team

44:07 Balancing Creativity and Financial Realism

50:25 The Opportunity for Architects to Embrace New Technologies

54:04 Embracing Opportunities and Overcoming Biases

MoPo Season 2 Schedule

March 4 - Season Introduction with your hosts

March 11 - Jacki Schaefer - ⁠⁠Career Coach⁠⁠

March 18 - Andrew Kao - Former VP at ⁠⁠CBRE Hana⁠⁠, Former VP at ⁠⁠Miller Knoll⁠⁠

March 25 - Evan Wiskup - Founder of [⁠⁠Wiskup Architecture⁠⁠] Co-founder of ⁠⁠neighbor⁠⁠

April 1 - Evan Smith - Co-founder of ⁠⁠Highland Park Technologies⁠⁠

April 8 - Zach Soflin - Founder & CEO of ⁠⁠Layer⁠⁠

April 15 - Brandon Hall - Founder of ⁠⁠BHA⁠⁠

Follow Us @

On ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠

On ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠

On ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠

On ⁠⁠Instagram⁠

On ⁠LinkedIn

Evan Wiskup, founder of Wiskup Architecture and co-founder of Neighbor, shares his unique perspective as both an architect and a real estate developer. He discusses his early interest in design and architecture, his intentionality when studying and practicing architecture, and his transition into real estate development.

Evan emphasizes the importance of finding fulfillment in one's work through balancing between design excellence and practicality, finding compatibility in project partnerships, and moving towards happiness every single day.

wiskuparchitecture.com

itsneighbor.com

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:22 Early Interest in Architecture

04:14 Engaging with Reality

05:37 Shifting Perspective on Architecture

06:07 Getting in Touch with the City

09:25 Transitioning to Grad School at Yale

10:23 Exploring Theoretical Frameworks in Architecture

11:47 Working at OMA and Alloy

13:16 Transitioning to Real Estate Development

25:08 Founding neighbor and Wiskup Architecture in succession

34:19 Managing Multiple Projects and Prioritizing Happiness

38:10 Selecting Projects and Collaborators

42:30 Closing Remarks and Getting in Touch

Once captivated by design's allure, how do those shaping our built environment tap into the compounding power of sharing knowledge, honing their skills, and seamlessly blending beauty with efficiency?

Find Andrew on LinkedIn.

How can one develop a rewarding and meaningful career as an architect?

Jacki Schaefer, an architecture career specialist, discusses her journey in the field of architecture and how transitioning away from it led to creating value for others. She highlights the disillusionment she experienced in practice and the disconnect between academia and the profession and how she turned both into a force for positive change for her own life. Jacki also emphasizes the value of career coaching and the need for individuals to understand their motivations and goals in the face of the narrow definitions of success in architectural culture. The conversation concludes with insights into the trends and ideas shaping the new generation of architects and advice for students and professionals.

Follow Jacki on LinkedIn

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:41 Transitioning Away from Architecture

03:08 Disillusionment with Architecture

05:05 Feeling Isolated in Architecture

06:04 Creating a Career Coaching Role

07:31 The Value of Career Coaching

09:23 Ethics in Career Coaching

11:12 Understanding Motivations and Goals

13:27 Narrow Definitions of Success in Architecture

15:49 Influence of Academia on Career Expectations

20:02 Trends and Ideas in the New Generation of Architects

23:40 Advice for Students

24:59 The Lifelong Process of Career Development

25:29 Thinking Ahead and Making Decisions

25:57 Identifying Skills and Experiences

26:25 Understanding Job Parameters

26:54 The Uncertainty of the Future

27:23 Being Open to Possibilities

27:51 Employer Perspective on Hiring

28:14 The Value of Training and Teaching

29:07 Looking Beyond Technical Skills

29:35 Considering Cultural Fit and Personality

30:02 The Anxiety of Finding a Job

30:31 The Gap Between Academia and Practice

31:29 The Challenges of Transitioning to the Real World

31:56 The Impact of Leaving College

32:23 Exposing Students to Different Perspectives

33:21 The Value of Architecture Education

33:49 Questioning the Quality of Work

34:18 Learning from Mistakes and Anti-precedents

35:16 The Importance of Interdisciplinary Work

36:16 Understanding Different Perspectives in Architecture

37:13 The Need for Broad Exposure in Education

38:04 Small Business Owners Doing it Right

39:01 Asking the Right Questions about Success

40:24 Valuing Architecture as Part of Life

41:23 The Challenge of Defining Success

42:49 The Impact of Working with Students

43:17 Memorable Stories of Impact

45:41 Listening to Your Inner Voice

MoPo Season 2 Schedule

March 4 - Season Introduction with your hosts

March 11 - Jacki Schaefer - ⁠Career Coach⁠

March 18 - Andrew Kao - Former VP at ⁠CBRE Hana⁠, Former VP at ⁠Miller Knoll⁠

March 25 - Evan Wiskup - Founder of [⁠Wiskup Architecture⁠] Co-founder of ⁠neighbor⁠

April 1 - Evan Smith - Co-founder of ⁠Highland Park Technologies⁠

April 8 - Zach Soflin - Founder & CEO of ⁠Layer⁠

April 15 - Brandon Hall - Founder of ⁠BHA⁠

Follow Us @

On ⁠Spotify⁠

On ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠

On ⁠Youtube⁠

On ⁠Instagram

On LinkedIn