Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture

Why is leadership development important for architects?

Guests:

Ryan McEnroe, Co-Founder, AIA|DC Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program 

Korey D. White Co-Chair, AIA Forefront

Kavitha Mathew, Director, Leadership and Engagement, AIA New York

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Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP)

Website: ckldp.com

Beginning in 2013, the AIA|DC chapter undertook an initiative to develop a program to help train and nurture the next generation of leaders. The year-long program consists of nine individual half-day sessions attended by a competitively selected group of 16 emerging professionals (someone who has graduated from college with an architecture degree and is within 10 years of their first licensure). Prospective participants must go through an application process for selection where proven career success, community involvement and the individual’s firm support will be considered. Applications for the 2021 cohort are open.

Ryan McEnroe, Co-Founder, AIA|DC CKLDP

As both a licensed architect and landscape architect that grew up on an organic farm, Ryan has a unique understanding of sustainability practices. With 13+ years of professional experience Ryan allows his firm to embrace a wide range of project types and has spoken and written extensively on how agriculture can serve as an amenity. He is an Associate at Quinn Evans Architects in Washington, DC, the Co-Founder and Past-Chair of the AIA|DC Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program and currently serves as the 2020 Chair for the National AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF). He has been recognized with the AIA|DC Emerging Architect Award (2014), AIA Young Architects Award, ENR Mid-Atlantic Top Professionals Award, BD+C 40 Under 40, and the AIAS Emerging Professional Honor Award (all in 2018).

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AIA Forefront

Website: aiaforefront.com

Launched in 2015 as a national leadership program of the AIA, Forefront aims to inspire, empower, and engage architects and emerging professionals so that they become effective leaders serving at the forefront of society’s most pressing challenges. This one-day virtual event brings together visionary speakers on individual, civic and professional leadership for the architectural profession. The event is happening on Oct 30, 2020. Visit aiaforefront.com to learn how to register and participate.

Korey D. White, Co-Chair, AIA Forefront

Korey White is an architect and urban planner at DLR Group, working on educational facility master planning for K-12 school districts. In 2018, Korey stepped into the Co-Chair role for the AIA Leadership Institute, guiding the vision and programming for the one-day national conference. In collaboration with her Co-Chair, Sarah Wahlgren-Wingo, they revamped what is now known as Forefront. Korey is recognized for her leadership within architecture by her recent election to the AIA Strategic Council as an At-Large Representative for 2021-2022 and has been awarded the AIA Young Architects Award, the BD+C 40 under 40 and the AIA Colorado Leadership Award.

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AIANY Civic Leadership Program (CLP)

Website: aiany.org

AIA New York is the oldest and largest chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The Chapter’s members include over 5,500 practicing architects, allied professionals, students, and public members interested in architecture and design. The AIANY Civic Leadership Program (CLP) develops a class of emerging architectural professionals into civic leaders by refining the critical skills that design professionals need to better represent the people that they serve. Each year, the CLP selects ten emerging AIA members to participate in a six-month journey to improve their community outreach and public relations skills, strengthening the AIANY’s culture of advocacy by providing opportunities to interface with municipal agencies, community development organizations, and local stakeholders.

Kavitha Mathew, Director, Leadership and Engagement, AIA NY 

The founder of Equity Co:LAB, Kavitha partners with organizations to research, identify and implement strategies that foster a more equitable and diverse workplace. She has a wide range of experience both as an architect and advocate for equity in the profession. As Director, Leadership and Engagement Initiatives of AIANY, Kavitha oversees programs intended to provide opportunities for members to move beyond their daily work lives to interface with diverse communities, engage in the civic realm, and connect with students who may not be familiar with architecture as a career. Her varied background allows her to view practice from different perspectives, including as a practicing architect, consultant, client, and an advocate working directly with professionals to address the change they would like to see in the workplace and the profession. 

Show Links:

https://ckldp.com/

https://www.aiaforefront.com/ https://www.aia.org/pages/81841-leadership-education-for-architects-and-emer

https://www.aiany.org/civic-leadership-program/

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https://www.quinnevans.com/

https://www.dlrgroup.com/home/ 

https://www.equitycolab.com/

Guest: 

Moe Amaya, Co-Founder of Monograph

Moe Amaya is the Co-Founder of Monograph, a San Francisco-based software company revolutionizing the future in how architectural projects are managed. Born in Arizona, Amaya discovered his passion for design and technology at an early age. Building a bridge between his technological and creative sides, Amaya pursues his career with innovation, organization, and enthusiasm.

While garnering in-depth experience in building tools for startups and architecture firms, and expertise in custom content management systems, Amaya discovered a void for an intuitive cloud-based project management application that was tailored to the industry. He co-founded Monograph with the mission to help architects and engineers oversee projects in an integrated, user-friendly, and ever-evolving interface.

Amaya graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Design from Arizona State University and a Masters of Architecture in Computation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he gained profound experience as a frontend engineer. Upon graduation, Amaya, along with his roommate, Alex Dixon, started a digital agency building websites and interactive tools for architects. Soon after meeting Robert Yuen, the three collaborated and formally became partners at Dixon & Moe – the agency from which Monograph was born.

Learn more about Monograph:

Founded in 2019, Monograph offers firm management software designed to help architects and engineers oversee projects, timesheets, and forecasts in one, integrated and simple interface. The software is deeply rooted in the founders’ experiences in building tools for architecture firms, where they noticed a recurring challenge—architects and project managers were discontent with their existing and non-existent management software. Seeing this void for a simple cloud-based project management application, the co-founders set out to create Monograph, the solution for architects, designers, and engineers to manage their firms more effectively and transparently. As the creators of a software designed by architects for architects, their company is on a mission to empower and arm the professionals who create our buildings and cities with better tools. 

Learn more about Architechie:

We're an intrepid band of architects now working in the tech industry and helping others do the same. We host events, workshops, and throw a killer happy hour.

1. Architechie is first and foremost people.

2. Our unconventional backgrounds are our best asset.

3. Everyone has a different path, and that's a good thing.

4. Together we make up a living wiki: ask us anything.

5. Networking is paramount. So come to our next event.

Show Links:

https://monograph.io/

https://dixonandmoe.com/

https://architechie.org/

Guest:

Amanda Walter, Owner of Walter Communications

Amanda Walter works behind-the-scenes with companies and individuals in the related design and planning fields of the built environment. She helps clients share their knowledge and stories that shape their public reputation and advance toward their business goals. Her specialties are building robust thought leadership programs, developing emerging communications leaders and training executives to be effective spokespeople and advocates.

Amanda spent a decade in-house creating and driving EDAW’s global communications and publishing program, and leading media relations across AECOM. She understands the complexity of firm-wide communications initiatives and the challenge of scaling programs across the nation and world. As a result, her advisory services come from the perspective of an internal resource. 

Her book, “Social Media in Action: Comprehensive Guide for Architecture, Engineering, Planning and Environmental Consulting Firms” was the first book of its kind and the start of Amanda’s exploration of how new media impacts how people form impressions and make decisions. 

Show Links: 

Waltercomms.com

What types of new service lines are architecture firms designing?

Guests:

Christina Cho Yoo, Co-Founder of Atelier Cho Thompson

Ming Thompson, Co-Founder of Atelier Cho Thompson

Christina Cho Yoo, AIA, PE, LEED AP BD+C, IIDA

Christina leads the San Francisco office of Atelier Cho Thompson. She is a licensed engineer and architect in California. Christina received a BS & MS in Civil & Structural Engineering and Construction Management from Stanford and her M. Arch from the Harvard GSD. She started her professional life as a structural engineer at internationally-renowned Arup, working on projects like the California Academy of Sciences, labs, universities, bridges, and more. She has worked in LA, NY, SF, Seoul, and Shanghai at firms like SHoP Architects, Neri & Hu, and Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. She is an adjunct professor at the California College of Arts, most recently teaching an advanced urban studio on the Post-Retail City, which has led to involvement in the SPUR Working Group for Reopening the Ground Floor in a COVID era. 

Ming Thompson, AIA, IIDA

Ming leads the new New Haven office of Atelier Cho Thompson. As a practicing architect, Ming is focused on bettering human experience through design; she insists that good design must occur at all scales, from the building to the furniture to the logo, and everything in between. Ming is a licensed architect in California, Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut. She is a recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award. Ming attended Yale College and the Harvard GSD, and has taught at the California College of the Arts. She has served on design juries around the U.S., and is co-chair of the AIA CT Women in Architecture committee. She writes and speaks frequently on the topic of equity in architecture. She is a first year advisor at Yale and serves on the board of the Yale-China Association. 

Show Links:

https://www.chothompson.com/

How does organizational design support an innovative firm culture?

Guest:

Andrew Cronin, Principal at KieranTimberlake

In over 15 years as an architect, Andrew has focused on a variety of project types including award winning renovations for university clients, an addition and renovation at a local religious institution, a private home in rural Northern California, and an innovative new education center at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Andrew is currently working on a student residential planning study for a liberal arts college in New England and a precinct planning study for a university in Washington D.C. 

Andrew takes a holistic approach to design practice. As a Principal at KieranTimberlake, he remains deeply connected to digital design, prototyping, and systems integration and engages project teams across the office by co-leading KieranTimberlake's BIM Practices group and works to spread lessons across the firm through KT’s regular weekly knowledge sharing forums. Andrew supports KieranTimberlake’s pursuit of the 2030 Challenge in his role in the Beyond 2030 working group and leads KieranTimberlake’s internal mentorship program. He is also a jury critic and adjunct faculty member at the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University.  

Show Links: 

https://kierantimberlake.com/

Future leaders of the profession share diverse perspectives on race, equity, and architecture.

Guests:

Leslie Epps, NOMA Student Representative, AIAS & NOMAS Leader at The City College of New York

Sarah Curry, AIAS, Assoc. AIA, NOMA

Beresford Pratt, AIA, NOMA

Melanie Ray, AIA, NOMA, LEED Green Associate, NCARB, Fitwel Amb.

Kendall A. Nicholson, Ed.D, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, LEED GA

Leslie Epps, NOMA Student Representative, AIAS & NOMAS Leader at The City College of New York

Leslie Epps is an accomplished rising fifth year architecture student at the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture. She has been passionate about architecture for half of her life and is eager to learn more and enact change moving forward in her career. Awarded NOMA Student Member of the Year 2019, Leslie Epps founded the CCNY NOMAS Chapter in 2018 and served as President until early 2020. Epps also received the title of NOMA Student Representative and serves on the NOMA Board of Directors for the role. In the future she aspires to combine architecture with urban planning in an effort to address social issues and ultimately better society. 

Sarah Curry, AIAS, Assoc. AIA, NOMA

Sarah Curry just finished an exhilarating year of living and working in Washington, DC as the 2019-2020 President of the American Institute of Architecture Students. No matter what her next chapter of life holds, she intends to explore and practice her passions for evidence-based and equitable design while pursuing licensure. None of that work would feel fulfilling though, if she is unable to continue advocating for the underserved and supporting design students and others who are interested in designing responsibly for those who need it the most. Originally from outside of Atlanta, Sarah earned her B.Arch in 2018 from Auburn University and completed her Thesis Design-Build Project at Rural Studio the following year. Her very flexible life plans include going to graduate school, teaching, and eventually enjoying nontraditional practice in the vast field of architecture.

Beresford Pratt, AIA, NOMA

Beresford Pratt is a licensed architect and Associate at Ayers Saint Gross in Baltimore, MD where he has worked on a multitude of education/institutional projects. He is passionate about active learning environments and pipeline initiatives, and he enjoys this cross pollination with his professional work. He is currently serving his second year in the AIA as the Mid Atlantic Young Architects Regional Director in the Young Architects Forum (YAF), and he is currently an editor for the YAF’s publication Connection. Beresford is also a co-founder of Baltimore’s local chapter of The National Organization of Minority Architects (Bmore NOMA). Beresford sits on the board and is the Communications Chair/Director. Outside of the industry, if he is not playing soccer, he enjoys volunteering his time with the United Way Central Maryland, and he currently sits on the Emerging Leaders United Council.

Melanie Ray, AIA, NOMA, LEED Green Associate, NCARB, Fitwel Amb.

Melanie Ray is a licensed architect and Associate in the Housing/Mixed-Use studio at Hord Coplan Macht in Baltimore, MD. Since graduating from Penn State’s architecture program in 2015, she has worked on various mixed-use and affordable housing projects, as well as community development projects in Baltimore city and beyond. She is the 424th living black woman licensed in the US to practice architecture and seeks to be an active mentor to promote the goal of doubling the number of licensed black architects by 2030. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Baltimore Chapter of NOMA, Bmore NOMA, and the Northeast University Liaison for NOMA National. In addition to her work at HCM, Melanie is a regular volunteer for pro bono design projects through such organizations as The Neighborhood Design Center and Habitat for Humanity.

Kendall A. Nicholson, Ed.D, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, LEED GA

Kendall Nicholson is a licensed educator, trained architectural designer, and an avid researcher. He works as the Director of Research and Information at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). With degrees in architecture, real estate and education, his research explores the discipline of architecture through the lens of a social scientist. He has presented research internationally and his research interests surround equity, education, and curriculum within the discipline of architecture.

Nationally, his passion for equity and race relations manifests in his role as the lead researcher for the 2016 and 2018 Equity in Architecture Survey sponsored by AIA San Francisco and Equity by Design (EQxD). He also volunteers as a member of the AIA’s Equity and the Future of Architecture board committee and as an at-large director for the AIA National Associate Committee leading a work group on Mentorship and Equity. 

Show Links: 

https://www.noma.net/

https://ssa.ccny.cuny.edu/

http://www.aias.org/

https://asg-architects.com/

https://www.hcm2.com/

https://www.acsa-arch.org/

http://eqxdesign.com/equity-in-architecture-survey-2018

What is studio culture and how does it relate to professional practice?

Guests:

Andrew Caruso, Director of Strategy & Operations for Urban Solutions at Hatch

Anthony Vanky, Assistant Professor in Urban Planning at the University of Michigan Taubman College

Andrew Caruso, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, CDT

Andrew is an architect and economist, working at the intersection of urbanization and development within the world’s emerging cities. He has nearly 15 years of global leadership experience in consulting, NGO management, mergers & acquisitions, organizational development, architecture, master planning, urban resilience and international development, across five continents. He is Director of Strategy & Operations for Urban Solutions at Hatch, a global engineering, development and management consultancy with more than 65 offices on six continents. As a member of the Urban Solutions leadership team, Andrew helps reshape world cities through innovative technical and strategic consulting services — master planning, economic analysis, policy advisory, and resiliency planning — for public and private clients facing the pressures of rapid urbanization.  He holds a professional degree in Architecture (with honors) from Carnegie Mellon University and a Masters degree in International Economics and International Development (with honors) from the Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies.

Andrew has held seats on the national Boards of Directors for three of the five governing organizations for the profession of architecture in the United States: the American Institute of Architects, the National Architectural Accrediting Board and the American Institute of Architecture Students. He has been appointed to national committees for all five governing organizations, as well as the International Union of Architects and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). He has twice represented the United States as an official delegate to the UIA World Congress on Architecture and served on the founding steering committee for the National Academy for Environmental Design.

Anthony Vanky, PhD

Anthony is an Assistant Professor in Urban Planning at the University of Michigan Taubman College, focusing on the use of data-centric practices in city-making and urban planning. He has previously held appointments at Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and Data Science Institute, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). At MIT, Anthony was a founding team member and the first academic programs manager of MIT designX, an academic accelerator dedicated to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in design, cities, and the built environment. He was also a research lead at the MIT Senseable City Lab, a multidisciplinary research group. At the Lab, Anthony also served as the Lab’s partner and outreach strategist. He connected companies’ and governments’ interests in smart cities to the research of the Lab and MIT.

Anthony’s own research considers the use of digital data and pervasive sensing technologies to design, plan, evaluate urban environments, and spans the disciplines of urban design, urban technologies, innovation studies, and public health. Anthony has widely presented topics of design, technology, and urbanism, including at Harvard University, the British Government, and several dozen private and public organizations. Anthony holds prior degrees from MIT and Tulane University.

Show Links: 

http://www.andrewcaruso.com/

https://vanky.co/hello/

http://www.aias.org/

How do you rethink a career in architecture to get unstuck?

Guest:

Laura Weiss Founder at Design Diplomacy

As a professional coach, facilitator, mediator, and consultant, Laura Weiss helps creative leaders engage in powerful conversations that drive change.

A former licensed architect, Laura spent a decade with the global design firm IDEO as a Practice Director and Associate Partner. An expert in service design, she subsequently assumed leadership roles inside a variety of enterprises seeking to build their own capacity for innovation. Today she leads her own practice Design Diplomacy LLC and is an Adjunct Professor at the California College of the Arts.

Laura holds a B.Arch. with honors from Cornell University, an M.Arch. from Yale University, and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. A lifelong learner, Laura has also earned a Professional Certificate in Mediation and Applied Conflict Studies from Champlain College in Burlington, VT, her CPCC (Certified Professional Co-Active Coach) credential through the Coactive Training Institute and is an ACC (Associate Certified Coach) with The International Coach Federation.

Show Links: 

https://lauraweiss.net/

Create Your Own Path Forward - and Perhaps Away from Architecture (Architect Magazine)

How do we engage and retain the next generation of leaders in firms?

Guest:

David Fano, CEO of Teal

A serial entrepreneur and architect by training, Dave Fano has built his career by creating high-growth teams. He founded the successful building information and technology consultancy CASE and ultimately sold it to WeWork, where he served as Chief Growth Officer and increased the unicorn startup’s revenue 100% YoY for four years and grew the team by ~2000%. In 2020, Dave launched his latest passion, Teal, which offers a collective of resources that puts career development back in the hands of the individual so they can pursue a fulfilling career. 

Show Links: 

https://www.tealhq.com/partner/practice-of-architecture

Additional info about our partnership with Teal:

We are proud to announce that Teal is partnering with the Practice of Architecture to provide career assistance for architects and designers who want to focus on building a career they love. As a part of this newly formed partnership, David has been gracious enough, for a limited time only, to offer his time to lead a cohort of architects and designers who sign-up for his career assist program on a first come first serve basis.

Visit Teal HQ starting Friday, July 24 for details and to sign-up for a chance to get insight directly from Teal on your career journey.

What are new ways we can think about mentoring in design practice?

Guest:

Dr. Shannon Arvizu, Epic Teams

Epic Teams seeks to develop the next generation of team leaders to solve today's most pressing challenges. Dr. Shannon Arvizu is an organizational sociologist who has 15 years of research, training and consulting experience. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and foundations to help fast-growing organizations transform managers into epic team leaders.

Show Links: 

Epic Teams https://www.epicteams.co/

Agile Leaders https://www.agileleaders.co/