Lucy Carmichael, former Director of Practice at the RIBA and current Board Member for the University of the Built Environment, explains why the traditional, linear path into the industry is failing most students, and what the alternative looks like.

From her upbringing with architect parents, to navigating the "heyday" of design policy at CABE, Lucy has spent her life 'falling in and out of love with architecture.' The thing that keeps her coming back is the huge potential for positive impact on society.

We explore the "radical realism" of the London School of Architecture, the looming impact of AI on graduate roles, and why the most impactful architectural careers are often the ones that look the least traditional.

00:00 Intro

00:56 Route into architecture

5:48 The reality check: first jobs in architecture

8:10 Stepping out of practice

9:38 The CABE movement

14:17 Communication and storytelling in architecture

18:41 Director of Practice at the RIBA

27:10 The profession's lack of engagement with the RIBA

33:08 The school that works differently (joining the LSA)

35:25 "Radical Realism" - the LSA ethos

47:04 AI and the future of the education and the profession

55:18 Has her career turned out how she imagined?

57:54 Career advice for the next generation