Episodes

What’s it really like to work in architecture? The hosts of Archispeak know, and they’re here to share real-life experiences. Since 2012 architects Evan Troxel and Cormac Phalen have been podcasting their brand of real talk on everything from design, tools, and work/life balance to generational differences, mentoring, job hunting, and more. Probing questions, revelatory interviews, and unique insights have grown their audience and become a weekly ritual for students and seasoned professionals alike.

#78 - 2015 Year in Review

Join Archispeak as we relive our adventures from 2015 including our most commented upon episodes, shoutouts from notable publications and our attendance at a couple of conferences which contributed to a reawakening of our design soul. Also, a huge "thank you" to our listeners who help make Archispeak possible.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#77 - Gifts for Architects 3.0

Archispeak is back with our third year of Gifts for Architects! This time we take the opportunity to gift ourselves some items that your favorite architect just might like as well. Check out the show notes for links to all of the gifts mentioned on the show and don't forget to order your Archispeak t-shirt. Happy Holidays from Archispeak!

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#76 - Holidays Are Like Hurricanes

Do you eat, sleep, and breathe architecture? Join Archispeak as we slip into those stretchy pants (post Thanksgiving) to explore the chaos that is architecture and the holiday schedule.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#75 - The Chili Man

Archispeak Episode 75 dives deep covering several topics centered around the studio and office environment. We discuss the evolving world of sketching with new tools such as Apple's new iPad Pro and Apple Pencil (Check out Cormac's examples in the Show Notes), music, fashion and new hire hazing rituals. We even mix in some office competitions, with Cormac winning his office's big Chili Cook Off! 

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#74 - The Future of Architecture

It's the future, stupid! Do architects have the mindset to deal with the future? In Archispeak episode 74 we discuss the challenges architects face and what changes we expect to face in the next several years. What is the role of the architect in the future? Listen in to find out.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#73 - Presentation Skills

Our words matter. Presentations. Interviews. Meetings. We are either selling ourselves (and/or our expertise, process and services) to get the job in the first place, or we are selling the work we are in the midst of doing in the form of charrettes and presentations in-house. Listen to Episode #73 of Archispeak as we discuss presentation skills that will help you craft and deliver messages that resonate with audiences.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#72 - [EQxD]

Archispeak welcomes back Rosa T. Sheng, Architect and Senior Associate with Bohlin Cywinski Jackson to discuss Equity. Rosa updates us on the progress and impact she and her team have had on the architectural profession. Join us for an enlightening episode how one person can change the world one bite at a time.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#71 - The Role of the Designer

In episode 71, join Archispeak for a spirited conversation discussing the role of the Designer. While generally thought of as the "fun" part of the architectural profession, the Designer is the one that puts their work up on the wall for everyone to see, criticize, tear apart and comment on. The Designer gets to hear how they did it wrong and listen to how all the armchair quarterbacks would have done it. Putting it out there might actually be the toughest part of the job.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#70 - All About Design

Archispeak welcomes Alice Kimm of John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects to talk about the upcoming Monterey Design Conference (MDC). Listen in to learn more about the MDC, the setting and the speakers appearing at this unique conference that is, all about design.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!
In Tags

#69 - The Cormac Show

Is anything real? Architecture is real, which is what makes it so good to watch. In Episode 69, Archispeak turns the camera upon itself to discuss the very real life experiences of changing jobs and remembers what it is like on the first day in a new office.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#68 - Office Space

In episode 68 of Archispeak we discuss the signs that maybe your current job is not the right one (hint: if you're not fulfilled, that's a clue) and if not, how to leave it. Join us for a lively discussion and don't forget to put a coversheet on your TPS reports before they go out. That'd be great. All right!

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#67 - 40 to Life

Are you just starting your career and don't know if you're ready to 'marry' yourself to a niche in the architectural profession? Inspired by a listener, Episode 67 of Archispeak explores the questions that face many new practitioners when it comes to selecting a firm at which to work and/or considering moving to another firm. Join us as we chase the dream of finding your place in architecture.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#66 - House Plans

Archispeak returns to discuss the subject of Episode 29 - Plans "Я" Us, which is the most commented episode of the podcast. This time we talk with special guest host Gregory La Vardera Architect. He helps us navigate this supplemental income opportunity and argues that this is something that architects should be doing to introduce better quality design for everyone.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#65 - Coffee Talk

Coffee. Fonts. Consultants. How are these topics related? They are each subjects of Episode 65 of Archispeak. Tune in to hear our thoughts on our favorite coffee, which fonts you should be using on your construction documents and how to live peacefully with your consultants.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#64 - The Future is Virtually Here

In Episode 64 we discuss the virtual office and who better to join us for this conversation than the person who has moved to just this sort of work environment, Mark R. LePage of Entrepreneur Architect. Mark helps up explore some tools that you can use as we question if the virtual office the future of architectural practice.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#63 - Back to Reality

Archispeak gets back to reality after the AIA Convention in Atlanta. In Episode 63 we discuss the issues and complications that arise after taking time off to attend professional events. We also explore the benefits to taking a break which can lead to you coming back recharged and more passionate about the profession!

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#62 - Day Three #AIACon15

In our last episode from the great host city of Atlanta, Archispeak discusses the value of attending #aiacon15 as we recap the second day and look forward to day three of the AIA Convention.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#61 - Day Two #AIACon15

Archispeak looks back on the first full day at the AIA Convention in Atlanta, which included some inspiring and not so inspiring Keynote speeches headlined by former President Bill Clinton. We also discuss the results from the NCARB Task Force and their stand on the use of "intern" plus a look at the Death of the Tweetup.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#60 - Day One #AIACon15

The social media Illuminati gathers in Atlanta to discuss Equity by Design and what we're looking forward to doing on Day One of the AIA Convention in Atlanta. Join Archispeak for as we discuss what we are looking forward to at #AIACon15 Day One.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#59 - Three Architects Walk Into a Bar - Part Two

In part two of a special episode, Archispeak continues the discussion and explores work flexibility, what are the tradeoffs and/or benefits, and how school is not preparing architects to work nine to five. We also consider the process of creativity and how it does not happen on a schedule. Can an architect turn their brain off so it only works during office hours? We wrap up the conversation that happens when three architects walk into a bar.

Read More
Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!