Architecture Social – Details, episodes & analysis

Computational design is not just about impressive scripts. At its best, it helps teams test options, understand trade-offs and make clearer design decisions under pressure.

Stephen Drew speaks with Nirmala Srinivasa and Mario Romero of Perkins&Will about computational design, data-led workflows, real-time optioneering, sustainability and the role of AI in future design practice.

The conversation covers:

• How computational design supports complex project decisions
• What real-time optioneering can do for clients and design teams
• Why data interoperability matters across disciplines
• How algorithms can support sustainability and material choices
• Where AI may fit into the next stage of design practice

Read the episode on Architecture Social: Behind the Algorithms

Watch on YouTube: Computational Design at Perkins&Will

____

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and welcome
• 01:27 Meet Mario Romero and Nirmala Srinivasa
• 04:15 Perkins&Will as a global design firm
• 09:41 Tech campus project showcase
• 13:48 Challenges and iterations in design
• 19:48 Computational design at Perkins&Will
• 30:54 Overcoming initial scepticism
• 31:53 The power of computational design
• 33:17 Data interoperability and collaboration
• 36:24 Behind the scenes of great design
• 46:34 The future of design with AI
• 51:12 Final thoughts and audience questions

____

Architecture Social

Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social.

Browse live jobs at Architecture Social Jobs, compare pay using the Architecture Salary Guides, or explore free career resources at Architecture Social Resources.

If you want more structured support, book one-to-one architecture career coaching, or join the Architecture Social Club for community support, portfolio feedback, salary discussions and peer advice.

____

Affiliate learning partner

We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects. If you join through our link or use code ARCHSOCIAL10, Architecture Social may earn a commission. Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the annual membership.

Community-led housing changes the usual development question from what can be delivered to who has power, who participates and who benefits.

Stephen Drew speaks with Levent Kerimol, Director of Community Led Housing London, about grassroots housing, community involvement, funding, planning and the role architects can play in more democratic housing projects.

The conversation covers:

• What community-led housing means in practice
• How advisory and mentoring support helps groups move projects forward
• Why funding, governance and patience matter
• What architects can contribute to community-led projects
• How social justice and power shape housing decisions

Read the episode on Architecture Social: What is Community Led Housing?

Watch on YouTube: Levent Kerimol on Community Led Housing

____

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to community-led housing
• 00:32 Understanding community-led housing
• 02:13 Advisory and mentoring process
• 03:50 Challenges and funding
• 05:31 RUSS project case study
• 10:14 Managing community involvement
• 14:50 Success factors for community projects
• 18:25 Levent's background and journey
• 25:38 Architects' role in community projects
• 28:25 Technology and community projects
• 29:30 Technology, planning and housing
• 30:38 Social justice and power in housing
• 31:23 Challenges of large housing organisations
• 33:39 Community involvement in housing decisions
• 35:15 Sustaining long-term community housing projects
• 37:53 Housing market and future outlook
• 45:32 Reflections on architectural careers
• 49:40 Conclusion and final thoughts

____

Architecture Social

Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social.

Explore more conversations on the Architecture Social Podcast, browse free resources at Architecture Social Resources, or join the community at Architecture Social Club.

____

Affiliate learning partner

We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects. If you join through our link or use code ARCHSOCIAL10, Architecture Social may earn a commission. Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the annual membership.

Setting up an architecture practice is rarely the clean founder story people imagine. It is fees, cash flow, recruitment, content, client education, mistakes and learning where the pressure really sits.

Stephen Drew speaks with Oliver Lowrie, co-founder of Ackroyd Lowrie, about the top lessons learned from building an architecture practice and what others should understand before trying to do the same.

The conversation covers:

• Why content, relationships and a wider business ecosystem matter
• How fee pressure and unpaid overtime damage practice culture
• Why client education is part of running a healthier studio
• How apprenticeships and long-term talent routes can support practice growth
• Why founders need advisers, perspective and better business discipline

Read the episode on Architecture Social: Oliver Lowrie's Top 10 Lessons Learned

____

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to lessons from practice ownership
• 05:00 The first lessons from setting up a studio
• 10:00 Creating a business ecosystem and content
• 15:00 Building momentum before the work arrives
• 20:00 Fees, overtime and protecting the team
• 25:00 Educating clients and professional value
• 30:00 Apprenticeships and long-term talent routes
• 35:00 Cash flow, invoices and competitive pressure
• 40:00 Audience questions on mobilisation and affordability
• 45:00 Non-executive advice and not being alone
• 50:00 Recruitment, candidate behaviour and market shifts
• 55:00 Regulation, politics and the wider profession

____

Architecture Social

Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social.

Explore more conversations on the Architecture Social Podcast, browse free resources at Architecture Social Resources, or join the community at Architecture Social Club.

____

Affiliate learning partner

We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects. If you join through our link or use code ARCHSOCIAL10, Architecture Social may earn a commission. Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the annual membership.

Marketing and sales are often misunderstood in architecture, but both matter for job seekers, practitioners and practice owners who need to communicate value.

Stephen Drew speaks with Paul Iddon about the difference between marketing and sales in architecture, practice growth, job seeking, career progression, business development and why professionals need to communicate value clearly.

The conversation covers:

• What separates marketing from sales
• Why job seekers need to communicate their value
• How sales skills can support career progression
• Why practice owners need visibility and relationship-building
• How architecture professionals can approach selling more confidently

Read the episode on Architecture Social: Marketing and Sales in Architecture with Paul Iddon

Watch the video on YouTube: The Importance and Difference Between Marketing and Sales in Architecture

____

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to marketing and sales in architecture
• 05:00 Paul Iddon's background and industry experience
• 10:00 The difference between marketing and selling
• 15:00 Why both matter for job seekers
• 20:00 Career progression and communicating value
• 25:00 Practice owners, visibility and winning work
• 30:00 Practical examples of learning to sell
• 35:00 How marketing supports professional relationships
• 40:00 Common misunderstandings about sales
• 45:00 Advice for architecture professionals
• 50:00 What practices can do better
• 55:00 Final reflections with Paul Iddon

____

Architecture Social

Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social.

Explore more conversations on the Architecture Social Podcast, browse free resources at Architecture Social Resources, or join the community at Architecture Social Club.

____

Affiliate learning partner

We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects. If you join through our link or use code ARCHSOCIAL10, Architecture Social may earn a commission. Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the annual membership.

Digital construction education needs to keep pace with industry expectations, from BIM and modelling skills to employability and technical confidence.

Stephen Drew speaks with Michael McGuire about digital construction education, WorldSkills, BIM challenges, New College Lanarkshire, employability, technical training and how education can prepare students for construction careers.

The conversation covers:

• What WorldSkills digital construction competitions involve
• Why BIM and technical modelling skills matter
• How New College Lanarkshire supports employability
• Why digital construction education needs to respond to industry
• What students can learn from timed technical challenges

Read the episode on Architecture Social: Digital Construction Education with Michael McGuire

Watch the video on YouTube: Disrupting Education in Digital Construction

____

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to digital construction education
• 05:00 WorldSkills and digital construction competitions
• 10:00 BIM challenges and modelling against the clock
• 15:00 Michael McGuire and New College Lanarkshire
• 20:00 Making students employable in construction
• 25:00 Training Manager work and WorldSkills preparation
• 30:00 Digital construction skills and industry expectations
• 35:00 Why technical education needs disruption
• 40:00 What students can learn from competition settings
• 45:00 How education can respond to industry needs
• 50:00 Advice for digital construction students
• 55:00 Final reflections on skills and employability

____

Architecture Social

Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social.

Browse live jobs at Architecture Social Jobs, compare pay using the Architecture Salary Guides, or explore free career resources at Architecture Social Resources.

If you want more structured support, book one-to-one architecture career coaching, or join the Architecture Social Club for community support, portfolio feedback, salary discussions and peer advice.

____

Affiliate learning partner

We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects. If you join through our link or use code ARCHSOCIAL10, Architecture Social may earn a commission. Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the annual membership.

Architecture education and practice can feel disconnected, but collaboration between universities, studios and industry can make both sides stronger.

Stephen Drew speaks with Satwinder Samra about collaboration between academia, architecture practices and industry, including the University of Sheffield, collaborative practice, education, professional relationships and how schools and studios can work together.

The conversation covers:

• Why collaboration between academia and practice matters
• How universities can build stronger industry relationships
• What practices can learn from academic environments
• How students benefit from clearer links to the profession
• Why collaborative practice needs intentional structure

Read the episode on Architecture Social: Architecture Academia and Practice Collaboration

Watch the video on YouTube: Collaboration between Academia and Practices within Architecture

____

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to academia and practice collaboration
• 05:00 Satwinder Samra and collaborative practice
• 10:00 University of Sheffield and links with industry
• 15:00 Why practice and academia should work together
• 20:00 Building relationships between schools and studios
• 25:00 What students, academics and practices can learn from each other
• 30:00 Final reflections on collaboration

____

Architecture Social

Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social.

Explore more conversations on the Architecture Social Podcast, browse free resources at Architecture Social Resources, or join the community at Architecture Social Club.

____

Affiliate learning partner

We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects. If you join through our link or use code ARCHSOCIAL10, Architecture Social may earn a commission. Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the annual membership.

This archive episode captures the final 2022 RIBA President hustings organised around a worker-led call to action for better representation inside the institute.

Stephen Drew hosts a discussion covering candidate priorities, member engagement, workplace experience and what architecture workers wanted from the RIBA presidency during the 2022 election period.

The conversation covers:

• Why the campaign focused on representation for architecture workers
• How candidates positioned their priorities
• What members were asking from the RIBA
• Why workplace experience mattered in the election conversation
• What this archive conversation shows about the mood of the profession

Read the episode on Architecture Social: RIBA President Hustings and Architecture Workers

Watch the video on YouTube: The Final Call to Action for the Next RIBA President

____

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the final RIBA President hustings
• 05:00 The worker-led call to action
• 10:00 Why representation mattered in the campaign
• 15:00 Candidate introductions and priorities
• 20:00 Architecture workers and institutional change
• 25:00 Member questions and professional concerns
• 30:00 Workplace experience and non-owner voices
• 35:00 Ambition, leadership and the RIBA presidency
• 40:00 Discussion on what members needed
• 45:00 Candidate responses and campaign themes
• 50:00 How architecture workers could engage
• 55:00 Final questions from the community
• 01:00 Last pitches and closing comments
• 01:05 Archive context and reflections
• 01:10 What the hustings showed about the profession
• 01:15 Closing thoughts on representation
• 01:20 Final wrap-up

____

Architecture Social

Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social.

Explore more conversations on the Architecture Social Podcast, browse free resources at Architecture Social Resources, or join the community at Architecture Social Club.

____

Affiliate learning partner

We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects. If you join through our link or use code ARCHSOCIAL10, Architecture Social may earn a commission. Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the annual membership.

Inclusive, diverse and talented teams do not happen by accident. Recruitment, retention, culture and leadership all shape who joins and who stays.

Stephen Drew joins the Disrupt Symposium to discuss building inclusive, diverse and talented teams in architecture, covering recruitment, retention, team building, inclusive work environments, women in architecture and the wider AEC industry.

The conversation covers:

• Why recruitment and retention need to be part of inclusion work
• How team culture affects who stays in a practice
• Why equity, diversity and inclusion cannot stay as buzzwords
• What barriers women in architecture continue to face
• How architecture practices can build more inclusive environments

Read the episode on Architecture Social: Inclusive Architecture Teams at Disrupt Symposium

Watch the original symposium video on YouTube: Building inclusive, diverse and talented teams in your architecture practice

____

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to building inclusive and diverse teams
• 05:00 Why architecture is a people business
• 10:00 Recruitment and best practice
• 15:00 Team retention and team building
• 20:00 Fostering inclusive work environments
• 25:00 Women in architecture and wider industry barriers
• 30:00 Equity, diversity and inclusion beyond buzzwords
• 35:00 The state of the AEC industry
• 40:00 Practical ideas for architecture practices
• 45:00 Roundtable discussion and questions
• 50:00 Building better team cultures
• 55:00 Closing reflections from the symposium

____

Architecture Social

Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social.

Explore more conversations on the Architecture Social Podcast, browse free resources at Architecture Social Resources, or join the community at Architecture Social Club.

____

Affiliate learning partner

We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects. If you join through our link or use code ARCHSOCIAL10, Architecture Social may earn a commission. Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the annual membership.

This archive episode captures a 2022 RIBA President candidates hustings built around a worker-led call to action for better representation.

Stephen Drew hosts a conversation on candidate priorities, zero carbon construction, member engagement, workplace realities and what architecture workers wanted from the RIBA presidency.

The conversation covers:

• Why the call to action focused on worker representation
• How candidates explained their priorities
• Why zero carbon construction and workplace realities were part of the debate
• What members wanted from the RIBA
• How the hustings captured the mood around institutional change

Read the episode on Architecture Social: RIBA President Candidates Hustings

Watch the video on YouTube: Call to Action for the Next RIBA President

____

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the RIBA President candidates hustings
• 05:00 The worker-led call to action
• 10:00 Why representation was central to the campaign
• 15:00 Candidate introductions and professional backgrounds
• 20:00 Architecture workers, ambition and institutional change
• 25:00 Zero carbon construction and professional responsibility
• 30:00 Member questions and election priorities
• 35:00 Workplace realities and voices from practice
• 40:00 The role of RIBA in supporting members
• 45:00 Candidate responses and discussion
• 50:00 What architecture workers wanted to see change
• 55:00 Community questions and reflections
• 01:00 Final candidate comments
• 01:05 Archive context and closing thoughts
• 01:10 What this hustings showed about the profession
• 01:15 Final wrap-up

____

Architecture Social

Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social.

Explore more conversations on the Architecture Social Podcast, browse free resources at Architecture Social Resources, or join the community at Architecture Social Club.

____

Affiliate learning partner

We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects. If you join through our link or use code ARCHSOCIAL10, Architecture Social may earn a commission. Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the annual membership.

Working abroad can be exciting, but relocation needs more than optimism. Candidates need to understand the market, the culture, the visa route and their own appetite for risk.

Stephen Drew speaks with Russell M. Henderson about relocating from the UK to find an architecture job abroad, including working internationally, moving to Tanzania, career risk, applications, mindset and what candidates should research before leaving.

The conversation covers:

• What it can be like to move abroad for architecture work
• Why research matters before relocating
• How expectations can differ between markets
• Why mindset and adaptability matter when working internationally
• What candidates should consider before leaving the UK

Read the episode on Architecture Social: Relocating from the UK to find an Architecture Job Abroad

Watch the video on YouTube: Relocating from the UK to find an Architecture Job Abroad

____

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to finding an architecture job abroad
• 05:00 Russell M. Henderson and relocating from the UK
• 10:00 Working internationally after qualifying
• 15:00 Moving to Tanzania and building a career abroad
• 20:00 What candidates should research before relocating
• 25:00 Applications, expectations and market differences
• 30:00 Risk, mindset and adapting to a new country
• 35:00 Social media, personal brand and career visibility
• 40:00 Advice for people considering work abroad
• 45:00 Final reflections on international architecture careers

____

Architecture Social

Find more architecture career advice, practice insight and live roles at Architecture Social.

Browse live jobs at Architecture Social Jobs, compare pay using the Architecture Salary Guides, or explore free career resources at Architecture Social Resources.

If you want more structured support, book one-to-one architecture career coaching, or join the Architecture Social Club for community support, portfolio feedback, salary discussions and peer advice.

____

Affiliate learning partner

We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects. If you join through our link or use code ARCHSOCIAL10, Architecture Social may earn a commission. Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the annual membership.