Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture – Details, episodes & analysis

How can AI, automation, and technology democratize custom home design and improve the home building process for both buyers and architects?

On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we welcome Marc Minor and Michael Bergin, the co-founders of Higharc. With Marc's passion for combining design and technology and Michael's dedication to improving the built environment through design automation, they created Higharc. Higharc provides software tools to make custom home design more accessible, enabling users to design, estimate, sell, and build their ideal homes. Our discussion is focused on their vision for democratizing custom home design.

First, Marc and Michael discuss the origins of Higharc, their relationship as co-founders, and their goal to bring design automation to the industry. They highlight the ways tech can address housing shortages, improve affordability, and enhance the home-building process.

Then, we dive into efficient customization in home design and how Higharc empowers architects to engage with the industry on a larger scale. They share strategies for optimizing the home-buying experience for both buyers and architects, working with the industry's supply and demand, and managing the current housing market.

What really is going to make it so that houses are more affordable is addressing the supply problem. Higharc as a business is also very pointed at this soft cycle supply problem making it faster to build homes so that we have more homes for people to move into. There's an ecosystem here, and if we could take that knowledge and have systems that enable professionals to engage with this process, this industry at greater scale, we all stand to benefit. - Michael Bergin

To wrap up the conversation, Marc and Michael look to the future and share their vision for bridging the gap between architects and buyers, with the goal to create more diverse, automated, and connected communities.

Tune in next week for an episode with Tanooki Labs Product Manager, Liz Fibleuil. 

Guests:

Marc Minor:

Marc started Higharc with the goal of making good home design accessible to more people. He’s passionate about pairing design with technology and guiding teams to bring those technologies to market. Prior to starting Higharc, Marc launched two 3D printing companies — Desktop Metal and Carbon3D — out of stealth to become industry leaders, and held management roles for some of the world’s most beloved brands and creative consultancies.

Michael Bergin:

Michael is VP of Product and Co-Founder of Higharc. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to improving the built environment through design automation. Early in his architecture training, he became dissatisfied with the slow pace and limited accessibility of custom home design. Frustrated, he returned to graduate school and explored the potential to improve these conditions through research into mass-customization of homes. He applied these concepts in practice as a Research Lead at Autodesk, creating a product enabling design automation for the automotive and aerospace industries. His work leading the product design effort culminated in the release of Autodesk Generative Design.

📍 Show Links:  

Connect with Marc on LinkedIn

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

Follow Higharc on LinkedIn

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Architechie 

Contact

How can architects think broadly about their career options and the various ways they can contribute to and grow within the built environment? 

On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we're joined by Laura Wake-Ramos, a business development manager at Mortenson. As an architect and real estate developer with experience in design-build construction, she brings a unique perspective to the intersection of architecture and construction. In our conversation, Laura shares her journey in the field, insights on alternative career paths outside of traditional practice, and thoughts on the future of architecture.

First, Laura shares her background of getting into architecture and what a business development manager does at Mortenson. She provides insight into business development in architecture, explaining how she balances creativity with construction logistics. 

Then, Laura dives into alternative career paths in architecture, emphasizing the importance of building support networks and diversifying your skills. She offers advice on following your curiosity and taking career development risks while highlighting the benefit of continuing education.

In simplest terms, I think of real estate development as a Shark Tank of architecture – where you have this concept, you have this design, you have this idea, and you need to talk about how you're going to get it funded. That's where I think the bridge between architecture and development lies. The development world has connections to private equity and to the debt partners to get buildings funded. - Laura Wake-Ramos

To wrap up the conversation, we discuss gaps in the architecture profession. Laura identifies areas for improvement in architectural education, such as the need for more business knowledge in capital markets and market analytics. She shares her aspirations to elevate alternative career perspectives in architecture and break down barriers between architecture and allied professions.

Tune in next week for an episode about the future of housing with the co-founders of Higharc.

Guests:

Laura Wake-Ramos

Laura is a leader in project delivery through strategy, leading teams, and technology integration.  As a Business Development Manager with Mortenson, Laura is responsible for cultivating real estate development opportunities in the Washington DC metro region, leading with the strategy of integrated developer-builder. Laura’s career encompasses construction management, design-build management, and virtual design & construction integration. 

One notable project Laura led as the Design Phase Manager was a historic renovation project in Washington DC that won a National Design-Build Award in 2023. Laura serves as the 2023-2024 Chair of the AIA Project Delivery Knowledge Community, and serves as 2024-2026 At-Large Representative for AIA Strategic Council. Laura is passionate about volunteering and giving back her experience to the community. Laura has volunteered with the ACE Mentorship Program of America, Greater Washington Affiliate Board Member, Arquitina, Design-Build Institute of America, Mid-Atlantic Board Secretary, and DBIA student chapter liaison. 

📍 Show Links:  

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn

Mortenson

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ACE Mentor Program of America

Design-Build Institute of America

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How can technology, software, and product management roles transform and expand the traditional architecture practice?

On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we sit down with Abe Drechsler, a licensed architect and current product manager at Higharc, to explore the intersection of the architecture practice and evolving technology. Throughout our conversation, Abe explains his role as a product manager, where he leverages digital tools to automate and streamline design processes and compares the traditional architecture practice to one that prioritizes tech. 

First, Abe shares why he transitioned from traditional architecture practice to product management and highlights the potential of tech-oriented roles within architectural firms. We touch on the workplace culture at Higharc and the pros and cons of the architecture industry-wide call back to working in person in the office.

Then, Abe discusses the impact of technology on automating tasks, allowing architects to focus on design and other human-centric aspects of the practice. He also notes the differences between architecture and product management, including the physical nature of architecture as opposed to the digital divide and flexibility of tech.

In architecture, there's a clear understanding of what you're trying to build and what the client wants, at the end of the day. It's very obvious that if a client wants a hospital, chances are they're going to expect the hospital four years later. But in tech, there's a whole lot more exploration because you are not really sure what the final solution is going to be when you start off. You have to have the conversations and you can build something wildly different depending on how the initial conversations go. - Abe Drechsler 

To wrap up the conversation, Abe offers his advice to recent architectural graduates who are considering non-traditional career paths. He emphasizes the influence of alternative practices on the future of built environments and outlines the opportunities they present in the field.

Tune in next week for an episode where I'm going in the interview seat and we have a special guest back on the podcast.

Guest:

Abe Drechsler, AIA

Abe is a Product Manager and Licensed Architect with a passion for design and digital technologies. As a product manager at Higharc, he develops methods for systematizing and automating the design and documentation of homes. Previously as an Architect at KieranTimberlake and Ballinger he has worked on a variety of project types and scales. Throughout his career he’s focused on expanding the value of architecture and making design more accessible.

📍 Show Links:  

Connect with Abe on Linkedin

Check out Higharc 

Within Formal Cities Trailer

Architechie Slack Workspace 

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If you launched an architecture firm with the goal of designing workplace policies above and beyond the baseline, what would those policies look like?

This week we discover how the desire to lead with better policies informed the creation of Saam Architecture, a mid-size practice based in Boston. President and CEO Diana Nicklaus has led with the goal of reimagining what is possible. The proof is in the numbers. Her practice is a place women want to work because the policies in place support their needs. 

The Saam studio is a place where collaboration is celebrated. Whether it is sitting together in their Boston office or working remotely, they maintain a high level of communication and trust, empowering their team to operate in spaces and places that improve the quality of service to their clients and the quality of their team’s lives. They are cyclists, sailors, runners, gardeners, singers, kayakers, hikers, yogis, and musicians. But above all, they are a team dedicated to a common goal: to enjoy delivering value to their clients.

Guest:

With over 20 years of experience, Diana Nicklaus has practiced architecture in both the United States and Italy, with projects throughout the continental U.S. and Europe. Her portfolio includes high-profile, large-scale institutional projects, including those in the higher education, healthcare, cultural arts, and K-12 education sectors.

As an advocate for women’s leadership and equitable practice, she has shared Saam’s strategies in numerous presentations and interviews, including Equity by Design and the AIA Women’s Leadership Summit. Diana was a founding co-chair of the Massachusetts Building Congress Women’s Network, the Founding President of Boston Professional Women in Construction, and is currently serving as the Secretary of the Board for the Boston Society of Architecture.

📍 Show Links: 

Saam Architecture

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Episode 086: A Large Firm Perspective on Innovation & Transformation: CannonDesign

How do large firms think about innovation and transformation within the industry, and where are they investing next?

 Within the last four years, CannonDesign:

• grew their consulting practice through the strategic acquisition of Blue Cottage Consulting
• brought new software tools to market, and 
• launched a pre-fab design and fabrication facility in the middle of a pandemic

In turn, growing their market share and the value they continue to deliver to their clients.

 In this episode, we sit down with CEO Bradley A Lukanic, AIA, to talk about the evolution of architecture practice, where he believes architects need to be focused, and the opportunities that technology and innovation are playing in decisions that Cannon is making about the growth of their operations and business.

 Guest:

With a never-ending drive and passion for design and built experiences, Bradley A. Lukanic, AIA, LEED AP embraces situational change disrupters that transform the industry’s future – and he’s leading CannonDesign’s charge to get there. As CEO, Brad seeks partners that are curious to accelerate, command and propel design’s influences on environments with goals resolving cross-disciplinary thinking and engagement. He leads CannonDesign with a sincere approach of listening to employee and client challenges to guide a discovery of “what if” opportunities, instead of progressing in a silo. Parallel to his practical design experience, Brad’s thought leadership is shared within and beyond architecture audiences.

📍 Show Links: 

CannonDesign

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Episode 085: A Case Study for Practice: Latent Design

How do you build an architecture practice that reaches beyond projects to further impact policy, culture, and community?

Latent Design is a progressive Chicago-based architecture firm working at the intersection of design and community development to create social, economic and environmental impact. They define the context surrounding a project before they design the content of architecture. They offer innovative design solutions to those in resource and budget limited environments through a participatory approach that leverages local assets to directly generate project opportunities. Their collaborations range from small-scale tactical interventions, new construction community buildings, adaptive reuse, neighborhood master plans, and design speculations.

In this episode, we’ll learn from architect, founder, and entrepreneur Katherine Darnstadt. Darnstadt has been building her business from the ground up since 2010. In celebration of 12+ years of growth, she’s expanded her work to help launch the Design Trust Chicago.

Guest:

Katherine Darnstadt, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP is the founder of Latent Design, a progressive architecture and urbanism firm leveraging civic innovation and social impact to design more equitable spaces and systems. Since founding her practice in 2010, Katherine and her firm have prototyped new urban design systems to advance urban agriculture with Fresh Moves, support small business through Boombox, created spaces for youth makers, and developed public space frameworks through Design Trust Chicago.  She and the firm have been published, exhibited, and featured widely, most notably at the International Venice Architecture Biennial, Architizer A+ Awards, Chicago Ideas Week, NPR, American Institute of Architects Young Architects Honor Award winner and Crain’s Chicago 40 Under 40. She previously taught at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University.

📍 Show Links: 

Latent Design

Design Trust Chicago

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Mapped!

Boombox Chicago Innovation Award video

Boombox SXSW Place by Design Award video

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Episode 084: Understanding the Architecture Labor Movement

Who is the Architectural Workers United? 

The Architectural Workers United is organizing towards making architecture more equitable, the profession more just, and our built environment more resilient. Join us as we interview Andrew Daley and Jess Myers to learn more about the architectural labor movement, unions, and the history of labor practices in architecture. What are the biggest misconceptions? What is the benefit? What are the most common questions people ask? We’ll discover all of this and more as we discuss why there is a growing group of advocates standing behind AWU.

Guests:

Andrew Daley is an organizer, activist, and licensed architect living and working in Brooklyn. He is currently working with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) on organizing efforts within the architecture industry. He has 12 years of experience working for a number of offices in multiple states, most recently for 7 years at SHoP Architects as a Project Director working on US embassies worldwide.

Jess Myers is an assistant professor in Rhode Island School for Design’s architecture department. Her podcast Here There Be Dragons offers an in-depth look into the intersection of identity politics and security policy in public space through the eyes of New Yorkers, Parisians and Stockholmers. Her work can be found in The Architect’s Newspaper, The Funambulist Magazine, Failed Architecture, Dwell and l’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui. (Read more about Jess on Madame Architect.)

📍 Show Links:  

AWU Website

AWU FAQ Page

AWU How to Unionize

AWU Instagram

AWU Twitter

AWU Contact: [email protected]

📚 Continue Learning:

Labor Resources

DPE Data Sheet

EPI Productivity-Pay Gap

EPI Union Density-Top 10% Income

Episode 083: Lessons from Practice Disrupted on Navigating Change

After four seasons of Practice Disrupted, what lessons on navigating change have we learned from past guests of the show?

Practice Disrupted was launched during the pandemic as a niche podcast: leaders who believe architects can practice in new ways and some who are even willing to question the boundaries that define the practice. On the way to 100 episodes this season and over 19,500 listeners later, the podcast has grown beyond what we could imagine and has taught us many lessons as hosts. In this episode, we break down some themes that continue to surface throughout the podcast and share playlists for those interested in taking a deeper dive into the podcast.

A special thank you to AIA Seattle Women in Design for hosting us in a July 2022 program that prompted us to explore this topic.

• Top 10 Episodes as of July 2022 (these stats change weekly)
• #1 - 001: Practice Shifts
• #2 - 067: Architecture And: The Future of Workplace
• #3 - 068: 2022 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Honor Award Winners: Riding the Vortex
• #4 - 010: Organizational Design, Process, and Innovation
• #5 - 002: The Next Generation of Practice
• #6 - 065: Training Confidence in Technical Detailing
• #7 - 047: Talent Development in Practice
• #8 - 029: Taking the Leap from Architecture into Tech
• #9 - 058: A Case Study for Practice: RIOS
• #10 - 051: Designing a Culture of Mentorship
• Changing: Studio Culture
• 051: Designing a Culture of Mentorship
• 047: Talent Development in Practice
• 042: Building a Great Place to Work
• 031: Balancing Operations Management & Firm Culture

How do you navigate a career that adapts to changing needs over time?

In this week’s episode, we interview Tenille Bettenhausen, a Success Manager at Microdesk who has worn many different hats over time. Her path was not necessarily linear, but she has carved out a career that adapted to her changing priorities throughout life.

Tenille started in a traditional firm and has taken quite a few intentional career pivots working on the ownership side, with developers, general contractors, a trade association, and more. Come with us on her journey to explore:

• Meaningful career transitions
• Identifying and following your strengths
• Understand where you are passionate
• The importance of mentorship and listening to others
• And how to continue to explore creativity in different mediums. 

Did we mention Tenille is a fellow podcaster and host of Death by Architecture and a forthcoming children’s book author? We hope this episode inspires others to be intentional about their careers and understand that it’s about the journey, not a destination.

Guest:

Tenille Bettenhausen has been in the AEC industry for over 20 years.  The first 15 of those years in project, in architecture firms and local offices as a designer and project manager.  The last 6 years has been as a business developer and client relations strategist interfacing with clients.  Tenille has a degree in Architecture from Arizona State University and is currently on the Board of  Director for AIA Orange County and is co-chairing and mc-ing the 2023 Orange County Design Awards.  She is the podcast host of Death by Architecture, a short storytelling podcast centered around true crime in the AEC industry and the author of the upcoming children's book, "Maybe I'll be an Architect" due out in this fall.  Tenille is currently the Client Success Manager at Microdesk (a Autodesk software partner and technology strategy provider) where she truly believes that architecture and design lifts the human spirit and is a champion of goals that lead to knowledge diversification and consensus-building within our AEC firms.  

📍 Show Links: 

Death by Architecture

Tenillebwrites.com

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Episode 081: S5 Launch: AIA Conference on Architecture Recap

Welcome back to season 5 of Practice Disrupted! 

Co-hosts Evelyn Lee and Je’Nen Chastain celebrate a new season and take you behind the scenes to the AIA Conference on Architecture. Following two years of waiting for large-scale in-person events to resume, the AIA welcomed its membership back by hosting a premiere conference experience against the striking architectural skyline of Chicago.

Join Practice Disrupted as they reconnect with new and familiar faces from across the country, and explore what the conference has to offer. Discover what attendees had to say about the June 2022 event, what the AIA prioritizes through new executive leadership, and why volunteer leaders stay involved in the AIA.

Save the date for A’23 in San Francisco!

📍 Show Links:  

aia.org

conferenceonarchitecture.com

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AIA CEO Lakisha Woods says "her success is tied to their success" at A’22 kickoff

President Barack Obama appears at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2022

A’22: Architects, exhibitors and a former US president gather in Chicago to define a shared vision

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