329 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. To join the conversation or learn more about the hosts, visit archispeakpodcast.com

Archispeak Evan Troxel & Cormac Phalen

    • Arts
    • 4.7 • 134 Ratings

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. To join the conversation or learn more about the hosts, visit archispeakpodcast.com

    #330 - Pseudo Productivity and the Right to Disconnect

    #330 - Pseudo Productivity and the Right to Disconnect

    We discuss Australia's 'Right to Disconnect' law, which aims to protect employees from having to engage in work-related communications outside of work hours, and the implications for both workers and companies. We get into the challenges and inefficiencies of modern work environments, including constant connectivity, the impact of email, and how technology has both helped and worsened work-life balance. We conclude with reflections on potential solutions for managing workloads and maintaining boundaries in the digital age.
    Episode Links:
    Australia Introduces Workers’ ‘Right to Disconnect’ (New York Times)
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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.
    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    • 42 min
    #329 - AU - Designing the Future of Multifamily Living

    #329 - AU - Designing the Future of Multifamily Living

    The Archispeak University (AU) series provides educational content for architects and designers.
    In this episode, Sara Schneider of TCA Architects joins us to talk about design trends in multi-family and mixed use project types.
    Sara is a veteran in the interior design field with a 20-year background, predominantly in hospitality, now focusing on multifamily residential projects with a mixed-use aspect at TCA.
    Located in Irvine, California, with offices in Los Angeles, Oakland, and Honolulu, TCA specializes in creating multifamily residential spaces that offer a blend of luxury, functionality, and community living.
    Today Sara discusses the importance of designing for different types of projects including multifamily, mixed-use, and student housing. She emphasizes the incorporation of amenities like outdoor spaces, fitness centers, and community areas that cater to a modern lifestyle, aiming for flexibility and adaptability to cater to various resident needs.
    The conversation highlights trends in multifamily living, the long term impact of COVID-19 on design considerations and tenant expectations, and the role of amenities in attracting residents. Sara's insights reveal a shift towards creating multifamily spaces that not only serve functional purposes but also foster a sense of community and well-being, reflecting a broader trend in residential design towards lifestyle-driven amenities.
    This episode has been made possible with the generous support of Bromic Heating.
    Episode Links:
    Sara Schneider on LinkedInTCA Architects websiteTCA Architects on LinkedInBromic websiteEclipse heatersBromic heater Revit and CAD filesDesign service with a heating expert
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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.
    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    • 52 min
    #328 - Losing Track of Time

    #328 - Losing Track of Time

    In this episode, we talk about the things we do where we are so “in the zone” that we completely lose track of time. We also talk about the importance of failing as part of the learning process, the idea of the ‘flow state’, and how this can be achieved when deeply engaged in problem solving. We also touch on the notion of self-doubt and imposter syndrome and the importance of intrinsic motivation and good habits in achieving success.
    Episode Links:
    System Kid music (Evan’s band)Flow state (Wikipedia)Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Dan Pink (Amazon)
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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.
    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    • 53 min
    #327 - Broke, Broken, and Broke-In

    #327 - Broke, Broken, and Broke-In

    In this episode, Cormac reflects on the challenges, memories, and learnings from his most successful and intense project. He shares the story of the EO Wilson Biophilia Center in Florida which he compares to 'jazz' due to the ensemble of different ideas, skills, and experiences that came together to create something harmonious. We also explore our experiences with difficult projects, budgets, and client relationships that still resulted in remarkable outcomes.
    Episode Sponsor
    Chaos
    For a limited time, get a 20% discount on Fixed and Floating Annual License of Enscape. Head to https://chaos-enscape.com and use code RES24 at checkout to supercharge your design workflow.
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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.
    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    • 54 min
    #326 - The Culture of “ASAP”

    #326 - The Culture of “ASAP”

    In this episode of Archispeak, we discuss the overwhelming volume of emails we receive and the culture of "ASAP" that often accompanies it.
    We reflect on the time-consuming nature of emails and question how firm leadership would react if they knew how much time their employees spend managing their inboxes.The conversation then shifts to the topic of boundaries in the workplace and the struggle to maintain a work-life balance in the face of constant communication and demands.We also explore the potential of AI and emerging technology in the architecture field. We discuss how these advancements could transform the industry despite the rapid pace of change and the challenges it presents.The episode concludes with a listener question about whether we would still choose to enter the architecture field given the potential future influence of AI.
    Episode Sponsor
    Chaos
    For a limited time, get a 20% discount on Fixed and Floating Annual License of Enscape. Head to https://chaos-enscape.com and use code RES24 at checkout to supercharge your design workflow.
    -----
    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.
    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    • 44 min
    #325 - Unforeseen Conditions

    #325 - Unforeseen Conditions

    In this episode, Cormac tells us a story from the Army which sparks a discussion of various experiences on renovation and remodel projects which brings to light the meaning of the term “unforeseen conditions”. 
    Episode Sponsor
    Chaos
    Enscape is soon launching something special that will make your 3D workflow the best 3D workflow for a special price. In the meantime, you can experience it for yourself for free at https://chaos-enscape.com/trial-14 or simply by Googling “try Enscape”.
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    Get the show notes and links for this episode at https://archispeakpodcast.com/episodes/325
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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.
    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    • 49 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
134 Ratings

134 Ratings

MoTheReviewer ,

I listened to 11 episodes today alone

I discovered this show a couple weeks ago and fell in love. As an aspiring architect in college, this is very encouraging and helpful in practical way as well. It’s simply a few guys talking about architecture and life as an architect and it is so enjoyable.
It makes data entry and scanning documents a lot more interesting when you’ve got this in your ears!! I have also baked 2 pies to this, and listened during work commutes.
Please please bless yourself and listen to this podcast, you won’t regret it!

Sbadg ,

Eye-opening in the best ways!

You guys bring so much to the table, especially for students like myself. Some things you touch on, such as the lack of exposure to budgeting constraints in studio courses, have become talking points between students and faculty concerning our design programs. Great content, great dialog—keep it up!

Brandon Benzing AIA ,

Architect

Just started to listen in the past 6 months and have really enjoyed the insightful conversations. Thanks.

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