Dialogues in Design

Nikita Daptardar

A podcast for young design professionals for navigating early career decisions. Listen to some esteemed and experienced career professionals talk about their early days to get inspired and motivated on your career journey!

Episodes

  1. Jun 1

    Architecture without intention is dangerous | Nicolas Turchi

    In this episode of Dialogues in Design: Early Career Conversations, I speak with architect, educator, researcher, and founder of NTAR, Nicolas Turchi. Nicolas shares his journey from architecture school in Italy to working with great architects, before establishing his own research-driven practice and pursuing a parallel career in academia. Together, we discuss: • How architecture education differs from professional practice• Lessons learned from working in internationally renowned firms• The challenges of starting an architectural practice• Building and managing a remote global team• Why mindset is important• The impact of AI and emerging technologies on architecture• What students and graduates can do to prepare for the future of the profession One of the central themes of this conversation is the idea that architects should never stop learning. As Nicolas explains, architecture is not a sprint but a marathon, and curiosity, adaptability, and critical thinking remain some of the most valuable skills a designer can develop. Whether you're a student, recent graduate, or practicing architect, this episode offers valuable insights into building a meaningful and resilient career in architecture. If you enjoyed this episode, consider liking, subscribing, and sharing it with someone navigating the early years of their architectural career.

    39 min

  2. May 25

    Designing a career that fits you | Erin Pellegrino

    In this episode of Dialogues in Design: Early Career Conversations, Nikita talks to Erin Pellegrino. Erin Pellegrino is a registered architect, educator, and co-founder of Out of Architecture: a career platform and community helping architects understand and expand their value within and beyond traditional practice. Through Matter, her design and fabrication studio, Erin maintains an active practice focused on small-scale, process-driven work involving custom furniture, public interventions, and residential design/build projects that move fluidly between concept and craft. She has taught at Cornell University, Harvard, The New School, CUNY, and NJIT, where she co-leads a design/build program focused on public interest design. Her work has been recognized with an Autodesk BuildSpace Fellowship, an AIA New England Design Honor Award, multiple Core77 Design Awards, two Architizer A+ Awards, and a nomination for the EU Mies van der Rohe Award. Through honest stories and thoughtful insights, Erin shares why emerging professionals should embrace experimentation, stay adaptable, and trust that there is more than one way to practice design.

    41 min

  3. May 17

    Passing the torch in Architecture | Tim Ung

    In this episode, Nikita speaks with Tim Ung, a New York–based architect whose professional work focuses on behavioral health facilities and whose parallel YouTube practice explores conceptual residential design. The conversation traces Tim’s journey from uncertainty in architectural education to developing a clear, human-centred approach to practice grounded in empathy, communication, and mentorship. Tim reflects on the challenges of architectural jargon, the importance of learning to guide conversations with clients and stakeholders, and the value of understanding how spaces affect the people who use them. He discusses how designing psychiatric centres shaped his sensitivity to user experience, and how his independent design explorations help him remain connected to the joy of creativity. At its core, this episode examines professional growth, responsibility, and the importance of passing knowledge forward, offering meaningful insights for emerging architects navigating the early stages of their careers.

    47 min

  4. May 11

    Designing your network | Mahesh Bangad

    Ar. Mahesh Rameshwar Bangad is an Associate Professor at BNCA. He is a registered PhD Scholar at SPPU. He has a Masters in Environmental Architecture, A post graduation in Project Management from UK and a Diploma In Indian Art & Architecture. He is the current Chairman of AESA and an EC Member of IIA Pune Centre and INTACH Pune Chapter.In this conversation, we talk about how Mahesh has built an network throughout his career and sustained it for so many years. We also spoke about the skills he built beyond the drawing board and how he is passing it on to the next generations.Tune in to listen to the entire conversation!

    30 min

  5. May 4

    A healthy way to practice Architecture | Morgan Chawaga

    Morgan Chawaga is a career and business coach and the founder of The Healthy Architect, dedicated to helping CEO architects create MORE IMPACT and MORE INCOME. Through her evidence-based coaching, Morgan has successfully guided architects to become true firm owners and leaders, 2.5x their revenue in less than 6 months, create +20% profit margins, and lead people with integrity, all while achieving 32-hour work weeks. With a focus on leadership and delegation, she empowers her clients to thrive both personally and professionally.Through her coaching, CEO architects are making and living MORE.Instagram: @the_healthy_architect_Facebook: Morgan ChawagaWebsite: www.thehealthyarchitect.orgPodcast: The Healthy Architect, LCCBook A Consultation Call: https://thehealthyarchitect.as.me/schedule/053cc6f5/appointment/85359693/calendar/9380246?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=85359693

    20 min
  6. Designing what you believe in | Hiloni Sutaria

    Apr 27

    Designing what you believe in | Hiloni Sutaria

    Hiloni is the Founder/Lead Architect of Hsc Designs. Hsc Designs is a young award winning, Multidisciplinary firm based out of Ahmedabad. Hiloni believes in combining the client's requirements, context challenges, climate and community requirements to come up with unconventional solutions for projects. All of her projects have an intrinsic experiential value that makes the spaces more usable and enjoyable for the end user. The solution systems designed for the projects are derived upon after extensive research into the user's patterns, functions, and interactions. She is constantly pushing the envelope in terms of use of technology and materials in design and architecture. She is also a advocate of sustainable use in architecture by promoting grassroots sustainable methods like material reuse and zero wastage in various projects. Follow HSC Designs on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hsc_designs?igsh=Y2pvM29vZWRmdjIz&utm_source=qr

    40 min

  7. Apr 14

    Avoiding burnout as Architects | Mike LaValley

    Mike is an Architect and Writer from Buffalo, NY empowering other Architects to overcome chronic burnout, engineer self-awareness, and build thriving careers.As an Associate at Trautman Associates with over 18 years of experience in the field, Mike served two consecutive terms as a Board Member and Secretary for the AIA Buffalo/WNY. During his tenure with the AIA, he Co-Founded the Buffalo Emerging Professionals Committee in service of local Young Architects as they navigate the profession of Architecture.Every week he shares motivational stories and practical strategies about Work/Life Balance, Burnout, and Personal Development in his long-running newsletter The Resilient Architect.Blogging since 2015, his writing has been featured across several industry publications including Architizer, Young Architect, :scale, and the AIA Young Architects Forum. Tune in to listen to the entire conversation!

    50 min

  8. Apr 6

    Telling your Story | Sana Tabassum

    Sana Tabassum is the creative director of :scale, a communications studio and platform dedicated to empowering emerging creatives and helping brands tell authentic stories. For the last 6 years, she has built a global community through content, events, and mentoring, while expanding into strategic communication services for creative professionals in architecture and design. Her work focuses on simplifying storytelling and creating curated, insightful pathways within the creative industry.

    27 min

  9. Mar 30

    Beyond traditional architecture | Jake Rudin

    In conversation with Jake Rudin, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Out of Architecture a career consulting firm that helps creatively-driven architects and designers find roles that challenge and fulfill them. He is passionate about helping others discover and pursue their unique talents and aspirations, and he serves as a mentor, talent partner, and advisor for several startups, organisations, and individuals in the design and innovation space.Jake shares his insights on exploring architecture right after graduation and making decisions that help shape a career. He talks about the hurdles he faced in his early days and how he tackled them. Tune in to know more!

    38 min
  10. Confidence and Communication | Oliver Lowrie

    Mar 16

    Confidence and Communication | Oliver Lowrie

    This week on Dialogues in Design, we spoke to Oliver Lowrie. Oliver is Co-Founder of Ackroyd Lowrie, an award-winning East London architecture studio known for people-centred, sustainable design. He writes a regular column for Building Design, co-hosts the Urban Forecast podcast, and has built a large LinkedIn following sharing insights on the future of architecture.Oliver is a judge for the BD Architect of the Year Awards, has exhibited at the Royal Academy, and champions innovative, low-energy, community-focused design using tools like VR and modular construction. He also mentors emerging talent through the AL Academy, supporting diversity in architecture.Tune in to listen to his amazing insights on personal branding, role of architects and the future of the industry!

    24 min
  11. How can your website speak for you | Maja Kovacic-Kalra

    Mar 9

    How can your website speak for you | Maja Kovacic-Kalra

    In this episode of Dialogues in Design: Early Career Conversations, Maja Kovacic Kalra talks about how marketing is important for architects as well as for young architecture graduates. She shares her insight on making efficient websites and some tips for social media presence.

    33 min
  12. Taking early career decisions | Tarang Daptardar

    Feb 23

    Taking early career decisions | Tarang Daptardar

    In this episode, Tarang Daptardar, a global leader with 30+ years of experience, speaks about the pivotal career decisions that define and transform professional journeys. If you're at a crossroads or planning your next move, this conversation offers thoughtful insights on navigating those defining moments.

    20 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

A podcast for young design professionals for navigating early career decisions. Listen to some esteemed and experienced career professionals talk about their early days to get inspired and motivated on your career journey!

Information

  • Creator
    Nikita Daptardar
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nikita Daptardar
  • Show Website
    Dialogues in Design