Architecture Social

Hosted by Architecture Social, Stephen Drew

Business Careers Arts Design Education

Website RSS feed

Episodes

261

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

About the show

It is hard to get a job in architecture. We exist to help you get there. Hosted by Stephen Drew, Architecture Social is the unfiltered guide to the UK Built Environment. We decode the realities of the industry, provide actionable cheat codes for your career, and bridge the communication gap between the drafting board and the boardroom. Whether you are a Part I assistant trying to survive your first role, a Part III architect managing complex procurement, or a Practice Director fighting tight margins and adapting to the Building Safety Act, this podcast is your central node of intelligence. We strip away the aesthetic gatekeeping and toxic positivity to talk about the actual mechanics of the business. Expect honest conversations about salary realities, portfolio strategies, hiring economics, and the true experiences of the people actively shaping the profession. No fluff, just the reality of practice.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 24, 2026Episode 26045 min

What Architecture Employers Actually Look For

Architecture practices are rarely taught how to balance design ambition, client relationships and commercial reality. Markus Seifermann of Seifermann Architects explains how adaptability, collaboration and a willingness to learn have shaped a multidisciplinary studio. They get into winning unfamiliar projects, building a people-focused team, diversifying into film and events, hiring for entrepreneurial thinking, rebranding the practice and using AI without handing over responsibility. The conversation offers practical lessons for architects and designers navigating clients, careers, technology and the changing expectations of practice. Markus Seifermann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markusseifermann/ Seifermann Architects: https://www.seifermann.london/ _____ ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHD0iadj0Oc Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/architecture-s... Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. _____ Chapters: 00:00 Starting an architecture practice 04:04 Winning the first major project 08:32 Creativity and commercial reality 10:43 Diversifying into film and events 15:21 Collaboration and unconventional hiring 19:38 Applications and interview advice 23:11 Rebranding the architecture practice 26:33 Mentoring and future careers 29:44 Young people questioning AI and careers 31:42 Managing different client relationships 34:36 Designing without a house style 36:16 Using AI as an architectural tool 40:34 Why architectural education must change 43:25 Projects and getting in touch #Architecture #ArchitectureStudent #Architect #ArchitecturePodcast

September 2, 2026Episode 2591 hr 0 min

Architects Won’t Work the Same After This

Most people think AI in architecture stops at generating a nice image. In this episode, Bill Allen from Chaos explains why the bigger shift is what happens when AI starts working inside Revit, Rhino and SketchUp. They get into AI rendering, agentic tools, automated construction drawings and the move from modelling to render, to rendering to model. Bill also explains why architects still need to understand the “why” behind their work, what practices should look for when hiring, and why students should learn how to learn instead of becoming too attached to one piece of software. Bill Allen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billallenarchitecture/ Chaos: https://www.chaos.com/ Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/ Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. Chapters 00:00 AI and architecture in 2026 01:57 From architect to design technology founder 05:35 How architectural rendering became accessible 09:14 Automating construction drawings with AI 11:01 Why architecture is slow to adopt technology 13:17 Agentic AI and MCPs explained 17:16 Creating architectural animations with a prompt 21:36 From modelling to render, to rendering to model 25:29 Turning AI images into editable 3D models 27:33 Using AI to place BIM components 32:20 Automating repetitive construction documentation 35:00 How AI could prevent costly drawing mistakes 38:16 Will AI replace entry-level architects? 42:13 Leaving architecture to build a business 46:44 What Chaos looks for when hiring 50:06 Advice for architecture students in the AI era 55:21 Why AI reaches architecture later 57:40 Where to find Bill and Chaos #Architecture #ArchitectureStudent #ArchitectureTech (00:00) - AI and architecture in 2026 (01:57) - From architect to design technology founder (05:35) - How architectural rendering became accessible (09:14) - Automating construction drawings with AI (11:01) - Why architecture is slow to adopt technology (13:17) - Agentic AI and MCPs explained (17:16) - Creating architectural animations with a prompt (21:36) - From modelling to render, to rendering to model (25:29) - Turning AI images into editable 3D models (27:33) - Using AI to place BIM components (32:20) - Automating repetitive construction documentation (35:00) - How AI could prevent costly drawing mistakes (38:16) - Will AI replace entry-level architects? (42:13) - Leaving architecture to build a business (46:44) - What Chaos looks for when hiring (50:06) - Advice for architecture students in the AI era (55:21) - Why AI reaches architecture later (57:40) - Where to find Bill and Chaos

August 14, 2026Episode 25855 min

He Built an Architecture Studio After 3 Redundancies

After being made redundant three times, Dominic McAndrew went on to co-found Ruumi Studio and build a new architecture practice from scratch. In this episode, we talk about the reality of starting an architecture studio, what redundancy actually teaches you, why running a young practice is not as glamorous as it looks, and what small studios really look for when hiring. Dominic also shares how Ruumi Studio was built with AI in mind, how the team started trading quickly after a chaotic Christmas setup, and why personality, attitude and communication can matter just as much as technical ability when you’re applying to smaller architecture practices. We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/architecture-s... Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the monthly or annual membership. 00:00 Intro 00:48 Meet Dominic and Ruumi Studio 03:06 Getting Into Architecture by Accident 09:40 Made Redundant Three Times 18:15 Turning Redundancy Into Opportunity 22:27 Leading a Team Through Redundancy 26:08 How Ruumi Studio Began 32:00 The Reality of Starting a Studio 37:01 Building a Team and Hiring Architects 44:03 Lessons From the First Six Months 47:47 Building an Architecture Studio Around AI 53:42 What’s Next for Ruumi Studio _____ Curated content, insights and opportunities to accelerate your career in Architecture, Design, Development and Real Estate to the next level. 💻 Find more content at https://www.architecturesocial.com 📐 #Architecture #ArchitectureStudent #Architect #ArchitecturePodcast

July 2, 2026Episode 2571 hr 23 min

He Started His Own Architecture Practice at 29

What does it actually take to start your own architecture practice in 2026? Alex Sutton founded Studio Sutton in August 2019 at the age of 29, just six months before the world locked down. In this conversation with Stephen Drew, he opens up about building an award winning international practice through a global pandemic, a war, an interest rate spike, an AI shake-up, and the hardest personal moments of his life. No fluff, no romanticising, just the real story of what running a small practice looks like when the cards are stacked against you. If you've ever thought about starting your own studio, or you're already on that path and wondering if it gets easier, this one's for you. Studio Sutton: studiosutton.co.uk Alex Sutton on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alex-sutton ____ ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Md1Fakkn7Q Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/architecture-social/ Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. ____ Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:00 Meet Alex Sutton 03:40 How Alex got into architecture 05:41 Starting out at Sevil Peach 07:23 Setting up Studio Sutton at 29 09:58 Six months before the pandemic 13:08 Losing a year of work overnight 14:45 Pivoting to Oslo and Stockholm 17:08 The reality vs romance of running a studio 20:38 The personal cost of being a founder 22:58 The hidden cost of winning work 26:17 Why better design doesn't always win 29:27 Tick box forms and SME barriers 32:16 £40,000 just to be in the room 35:10 Where does design get lost? 40:19 Where are the Mavericks? 41:15 What actually creates value 46:14 Advice for new founders 54:34 Losing work to AI 56:06 Is starting a practice in 2026 a dead end? 01:00:16 Why architecture still matters 01:05:08 Hiring and building a small team 01:14:09 What architecture school doesn't teach 01:15:28 The Bartlett and the culture of fear 01:23:24 Where to find Studio Sutton

June 18, 2026Episode 25652 min

Why Architects Have Zero Power in the UK Right Now

Why do architects have so little power in the UK built environment, even when their work shapes housing, public space, procurement and the way cities function? Stephen Drew speaks with Jay Morton, Director at Bell Phillips Architects, housing campaigner and RIBA presidential candidate, about what is holding the architecture profession back and what needs to change. The conversation covers: Why architects are often absent from commercial and political decision-making How housing delivery, procurement and public policy affect architectural influence What RIBA needs to do if it wants to be more useful to members and the wider built environment Why architects need a clearer public, commercial and leadership voice This episode was recorded during the 2026 RIBA presidential election period. ____ ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puoOxol-xBc 📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways: https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/why-architects-have-zero-power-uk/ Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/architecture-social/ Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. ____ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and RIBA election context 02:53 Why Jay Morton is running for RIBA President 04:34 Jay's background and approach 05:39 Why architects are invisible in government 07:54 Pressure on architecture practices 12:09 Fees and the race to the bottom 15:29 Student debt and the cost of studying architecture 17:39 Are architects just service providers? 18:29 Architects as the doctors of buildings 21:14 Why small practices are the backbone of the profession 28:27 Why tendering is broken 30:08 Public perception versus professional reality 32:11 Architecture education and the bubble problem 34:18 Apprenticeship funding and access 40:37 Where to begin tackling the problem 42:40 Advice for Part 1s and Part 2s 44:14 AI and the future of the profession 46:37 Why Jay does not want fast food buildings 48:25 Why she wants to be RIBA President Links from this episode Jay Morton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymorton/ Jay Morton campaign: https://jaymorton.co.uk/ Bell Phillips Architects: https://www.bellphillips.com/

June 16, 2026Episode 25548 min

A KPF Director’s Honest Advice for Young Architects

What does it really take to build a long-term architecture career inside a global practice? Stephen Drew speaks with Francesco Casella, Director at KPF, about career growth, working at scale, and what young architecture professionals can learn from staying, developing and leading inside one major studio. The conversation covers: How to get hired by large architecture practices What helps Part 2s, Part 3s and early-career designers stand out The value of staying with one firm and building trust over time CAD, BIM, design judgement and how technology is changing practice AI, global projects and the skills that still matter in architecture Guest: Francesco Casella, Director at KPF KPF: kpf.com ____ ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daFiWGho19c 📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways: https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/kpf-director-advice-young-architects/ Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/architecture-social/ Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. ____ Chapters 00:00 Francesco Casella, KPF and the episode context 03:54 Getting a first architecture role in London 05:07 Joining KPF and building a long-term route 14:18 Promotion, progression and changing firms 18:58 Teams, collaboration and leadership 26:05 BIM, technology and AI 29:43 Interviews, hiring and what candidates should show 33:15 Recruitment, judgement and understanding the profession 40:18 The rewards and pressure of architecture 41:51 Why architecture still feels worth it

May 7, 2026Episode 2541 hr 17 min

Running an Architecture Practice Isn’t What You Think

Running an architecture practice is not just about design. It is fees, hiring, risk, clients, culture, profit and learning how to keep the studio moving without losing the work you care about. Stephen Drew speaks with Tim, co-founder of nimtim architects, a design-led practice in South London, about starting a studio, building a team and dealing with the commercial reality behind architecture. The conversation covers: What it is really like to start an architecture practice How nimtim grew from the kitchen table into a recognised design studio Fees, profitability and the pressure of running a small practice Hiring, culture and building a team without losing the studio's identity What students and early-career designers should understand about practice life ____ ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3499S-97MB0 📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways: https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/running-an-architecture-practice-isnt-what-you-think/ Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/architecture-social/ Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. ____ Chapters 00:00 Arriving at nimtim and setting the scene 05:01 Early practice formation and finding direction 10:21 First projects, public attention and momentum 15:07 Moving from larger practice to running whole projects 20:12 Working with a partner and separating work from life 25:04 Culture, office life and hiring 30:13 Education, students and practice pressures 35:18 Apprenticeships, training and the cost of qualification 40:12 Skills, challenge and what practices need 45:11 Starting a business, risk and reality 50:25 Team routines and running the studio 55:15 Honesty, pressure and the personal realities of practice 1:00:13 AI, industrialisation and the profession's reaction 1:05:17 Changing tools and fear of being left behind 1:10:18 Clients, sales and keeping the practice going Links from this episode nimtim architects: https://www.nimtim.co.uk/ nimtim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimtimarchitects/

April 14, 2026Episode 2531 hr 12 min

How to Future Proof Your Architecture Career

How do you future proof an architecture career when BIM, computational design and AI are changing what practices value? Stephen Drew speaks with Ami Nigam, Head of Design Technology at Benoy, about design technology, international career moves and how to build skills that still matter as the profession changes. The conversation covers: How Ami moved from architecture into design technology Why BIM, computational design and AI are now career skills, not side interests How large practices think about technology, design quality and delivery What students, Part 1s, Part 2s and early-career designers should focus on How to stay useful without chasing every new tool ____ ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8WfJBJrz60 📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways: https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/how-to-future-proof-your-architecture-career/ Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/architecture-social/ Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. ____ Chapters 00:00 Why design technology matters in practice 05:12 Scripting, process and fabrication 10:11 BIM explained and why it matters 15:15 Infrastructure, standards and solving problems in practice 20:15 Grasshopper, Rhino and design workflows 25:15 AI imagery and sandboxed tools 30:20 Enterprise tools, data and internal knowledge 35:08 Optimism, change and staying adaptable 40:16 Rapid change in visualisation and design tools 45:21 What students should focus on 50:12 Technical work needs people skills 55:08 Benoy, global studio life and audience questions 1:00:03 Enterprise AI and business use cases 1:05:16 Quality, bad outputs and critical judgement 1:10:20 How to connect with Ami and closing thoughts Links from this episode Benoy: https://www.benoy.com/

March 24, 2026Episode 2521 hr 17 min

How to Actually Get Hired in Architecture and Interior Design

If you are trying to get hired in architecture or interior design, sending the same CV and portfolio to every studio is not enough. In this Kingston University session, Stephen Drew shares practical advice for students, graduates and early-career designers trying to land roles in London and the wider UK architecture market. The session covers: How to stop relying only on job boards and reach studios directly What to include in a 10 to 15 page sample portfolio How to write a direct email that busy directors are more likely to read When students and graduates should start applying How international graduates can talk about the graduate visa clearly What to bring to interviews so you stay in control ____ ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HifIh5_4r2g 📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways: https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/how-to-actually-get-hired-in-architecture-and-interior-design/ Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/architecture-social/ Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. ____ Chapters 00:00 Stephen's route from architecture into recruitment 05:17 Sample portfolios and grabbing attention 10:16 CV details, grades and contact information 15:09 Software skills and how to present them 20:02 Portfolio images and presentation quality 25:02 ATS myths and making your CV readable 30:10 Showing process in portfolio work 35:08 Applying directly and building enough volume 40:05 Skipping the job board queue with direct outreach 45:01 Market conditions, persistence and application volume 50:17 International graduates and visa conversations 55:08 What employers value in graduates 1:00:19 Start dates, availability and interview questions 1:05:21 Targeting practices without overthinking it 1:10:10 Writing emails that focus on the employer

March 17, 2026Episode 2511 hr 22 min

How to Land Your First Architect Role

Trying to land your first architecture or interiors role is hard enough without guessing what hiring managers, directors and recruiters actually look for. In this practical lecture, Stephen Drew breaks down how students and graduates can approach the job search with a clearer CV, tighter sample portfolio and a direct application process that creates more chances. The conversation covers: How to stop relying only on job boards and reach studios directly What to put in a focused sample portfolio How to write a clear application email that gets opened How international graduates can talk about graduate visas and sponsorship What to prepare for interviews, salary conversations and follow-up ____ ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jm-X7yADeU 📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways: https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/how-to-land-your-first-architect-role/ Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/architecture-social/ Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. ____ Chapters 00:00 Stephen's route from architecture into recruitment 01:31 What hiring teams notice in CVs and portfolios 04:59 Where students usually look for jobs 08:28 Tailoring applications without overthinking it 11:09 Why the application email matters 15:04 CV basics, location and contact details 20:12 Sample portfolios versus interview portfolios 25:04 Building a spreadsheet and applying directly 30:21 Market conditions and persistence 34:30 Q&A begins 39:29 Graduate visas and sponsorship conversations 45:56 Salary expectations and fair pay 50:15 Skills, value and early-career growth 55:12 What to bring to interviews 60:09 Grades, CV details and honest positioning 70:09 What to leave out and how to stay credible 79:01 LinkedIn, recruiters and direct approaches