Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture

Hosted by Evelyn Lee

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Jun 2026

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The evolution of architectural practice has been relatively slow towards change, yet modern shifts in business and design management have prompted today's leading architects to rethink how they work. On Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee, FAIA, NOMA, an architect, angel investor, fractional COO, and Founder of Practice of Architecture, sets out to illuminate the future of the profession to help architects remain relevant and valuable in a changing world. She will explore how technology, cultural shifts, and emerging best practices are prompting firm owners to reassess their business models and adjust their studios. Each episode features an industry leader who explores the new frontier of architectural practice.

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June 11, 202654 min

239: AIA Architecture Firm Award Winners: The Next Generation at LPA

How can a 60-year-old architecture firm maintain an 80% energy reduction across its portfolio while fostering an integrated "no excuses" culture that empowers its future leaders?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee sits down with three future leaders from LPA Design Studios, the winner of the 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award. Federico Cavasos, Jake Junge, and Rachel Nasland join the show to discuss how they are shaping the firm's operations and what winning the profession's highest honor means for their continued trajectory.The group reflects on their distinct roles and how LPA's culture encourages individuals to design their own career paths. From Federico's recent transition to principal in San Antonio, to Jake spearheading the firm's new digital and data infrastructure, and Rachel pioneering an applied research function rooted in environmental psychology, they highlight the power of an interdisciplinary, integrated practice.The conversation delves into the tangible impacts of their integrated approach, particularly their impressive achievement of an 80% energy reduction cost across their portfolio. The guests unpack their "no excuses" culture, demonstrating how prioritizing human outcomes and equipping teams with sustainability fluency allows them to design smarter, high-performing spaces without inflating budgets or timelines."LPA is helping shift architecture from designing buildings to designing outcomes." - Rachel NaslandThis episode serves as a powerful reminder that an architecture firm’s legacy is built on continuous innovation, investing in people, and empowering every discipline to have a voice at the table.Guests:Federico Cavazos is a Principal and Design Director in LPA’s San Antonio studio who has devoted his career to designing public spaces that educate and facilitate better lives. Inspired by his architect father, he leverages an open mind and a passion for integrated design to deliver impactful results and solve client problems, even on the tightest budgets.Jake Junge is an Architect and Digital Manager at LPA Design Studios who focuses on advancing how technology, data, and digital products support architectural practice. He partners with interdisciplinary teams to develop data-driven workflows, automation tools, and scalable digital experiences that improve efficiency, enhance collaboration, and empower teams across all sectors.Rachel Nasland is a Senior Design Researcher at LPA Design Studios who leverages her master’s degree in Environmental Psychology to understand how people interact with the built environment. She partners with design teams and clients across various sectors to translate behavioral insights into practice, utilizing pre- and post-occupancy evaluations to uncover how design decisions shape user experience and organizational outcomes.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You want to understand how a top-tier architecture firm sustains an 80% energy reduction across its portfolio.✅ You are curious about the integration of data, AI, and digital tools to enhance design processes rather than replace human connection.✅ You want to explore how environmental psychology and applied research can elevate user experience and human outcomes.✅ You believe in a flattened hierarchy where every discipline has a voice and "no excuses" is the baseline for sustainable performance.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Learn about LPA Design StudiosFollow LPA Design Studios on InstagramConnect with LPA Design Studios on LinkedIn📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

June 4, 20261 hr 4 min

238: Out In Architecture Volume II: Gestures of Love

What happens when intersectional storytellers from different generations sit in a room together to connect their personal narratives and design a more inclusive future for architecture?In this special episode of Practice Disrupted, the format shifts as host Evelyn Lee steps back to listen, handing the moderation over to Sarah Woynicz. This conversation marks the second of two episodes celebrating the release of Out in Architecture Volume 2 during Pride Month. Sarah sits down with three of the volume's authors, Gaby Espinosa, Lisa C. Henry, and Kody Chung, who share what happens when storytellers sit in the room together to connect their lived experiences.The group reflects on the unique, vulnerable formats they chose to share their deeply personal histories. Gaby discusses her interview-style chapter, "Space to Be: A Conversation on Finding Ground," which features a dialogue with a close friend who witnessed her gradual coming-out process within a Dallas architecture office. Lisa reads an excerpt from her piece, "Topographies of Becoming," recounting how spatial experiences in New Orleans and Utah influenced her identity and her academic practice. Meanwhile, Kody returns to the project, having first met the Volume 1 authors as a student three years ago, to contribute "A Query on Space," reflecting his growth as an emerging designer.The conversation also addresses the role of intersectionality and the importance of bringing one's full, embodied knowledge into the workplace and the classroom. Lisa shares a transformative positionality framework exercise she utilizes with her students to break down binaries and dismantle patterns of supremacy. Kody explains how his senior thesis leverages Chinese philosophy and the concept of yin and yang to explore the true essence of queer spaces. Ultimately, the authors emphasize that creating spaces for open dialogue allows individuals to realize they are not isolated, empowering the next generation to take up space entirely."Once you scratch that surface and you realize that no two experiences are the same, it opens your eyes to possibilities and what your future could be." - Gaby Espinosa This episode serves as a powerful reminder that architecture is shaped not just by physical spaces, but by the diverse worlds of the people who navigate them. By honoring cultural heritage and sharing moments of resilience, this collective is actively expanding the endless possibilities of inclusivity across the AEC industry.Guests:Sarah Woynicz is a Project Manager at HKS who utilizes her cross-industry design experience to lead wellness-focused healthcare and mixed-use developments that blend client business goals with community health outcomes. She is deeply engaged in professional advocacy, currently chairing the AIA National Young Architects Forum and previously serving on the AIA Atlanta Board, where she spearheaded leadership initiatives to empower emerging professionals.Kody Chung is a senior architecture design student at Drexel University whose work bridges queer and Asian identities. His senior thesis project investigates the intersectional relationships of space by leveraging Chinese folklore, philosophy, and intergenerational memory.Gaby Espinosa is an architect at HKS who specializes in senior living design and is a contributor to Out in Architecture Volume 2. As a lesbian Latina architect who grew up in a conservative Catholic family in Mexico, she is passionate about representation and creating inclusive spaces where people can be free to be themselves.Lisa C. Henry is an academic architectural practitioner and design educator who has spent 27 years teaching gender, race, and queer theory in architecture. Her pedagogy utilizes organizing and activism tools to foster liberatory practices, guide difficult conversations, and build community within academic and professional spaces.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You want to understand the profound impact of intersectional representation for LGBTQIA+ professionals in the AEC industry. ✅ You are curious about how unique storytelling formats like personal interviews and spoken excerpts can capture the vulnerability of becoming.✅ You want to explore what it means to use positionality frameworks to dismantle patterns of supremacy in design education and practice. ✅ You want to look at how cultural heritage, philosophy, and concepts like yin and yang can be utilized to define the true essence of queer space. ✅ You believe that building community through continuous conversation is an indispensable tool for ensuring no architect feels isolated.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Explore Out in Architecture PublicationsFollow Out in Architecture on InstagramBuy the First EditionListen to the previous Practice Disrupted episode featuring Out in ArchitectureListen to Out in Architecture Volume I episodeBuy Lisa’s new book📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

May 28, 202654 min

237: Out In Architecture Volume I: Gestures of Love

How can sharing personal narratives empower the LGBTQIA+ community to hold the line and design a more equitable future for architecture?In this special episode of Practice Disrupted, the format shifts as host Evelyn Lee steps back to listen, handing the moderation over to Sarah Woynicz. This conversation marks the first of two episodes celebrating the upcoming June 1st release of Out in Architecture Volume 2 at the start of Pride Month. Sarah sits down with the team behind the original publication, Jha D Amazi, Beau Frail, Julia Oderda, and Andrew Grant Houston, who have transitioned from co-authors in the first volume to co-editors of the second.The group reflects on how their roles have evolved since Volume 1 was launched at the NOMA conference in October 2023. Moving from writing their own stories to holding space as editors for over 20 new contributors was described as a deeply humbling and emotional journey. They discuss the unique responsibility of stewarding deeply personal histories and guiding new authors through the vulnerable process of contributing to the professional archive.The conversation also addresses the heightened stakes of visibility in today's political climate. The editors open up about the necessity of executing safety check-ins with potential authors following recent elections, recognizing that being visible carries distinct risks. Ultimately, they emphasize the critical importance of leveraging professional privilege and cachet to shine a light, ensuring that the next generation of architects feels empowered to do the same."No one can tell the story that you have to tell. So come tell it, come tell it however you want to. Whatever format, whatever language, whatever medium, tell the story because somebody needs to hear it." - Jha D AmaziThis episode serves as a powerful reminder that architecture is shaped not just by the buildings we draw, but by the lived experiences of the people who design them. By paying it forward and honoring those who came before, this collective is actively shifting the baseline of inclusivity across the AEC industry.Guests:Sarah Woynicz is a Project Manager at HKS who utilizes her cross-industry design experience to lead wellness-focused healthcare and mixed-use developments that blend client business goals with community health outcomes. She is deeply engaged in professional advocacy, currently chairing the AIA National Young Architects Forum and previously serving on the AIA Atlanta Board, where she spearheaded leadership initiatives to empower emerging professionals.Julia Oderda, AIA, is a principal at VCBO Architecture with over 25 years of experience leading award-winning higher education, recreation, and K-12 projects from concept to completion. In 2018, she came out as one of Utah’s first openly transgender architects in leadership and has since become a prominent advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation in the profession.Andrew Grant Houston (Ace) is an architect, urban designer, and housing activist who runs his own practice, House Cosmopolitan, and previously ran for Mayor of Seattle in 2021. As a queer, mixed-race individual and sixth-generation Texan who splits his time between Seattle and Austin, he leverages his background and mastery of five languages to advocate for inclusive, culture-rich urban communities where people can thrive together.Jha D Amazi is a Principal at MASS Design Group and leader of the Public Memory and Memorials Lab, where she engages communities to design inclusive monument projects that honor historically underrepresented histories and cultures. Beyond her architectural practice and academic background, she is a spoken word artist, LGBTQ+ SpaceMaker, and advocate who was appointed to the Massachusetts Governor’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment in 2023.Beau Frail, RA, is an architect, poet, and artist who serves as a Project Architect at Fox Fox Studio and leads his own consulting firm, Activate Architecture, balancing his practice between Savannah and Austin. A dedicated advocate for equity, community-engaged design, and LGBTQIA+ visibility, he helped launch major EDI committees and alliances at the AIA, co-edited Out in Architecture, and even shared his poetry as an opening act on Rupi Kaur’s 2022 World Tour.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You want to understand the profound impact of visibility and representation for LGBTQIA+ professionals in the AEC industry.✅ You are curious about the internal journey and responsibility of moving from a co-author to a co-editor of personal narratives.✅You want to explore what it means to pay it forward and pay it backward by honoring the legacy of those who paved the way.✅ You are looking for strategies on how communities can hold the line and support one another through volatile political and social climates.✅ You believe that individual storytelling is an indispensable tool for uncovering the true history and future potential of architectural practice.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Explore Out in Architecture PublicationsFollow Out in Architecture on InstagramBuy the First EditionListen to the previous Practice Disrupted episode featuring Out in Architecture📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

May 21, 202640 min

236: The Blueprint of Apparel: Applying Architectural Thinking to Fashion

Can the rigorous, systematic process of architectural design be the secret ingredient to disrupting the fashion industry?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee sits down with Aidan Turner, the founder of The Garment Architect. Aidan, who graduated from the Syracuse School of Architecture just one year ago, is challenging the standard "fast fashion" model by treating apparel design with the same technical precision and systemic discipline typically reserved for buildings.Aidan’s journey began well before his first day of architecture school; he was running a clothing brand as an undergraduate, balancing studio critiques with supply chain management. He explains how he bridges these two worlds by viewing a "tech pack" (the documentation for a garment) as an architectural blueprint. By applying principles like site analysis (market research), structural integrity (fabric testing), and construction sequencing (production), Aidan has created a studio that prioritizes quality and longevity over the rapid-fire releases common in the apparel world.The conversation explores the "architectural mindset" as a transferable skill. Aidan argues that the value architects bring to any industry, whether it's real estate, manufacturing, or fashion, is the ability to see a project through a full, multi-phase lifecycle. They discuss the challenges of being an entrepreneur in a field that often demands 100% of your time, and why Aidan believes the "veil of mystery" surrounding the design process needs to be lifted to better communicate the true value of professional expertise to clients."We communicate through drawings, but our process is definitely not communicated through our deliverables. It's everything that goes on in our brains. I think if architecture can evolve in a way where our skills are valued as highly as they should be, then we would be able to be more entrepreneurial and more business-minded." - Aidan TurnerThis episode is a compelling case study on the versatility of an architectural education. Aidan highlights that when you understand how to design systems and manage complex production, the scale of the object, whether it’s a skyscraper or a jacket, is secondary to the process itself.Guest:Aidan Turner is the founder of The Garment Architect, a Syracuse School of Architecture alumnus, and an entrepreneur who successfully merged his love for fashion and architecture. He is redefining apparel design by implementing professional architectural workflows, including rigorous blueprinting, sourcing, and project management, to create more sustainable and high-quality clothing.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You are curious about how architectural skills and workflows can be applied to fields entirely outside of the built environment.✅ You want to learn how to bridge the gap between "design-focused" creative work and "business-focused" operational work.✅ You are a student or recent graduate wondering how to leverage your education to start a business early in your career.✅ You believe the architecture profession needs to remove the "veil of mystery" and communicate our value more clearly to non-architect clients.✅ You are interested in the parallels between construction documents and technical apparel packs for streamlined production.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Connect with Aidan on Linkedin Check out The Garment Architect WebsiteFollow The Garment Architect on InstagramFollow The Garment Architect on TikTok📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

May 14, 202635 min

235: From Trash to Power: Diverting Construction Waste at Industrial Scale

How can the AEC industry turn 41 million tons of annual wood waste into a circular economy powerhouse?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee ventures into the construction and manufacturing side of the built environment to speak with Todd Thomas, founder and CEO of Woodchuck. While the podcast typically focuses on architectural practice, Todd’s work at the intersection of AI and sustainability offers a glimpse into a future where waste is no longer an afterthought, but a valuable commodity.Todd explains the staggering scale of the problem: over 41 million tons of wood are sent to U.S. landfills every year, accounting for nearly 40% of all landfill volume. He details how Woodchuck uses advanced AI platforms to identify, sort, and divert this material at industrial scale. By bridging the gap between construction sites and manufacturing outlets, Todd is building the infrastructure necessary to move the industry away from a "take-make-waste" model and toward a truly circular economy.The conversation also touches on the speed of execution in the tech world versus the slower pace of traditional architectural practice. Todd shares insights into how Woodchuck was "spun up" quickly to meet market demands and why architects need to start thinking about the material life cycle, and deconstruction, long before a project breaks ground."If we don't have a way to divert it, it goes to a landfill. It's that simple. And when it goes to a landfill, it produces methane, which is 80 times more potent than CO2. We have to treat waste as a resource if we want to change the math on sustainability." — Todd ThomasThis episode is a fascinating look at how adjacent industries are solving the problems architects design for. Todd emphasizes that while architects have the vision, they must partner with technologists and "builders" of systems to ensure their sustainable goals are actually met in the field.Guest:Todd Thomas is the founder and CEO of Woodchuck, a technology platform dedicated to wood waste diversion at industrial scale. With a background spanning construction, manufacturing, and emerging technology, Todd has spent his career building AI-driven platforms that solve complex environmental and supply chain challenges. He is a leading voice on the circular economy and the role of tech in scaling sustainability.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You want to understand the true environmental impact of construction waste and why wood is the most overlooked resource in the waste stream.✅ You are curious about how AI and machine learning are being used on the ground to identify and sort materials for reuse.✅ You want to learn how to design for deconstruction and help your clients participate in a circular material economy.✅ You are interested in the speed of tech startups and how their approach to business execution differs from traditional architecture firms.✅ You believe that architectural value should extend beyond the building's completion and into the responsible lifecycle of its materials.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Learn more about WoodchuckConnect with Todd on LinkedIn📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

May 7, 202641 min

234: Build the Future You Want: A Builder's Path with German Aparicio

How can architects transition from being passive users of technology to the master builders leading the next wave of industry innovation?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee sits down with German Aparicio, a licensed architect who operates at the intersection of architecture, software development, and venture capital. As the lead for early innovation and partner development at Trimble Ventures, German shares his journey from a fifth-grade dream of becoming an architect to building the frameworks that are now reshaping the AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations) industry.German discusses his early career at Arup, where he first encountered the friction of broken industry systems and "redundant rework," which sparked a lifelong pursuit of better technological frameworks. He recounts his time at MIT and Gehry Technologies, his experience through the Trimble acquisition, and the evolution of G-Team into what is now Trimble Connect. The conversation explores how these experiences led him to co-found 0 to 60, an equity-free accelerator that integrates startups like TestFit, Monograph, and ScaffPlan into the broader technology stack to drive industry-wide change.Beyond corporate innovation, German remains deeply rooted in academia, teaching advanced digital design and entrepreneurship at Cal Poly Pomona. He challenges the traditional "service-for-time" business model and presents a vision for an AI-native design practice, one that leverages natural language and automation to do more with less, allowing architects to reclaim their roles as master builders."I encourage all my students to do the same. Imagine the future you want to see and then go build it. Nobody's going to come and save you." - German AparicioThis episode is a call to action for architects to take ownership of their professional evolution. Whether through building software, designing ecosystems, or rethinking the value of architectural output, German emphasizes that the future of the profession depends on architects leading technology rather than being led by it.Guest:German Aparicio is a licensed architect in California and the project manager for early innovation and partner development at Trimble Ventures. He is the co-founder of the 0 to 60 accelerator and a faculty member at Cal Poly Pomona. With a background from Cal Poly Pomona and a master’s in design and computation from MIT, German has spent his career building systems, software, and ecosystems that bridge the gap between design and construction.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You are interested in how accelerators and venture capital are influencing the development of new tools for architects.✅ You want to understand the potential of an AI-native design practice to shift the industry from a time-based to an output-based business model.✅ You are a student or early-career professional looking for ways to take ownership of your career path outside of traditional firm structures.✅ You want to learn about the history and future of Trimble Connect and how it facilitates better data flow across complex projects.✅ You believe the architecture profession needs to adopt systems thinking to solve long-standing productivity and collaboration challenges.📍 Show Links:Connect with German on LinkedInLearn more about 0-60Learn more about Trimble📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

April 30, 20261 hr 6 min

233: Methods and Mindsets: Navigating Practice Transformation in a Shifting Market

How do we manage the rapid transformation of the AECO industry without losing the human systems that make the work possible?In this first-ever live recording of Practice Disrupted, captured at the NASCC Steel Conference in Atlanta, Evelyn Lee is joined by Shelby Morris and Emily Schickner to discuss the "methods and mindsets" required to lead through industry-wide change. From the dramatic shift in the Atlanta real estate market, where zero new office buildings are currently under construction while billions are poured into data centers, the conversation explores how firms must adapt their business lines to remain relevant. The guests discuss how flexibility and a willingness to pivot are no longer just survival tactics but core operational strategies.The episode delves into the nuances of communication, particularly how AI-generated renderings are shifting client expectations and the way architects articulate their value. Beyond technology, the discussion focuses on building a resilient firm culture through "co-creation" rather than top-down mandates. Shelby and Emily share insights on radical transparency in fees, the importance of intentional mentorship, and why viewing the entire AEC industry as a collaborative "family" is essential for raising the profession's standing.This live discussion offers a rare look at how leadership happens in real-time during market volatility. By focusing on the intersection of market data and human capital, Shelby and Emily provide a roadmap for firms to move beyond traditional hierarchies toward a more integrated, transparent, and agile way of working."It's the family culture and environment that should spread across our entire AEC industry because we absolutely are all in this together and we all must support each other to continue being the profession that needs to be respected in the way that it needs to be." - Shelby MorrisThis episode is a masterclass in leading with transparency and empathy. Shelby and Emily emphasize that while the technical requirements of the job will always evolve, the business of architecture is, at its heart, a people business built on trust and shared valuesGuest:Shelby Morris is the Co-Managing Director of Gensler’s Atlanta office and a former AIA Atlanta president. He has led over $3 billion in transformational projects across the Southeast and is a leading voice on office management, market adaptation, and firm-wide diversification.Emily Schickner is a Principal at Harrison Design, the firm’s first female principal, and the past president of AIA Atlanta. She serves as the chair of AIA’s 2025 Women's Leadership Summit and is a sought-after voice on mental health, mentorship, and equity within the profession.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You are curious about how large and small firms are shifting their business models to meet new market demands like data centers and retail.✅ You want to learn strategies for communicating the value of architectural expertise when clients arrive with AI-generated renderings.✅ You are interested in implementing "reverse mentorship" and structured development programs to retain the next generation of talent.✅ You struggle with the transition from being a technical expert to being a leader focused on HR, finance, and relationship management.✅ You want to understand the difference between hiring for "culture fit" versus "culture ad" to build a more diverse and agile practice.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Learn more about GenslerLearn more about Harrison DesignLearn more about AISCLearn more about NASCC Connect with Shelby on LinkedInConnect with Emily on LinkedIn📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

April 23, 20261 hr 24 min

232: The Five Conversations That Drive Growth in Creative Organizations

Why does the architecture profession’s investment in human capital development still lag so far behind its investment in technology and tools?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee is joined by Laura Weiss, an architect who stepped away from traditional practice thirty years ago to focus on the human systems that make design possible. With a decade-long tenure at IDEO as a practice director and associate partner, where she co-led the original service design practice, and experience as a principal at Korn Ferry, Laura brings a precise, unsentimental perspective to the profession. Now an ICF-certified coach and mediator returning to teach at Yale, she explores why the quality of the conversations we have is the ultimate determinant of a firm's success.The conversation centers on Laura’s framework of the "five conversations" essential for the growth of people, firms, and projects. She breaks down the mechanics of why feedback often collapses in creative organizations and why conflict avoidance is a "leadership strategy" that inevitably leads to higher long-term costs. Laura challenges the industry to rethink its approach to leadership, moving away from the "worker bee" mentality toward a more holistic understanding of agency and influence within the "spider web" of organizational systems."Organizations or systems are like spider webs. You touch one part of it and the whole thing can move. So anyone that thinks, 'I'm just a worker bee,' think a little bit more creatively. If you lean into your own personal sense of power and agency, it will come." - Laura WeissThis episode is a masterclass in the "soft" systems that drive "hard" results. Laura provides a roadmap for architects to reclaim their power, navigate the discomfort of difficult feedback, and build a more resilient professional culture. Whether you are a firm leader looking to evolve your leadership style or a young professional seeking to understand your own influence, this discussion offers a framework for navigating the complex human dynamics of practice.Guest:Laura Weiss is an architect, leadership coach, and facilitator. She spent a decade at IDEO as a Practice Director and Associate Partner, where she helped pioneer the service design practice. She has served as a Principal at Korn Ferry and is currently an ICF-certified coach and mediator. Laura is also a member of the faculty at the Yale School of Architecture, where she teaches on leadership and organizational development.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You want to understand why conflict avoidance in leadership is a strategy that always costs more than it saves.✅ You are curious about why feedback systems often fail in creative environments and how to fix them.✅ You are interested in the "five conversations" framework for fostering growth in people, firms, and projects.✅ You want to learn how to view your firm as a "spider web" of influence where every individual has agency.✅ You are looking for ways to elevate the profession's investment in human capital to match its investment in technology.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Learn more about Laura on her websiteConnect with Laura on LinkedInListen to the previous Practice Disrupted episode with Laura📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

April 16, 202655 min

231: Work for What's Next: ThinkLab's Amanda Schneider on the 10 Shifts Reshaping Practice

If workplace culture is failing, are we brave enough to use Gen Z as the prototype for what comes next?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Amanda Schneider, the founder and president of ThinkLab, joins host Evelyn Lee to discuss her transition from a "designer by degree" to a leading researcher in the built environment. As the author of the upcoming book Work for What’s Next, Amanda explores the uncomfortable truth that current workplace structures are struggling to keep up with the shifting expectations of the modern workforce. She shares insights from her viral research into Gen Z, explaining how this generation is not a "problem to manage," but a vital signal for the digital-first evolution that the architecture and design industry must undergo to remain relevant.The conversation delves into the "trust gap" currently widening between leadership and staff, and the specific role physical space plays in closing it. Amanda breaks down the findings from ThinkLab’s latest research, challenging architects and designers to think beyond traditional ROI and consider how physical environments can foster psychological safety and authentic connection. She discusses the friction between "analog natives" and "digital natives," offering a roadmap for firms to move beyond describing industry problems and toward building a culture that prioritizes people as much as projects."Workplace culture is failing. Gen Z can see why. And if we're willing to use them as a prototype rather than a problem, they show us exactly where the profession needs to go." - Amanda SchneiderBeyond generational shifts, Amanda and Evelyn discuss the business of research itself and the importance of data in shaping the future of practice. From her journey of building and selling a company to her current focus on the "trust survey," Amanda emphasizes that the future of the profession belongs to those who can bridge the gap between digital-first thinking and the irreplaceable value of physical space.Guest:Amanda Schneider is the founder and president of ThinkLab, a premier market research company wholly focused on the built environment (now a part of Sandow). A designer, journalist, and researcher, her work on Gen Z and workplace culture has been featured in Forbes, MIT Sloan Management Review, and a TEDx talk with over half a million views. Her book, Work for What’s Next, focuses on the evolution of professional culture.This episode is especially for you if:✅You want to understand why Gen Z is the "prototype" for the future of work rather than just a generational trend.✅You are a firm leader interested in closing the "trust gap" within your organization.✅You are an "analog native" looking for strategies to pivot toward a digital-first mindset in a design practice.✅You are curious about the evolving ROI of physical office space and how it impacts firm culture.✅You want to hear how market research can be a catalyst for meaningful change in the architecture and design industry.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Learn more about ThinkLabConnect with Amanda on LinkedInOrder Work for What’s NextJoin in their latest research by taking this surveyListen to Amanda’s podcastWatch Amanda’s TED Talk📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

April 9, 202656 min

230: Claiming the Room: How FORA Built a Business Architects Kept Walking Past

How much of what architects claim they value actually shows up in how they practice, especially when it comes to community engagement?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee is joined by the leadership team from Architects Fora: Leah Alissa Bayer (President), Kate Conley and Sarah Vaccaro (Principals), and Nicole Little (Community Engagement Lead). Together, they pull back the curtain on how their firm successfully transitioned community engagement from a nebulous, often pro-bono "extra" into a structured, billable service called Engage Fora. Nicole, whose dual background in architecture and urban planning drives this initiative, shares how she leveraged the firm’s unique 20% research-and-passion-time policy to build a full-service practice area that bridges the gap between design and the people it serves.The conversation explores the internal mechanics of a firm that prioritizes "slow-burn" hiring and deep value alignment. Leah, Kate, and Sarah discuss the intentionality behind their remote-first structure and how they empower staff to pursue professional convictions that move the needle for the entire industry. Nicole reflects on her personal history, growing up in housing that actively harmed her family’s health, and how that experience became the professional catalyst for ensuring that community voices are not just heard, but are fundamentally integrated into the architectural process through a sustainable business model."I think our role as young professionals is to bring in that fresh new perspective. To be disruptive and change the field for the better." - Nicole LittleThis episode is a masterclass in aligning firm operations with personal and professional convictions. The team breaks down the logistical challenge of building a community engagement practice from the ground up, including how to define its value to clients who may be used to traditional, top-down delivery methods. Whether you are a firm leader looking to restructure your internal research time or a young architect wondering how to bring your social justice passions into a corporate environment, this discussion provides a tangible framework for creating a practice that is both disruptive and highly effective.Guests:Leah Alissa Bayer is the President of Architects Fora, a fully remote, women-led firm. She is a dedicated advocate for business innovation and equity within the profession, focusing on how firm structures can better support diverse talent and restorative design.Kate Conley and Sarah Vaccaro are Principals at Architects Fora, where they lead complex housing and community-focused projects. They are instrumental in fostering a firm culture that balances rigorous project delivery with a commitment to internal research and professional growth.Nicole Little is the Community Engagement Lead at Architects Fora. With dual master's degrees in Architecture and Urban Planning, she spearheads "Engage Fora," a practice area dedicated to deep, systematic community involvement in the design process.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You want to move beyond "check-the-box" community engagement and learn how to build it into a billable service.✅ You are interested in firm models that dedicate a percentage of staff time to research, pro-bono work, and professional passions.✅ You are a young professional with a dual-degree background looking for ways to integrate multiple disciplines into a single career path.✅ You want to understand how to align your personal values with the project work and operations of your firm.✅ You are curious about how a remote-first office can foster a deep sense of community and collaborative leadership.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Learn more about Architects FORAExplore Engage FORAConnect with Leah Alissa Bayer on LinkedInConnect with Kate Conley on LinkedInConnect with Sarah Vaccaro on LinkedInConnect with Nicole Little on LinkedInListen to the previous episode featuring Architects FORAListen to the previous episode featuring Leah Alissa Bayer📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation