What’s next for Evelyn, Je’Nen & Practice Disrupted?

On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we welcome Je'Nen M. Chastain back as we wrap up season 8 of the show! If you don’t already know her, Je’Nen is a business strategy consultant, entrepreneur, and podcaster who helps leaders transform their teams and companies. In our conversation, Je'Nen shares what she has been doing during her podcast hiatus while Evelyn opens up about her journey with her various projects, emphasizing the innovation and exploration that come with stepping into a new chapter of a career.

First, Evelyn talks about her journey into architecture, starting in business school, which informed her perspective on the architecture field. She explains why firms should embrace innovation and the necessity for a firm-wide cultural desire for evolution.

Next, Evelyn explains how she managed the shift away from her job at Slack and why this transition gave her the freedom to nurture the Practice Disrupted Community + Lab. She shares her current projects and passions and explains the need for architects to pay attention to market changes and trends to promote evolution. Plus, Evelyn talks about creating her own chatbot and using AI to analyze business operations, marketing, and communication.

I've been on the consulting side of workplace strategy for a very long time…My vision is that in order for the architecture industry to survive, it needs to undergo some systemic change. And I can't do that helping or working one firm at a time. I would rather find like-minded people that are interested in similar things and give them the tools to do it themselves. I just also think that it scales so much better…we continue to scale, and we can continue to make an impact. That’s what I want to be able to do as an entrepreneur, and I don't feel like I could do that as a consultant. - Evelyn Lee

To wrap up the conversation, Je'Nen and Evelyn share the ups and downs of entrepreneurial journeys, touching on the isolation of building a business and the importance of consistent commitments like this podcast. Evelyn highlights why she moved away from consulting and discusses her goals for the future.

You will also hear a sneak peek into what is to come next season!

Guest:

Je’Nen M. Chastain

Je’Nen M. Chastain is a business strategy consultant, entrepreneur, and podcaster who helps leaders transform their teams and companies. Combining her architectural education and training with an MBA in entrepreneurship, Je’Nen built Apostrophe Consulting, a growing business management consulting practice.

📍 Show Links:

Practice Community + Lab

Practice of Architecture

Canoa

Gumption

Women Defining AI

Almost Technical

Shepley Bulfinch

AceLab

📚Past Related Episodes:

PD #67: Architecture And: The Future of Workplace

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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How can architects leverage the evolution of technology and the role of architects to enhance sustainability and innovation within the built environment?

On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we are joined by Kristin Slavin, an architect, developer, and product manager who has helped drive national building code changes and an industry-wide shift to more sustainable building practices. Throughout our chat, we focus on the evolving roles of architects in sustainable practices. Kristin currently serves as Director of Product at Intelligent City, a company working to lead a sustainable future using mass timber technology and set new standards in affordable, carbon-neutral, urban living.

First, Kristin shares her background in architecture and her exploration of various career paths, eventually transitioning into production design and management. She also discusses the limitations the founders of Intelligent City saw with traditional architectural methods and how that translated into the company's conception.

Then, Kristin discusses the evolution of Intelligent City, explains the construction technologies they use, and emphasizes the design and quality of their solutions. She also highlights their internal culture and professional development, the benefits of diverse teams and remote work, and the intersection of architecture and construction industries.

I think small teams can be really efficient. Often in the traditional practice of architecture, we may underestimate people's capabilities, and try to hold things more tightly than we need to sometimes. If you can give people the freedom to explore and grow within their role or even outside of their role, people will surprise you. So I think there's a lot of power in that. - Kristin Slavin

To wrap up the conversation, Kristin encourages new architects to seek innovative firms and opportunities, emphasizing confidence, decisiveness, and the acceptance of their mistakes. She also explains her vision for the future, where architects embrace new technologies and materials for sustainable solutions and work with AI companies to create efficient, market-responsive designs.

Tune in next week for an episode about a different take on Product Management.

Guest:

Kristin Slavin

Kristin Slavin is Director of Product/Architect, bringing her expertise and thought leadership in mass timber construction and low carbon building design to the team. Her extensive experience as an architect, developer, and product manager of mass timber buildings and prefabricated building products has helped drive national building code changes and an industry wide shift to more sustainable building practices. Her built work includes Carbon12, the tallest CLT building in the US at completion.

📍 Show Links:

Connect with Kristin on Linkedin

Check out Intelligent City

📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:

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