Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture Podcast Por Evelyn Lee arte de portada

Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture

Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture

De: Evelyn Lee
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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.Copyright 2026 Evelyn Lee Arte Economía Exito Profesional Gestión y Liderazgo Liderazgo
Episodios
  • 231: Work for What's Next: ThinkLab's Amanda Schneider on the 10 Shifts Reshaping Practice

    231: Work for What's Next: ThinkLab's Amanda Schneider on the 10 Shifts Reshaping Practice
    Apr 16 2026
    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
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    55 m
  • 230: The Unclaimed Service: How FORA Built a Business Architects Kept Walking Past

    230: The Unclaimed Service: How FORA Built a Business Architects Kept Walking Past
    Apr 9 2026
    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
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    56 m
  • 229: Amortizing Your Value: A New Model for How Architects Add Value

    229: Amortizing Your Value: A New Model for How Architects Add Value
    Apr 2 2026
    What happens when an architect’s greatest professional success is making themselves completely irrelevant to their own firm?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee is joined by William H Dodge, founder and design principal at p-u-b-l-i-k, whose career trajectory defies every standard industry norm. From moving to the island nation of Malta at 19 to escape the perceived threat of Y2K to starting as a janitor at NC State Libraries, William’s path to leadership was anything but linear. He shares the remarkable story of how he helped transform Hanbury’s North Carolina office from a two-person operation into a powerhouse of 49 employees managing $2.5 billion in projects, only to walk away once he realized the systems he built had made his daily presence unnecessary.The conversation explores William’s unique philosophy on growth, talent acquisition, and firm culture. He reflects on the "49 hires in 49 months" period, explaining why he prioritized hiring for potential and culture over specific architectural credentials. William discusses the audacity of taking on high-stakes wayfinding projects for university chancellors while working as a janitor and how that "outsider" perspective allowed him to see opportunities where traditional practitioners saw barriers. He challenges the rigid structures of the profession, advocating for a model of leadership that focuses on empowering others to take over the reins."I don't hire for the portfolio. I hire for the person. You can teach someone how to use the software, but you can't teach them how to care about the work." - William DodgeThis episode is a masterclass in building a practice that thrives on adaptability and intentionality. William breaks down why he chose to leave a major firm at the height of its success to start p-u-b-l-i-k, a design studio focused on high-impact community projects. Whether you are an aspiring architect looking for an alternative career path or a firm leader struggling with succession planning and scale, William’s journey offers a provocative roadmap for reclaiming the "creative" in the business of architecture.Guest:William H Dodge is the founder and design principal at p-u-b-l-i-k. A self-described "non-architect" who has led some of the most successful design teams in the country, William specializes in large-scale institutional projects and urban wayfinding. His career includes a tenure as a principal at Hanbury, where he spearheaded massive regional growth before pivoting to found his own mission-driven studio.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You feel stuck in a traditional career path and want to hear how an unconventional background can lead to the top of the profession.✅ You are interested in the logistics and mindset required to scale a firm office from 2 to 49 people in just four years.✅ You want to understand the philosophy of "leadership through redundancy" and how to build a firm that doesn't rely on your constant oversight.✅ You are a student or recent graduate seeking advice on how to prioritize learning and happiness over "checking the right boxes."✅ You are curious about how a background in wayfinding and system design can be applied to large-scale architectural projects.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Connect with William on LinkedInFollow William on InstagramLearn more about p-u-b-l-i-kLearn more about a gang of threeLearn more about the vernon pratt projectRead William’s Fast Company article📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation
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    58 m
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