Archispeak

Evan Troxel

What’s it really like to work in architecture? The hosts of Archispeak know, and they’re here to share real-life experiences. Since 2012 Evan Troxel and Cormac Phalen have been podcasting their brand of real talk on everything from design, tools, and work/life balance to generational differences, mentoring, job hunting, and more. Probing questions, revelatory interviews, and unique insights have grown their audience and become a weekly ritual for students and seasoned professionals alike. To join the conversation or learn more about the hosts, visit archispeakpodcast.com

  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    #357 - ‘The Value of Lifelong Learning in Architecture’, with Kevin Jones

    Today we welcome Kevin Jones who is an architect and professor of practice from Virginia Tech's School of Architecture. We talk about the importance and intricacies of continuing education for architects.

    In this episode we explore various aspects of Continuing Education Units (CEUs), different state requirements, and effective engagement strategies for those offering courses, share personal anecdotes from our careers as architects, some of our favorite courses, and discuss how architects can use CEUs to foster professional growth, advance their careers, and improve practice standards. We also talk about the effectiveness of in-person versus online learning and examine ways to innovate content delivery for maximum impact.

    Episode Links:



    About Kevin Jones:

    Kevin is a practicing architect whose academic pursuits lie at the intersection of teaching, practice, and community engagement, and he has worked with both urban and rural communities on a variety of community-oriented impact design projects. His experience as a practitioner is diverse in type and scale and includes numerous adaptive reuse projects as well as housing, institutional, community, and cultural works. His design and professional work have been recognized by Preservation Virginia, the Urban Land Institute, and AIA Virginia, and he prefers white trace paper over yellow trace paper.


    Episode Sponsor - Amber Book Continuing Education

    The Amber Book's approach aims to transform CE from a compliance exercise into practical, actionable knowledge through visual and spatial learning methods, making it a great option for architects. Click here to learn more.

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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.

    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    14 January 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    #356 - That ‘New Me’ Glow

    Join us as we discuss the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 which included Evan’s studio makeover (featuring a reveal if you’re watching on YouTube) while doing a water fast, extravagant Christmas light displays of some homeowners, and then main topic: group projects, communication, and team collaboration in both educational and professional settings. We share some important lessons about performance reviews, setting clear expectations, and the intricacies of teaching and learning architecture.

    Tune in to hear insights on how to handle underperformers, the significance of teamwork, and the experiences of teaching architecture students.

    Episode Sponsor - WorldTeams

    WorldTeams can help your firm grow with a skilled and reliable remote team. Schedule a free consultation at https://worldteams.com/hire-top-talent.

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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.

    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    6 January 2025, 7:30 pm
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    #355 - Full Flip Flop Mode

    Join us in our last episode of 2024 as we explore how to balance emotional energy while maintaining high service standards during the year-end rush. We also discuss effective communication and presentation skills in architectural education, sharing tips for creating engaging, streamlined presentations that translate seamlessly into professional practice.

    Episode Links:


    Episode Sponsor:

    WorldTeams

    WorldTeams can help your firm grow with a skilled and reliable remote team. Schedule a free consultation at https://worldteams.com/hire-top-talent.

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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.

    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    26 December 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 59 minutes 52 seconds
    #354 - Fighting Revit

    In this episode of 'Archispeak Theater,' we begin with some musical nostalgia and then transition into a detailed exploration of the complexities and challenges involved in managing large Revit models for architectural projects.

    Episode Sponsor - WorldTeams

    WorldTeams can help your firm grow with a skilled and reliable remote team. Schedule a free consultation at https://worldteams.com/hire-top-talent.


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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.

    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    9 December 2024, 6:30 pm
  • 59 minutes 22 seconds
    #353 - Architecture Students are Screwed

    In this episode, we discuss a listener's concerns about the financial burden of architectural education. We explore various career paths and alternative routes to licensure, examine the challenges young architects face, address the rising costs of education, and consider potential solutions such as specialization and entrepreneurship. We also reflect on our own career experiences and discuss how the profession continues to evolve.

    Episode Links:


    Episode Sponsor - WorldTeams

    WorldTeams can help your firm grow with a skilled and reliable remote team. Schedule a free consultation at https://worldteams.com/hire-top-talent.

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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.

    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    5 December 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 15 minutes
    #352 - ‘A 13-Year Architecture Project’, with Israel Peña

    In this episode, we talk with Israel Peña, who shares his incredible 13-year journey working on a historic elementary school modernization project in Beverly Hills. From the challenges of agency approval, unforeseen structural issues, and the complexities of preserving the historical fabric of buildings, Israel takes us through the entire process that he has actively worked on since it began in early 2011. We also explore his unique way of coping with stress through running and fitness, along with his passion project: an elaborate Pirates of the Caribbean-themed Halloween display at his home that also serves as a charitable endeavor.

    Episode Sponsor - WorldTeams

    WorldTeams can help your firm grow with a skilled and reliable remote team. Schedule a free consultation at https://worldteams.com/hire-top-talent.

    Episode Links:


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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.

    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    21 November 2024, 6:45 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    #351 - Frank Lloyd Garbage

    In this episode, we dive into Cormac’s hoarding tendencies (aka our mutual love for architectural collectibles) by unboxing a special edition set of Frank Lloyd Wright Blackwing pencils, then talk about how to protect these valuable items from children. The conversation then shifts to recent travels, including Cormac’s trip to Baltimore to visit his Johns Hopkins project and for a major office collaboration day. Then it’s Evan’s turn to talk about his recent trip to San Diego for the annual Autodesk University conference. While there he had the chance to visit UC San Diego's Geisel Library, a marvel of brutalist architecture. Other topics include ongoing architectural projects, the logistics of managing large-scale adaptive reuse, and the joys and challenges of professional networking and conferences.

    See the photos of Geisel Library here.

    Episode Links:


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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.

    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    11 November 2024, 2:30 pm
  • 52 minutes 24 seconds
    #350 - Coffee, Hurricanes, and Leadership

    In this special Episode 350 of the Archispeak podcast, we discuss the celebration of our milestone with an unboxing of fresh beans from “Coffee Boy”. We also talk about Evan’s un-conference experience in Florida that allowed for personal growth, leadership development, and some fun activities like learning to E-foil. Just beware of the 🌀 and 🐊.

    Episode Links:


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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.

    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    4 November 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    #349 - ’Experiencing Infratecture‘, with Slade Sheaffer

    Join us on a captivating exploration of cutting-edge architecture with insights from our special guest, Slade Sheaffer. In this episode we dive into Slade's travels across Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany as he uncovers the fusion of infrastructure and architecture with noteworthy projects like Copenhagen's Camp Adventure Tower and the city’s unique skiing experience at Copenhill, among others.

    Tune in to the Archispeak YouTube channel for a visual tour through iconic European sites and innovative urban landscapes that inspire sustainable and multifunctional spaces.

    Episode Links:


    Projects visited:

    Copenhagen


    Aarhus

    • Salling Roofgarden (Henning Larsen)
    • Moesgaard Museum (Henning Larsen)
    • Aarhus Harbor Development (Gehl/BIG + others)
    • Aarhus Harbor Bath (BIG)
    • ARoS Museum of Art, Aarhus (Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects)

    Rotterdam


    Amsterdam


    Utrecht

    • Utrecht Dafne Schippersburg Bridge (NEXT + rudy uytenhaak)
    • Utrecht Bicycle Parking (Ector Hoogstad Arch.)
    • Basket Bar (NL Architects)

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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.

    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    28 October 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 45 minutes 2 seconds
    #348 - Witnessing the Birth of Passion

    In this episode, we kick off with discussions about favorite movies and documentaries, leading into the portrayal of architects in film, and eventually pivot to the intricate world of adaptive reuse projects. Cormac shares his new teaching experiences, detailing a unique studio project involving real-world constraints with students working on an adaptive reuse project in Flint, Michigan.

    The episode covers various aspects of architectural education and practice, emphasizing the integration of different disciplines, the importance of site visits, and the role of creativity within constraints.

    Episode Links:


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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.

    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    23 September 2024, 6:00 pm
  • 56 minutes 38 seconds
    #347 - Evan’s Summer Adventures

    Join us as we discuss Evan’s summer family road trip, loaded with scenic stops, family adventures, and unexpected roadside attractions.

    And fear not! There is also talk about architectural registration as we share personal experiences about the process of obtaining and maintaining licenses in various states.

    From navigating NCARB procedures to exploring ghost towns and national parks, this episode is packed with travel stories, practical advice, and a touch of nostalgia. Whether you're an architecture enthusiast or a travel buff, there's something in this episode for you!

    Episode Links:


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    Thank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.

    Support Archispeak by making a donation.

    16 September 2024, 2:00 pm
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