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Randy Deutsch joins the podcast to talk about what real adaptation looks like inside architectural practice. Not trend-chasing. Not tool collecting. But a fundamental shift in how architects think, learn, and operate in an AI-accelerated world.Randy draws on decades of experience as an educator, practitioner, and author to explore why resilience, convergence, and continuous learning are now core competencies, not optional extras. The conversation spans design technology, professional identity, authorship, and the uncomfortable truth that the firms who survive the next decade will be the ones who change before they’re forced to.This is a clear-eyed look at where architecture is headed and what it takes to stay relevant when the ground keeps moving.To learn more about Randy Deutsch, see the full show notes with links at https://trxl.co/216To get more great conversations with AEC technology leaders on the TRXL podcast please visit https://trxl.co_____Episode Sponsors:AVAILAVAIL's content management system (CMS) simplifies access to your firm's content in one easy-to-use platform. Search and access files from anywhere, create standards-compliant models, streamline documentation, and onboard new hires faster. Try AVAIL for free and request a demo at https://getavail.comConfluence Events & PodcastJoin AEC industry technology leaders at Confluence, a series of in-person events and a podcast fostering conversations between firms and tech companies to support innovation. Learn more, explore upcoming events, and listen to podcast episodes at https://confluence.getavail.comTRXL Leadership EdgeTRXL's AEC Leadership Edge newsletter delivers insights on architectural practice and technology for busy professionals. Each edition features analysis of podcast conversations, key takeaways for AEC leaders, and concise episode summaries.Ready to gain your leadership edge? Join TRXL+ today and never miss an insight that could transform your practice.-----Sign up to become a TRXL member.Free members get email notifications when new episodes are released and when new posts are published on TRXL.coPaid supporters of TRXL+ get ad-free podcast episodes, full show notes, and exclusive Leadership Edge email newsletters from TRXLProvide feedback for this episode at https://trxl.co/feedback

Wes Reynolds, Principal at OPN Architects, and Hugh Soward, the firm’s Innovation Manager, dive into the future of architecture through digital practice and technology. They discuss the importance of their digital practice group in enhancing communication and design outcomes with tools like LiDAR and AR. The duo shares insights on their transformative annual retreats that blend business with creativity, fostering a culture of innovation. They also touch on decentralized collaboration and the exciting potential of digital fabrication in regaining craft.

In this special partner episode, Todd Henderson and Christopher Parsons join the podcast to talk about what it really takes to build a learning culture inside an architecture firm—one that actually sticks, scales, and improves project delivery over time in this final installment of the KM 3.0 series. Drawing from Todd’s background in Lean, Scrum, and healthcare design—as well as Chris’s leadership in knowledge management, intranets, and now AI-enabled search—the conversation goes straight to the operational reality: how people learn, how they share what they know, how they improve, and why many firms fall short. The episode explores the evolving role of AI-augmented KM, the importance of making institutional knowledge searchable, the value of intranets that don’t die on the vine, and how learning management systems give firms a real advantage in consistency and quality.Todd also breaks down practical strategies for coaching teams, supporting project managers, and turning continuous improvement into a repeatable habit rather than a once-a-year aspiration._____About the KM 3.0 SeriesThis episode concludes a seven-part, in-depth series created in partnership with Knowledge Architecture, designed to give the AEC industry a comprehensive, modern framework for knowledge management. Across these seven conversations, leaders from operations, digital practice, learning & development, and technology share what’s actually working inside their firms—and how they’re using KM, AI, intranets, and training systems to move from isolated expertise to firm-wide capability.The result is a robust, openly accessible resource for anyone in AEC looking to build or modernize a KM program. Whether you’re starting from scratch or leveling up an existing initiative, the KM 3.0 series delivers a rare combination of strategic clarity, practical examples, and hard-won lessons from people doing the work every day.If you’re responsible for digital practice, firm operations, KM, or elevating your team’s skills, this finale ties the whole series together and points toward what’s possible. It’s an in depth look at how firms can work smarter today than they did yesterday using the right systems, culture, and leadership making that future achievable. To learn more about Todd Henderson and Christopher Parsons, see the full show notes with links at https://trxl.co/214To get more great conversations with AEC technology leaders on the TRXL podcast please visit https://trxl.co_____Episode Sponsors:Knowledge ArchitectureKnowledge Architecture builds knowledge management software for AEC firms. Our flagship software product is Synthesis, the leading Intranet + AI Search solution for AEC firms. Synthesis integrates with common industry software like Deltek, Unanet, Newforma, and OpenAsset. Founded in 2009, Knowledge Architecture is privately-held, employee-owned, and passionate about co-creating and sharing best practices to advance the state of knowledge management in the AEC industry. Learn more at https://www.knowledge-architecture.com/.-----Sign up to become a TRXL member.Free members get email notifications when new episodes are released and when new posts are published on TRXL.coPaid supporters of TRXL+ get ad-free podcast episodes, full show notes, and exclusive Leadership Edge email newsletters from TRXLProvide feedback for this episode at https://trxl.co/feedback

Join Jonathan Nelson, a digital strategy leader at Populous, Nirva Fereshetian, CIO at CBT Architects, Heath May, CEO-elect at HKS, and Shane Burger, CTDO at SOM, as they explore the evolution of design technologists into firm leaders. They discuss pivotal career shifts, the balance of governance with grassroots innovation, and the importance of measuring tech adoption success. The conversation dives into nurturing future leaders and retaining tech talent in a competitive landscape, offering invaluable insights for transformation in the AEC industry.

Ashley Hastings joins the podcast to talk about what it really means to make curiosity a key performance indicator (KPI).📐 A note from Evan: The phrase “curiosity as a KPI” contains its own contradiction, and hopefully the irony landed with you, dear listener. Obviously, KPIs are about measurement, control, and predictability—the very things that can kill curiosity when applied too rigidly. True curiosity thrives in open-ended exploration, not quarterly targets. The challenge isn't to meter curiosity like a production metric, but to design systems that protect space for it, reward it when it leads somewhere useful, and to not punish the curious if/when it doesn't. The goal is to make curiosity visible and valued. Not to turn wonder into a dashboard.We discuss how curiosity can and should be operationalized as a measurable part of firm culture—not so much as something tracked, but rewarded and tied to real outcomes instead of being left to chance. Ashley shares her perspective on aligning incentives for innovation, treating training like a product, and creating feedback loops that actually capture and scale knowledge across teams.We also talk about the post-GPT reality of context over keywords, and how design technology leadership is increasingly about change management and culture design.If you’re a digital practice leader, BIM manager, or anyone trying to build a more innovative, adaptive practice, this conversation offers a clear path toward turning curiosity into a strategic advantage.To learn more about Ashley Hastings, see the full show notes with links at https://trxl.co/212To get more great conversations with AEC technology leaders on the TRXL podcast please visit https://trxl.co_____Episode Sponsors:TRXL Leadership EdgeTRXL's AEC Leadership Edge newsletter delivers insights on architectural practice and technology for busy professionals. Each edition features analysis of podcast conversations, key takeaways for AEC leaders, and concise episode summaries.Ready to gain your leadership edge? Join TRXL+ today and never miss an insight that could transform your practice.TRXL+ MembershipThis episode of TRXL is brought to you by TRXL+ members! Join our community of supporters to get exclusive benefits like ad-free episodes and our AEC Leadership Edge newsletter. Your support keeps these valuable conversations going. Click here to learn more and become a member today.-----Sign up to become a TRXL member.Free members get email notifications when new episodes are released and when new posts are published on TRXL.coPaid supporters of TRXL+ get ad-free podcast episodes, full show notes, and exclusive Leadership Edge email newsletters from TRXLProvide feedback for this episode at https://trxl.co/feedback

In this special partner episode, Evan Troxel is joined by James Martin and Jess Purcell of Shepley Bulfinch, along with Christopher Parsons of Knowledge Architecture, to explore how AI experimentation in architecture is revealing tangible value inside real firms.The conversation dives deep into how disciplined experimentation—running small, intentional AI pilots with measurable goals—helps firms uncover where AI adds value and where it doesn’t. From documenting workflows and prompt libraries to developing lightweight governance and “trust-but-verify” approaches, the guests share how architecture practices can build safe environments for innovation without sacrificing rigor or control.James and Jess share what’s happening inside Finch, Shepley Bulfinch’s internal knowledge platform, and how a culture of thoughtful documentation and shared learning has accelerated their adoption of new technologies. Chris ties these insights to KM 3.0, emphasizing knowledge in the flow of work and demonstrating how Synthesis AI Search helps architects find and reuse firm knowledge more effectively.Together, they highlight what’s working, what’s still experimental, and how the next generation of digital practice leaders can use process, governance, and culture to make AI truly useful in AEC.Key Topics:How to design and run small AI experiments that deliver measurable valueTranslating workflows and prompts into reusable firm knowledgeLightweight governance for AI: policies, pilots, and playbooksBuilding a trust-but-verify framework for quality assuranceApplying KM 3.0 to real practice: knowledge in the flow of workHow Shepley Bulfinch’s Finch intranet supports experimentation and sharingThe role of Synthesis AI Search in improving findability and reuseScaling successful AI pilots across the firmTo learn more about James Martin and Jess Purcell, see the full show notes with links at https://trxl.co/211To get more great conversations with AEC technology leaders on the TRXL podcast please visit https://trxl.co_____Episode Sponsor: Knowledge ArchitectureKnowledge Architecture builds knowledge management software for AEC firms. Our flagship software product is Synthesis, the leading Intranet + AI Search solution for AEC firms. Synthesis integrates with common industry software like Deltek, Unanet, Newforma, and OpenAsset. Founded in 2009, Knowledge Architecture is privately-held, employee-owned, and passionate about co-creating and sharing best practices to advance the state of knowledge management in the AEC industry. Learn more at https://www.knowledge-architecture.com/.-----Sign up to become a TRXL member.Free members get email notifications when new episodes are released and when new posts are published on TRXL.coPaid supporters of TRXL+ get ad-free podcast episodes, full show notes, and exclusive Leadership Edge email newsletters from TRXLProvide feedback for this episode at https://trxl.co/feedback

Matt Goldsberry, a design technologist and Director of D3 at HDR, shares insights on how data is transforming architecture. He discusses the evolution of computational design and the essential role of dashboards in driving decisions. The conversation dives into building interactive models and the benefits of simplifying workflows for rapid decision-making. Matt emphasizes how AI can enhance research and knowledge retrieval, and he highlights the shift towards web-based collaborative tools and the future of design automation in the AEC industry.

Cesar Escalante joins the podcast to talk about his journey from practicing architect and early CAD adopter to firm technologist and now national AIA leader shaped the way he’s guiding the AIA Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP) Knowledge Community today. The conversation centers on how TAP is creating new connections across the AIA, especially with the Committee on the Environment (COTE), to align technology, sustainability, and more. Evan and Cesar discuss the outcomes from TAP’s recent sold-out symposium, what these collaborations mean for the profession, and where the group is headed next year as they focus on turning those ideas into practical tools and frameworks that firms (especially small and medium-sized) can actually use.To learn more about Cesar Escalante, see the full show notes with links at https://trxl.co/209To get more great conversations with AEC technology leaders on the TRXL podcast please visit https://trxl.co_____Episode Sponsors:AVAILAVAIL's content management system (CMS) simplifies access to your firm's content in one easy-to-use platform. Search and access files from anywhere, create standards-compliant models, streamline documentation, and onboard new hires faster. Try AVAIL for free and request a demo at https://getavail.comConfluence Events & PodcastJoin AEC industry technology leaders at Confluence, a series of in-person events and a podcast fostering conversations between firms and tech companies to support innovation. Learn more, explore upcoming events, and listen to podcast episodes at https://confluence.getavail.comTRXL+ MembershipThis episode of TRXL is brought to you by TRXL+ members! Join our community of supporters to get exclusive benefits like ad-free episodes and our AEC Leadership Edge newsletter. Your support keeps these valuable conversations going. Click here to learn more and become a member today.-----Sign up to become a TRXL member.Free members get email notifications when new episodes are released and when new posts are published on TRXL.coPaid supporters of TRXL+ get ad-free podcast episodes, full show notes, and exclusive Leadership Edge email newsletters from TRXLProvide feedback for this episode at https://trxl.co/feedback

Kate Grimes and Christopher Parsons join the podcast to talk about how firms can align AI with their values, evolve knowledge platforms responsibly, and balance technology with culture. We cover the realities of building value-based tech stacks, structuring data for reliability, measuring ROI, and protecting collaboration as AI adoption accelerates.To learn more about Kate Grimes and Christopher Parsons, see the full show notes with links at https://trxl.co/208To get more great conversations with AEC technology leaders on the TRXL podcast please visit https://trxl.co_____Episode Sponsors:Knowledge ArchitectureKnowledge Architecture builds knowledge management software for AEC firms. Our flagship software product is Synthesis, the leading Intranet + AI Search solution for AEC firms. Synthesis integrates with common industry software like Deltek, Unanet, Newforma, and OpenAsset. Founded in 2009, Knowledge Architecture is privately-held, employee-owned, and passionate about co-creating and sharing best practices to advance the state of knowledge management in the AEC industry. Learn more at https://www.knowledge-architecture.com/.-----Sign up to become a TRXL member.Free members get email notifications when new episodes are released and when new posts are published on TRXL.coPaid supporters of TRXL+ get ad-free podcast episodes, full show notes, and exclusive Leadership Edge email newsletters from TRXLProvide feedback for this episode at https://trxl.co/feedback

Craig Barbieri joins the podcast to talk about his experience of hard-won lessons from the trenches. We get practical about what actually moves the needle in firms: training culture vs. one-off sessions, reality capture as “cheap insurance,” ACC-era coordination, and taming tool sprawl with strategy. We also dig into framing ROI so leaders and teams align, where AI is quietly helping today (think specs and submittals), and how to bring VDC thinking upstream.To learn more about Craig Barbieri, see the full show notes with links at https://trxl.co/207To get more great conversations with AEC technology leaders on the TRXL podcast please visit https://trxl.co_____Episode Sponsors:AVAILAVAIL's content management system (CMS) simplifies access to your firm's content in one easy-to-use platform. Search and access files from anywhere, create standards-compliant models, streamline documentation, and onboard new hires faster. Try AVAIL for free and request a demo at https://getavail.comConfluence Events & PodcastJoin AEC industry technology leaders at Confluence, a series of in-person events and a podcast fostering conversations between firms and tech companies to support innovation. Learn more, explore upcoming events, and listen to podcast episodes at https://confluence.getavail.comTRXL Leadership EdgeTRXL's AEC Leadership Edge newsletter delivers insights on architectural practice and technology for busy professionals. Each edition features analysis of podcast conversations, key takeaways for AEC leaders, and concise episode summaries.Ready to gain your leadership edge? Join TRXL+ today and never miss an insight that could transform your practice.-----Sign up to become a TRXL member.Free members get email notifications when new episodes are released and when new posts are published on TRXL.coPaid supporters of TRXL+ get ad-free podcast episodes, full show notes, and exclusive Leadership Edge email newsletters from TRXLProvide feedback for this episode at https://trxl.co/feedback