Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture

What happens when a software startup becomes a full-service, AI-powered architecture firm?This week on Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee is joined by Patrick Chopson, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Cove Architecture (formerly Cove Tool). What began as a mission to provide architects with performance analysis tools has evolved into Cove Architecture, the first AI-driven practice reimagining how buildings are conceived, coordinated, and delivered.Patrick shares the story of Cove’s evolution, from its roots as a SaaS platform to its pivot into consultancy, and now into a full-service design studio backed by over $36 million in venture funding. Their debut project, a multifamily complex in Atlanta’s West End, was designed in just 15 days, demonstrating how AI can accelerate timelines by 60%, improve cost accuracy, and cut iteration expenses nearly in half.Beyond efficiency, Patrick envisions AI as a force for design excellence. By offloading code checks, zoning analysis, and cost modeling, architects are freed to focus on creativity, meaning, and beauty. He reflects on how Cove integrates human expertise with machine intelligence, how AI supports senior architects in elevating design, and why training and mentorship must adapt in this new era.The conversation also touches on the business model of architecture: how venture capital is reshaping practice, what “AI-powered but human-centered” really means, and how these tools might democratize design for firms of all sizes.“Being AI-powered doesn’t mean removing the human from the process. It means empowering the expert architect to do what they do best: elevate design, mentor the next generation, and create lasting impact.” - Patrick ChopsonThis episode concludes with a reflection on the future of practice: from profitability and scale to sustainability and mentorship. Patrick challenges architects to see AI not as a threat, but as an opportunity to design more bespoke, more sustainable, and more beautiful buildings, and to build a profession that is more resilient for generations to come.Guest:Patrick Chopson, AIA is Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Cove Architecture. With a background in mechanical engineering, high-performance building design, and sustainability consulting, Patrick has over 20 years of experience advancing tools that merge technology with design excellence. At Cove Architecture, he leads the charge in creating an AI-powered, human-centered model of practice.Is This Episode for You?This episode is for you if:✅ You’re curious about how AI is transforming architectural practice✅ You want to learn how venture-backed firms are reshaping the field✅ You’re navigating mentorship and training in an AI-powered environment✅ You believe architecture must evolve to deliver sustainable, bespoke designWhat have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Connect with Patrick on LinkedInVisit Cove’s Website📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | TwitterCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

What happens when innovation isn’t just a lofty ideal, but an everyday discipline accessible to everyone in an organization?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee is joined by Dr. Simone Ahuja, keynote speaker, innovation strategist, bestselling author, and founder of Blood Orange. Simone’s path from dentistry to advising Fortune 500 companies on frugal innovation is anything but ordinary. Drawing on her research into jugaad innovation - a mindset of resourcefulness rooted in doing more with what you have - she helps leaders cut through “innovation theater” and focus on creating real, tangible value.Together, they explore how constraints can actually spark creativity, why the democratization of innovation matters, and how leaders can foster cultures of problem solving that scale from the grassroots up. Simone shares practical frameworks for managing up, influencing decision-makers, and breaking big challenges into small, testable experiments, whether you’re in a small firm or a multinational corporation.The conversation connects back to architecture, where creative thinking often thrives in design work but lags in business operations. Simone challenges firms to think beyond client deliverables and embrace strategic abandonment, distributed innovation, and leadership practices that create space for both reflection and experimentation.Her message is clear: innovation is not reserved for R&D teams. It’s a discipline, a mindset, and a shared responsibility across every level of an organization.“Innovation is some of the best training out there for leaders for navigating uncertainty, because you’re thinking about what problems exist, how to rigorously prioritize, how to move forward and learn from that, and how to influence others along the way." - Dr. Simone AhujaThis episode closes with a reminder that disruption brings opportunity to those willing to reframe problems, leverage existing assets, and learn from other industries. Innovation doesn’t have to be big, or expensive, it just has to add new value.Guest:Dr. Simone Ahuja is the founder of Blood Orange, a Minneapolis-based innovation strategy firm, and the author of Disrupt-It-Yourself and co-author of Jugaad Innovation. She works with organizations like Target, 3M, and Stanley Black & Decker to help leaders and teams innovate smarter without overcomplicating the process. Drawing on her background in dentistry, improv comedy, and grassroots entrepreneurship research, Simone champions resourceful problem solving and the democratization of innovation.Is This Episode for You?This episode is for you if:✅ You want to move beyond “innovation theater” into real, measurable change✅ You’re looking for practical tools to foster innovation in your team or firm✅ You believe constraints can be a catalyst for creativity✅ You want to make problem solving a shared discipline across your organizationWhat have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Connect with Simone on LinkedInVisit Simone’s Website📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | TwitterCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

How can architecture firms move beyond the traditional consultant model to foster truly deep, interdisciplinary collaboration? This week, we welcome Ximena Valle, founder of the Philadelphia-based architecture firm FIFTEEN, and one of her longtime collaborators, Mikael Avery. Ximena founded FIFTEEN to address the gaps she observed in the profession, from talent leaving the industry to a disconnect between designers and end-users. Inspired by her experience on a multi-disciplinary archaeological dig where geologists, mythologists, and chemists worked together to solve a complex problem, she built her firm around a "Collaborator Network."This intentional shift in language, from "consultant" to "collaborator", reflects a profound difference in process. Mikael Avery, whose background spans architecture, landscape architecture, and occupational therapy, is a prime example of the unique expertise FIFTEEN brings to the table. Collaborators are not just brought in for a "nugget of information"; they are integrated into the team from the earliest visioning sessions, contributing to a holistic process where the solution emerges from the group dynamic.Ximena and Mikael share how this model has transformed projects, turning a public space design into a community incubator for startups and workforce development, and evolving a healthcare facility presentation into a fully experiential workshop co-designed with the client. They also discuss the practical challenges of this approach, from creating new financial models to educating clients on the value of a truly integrated team. “The more voices we can get in the room that will misinterpret what we say, if you will, the more opportunities we have to have these ideas bubble up. That is the most exciting part about design… when it doesn’t come from one person, but it comes from the conversation around something. And then all of a sudden, wait, that’s actually the answer right there. It didn’t come from me. It didn’t come from you. It came from the process.” - Mikael AveryThis episode concludes with a reminder that meaningful innovation in architecture doesn’t come from sticking to traditional roles, it comes from rethinking the process entirely. Ximena and Mikael leave us with a clear call to action: open the door, invite in new voices, and trust the collaborative process. Whether you’re leading a firm or just starting out, the future of design lies in embracing complexity together.Guests:Ximena Valle is the founder of Fifteen, a Philadelphia-based architecture firm that is redefining collaboration in practice. She founded the firm to address what she saw as critical gaps in the profession, building a new practice model centered on integrating diverse, interdisciplinary expertise into the core design process.Mikael Avery is a designer, educator, and healthcare professional working at the intersection of architecture, product design, and health. He is a longtime collaborator with Fifteen, and also teaches at the University of Pennsylvania and brings a human-centered perspective to projects ranging from healthcare environments to medical device design.Is This Episode for You?This episode is for you if:✅ You are interested in new, more inclusive models of collaboration in architecture.✅ You are a firm leader looking for ways to integrate expertise from outside the traditional AEC industry.✅ You want to learn how to better advocate for the value of a truly interdisciplinary design process with clients.✅ You are a professional with a non-traditional background who wants to engage with architectural projects in a meaningful way.✅ You want practical advice on how to foster a culture where the best ideas can come from anyone in the room.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Connect with Ximena on LinkedInConnect with Mike LinkedInVisit FIFTEEN’s Website📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | TwitterCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

What does it look like when advocacy is embedded into the DNA of how one practices?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee is joined by Pascale Sablan, architect, activist, and the 2023-2024 President of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). As the founder and Executive Director of Beyond the Built Environment, Pascale has spent her career not only designing spaces, but designing platforms for visibility, equity, and justice in architecture.Together, they explore Pascale’s path into the profession, from being one of the few Black women in her architecture school cohort to becoming a nationally recognized leader in advocacy-driven practice. She shares the origin story behind Beyond the Built, her reflections on the labor of representation, and the importance of documenting and uplifting the voices of BIPOC designers across time and space.The conversation also delves into the systems that uphold exclusion in architecture, and how Pascale works to dismantle them through action: challenging AIA policies, creating traveling exhibitions, and supporting youth pipeline initiatives. Her message is clear: architecture must move beyond statements and toward systems of accountability."To advocate is not just to speak! It’s to act, It’s to move, to challenge, to build. Advocacy is a verb." - Pascale SablanThis episode concludes with a reflection on legacy, lineage, and the responsibility of naming, and remembering those who have been historically erased. It’s a call to not just imagine a more equitable profession, but to build it.Guest:Pascale Sablan, FAIA, NOMAC, LEED AP is the 2023–2024 President of the National Organization of Minority Architects and the Founder & Executive Director of Beyond the Built Environment. A Principal at Adjaye Associates, Pascale is an award-winning architect, advocate, and historian whose work challenges systemic injustice and promotes visibility for marginalized designers. She is the 315th living Black woman licensed to practice architecture in the United States.Is This Episode for You?This episode is for you if:✅ You want to integrate advocacy into your design practice✅ You’re looking for models of leadership grounded in justice✅ You’re committed to making the profession more inclusive✅ You believe in honoring history while building a more equitable futureWhat have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Connect with Pascale on LinkedInVisit Pascale’s WebsiteVisit NOMA’s WebsiteLearn more about Beyond The Built📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | TwitterCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

What does it mean to be an architect today, and is the traditional path still the most valuable one?To kick off Season 11, we welcome the three hosts of the Most Podern Podcast: Alex Yuen, Minkoo Kang, and Libo Li. They are three friends who, since their architectural education, have forged distinct, non-traditional careers that challenge the conventional definition of practice. The episode delves into their journeys as an architect-developer, an OMA designer turned developer and MIT instructor, and a self-proclaimed "career job changer" now working as a data engineer at Meta.The conversation starts by exploring the complex relationship between title and identity. How do you introduce yourself when your work spans architecture, development, academia, and big tech? This question opens up a candid discussion about the profession's insecurities, the value of an architectural education versus its real-world blind spots (like economics and finance), and the constant struggle to define and advocate for the value architects provide.The hosts debate whether people like them, who have stepped outside the traditional lines, make it harder to define that value, or if they are simply responding to a profession in need of new models. They tackle the "rule books" architects often ignore, the ones written by capitalism and market forces, and question the cultural mindset that often prevents practitioners from adapting."The hypothesis should be - design is not valuable and you should try to disprove that, which is a totally different way of looking at the problem." - Libo LiThis episode is packed with invaluable advice for both aspiring architects and fed-up mid-career professionals. From questioning your professors to getting comfortable with discomfort and learning to code, the hosts share actionable steps for anyone looking to make a change. Finally, they look to the future, discussing the end of the "Starkitect" era, the potential for AI to create single-person powerhouse firms, and why finding a support network is critical to making any leap.Guests:Alex Yuen is a licensed architect, educator, and co-founder of Co, a California-based design and development firm focused on affordable housing. He also teaches urban design at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.Minkoo Kang is an architect-turned-developer and an instructor at MIT's Center for Real Estate. A former designer at OMA, his work now focuses on understanding the financial forces that shape the built environment. He is the co-author of the newly released book, Value of Design.Libo Li is a data engineer at Meta and the author of the newsletter Building Probable, which explores data and the built environment. A self-described "career job changer," his path has taken him from architecture to data engineering, startups, and now big tech, driven by a desire to learn from different industries.Is This Episode for You?This episode is for you if: ✅ You are navigating a non-traditional career with an architecture degree. ✅ You question the traditional definition of architectural value. ✅ You are a student considering a career in architecture and want a realistic perspective. ✅ You are a mid-career professional feeling "fed up" and contemplating a change. ✅ You are curious about how economics, tech, and AI are reshaping the future of practice.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Connect with Alex Yuen on LinkedInConnect with Minkoo Kang on LinkedInConnect with Libo Li on LinkedInListen to the Most Podern PodcastConnect with Most Podern on LinkedInSubscribe to Most Podern on YoutubeVisit Most Podern WebsiteGet Minkoo's book Value of DesignRead Libo's newsletter Building Probable📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | TwitterCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

Episode 055: Architecture, And: MBAWhat is the value of an MBA paired with an education in architecture?This week’s episode is a group discussion between our co-hosts and two fellow MBAs in the profession. Each participant has a foundation in architecture education and training, and is at a different stage in the process of pursuing an MBA. Three of our guests are licensed architects, with the last guest through IDP. Together they’ll demystify the MBA and discuss how they pursued and use their business education in their careers. Learn from these personal experiences to better understand what they’ve gained, what they wish they knew, and their recommendations to others who are considering going to school for business. We also discuss how architects can leverage the talents of someone with an MBA to improve their business operations and performance.Guests:Korey White is driven by her zest for the built environment, bringing open-mindedness and creativity to her role as an architect and urban planner. She applies her dual master’s degrees in architecture and urban and regional planning to an interdisciplinary approach that creates impactful outcomes for her clients and the community. Korey currently works for DLR Group in the Chicago office, focused primarily on educational facility master planning for K-12 school districts. Korey is recognized for her leadership within architecture by her recent election to the AIA Strategic Council as 2022 Moderator-elect and has been awarded the AIA Young Architects Award, the BD+C 40 under 40 and the AIA Colorado Leadership Award. She is currently enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the iMBA program. She is a Forte Fellow and will graduate with her MBA in Fall 2022.Keith Kato is an architect and MBA based in Honolulu, Hawai’i. He’s worked on a variety of project types including small & large custom homes, K-12, and higher education. Keith is interested in how business innovations can expand the market for architecture and how our communities can grow stronger by unleashing hidden potential. While in school, he was fortunate to participate and then lead the AIAS club Freedom by Design that delivered projects that served seniors and houseless individuals. Keith is currently participating in the great resignation and exploring possibilities aligned with his values.Show Links:📍 For more information on University of Illinois’ iMBA program, visit: https://onlinemba.illinois.edu/get-info/📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Twitter

Episode 043: Architecture, And: Nonprofit Design EducationHow are individuals using their training in architecture to explore diverse career paths?This week, we revisit the world of social impact design and the work of a rising, mission-driven entrepreneur. Maya Bird-Murphy joins us to share her story of designing and growing her nonprofit, Chicago Mobile Makers. The organization is on a mission to make design education accessible to everybody through youth design-thinking and problem-solving workshops across the greater Chicago community.According to the 2020 NCARB by the Numbers report, 83% of newly licensed architects were white, and 65% were male. Those who are currently not represented need support and guidance for a clearer path to careers in design. Chicago Mobile Makers seek to expand the variety of people entering the field of architecture to create more diverse workplaces, leading to more equitable decision-making and design.After converting a former USPS van into a mobile classroom, the Mobile Makerspace allows Maya’s team to bring the design studio directly into diverse communities, inspiring and lifting the next generation of design talent.Guest:Maya Bird-Murphy is an architectural designer, educator, and maker from Oak Park, Illinois. She is also the founder and Executive Director of Chicago Mobile Makers, an award-winning nonprofit organization bringing design-focused skill-building workshops to underrepresented communities. Maya believes that architecture should not be a privilege and must expand to accommodate more people through teaching and community engagement. She loves Chicago and hopes to make her mark by making it a more equitable place to live. In her free time, she can be found outside in nature with her two dogs.Show Links:Check out Chicago Mobile MakersSupport their work!Featured on Dwell ‘A Delivery Van-Turned-Mobile Classroom for Kids Hits the Streets of Chicago’ by Duncan Nielsen / Photos by Tom Harris📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Twitter

Episode 036: Architecture, And: RoboticsHow are individuals using their training in architecture to explore diverse career paths?Continuing our on-going series “Architecture, And”, we invite Brian Ringley onto the show to discuss his role as a construction technologist at Boston Dynamics. Brian is part of the team developing Spot, an agile mobile robot that navigates terrain with unprecedented mobility. In this episode we’ll learn more about Spot, Boston Dynamics, and how Brian’s passion for technology and architecture led him to this innovative company.Guest:Brian Ringley is a construction technologist at Boston Dynamics where he promotes new value-add autonomous capabilities for construction project delivery and works to expand the construction application ecosystem with the Spot SDK. Prior to Boston Dynamics, he was a Senior Construction Automation Researcher at WeWork where he managed the construction robotics research program and contributed to initiatives in design automation, unitized prefabrication, and construction site progress monitoring. He has also taught architecture courses for many years, most recently at Pratt GAUD where he led seminars in computational fabrication and industrial robotic automation for industrialized construction.Show Links:Boston Dynamics Boston Dynamics, 'Do You Love Me?'Meet Spot‘Beyond the Master Builder: How Robots Can Really Transform the Role of the Architect’ by Brian Ringley, published in Architect‘Boston Dynamics: Inside the workshop where robots of the future are being built’, 60 Minutes📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Twitter

Episode 019: Architecture, And: FilmHow are individuals using their training in architecture to explore diverse career paths?Guest:Rebekah BukhbinderRebekah Bukbinder is an Art Director working in film and television. She has collaborated on notable productions including The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. A graduate of SciArc with a Master of Architecture, Rebekah’s background in architecture and fascination with the ephemeral has led her into the world of filmmaking and ultimately has informed a career in set design and world building. Her work in television and film transports audiences into imaginary worlds for people to experience.  She believes her career has been a balance of taking risks, and serendipitous moments that led her to where she was meant to be. You can see more of Rebekah’s work on October 30 when Season 2 of The Mandalorian airs. Show Links:https://tinyurl.com/disneyplusTheMandalorian https://tinyurl.com/disneyplusTheRiseofSkywalker https://tinyurl.com/netflixTheDarkCrystal

How can a deeper understanding of materials and a closer collaboration with builders reshape the way we design?In this special episode of Practice Disrupted, we spotlight a hidden gem for architects: the Architecture Center at the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). While AISC has long been a technical hub for engineers, the Architecture Center is working to change that perception, offering architects the tools, knowledge, and support to innovate with steel.Evelyn is joined by Nima Balasubramanian, Director of Architecture at the AISC Architecture Center, and Parke MacDowell, an Associate Principal and the Director of Fabrication at Payette Architects. Nima details the Center's mission to be a resource "for architects, by architects," bridging the gap between design and fabrication by making technical information more accessible and fostering connections with the fabrication industry.Parke offers a compelling perspective from the world of practice, sharing how Payette's in-house fabrication group uses physical models and prototypes to foster shared agency, accelerate decision-making, and expand the role of the architect. He argues that embedding fabrication into a firm's process starts not with expensive tools, but with a cultural shift and by building direct relationships with specialty trade fabricators."For me the architecture center is all about forging connections, and that’s connections between the designer and the builders who execute their ideas. It’s about establishing a common language and a common knowledge base. It’s that shared territory which accelerates innovation." - Parke MacDowellThe conversation also touches on practical concerns, including steel supply chains and project costs, and explores the future of the profession. Nima shares the Architecture Center's upcoming initiatives, such as hands-on welding workshops and steel mill tours, designed to give architects tangible experience with the material they specify. Parke concludes with a powerful call for architects to recognize the agency they have to shape a more equitable built environment for everyone.Guests:Nima Balasubramanian is the Director of Architecture at the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), where she leads the Architecture Center. A former practicing architect, she is now focused on building out the center's mission to provide architects with the resources, knowledge, and support they need to work more effectively and efficiently with structural steel, bridging the gap between design and fabrication.Parke MacDowell is an Associate Principal and the Director of Fabrication at Payette Architects in Boston. As both a licensed architect and a fabricator with a background in welding, his work sits at the intersection of craft and community. He uses fabrication to drive design excellence, foster shared agency among project teams, and broaden the role of the architect in the building process.Is This Episode for You?This episode is for you if: ✅ You want to learn about the resources the AISC Architecture Center provides for architects.  ✅ You are interested in how to better integrate fabrication and making into your design process.   ✅ You are a small firm owner wondering how to collaborate more effectively with builders and fabricators. ✅ You are curious about hybrid steel-timber structural systems.  ✅ You believe architects have a responsibility to broaden their agency and reclaim territory in the building process.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Learn more about AISC Architecture CenterConnect with Parke on LinkedInFollow Parke on InstagramConnect with Nima on LinkedIn📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | TwitterCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation