Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture

How can leaders build and grow successful firms by integrating strong operational support, continuous learning, and adaptability into their leadership approach?On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we continue to redefine traditional leadership in a conversation with Ellen Bensky, Principal, CEO, and CFO of Turner Fleischer. Ellen's background from psychology to business to architecture leadership has shaped her innovative approach to running a successful design firm. Under her leadership, Turner Fleischer has not only expanded its technological capabilities but also demonstrated the critical role that operational teams play in the success of any design practice.First, Ellen shares her unique journey, the path that led her to her current leadership role, and the core values that have guided her career decisions. She explains how she built a financial and organizational foundation at Turner Fleischer and emphasizes embracing confidence and perseverance in achieving career goals.Then, Ellen discusses the crucial role of an HR team and operational support in driving growth. She explains how she established the TF Academy to foster continuous learning, development, and a sense of community within the studio. We also explore how the pandemic reshaped their workflows and team structures. We are not going to be successful by telling somebody you have to be 90% billable. We want to allow our studio members to have access to learning programs so they can develop their skills. We want a digital department that is adding operational efficiencies. That, to me, is the way you do it. When you have members of your studio who are learning and growing, excited by the work that they do, and want to be together doing it,  they do great work without billable targets.- Ellen BenskyTo wrap up the conversation, Ellen reflects on her leadership journey and the importance of adapting to industry changes. She offers advice to young professionals on integrating her leadership principles into their own career journeys while also creating a meaningful and fulfilling work environment.Tune in next week for an episode about how Knowledge Management is evolving in Architecture Firms.Guest:Ellen Bensky Ellen Bensky is a transformative leader at Turner Fleischer, guiding the Toronto-based firm’s growth into a dynamic Studio specializing in Architecture, Interior Design, and Experiential Graphic Design. Her unique 34-year journey as a non-architect to becoming Principal, CEO, and CFO is a testament to her exceptional leadership and vision. She has strengthened the Studio’s technological capabilities by developing a Digital Practice team with deep expertise, integrating advanced tools and systems to digitize both the practice and their projects.She is dedicated to driving social change, embedding a culture of community engagement within the studio. Weaving social impact into the fabric of the studio’s culture, she empowers Studio members to give back to the communities they live and build in, in meaningful ways. Ellen is deeply passionate about education and lifelong learning. She established TF Academy to support continuous growth and development for all studio members. Her unwavering dedication to sharing knowledge and lessons learned inspires her to speak globally and challenge the industry’s status quo.📍 Show Links:  Connect with Ellen on LinkedInCheck out Turner Fleischer📍 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 architects use their work and voice to drive social justice, create a positive impact on the community, and inspire the next generation of leaders?On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we celebrate Douglas Ito, the 2024 recipient of the AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award. As a managing member of SMR Architects in Seattle, Douglas has been a driving force in the creation of over 2,800 affordable housing units, including 1,300 units dedicated to permanent supportive housing.First, Douglas outlines his journey into architecture as an Asian American and how his career at SMR Architects has allowed him to find his voice and specialize in affordable housing. We explore his passion for social justice and housing advocacy and why receiving the Whitney Award can inspire architects to engage in social justice within and beyond the field. Then, Douglas discusses the inherently political nature of architecture and highlights SMR Architects' commitment to fostering career growth and leadership development. He offers valuable advice for the next generation of architects who are eager to make a positive social impact. I think the importance of the Whitney isn't that every architect should necessarily have to go into social justice work or affordable housing. It’s that even if you're doing work that isn't that – you have a voice. If you have a conscience that leads you to social justice, racial justice, or housing justice, you still have a voice and can make that known to people. I want to emphasize that outside of architecture, because it does no good to talk about it to other architects. - Douglas ItoTo wrap up the conversation, Douglas shares his favorite aspects of architecture and his insights for emerging professionals, encouraging them to seek out opportunities and build strong connections within the architecture community.Tune in next week for an episode about Guest:Douglas Ito, FAIADouglas Ito, FAIA Is a managing member of SMR Architects in Seattle, Washington. He is the Past President of the AIA Washington Council and has served on numerous committees for both the AIA Washington Council and AIA Seattle. Douglas's commitment to design excellence is reflected in the accolades his projects have received. Honors include the 2020 AIA/HUD Secretary's Housing Accessibility - Alan J. Rothman Award for Plymouth on First Hill, the 2021 Urban Land Institute's Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing Chairman's Award for Arlington Drive Youth CampusDouglas is a dedicated advocate for affordable housing, working tirelessly at both the local and state levels with a successful history of working on affordable and supportive multi-family housing developments for individuals and families. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the creation of over 2,800 units of affordable housing, including more than 1,300 units specifically dedicated to permanent supportive housing.📍 Show Links:  Connect with Douglas on LinkedInCheck out SMR Architects 📚Continue Learning:Whitney M. Young Jr. Award 2024: Douglas Ito, FAIAAIA24 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award - Douglas Ito Acceptance SpeechIsan Bellevue📍 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 architectural form inspire innovation in the fashion and product design industries? On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we dive into the intersection of architecture, fashion, and technology with Duane McLemore and Katherine Voorhies, the creatives behind the jewelry brand Xover0. Duane, an architect passionate about digital fabrication, and Katherine, a self-taught graphic artist and fashion designer, discuss how they've blended their backgrounds to build their unique jewelry line.First, Duane and Katherine share their design philosophy, foundational approach, and creative process for turning architectural form into beautiful jewelry with the help of machinery and 3D printing. We highlight the success and inspiration behind their Geoheart pendant, which was heavily featured in the Netflix film Uglies.The Geoheart pendant was inspired by Art Deco architecture, and we designed it for Valentine's Day a few years ago. At that time, there wasn't really much of this geometric style – this kind of non-traditional, heart-shaped pendant. So we thought it was an appropriate creative challenge, and that's what we came up with. - Duane McLemore Then, they open up about their creative and entrepreneurial challenges and how they overcame these obstacles. Duane and Katherine offer valuable advice for aspiring designers on growing a brand in the digital age, building connections, and pursuing their passions.To wrap up the conversation, Duane and Katherine share the exciting future for Xover0, from collaborations with TV shows to projects that range from opera masks to car builds. Tune in next week for an episode with Whitney Young Jr. Award Winner Douglas Ito FAIA. Guests:Duane McLemore, AIADuane McLemore, AIA is an architect licensed in the state of California. He is also a Professor of Architecture who specializes in the creation of digital tools for the application of sophisticated geometries for advanced fabrication. Among other things, Duane is the author of Horta, a component library for implementing the Space Groups in architectural computation, and Leafcutter, a component library for concrete 3d print pre-processing. He presents his research internationally. Duane is a graduate of the University of Southern California School of Architecture and the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London.Katherine VoorhiesKatherine Voorhies is a self-taught graphic designer and a fashion designer by training, working in the fashion industry in Paris prior to moving to Los Angeles. After serving as Director of Production for a high-profile gift and stationery company, Katherine founded Xover0 to explore the jewelry arts. She was educated at le Chambre Syndicale de Haute Couture and Parsons, graduating from their Paris program. 📍 Show Links:  Connect with Duane on LinkedInFollow Xover0 on Instagram📚Continue Learning:Xover0's websiteUglies on Netflix Scott WesterfeldBlue Ocean Strategy by  W. Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | TwitterCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation

Corey Squire, Associate Principal and Sustainability Director at Bora Architecture & Interiors, shares insights about knowledge management's role in promoting sustainability in architecture. He discusses his journey into sustainability and the challenges of implementing an intranet for effective information access. Corey emphasizes building team trust, documenting goals, and leveraging collective expertise to enhance architectural practice. He also highlights the importance of clear communication and strategic alignment in fostering a culture of sustainability within organizations.

How can architects protect and monetize their creative work with the help of intellectual property (IP) laws? On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we’re joined by Ana Juneja, an award-winning intellectual property (IP) attorney and founder of Ana Law® – the first law firm offering flat-fee, 100% guaranteed services for patents, trademarks, and copyrights. In our conversation, Ana explores the essential role of IP in the architecture field.First, Ana breaks down the four main types of intellectual property: copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets. She explains how each type applies to architecture and protecting creative works within client relationships and employee contracts.Then, we dive into the intersection of AI and IP rights. Ana shares advice on protecting your designs, tools, and software created with AI and outlines the steps to securing patents and trademarks for your work.You're investing in your trademark in order to protect your name, your marketing, and your branding. If you're building up this brand, you're putting in so much time, money, energy, and effort into doing so – you wouldn't really want to lose it…Whereas copyrights and patents are things that, for architects in particular, are incredibly valuable avenues to monetize your brand. It is really protection for your own investments that you're making into your business. - Ana JunejaTo wrap up the conversation, Ana highlights common IP mistakes architects make and offers practical tips to avoid them. She emphasizes the importance of understanding IP laws, using strong contracts and NDAs, and taking proactive steps to safeguard your work. Tune in next week for an episode about Guests:Ana JunejaAs an award-winning intellectual property attorney and the founder of Ana Law®, Ana Juneja helps celebrities, athletes, influencers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and corporations secure + monetize their brands and ideas in the US and abroad. Ana Law® is the first and only law firm that offers flat-fee, 100% guaranteed patent, trademark, and copyright services. Ana has a 100% success rate and often speaks on important topics such as emerging legal issues surrounding security, AI, and social media. Additionally, Ana has extensive experience with social media intellectual property infringement issues. Ana’s insider connections with premier media agencies allow her to have direct access to key social media platforms, such as Meta (Facebook/Instagram), TikTok, and Twitter. These essential services are an important component of brand protection strategy for Ana’s celebrity, athlete, & influencer clients.📍 Show Links:  Connect with Ana 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

How can diverse leadership, perspectives, and ideas drive innovation and meaningful change in the AEC industry?On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we have a fascinating conversation with Rolf Provan, the unconventional CEO of Luckett and Farley, an architecture, engineering, and interior design firm. Rolf's unique marketing background in well-known household brands, informs our discussion on innovation, leadership, and opportunities for meaningful change in the AEC industry.First, we explore Rolf's background and how it shaped his love for design. He shares his journey to becoming CEO at Luckett and Farley and his approach to bridging communication between employees and leadership. We discuss industry challenges, Rolf's strategies to address these issues, and the mindset he's adopted in his role.Then, Rolf outlines the firm's approach to sustainability and their method for setting environmental change goals. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and diverse perspectives, and how to effectively cultivate ideas and implement change.I can't innovate if I'm not willing to look at what somebody in a different profession or with a different background or with different beliefs or a different culture is doing…Celebrating differences and bringing different perspectives from different places, to me, is perhaps the most valuable thing that we can do. Architecture can't get better if we keep using the same tool set against the same thing over and over. - Rolf Provan To wrap up the conversation, we touch on the self-limiting beliefs in architecture that have held the industry back. Rolf offers advice for those aspiring to enter careers where they have little experience and shares his perspective on ways to make an impact in the future of architecture and design. Tune in next week for an episode about intellectual property and the future of practice. Guests:Rolf ProvanRolf has driven client-focused innovation and change for some of the worlds biggest brands and businesses, including Shell, Coca-Cola, Volvo, BAT and Anthem. A creative at heart and a "dot-connector," Provan is dialed in with the design community and understands the innovative power of an inter-disciplinary design approach for the clients in each of the market sectors Luckett & Farley serves. Since he joined Luckett & Farley he has helped define the company's purpose and vision and has advocated for the central role that design must play in our community and in our region. His vision is to leverage Luckett & Farley's inter-disciplinary approach to improve the quality of life, enhance workforce development, and enable the regional economy through impactful design harnessing the power of design for good.📍 Show Links:  Connect with Rolf on LinkedIn📚Continue Learning:Hidden Potential by Adam Grant📍 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 we leverage a background in architecture with soft skills to successfully transition from architecture to product management?On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we chat with Liz Fibleuil, who made an inspiring transition from architecture to product management. With a Master's in Architecture and Sustainable Design and over 10 years of experience, Liz leverages her architectural background with her soft skills to deliver digital solutions at Tanooki Labs. In our conversation, we explore Liz's transition from architecture to tech and her perspective on changing career paths. First, Liz opens up about her architectural background, why she drifted away from the field, and how she ended up in her current role as a project manager. She offers advice on recognizing when it's time to step away from a career, overcoming fear to make that transition, and positioning yourself in a new industry even without prior experience.  Then, Liz offers strategies for self-teaching tech skills and dives into the details of her role as a product manager at Tanooki Labs. We discuss her current responsibilities, challenges during the transition, and how she learned from each setback.The moment that you're starting to question if this is the right path for you, whether you are 5 years in or 35, don't ignore that…Why don't I love it? Is it a fundamental reason why I don't love it? Is it a financial reason? Is it because I don't love my boss? What are the real reasons that you are discontent at any stage in your career? Once you define that, then start to analyze if you can find it somewhere else, and really go through that personal exploration. - Liz Fibleuil To wrap up the conversation, Liz reflects on what she misses most about architecture while emphasizing the importance of empathy in both fields. She expresses her optimism about the future of the tech industry and shares her long-term goals.Tune in next week for an episode with Rolf Provan, CEO of Luckett & Farley, on how his diverse experiences have shaped his leadership style and where he sees the biggest opportunities for our industry to drive meaningful change. Guests:Liz FibleuilLiz Fibleuil, a Panama-born architect with over 10 years of experience, has successfully transitioned into a Product Manager role, leveraging her soft skills to excel. With a Masters in Architecture and Sustainable Design, Liz's passion lies in creating user-centric experiences. As a Product Manager, she manages various web and mobile application projects, empathizing with users and stakeholders. Alongside her professional endeavors, Liz finds inspiration in literature as a habit reader and expresses her creativity through painting. With over three years of experience in product management, Liz combines her architectural expertise with her empathetic nature to deliver exceptional digital solutions.📍 Show Links:  Connect with Liz on LinkedIn📚Continue Learning:Tanooki Labs📍 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 AI, automation, and technology democratize custom home design and improve the home building process for both buyers and architects?On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we welcome Marc Minor and Michael Bergin, the co-founders of Higharc. With Marc's passion for combining design and technology and Michael's dedication to improving the built environment through design automation, they created Higharc. Higharc provides software tools to make custom home design more accessible, enabling users to design, estimate, sell, and build their ideal homes. Our discussion is focused on their vision for democratizing custom home design.First, Marc and Michael discuss the origins of Higharc, their relationship as co-founders, and their goal to bring design automation to the industry. They highlight the ways tech can address housing shortages, improve affordability, and enhance the home-building process.Then, we dive into efficient customization in home design and how Higharc empowers architects to engage with the industry on a larger scale. They share strategies for optimizing the home-buying experience for both buyers and architects, working with the industry's supply and demand, and managing the current housing market.What really is going to make it so that houses are more affordable is addressing the supply problem. Higharc as a business is also very pointed at this soft cycle supply problem making it faster to build homes so that we have more homes for people to move into. There's an ecosystem here, and if we could take that knowledge and have systems that enable professionals to engage with this process, this industry at greater scale, we all stand to benefit. - Michael BerginTo wrap up the conversation, Marc and Michael look to the future and share their vision for bridging the gap between architects and buyers, with the goal to create more diverse, automated, and connected communities.Tune in next week for an episode with Tanooki Labs Product Manager, Liz Fibleuil. Guests:Marc Minor:Marc started Higharc with the goal of making good home design accessible to more people. He’s passionate about pairing design with technology and guiding teams to bring those technologies to market. Prior to starting Higharc, Marc launched two 3D printing companies — Desktop Metal and Carbon3D — out of stealth to become industry leaders, and held management roles for some of the world’s most beloved brands and creative consultancies.Michael Bergin:Michael is VP of Product and Co-Founder of Higharc. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to improving the built environment through design automation. Early in his architecture training, he became dissatisfied with the slow pace and limited accessibility of custom home design. Frustrated, he returned to graduate school and explored the potential to improve these conditions through research into mass-customization of homes. He applied these concepts in practice as a Research Lead at Autodesk, creating a product enabling design automation for the automotive and aerospace industries. His work leading the product design effort culminated in the release of Autodesk Generative Design.📍 Show Links:  Connect with Marc on LinkedInConnect with Michael on LinkedInFollow Higharc on LinkedIn📚Continue Learning:Architechie Contact Higharc📍 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 architects think broadly about their career options and the various ways they can contribute to and grow within the built environment? On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we're joined by Laura Wake-Ramos, a business development manager at Mortenson. As an architect and real estate developer with experience in design-build construction, she brings a unique perspective to the intersection of architecture and construction. In our conversation, Laura shares her journey in the field, insights on alternative career paths outside of traditional practice, and thoughts on the future of architecture.First, Laura shares her background of getting into architecture and what a business development manager does at Mortenson. She provides insight into business development in architecture, explaining how she balances creativity with construction logistics. Then, Laura dives into alternative career paths in architecture, emphasizing the importance of building support networks and diversifying your skills. She offers advice on following your curiosity and taking career development risks while highlighting the benefit of continuing education.In simplest terms, I think of real estate development as a Shark Tank of architecture – where you have this concept, you have this design, you have this idea, and you need to talk about how you're going to get it funded. That's where I think the bridge between architecture and development lies. The development world has connections to private equity and to the debt partners to get buildings funded. - Laura Wake-RamosTo wrap up the conversation, we discuss gaps in the architecture profession. Laura identifies areas for improvement in architectural education, such as the need for more business knowledge in capital markets and market analytics. She shares her aspirations to elevate alternative career perspectives in architecture and break down barriers between architecture and allied professions.Tune in next week for an episode about the future of housing with the co-founders of Higharc.Guests:Laura Wake-RamosLaura is a leader in project delivery through strategy, leading teams, and technology integration.  As a Business Development Manager with Mortenson, Laura is responsible for cultivating real estate development opportunities in the Washington DC metro region, leading with the strategy of integrated developer-builder. Laura’s career encompasses construction management, design-build management, and virtual design & construction integration. One notable project Laura led as the Design Phase Manager was a historic renovation project in Washington DC that won a National Design-Build Award in 2023. Laura serves as the 2023-2024 Chair of the AIA Project Delivery Knowledge Community, and serves as 2024-2026 At-Large Representative for AIA Strategic Council. Laura is passionate about volunteering and giving back her experience to the community. Laura has volunteered with the ACE Mentorship Program of America, Greater Washington Affiliate Board Member, Arquitina, Design-Build Institute of America, Mid-Atlantic Board Secretary, and DBIA student chapter liaison. 📍 Show Links:  Connect with Laura on LinkedInMortenson📚Continue Learning:ACE Mentor Program of AmericaDesign-Build Institute of America📍 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 grow alongside the future of the practice by exploring other business models and embracing opportunities for innovation?On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we’re excited to introduce Lawrence Fabbroni as our new Chief Innovation Officer at The Practice of Architecture. Larry is an architect with over twenty years of experience and has been involved in many major development projects in the US. Currently, he works as a consultant focusing on strategic pre-development services. Today, Larry talks about his architecture and business career and his plans to enhance innovation within our company.First, Larry discusses his career background and his role in The AIA Practice Innovation Lab. As an MBA candidate at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Larry shares key takeaways he learned that can benefit our approach to innovation in architecture.Then, we dive into the challenges that firms encounter in managing growth and sustainability alongside the evolution of architecture and AI. Larry highlights what we're currently working on and our goals, how our consulting service differs from others in the AEC space, and the exciting opportunities to merge the expertise of Larry's network with The Practice of Architecture network.In the world of innovation, we separate what we define as invention and innovation. There's multiple types of innovation that can happen, and the most common is to innovate iteratively on what you already do, right? I think architects are really inclined to want to be really creative and kind of develop something brand new all the time. That's how you cause major disruption, maybe, but that's not the majority of innovation that's happening in this other space. - Larry Fabbroni To wrap up the conversation, we explore the importance of mindset shifts for fostering innovation in the industry's future, the role of mid-sized companies, the potential for creativity, and the influence of workplace culture on driving innovation within firms.Tune in next week for an episode where we continue our "Architecture, and" series with a guest who’s making a significant impact beyond traditional practice—Laura Wake-Ramos. Guests:Lawerence J. Fabbroni, AIA, LEED APLarry is an architect with over two decades in practice. He formerly led master planning projects at Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects and Strada Architecture. He has worked on some of the largest development projects in the US, and currently works as an consultant focused on strategic pre-development services. Currently, Larry is an MBA candidate at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business where he focuses on entrepreneurship and strategy.  Larry has received the AIA Pennsylvania Emerging Professional of the Year award, as well as the AIA’s national Young Architect Award. He is formerly a national president of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), a national Chair of the AIA’s Young Architects’ Forum (YAF), and a national board member of the American Insti­tute of Architects (AIA). He has been a leader in many other local and regional organizations. 📍 Show Links:  Connect with Larry on LinkedIn📚Continue Learning:The Practice of Architecture WebsitePractice Innovation Lab📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | TwitterCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation