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Architecture Social

Architecture Social, Stephen Drew

Architecture has always been social. Careers should be too.

Hosted by Stephen Drew, the Architecture Social podcast brings you honest conversations from across the UK built environment. Architects, practice leaders and the people shaping the profession talk openly about their careers, their work and how practice really runs.

Expect straight talk on salaries, portfolios, hiring, progression and running a practice, from Part 1 students looking for their first role to directors building their teams.

Architecture Social is more than jobs and hiring. It's a place to share work, discover opportunities, hear honest conversations and build connections across the industry.

This is Architecture Social. Come and be part of it.

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  • 21 episodes
  • Avg 58 min
  • English

Episodes 21

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  • S1 · E261
    October 22 · 17 min

    How AHMM Survived Its First Five Years | Simon Allford

    Architecture is often presented as a linear career, but building a successful practice demands patience, resilience and a willingness to keep learning. Simon Allford, Founding Director of AHMM, explains how the practice survived its lean early years and developed a culture where strong architecture, shared ideas and long-term investment come first. They get into starting a practice during a downturn, surviving the critical first five years, building an open studio culture, approaching architecture interviews, adapting to new technology and rethinking architectural education. The conversation offers practical perspective for architects, students and practices navigating changing tools, rising expectations and an industry that still struggles to value its work properly. Simon Allford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-allford-b506331b1/ AHMM: https://www.ahmm.co.uk/ Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/ Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. Chapters 00:00 Finding lasting enjoyment in architecture 00:42 How AHMM began 02:11 Taking risks and making early hires 03:14 Surviving the practice’s leanest years 04:05 Why the first five years matter 04:46 Advice for starting an architecture practice 06:04 Building a generous professional community 06:27 Creating an open studio culture 08:00 Supporting people beyond the practice 09:00 Advice for architecture job interviews 10:18 Studying architecture as technology changes 11:47 Balancing digital tools with creative thinking 13:00 Managing information and client expectations 14:14 Optimism and the profession’s value problem 15:15 Rethinking architectural education 16:18 Making architecture more accessible 17:03 Architecture as a versatile degree #Architecture #ArchitectureStudent #ArchitectureTech

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  • S1 · E260
    September 24 · 45 min

    What Architecture Employers Actually Look For

    Architecture practices are rarely taught how to balance design ambition, client relationships and commercial reality. Markus Seifermann of Seifermann Architects explains how adaptability, collaboration and a willingness to learn have shaped a multidisciplinary studio. They get into winning unfamiliar projects, building a people-focused team, diversifying into film and events, hiring for entrepreneurial thinking, rebranding the practice and using AI without handing over responsibility. The conversation offers practical lessons for architects and designers navigating clients, careers, technology and the changing expectations of practice. Markus Seifermann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markusseifermann/ Seifermann Architects: https://www.seifermann.london/ _____ ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHD0iadj0Oc Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/architecture-s... Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. _____ Chapters: 00:00 Starting an architecture practice 04:04 Winning the first major project 08:32 Creativity and commercial reality 10:43 Diversifying into film and events 15:21 Collaboration and unconventional hiring 19:38 Applications and interview advice 23:11 Rebranding the architecture practice 26:33 Mentoring and future careers 29:44 Young people questioning AI and careers 31:42 Managing different client relationships 34:36 Designing without a house style 36:16 Using AI as an architectural tool 40:34 Why architectural education must change 43:25 Projects and getting in touch #Architecture #ArchitectureStudent #Architect #ArchitecturePodcast

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  • S1 · E259
    September 2 · 1 hr

    Architects Won’t Work the Same After This

    Most people think AI in architecture stops at generating a nice image. In this episode, Bill Allen from Chaos explains why the bigger shift is what happens when AI starts working inside Revit, Rhino and SketchUp. They get into AI rendering, agentic tools, automated construction drawings and the move from modelling to render, to rendering to model. Bill also explains why architects still need to understand the “why” behind their work, what practices should look for when hiring, and why students should learn how to learn instead of becoming too attached to one piece of software. Bill Allen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billallenarchitecture/ Chaos: https://www.chaos.com/ Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/ Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. Chapters 00:00 AI and architecture in 2026 01:57 From architect to design technology founder 05:35 How architectural rendering became accessible 09:14 Automating construction drawings with AI 11:01 Why architecture is slow to adopt technology 13:17 Agentic AI and MCPs explained 17:16 Creating architectural animations with a prompt 21:36 From modelling to render, to rendering to model 25:29 Turning AI images into editable 3D models 27:33 Using AI to place BIM components 32:20 Automating repetitive construction documentation 35:00 How AI could prevent costly drawing mistakes 38:16 Will AI replace entry-level architects? 42:13 Leaving architecture to build a business 46:44 What Chaos looks for when hiring 50:06 Advice for architecture students in the AI era 55:21 Why AI reaches architecture later 57:40 Where to find Bill and Chaos #Architecture #ArchitectureStudent #ArchitectureTech (00:00) - AI and architecture in 2026 (01:57) - From architect to design technology founder (05:35) - How architectural rendering became accessible (09:14) - Automating construction drawings with AI (11:01) - Why architecture is slow to adopt technology (13:17) - Agentic AI and MCPs explained (17:16) - Creating architectural animations with a prompt (21:36) - From modelling to render, to rendering to model (25:29) - Turning AI images into editable 3D models (27:33) - Using AI to place BIM components (32:20) - Automating repetitive construction documentation (35:00) - How AI could prevent costly drawing mistakes (38:16) - Will AI replace entry-level architects? (42:13) - Leaving architecture to build a business (46:44) - What Chaos looks for when hiring (50:06) - Advice for architecture students in the AI era (55:21) - Why AI reaches architecture later (57:40) - Where to find Bill and Chaos

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  • S1 · E258
    August 14 · 55 min

    He Built an Architecture Studio After 3 Redundancies

    After being made redundant three times, Dominic McAndrew went on to co-found Ruumi Studio and build a new architecture practice from scratch. In this episode, we talk about the reality of starting an architecture studio, what redundancy actually teaches you, why running a young practice is not as glamorous as it looks, and what small studios really look for when hiring. Dominic also shares how Ruumi Studio was built with AI in mind, how the team started trading quickly after a chaotic Christmas setup, and why personality, attitude and communication can matter just as much as technical ability when you’re applying to smaller architecture practices. We have partnered with ArchAdemia, an online learning platform built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/architecture-s... Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on the monthly or annual membership. 00:00 Intro 00:48 Meet Dominic and Ruumi Studio 03:06 Getting Into Architecture by Accident 09:40 Made Redundant Three Times 18:15 Turning Redundancy Into Opportunity 22:27 Leading a Team Through Redundancy 26:08 How Ruumi Studio Began 32:00 The Reality of Starting a Studio 37:01 Building a Team and Hiring Architects 44:03 Lessons From the First Six Months 47:47 Building an Architecture Studio Around AI 53:42 What’s Next for Ruumi Studio _____ Curated content, insights and opportunities to accelerate your career in Architecture, Design, Development and Real Estate to the next level. 💻 Find more content at https://www.architecturesocial.com 📐 #Architecture #ArchitectureStudent #Architect #ArchitecturePodcast

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  • S1 · E257
    July 2 · 1 hr 23 min

    He Started His Own Architecture Practice at 29

    What does it actually take to start your own architecture practice in 2026? Alex Sutton founded Studio Sutton in August 2019 at the age of 29, just six months before the world locked down. In this conversation with Stephen Drew, he opens up about building an award winning international practice through a global pandemic, a war, an interest rate spike, an AI shake-up, and the hardest personal moments of his life. No fluff, no romanticising, just the real story of what running a small practice looks like when the cards are stacked against you. If you've ever thought about starting your own studio, or you're already on that path and wondering if it gets easier, this one's for you. Studio Sutton: studiosutton.co.uk Alex Sutton on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alex-sutton ____ ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Md1Fakkn7Q Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for: https://architecturesocial.com/ The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects: https://archademia.com/architecture-social/ Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership. ____ Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:00 Meet Alex Sutton 03:40 How Alex got into architecture 05:41 Starting out at Sevil Peach 07:23 Setting up Studio Sutton at 29 09:58 Six months before the pandemic 13:08 Losing a year of work overnight 14:45 Pivoting to Oslo and Stockholm 17:08 The reality vs romance of running a studio 20:38 The personal cost of being a founder 22:58 The hidden cost of winning work 26:17 Why better design doesn't always win 29:27 Tick box forms and SME barriers 32:16 £40,000 just to be in the room 35:10 Where does design get lost? 40:19 Where are the Mavericks? 41:15 What actually creates value 46:14 Advice for new founders 54:34 Losing work to AI 56:06 Is starting a practice in 2026 a dead end? 01:00:16 Why architecture still matters 01:05:08 Hiring and building a small team 01:14:09 What architecture school doesn't teach 01:15:28 The Bartlett and the culture of fear 01:23:24 Where to find Studio Sutton

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  • S1 · E256
    June 18 · 52 min

    Why Architects Have Zero Power in the UK Right Now

    Stephen Drew speaks with Jay Morton about why architects have so little power in the UK built environment, what RIBA needs to change, and how the profession can build a stronger public and commercial voice.

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  • S1 · E255
    June 16 · 48 min

    A KPF Director’s Honest Advice for Young Architects

    Stephen Drew speaks with Francesco Casella, Director at KPF, about building a long-term architecture career inside a global practice, including hiring, progression, leadership, BIM, AI and the skills that still matter.

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  • S1 · E254
    May 7 · 1 hr 17 min

    Running an Architecture Practice Isn’t What You Think

    Stephen Drew speaks with Tim, co-founder of nimtim architects, about starting and running an architecture practice, including fees, hiring, culture, risk, profit and the realities behind studio life.

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  • S1 · E253
    April 14 · 1 hr 12 min

    How to Future Proof Your Architecture Career

    Stephen Drew speaks with Ami Nigam, Head of Design Technology at Benoy, about BIM, computational design, AI and the skills architecture professionals need to stay useful as practice changes.

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  • S1 · E252
    March 24 · 1 hr 17 min

    How to Actually Get Hired in Architecture and Interior Design

    Stephen Drew shares practical advice from a Kingston University session on getting hired in architecture and interior design, covering CVs, portfolios, direct outreach, interviews and graduate visa conversations.

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  • S1 · E251
    March 17 · 1 hr 22 min

    How to Land Your First Architect Role

    Stephen Drew gives a practical lecture on getting a first architecture or interiors role, covering CVs, sample portfolios, direct applications, job search volume, graduate visas, interviews and salary conversations.

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  • S1 · E245
    Nov 11, 2025 · 48 min

    From Designs to Developments: Greg Blaquiere's Planning Journey

    Stephen Drew speaks with Greg Blaquiere of Eagle Planning and Development about planning consultancy, moving from local authority to private practice, starting a business, AI, due diligence and working well with architects.

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  • S1 · E242
    Oct 21, 2025 · 38 min

    Are Developers the New Architects? Simon Vernon Harcourt’s Journey

    Stephen Drew speaks with Simon Vernon-Harcourt of City and Country about moving from architecture into development, restoring historic buildings, working with architects and how developers think about design, risk and delivery.

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Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes