Afleveringen
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Christele Harrouk is a French-Lebanese architect, urban designer, and Editor-in-Chief of ArchDaily. With over a decade of editorial experience, she explores architectural and urban narratives and amplifies underrepresented voices and geographies, all while contributing to global architectural discourse. Her work focuses on making architectural knowledge more accessible, fostering broader conversations, and critically engaging with the future of the field.
We talk about:
- Christele’s career journey and how feeling like she didn’t quite fit within traditional practice led her to experiment with careers in architecture, writing, and even fashion and how those roles eventually led her to her impactful job at ArchDaily.
- In regards to her career, we talk about being an “Architect who writes” rather than just a journalist and why careers in editing, curation, and research are just as much a part of the profession as those who build.
- We discuss more about ArchDaily’s content curation; how they sort through thousands of project submissions and what ultimately influences the people and projects they choose to highlight.
- We also talk about content overload and social media, and why ArchDaily is focusing on value rather than short lived trends and algorithms.
- We end by talking about Christele’s perspective on emerging professionals, student competitions, and technology in the profession.
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Connect with Christele:
ArchDaily: https://www.archdaily.com/author/christele-harrouk
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christele-harrouk-1250a6a2/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christeleharrouk/
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Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
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- Leave us a rating and review!
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We're long overdue for a bonus episode, so enjoy this one! Today, Caitlin shares a few quick tips to make the most of your experience at a professional conference. Many architects and designers in our community are heading to the AIA Conference this June 10-13 in San Diego, but this advice will work for whatever conference you may be attending.
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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She Builds Podcast features the seldom-told stories of women who build. These women’s stories were not taught in schools, but they have shaped the industries of architecture, construction, and development over the last century. The podcast was started by three friends who, after graduating from architecture school together, sought to fill in the gaps in their education while creating a resource for others.
Jessica Rogers, NOMA is the Office Administrator and Marketing Coordinator at Peacock Architects, where she combines her architectural background with strong operational and marketing expertise. In her role, Jessica leads proposal development, manages the project pipeline, and supports overall office efficiency.
Elizabeth Raar (Lizi) is a licensed architect, originally from West Michigan, who graduated from Syracuse University. Currently, she works for En Masse Architecture and Design in Chicago, IL on single-family residential projects. She enjoys making a project functional yet beautiful for the client.
Norgerie Rivas-Villalongo is an architect from Puerto Rico with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Syracuse University. She is currently a project manager at eStudio Architecture in Houston, Texas, where she has designed projects for various sectors, including commercial, healthcare, multifamily, and retail, from inception through construction. She currently serves as an Architect Licensing Advisor with the Texas Society of Architects, Past-Chair of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, and is an active participant in Latinos in Architecture.
We talk about…
- The behind-the-scenes reality of building an international women in architecture podcast, from writing scripts and digging through archives to piecing together the stories of impactful women who history nearly overlooked.
- The very different career journeys these three women have taken from Syracuse to Miami, DC, Houston, San Francisco, and Chicago, and why there is no single roadmap for building a meaningful architecture career.
- Themes and patterns that have emerged across more than 100 stories of women in architecture, including how access, privilege, education, and mentorship have historically shaped opportunity in the profession.
- We end by sharing architecture-fueled travel stories and the unforgettable places that have shaped their perspective, including Hearst Castle, Sea Ranch, and Hagia Sophia.
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Connect with She Builds:
www.shebuildspodcast.com
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Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
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Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
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Replay!
On today’s episode of Architectette we feature a conversation with Julianne Peters. Julianne is an interior designer at Hellyer Lewis Smith, founder of Design Success Network, and is also a multi-term leader of her local PA/NJ/DE IIDA Chapter.
We talk about:
- Julianne’s early career experiences, how she navigated challenges during the pandemic, the roles and responsibilities of her current position, and the challenge of taking and passing the NCIDQ exams.
- The importance of legislation both on a national and a state level to protect the title of interior designers, the ability to sign drawings, and the advocacy efforts in various states to achieve recognition.
- Her extensive volunteerism with professional associations like IIDA and ASID. She reflects on the benefits of her involvement which extends far beyond the workplace.
- We finish with Julianne’s founder story! We talk about the idea for Design Success Network and how the platform works to ease the burden of the NCIDQ exams with study resources and tutoring to support designers preparing for exams or seeking professional development.
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
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Meghana Joshi is a Managing Principal at MG2 and an award-winning architect with over 25 years of experience shaping national retail and banking environments. She blends practice, leadership, and lived experience to examine how spaces quietly shape power, access, and belonging. Her work bridges architecture, economics, and culture.
We talk about:
- We talk about Meghana’s career evolution, from moving internationally and starting her career in tandem with motherhood, to the intentions behind investing in her career development.
- We discuss Meghana’s strategy with her family to redistribute traditional caregiving roles so that she could devote more energy to deepening and expanding her impact at work.
- Meghana shares more about leadership at MG2, Women in Architecture, and other EDI initiatives. She shares more about building teams using a “stay-grow-lead” methodology, crafting initiatives that focus on actionable change.
- The end of our conversation focuses on We also chat about salaries and negotiations vs male and female approaches to each.
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Connect with Meghana
https://medium.com/@archimom
https://www.instagram.com/meghanaira/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghana/
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Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
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Replay!
Today's guest is Ann (Annie) Rolland. Annie recently retired as a Partner from FXCollaborative where she was the Director of the firm’s Cultural and Educational practice. Annie’s work embraces the pragmatic and creative- cultivating new integrations of program and design. Her projects are practical, responsive, elegant, and enduring while respecting the essence of each client and place.
Annie is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, a registered architect in New York, and a Fellow of the AIA. She is active on the AIA New York Committee on Architecture for Education, Non-Traditional Employment for Women (NEW), and the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF). In 2021, Annie was recognized as a Notable LGBTQ Leader by Crain’s New York.
We talk about:
- Annie’s career in architecture from high school through retirement. We focus on pivotal moments in her journey and the advice she would share with others who want to follow in her path.
- We next focus on Annie’s role as a firm leader. She advises on the importance of vocalizing your goals as you grow within a firm, how she optimized her role during economically uncertain times, and how she utilized adaptability and strategic planning as a firm leader.
- We also chat about her views on hybrid work environments, flexible schedules, and how architecture must evolve post-pandemic.
- Annie also emphasizes the importance of leaving a lasting impact through quality, mentorship, and socially responsible design. We highlight her volunteer efforts and discuss her overhaul of her firm’s material library to eliminate products that utilize forced labor.
- We end with a popular question- do architects ever really retire? We talk about her upcoming projects including a renovation and work with her local zoning board.
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
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Support Architectette by leaving us a rating and review!
>>>
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Caeley Looney is the CEO and Founder of Reinvented Inc., a nonprofit that has served STEM educational materials to over 500,000 students worldwide since its inception in 2019. Prior to starting Reinvented, Caeley earned her B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and her M.S. in Space Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
She’s worked in the aerospace industry on everything from small satellites to lunar landers and was recently a Senior GNC Engineer at Sidus Space working on AI-driven satellites.
Today, Caeley focuses on building hands-on STEM programming for students and empowering young girls to pursue STEM fields through Reinvented full-time. In 2025, Caeley was included on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Education category for the impact she’s made through her work with Reinvented.
We talk about:
- Caeley’s extensive education and how, despite her credentials, she experienced gender bias at work. These experiences led her to write a post that gathered so much support overnight, a team was ready to launch the magazine when she woke the next morning.
- She shares more about the logistics of publishing a magazine and how Reinvented is designed to provide both educational and inspirational content for middle and high school girls interested in STEM.
- We share more about Reinvented’s other initiatives: Princesses with Power Tools and the Space Gala.
- We wrap up with the wide-reaching impact of Reinvented’s programming, share a few impact stories, and talk about the Forbes 30 Under 30 list vs imposter syndrome.
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Connect with Caeley:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caeleystems
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@caeleystems
Personal Website: https://www.caeleylooney.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caeleylooney/
Beauty and the Bolt: https://www.youtube.com/c/beautyandthebolt
Reinvented Website: http://reinventedmagazine.com/#
>>>
Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
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Replay!
On today's episode of Architectette we welcome three female founders of the Philadelphia firm, FIFTEEN Architecture and Design!
We chat with Ximena Valle, AIA, LEED AP; Mary Beth Di Figlia, RA; and Jill Lavine, AIA, LEED AP about founding the firm, manifesting their dreams, connecting their diverse backgrounds in architecture, design, construction, and archaeology; and how the act as leaders to bring positive change to their communities.
We talk about Ximena’s experience launching a firm shortly after having a baby, if Jill was or was not living the dream as an architect working on a skyscraper, and Mary Beth’s advice on networking and growing the firm’s work. Of course, we also talk about how FIFTEEN uniquely approaches trust and transparency and fosters a work environment that is especially inclusive for mothers.
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
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Support Architectette by leaving us a rating and review!
>>>
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Shelly-Anne "Tulia" Scott is an award-winning architect at HOK, leader, and community advocate with over 20 years of experience spanning architecture, interior design, and urban storytelling.
She currently serves on the AIA Strategic Council as the Georgia Representative and is the Past President of the Atlanta chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAtlanta). Her leadership is rooted in mentorship, equity, and social purpose. In recognition of her impact, Tulia was the 2025 recipient of the Carmen Stan Elevation of the Profession Award.
We talk about:
- Tulia’s career across firms and regions and how seeking “projects with a soul” in higher education, civic, and community design has shaped her path.
- We talk about the importance of defining career goals, self-advocacy, and personal branding to align with meaningful opportunities.
- Tulia elaborates on her leadership with NOMAtlanta and how she grew membership and advanced mentorship.
- We also talk about her insights from co-leading a sold-out mindfulness and visioning workshop at the Women’s Leadership Summit, which she crafted to help architects pause, reflect and clarify their next career steps.
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Connect with Tulia
LinkedIn
Tulia's Website
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Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
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Replay!
This week on Architectette, we’re spotlighting the voices of recent graduates from architecture programs across the globe. We asked all of our guests the same questions to gain insight into their unique experiences as they transition from academia to professional practice.
From how the pandemic shaped their academic experience to the movie that best describes their studio life, we dive deep into the highs and lows of their time in school. You'll hear some of the best pieces of advice they received during critiques, their thoughts on navigating internships, and the challenges of job hunting. We also asked about the surprises they encountered when they first entered the workplace, mentorship and management, and how they're learning in hybrid environments.
Finally, we asked our guests to look toward the future: we chat about how they plan to approach their AREs, what advice they'd give to the next class of graduates, and what they hope their legacy will be when they retire.
Lauren Maloney recently graduated from the University of Kansas as a part of their 5-year Master of Architecture program. While there, she developed a focus in Health and Wellness architecture and looks forward to making a difference in healthcare settings as an Associate at a firm in the Midwest.
Here's what we asked:
1. Introductions: what is your name, where did you go to school, when did you graduate?
2. How did the pandemic affect your academic experience?
3. If you had to describe your studio experience as a movie, which would you pick and why?
4. What was an impactful critique or piece of advice you received during a crit?
5. Did you intern during school?
6. Describe the job application process. Do you have tips for others regarding reaching out, interview questions, portfolio preparation, or software readiness?
7. When applying to firms, what factors were most important to you?
8. Did you negotiate any aspects of your offer? (salary, PTO, schedule?)
9. Once working, what is something about the practice of architecture that surprised you? What is something that you had to overcome?
10. Is it challenging to learn in a hybrid environment? How do you learn/ interact with colleagues?
11. If you were a manager of recent grads, how would you mentor them?
12. Do you plan on taking your AREs? What is your timeline? Did you accrue AXP hours during school?
13. What advice would you give to next year's graduates?
14. 40 years from now, when you retire, what do you hope is highlighted in your career description?
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
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Erike De Veyra, Assoc. AIA, SEED, is a designer, seasoned project manager, and the founder of Design Gym. Her career spans architecture, public programming, and design education; bringing together creative practice with a strong focus on community impact. She recently earned a Master of Science in Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship, further shaping her interdisciplinary approach to design and leadership.
Design Gym is a platform that provides design education, workshops, educational programming, and design project leadership for clients and teams. Erike believes design is part of everyday life, that it should feel accessible, and that it should not be limited by cost or background.
Through her work, Erike empowers people to better understand the world around them and recognize their own ability to design. The individuals she works with leave more confident, more curious, and better equipped to be thoughtful stewards of design in their own communities.
We talk about:
- Erike’s non-linear path in architecture which started with graduating during the Recession. We talk about the challenges of the job market at that time and how she leveraged her volunteer leadership and extracurricular work to build skills, visibility, and career momentum.
- She speaks candidly about licensure, identity, and self-worth, unpacking the emotional realities of exams, motherhood, and redefining success beyond traditional firm roles.
- We highlight some of Erike’s most exciting roles, the impact she has had on the Philadelphia community, and how these opportunities led to the founding of Design Gym which blends architecture, design thinking, entrepreneurship, and education to help people of all ages build creativity and problem-solving confidence.
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Connect with Erike:
Design Gym Website
Design Gym LinkedIn
Design Gym Instagram
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Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
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Replay!
On today’s episode of Architectette we share a conversation with Jill Bergman, FAIA, FACHA. Jill is a Senior Health Strategist at HDR, based in San Francisco, California. She has focused on healthcare facility design for her entire career, mostly working on large projects and medical planning.
We talk about:
- The power of focusing her career on one specific project type and how her after-work involvement helped her deepen her knowledge of healthcare architecture, build a strong community, and expand her impact.
- Her recent elevation to FAIA and why she was advised to consider applying as a milestone, rather than a lifetime achievement (fun fact: it’s both!).
- We next talk about Jill’s early career experience as a mentee and how she draws from that experience as she heads the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health, Colleague 2 Colleague Mentorship Program.
- We talk a bit about applying the “yes, and...” principles of improv to architecture and Jill shares a few specific lessons from her incredible standing-room only 2023 Women’s Leadership Summit Session.
- We end by discussing how data analytics and benchmarking as well as in-person shadowing experiences in the hospital have influenced her work as an architect.
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
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Cari White is currently an Outsourced Controller with BlueStone Accounting Solutions. She has almost two decades worth of experience in the accounting industry where she has built meaningful relationships with her clients and colleagues. She prides herself on presenting financial information in an easily digestible format.
When not working, Cari is spending time with her family; watching the Ravens, Orioles, and Terps; and seeing Broadway shows at the Hippodrome.
We talk about:
- The relationship between design excellence and business sustainability. Cari explores the basic tenets of financial literacy for architects and defines essential KPIs. She explains how architecture firms can improve cash flow through more efficient invoicing and proactive communication with clients about scope creep.
- She highlights the positive impacts of introducing mid-career architects to project management concepts like budgets, staffing strategies, and profit margins to prepare them for leadership roles.
- As a person with architecture firm and non-architecture firm experience, Cari candidly discusses the benefits of seeking outside financial support when running a business.
- We end by chatting about the financial impact of caregiving on women’s careers, including how flexible work arrangements can retain talent while supporting long-term financial stability. Cari shares her experience negotiating flexible work schedules, making the business case for reduced hours, and maintaining trust in client-facing professional services roles.
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Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
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Replay!
On today’s episode of Architectette we are branching out from the AEC industry to welcome our friend Tigress Osborn!
Tigress is the Board Chair of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. NAAFA is a non-profit, volunteer, fat rights organization dedicated to protecting the rights and improving the quality of life for fat people.
We talk about:
- Tigress’ leadership at NAAFA and the goals of the organization
- The challenges people of larger body sizes face in the built environment
- The language to use during these conversations, accessibility laws, and the burden of literally not being able to fit in some public spaces
- We also talk about the specifics of furniture, layouts, restaurants, bathrooms, and even parking spaces!
- I hope designers will leave this conversation being a bit more mindful about ways that they can design spaces to be more inclusive
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette by leaving us a rating and review!
>>>
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Alicia Ponce, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, is the Founder and Design Principal of APMonarch, an award-winning Chicago based architecture firm celebrated for its leadership in sustainable design and adaptive reuse architecture. Guided by her ethos of “Lift as you Climb,” Alicia is the founder of Arquitina, a national nonprofit with a mission to go above and beyond the 1% of licensed Latina architects in the U.S.
She has published 3 books: Latinas in Architecture Volume I, II, and III which feature the inspiring stories of 60 architects. Her honors include the 2025 AIA Chicago Distinguished Service Award for her work with Arquitina, 2023 Breaking Glass Award from the Chicago Women in Architecture Foundation, Crain’s Notable Leaders in Sustainability, and the 2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Award. Alicia serves on the boards of Arquitina, United Way Metro Chicago, Professional Women in Construction, and is a Chicago Landmarks Commissioner.
We talk about:
- The mentors who encouraged Alicia to attend architecture school, the formative experience of studying abroad in Versailles, and how global travel reshaped her understanding of culture, history, and architectural potential.
- The dynamics of working directly with Santiago Calatrava on the Chicago O’Hare International Airport competition and how her knowledge of Spanish and sustainable building practices gave her an edge during the collaboration process.
- Alicia recounts the story of founding her firm after being laid off, finding her first client, and building a practice rooted in sustainability.
- The origins of Arquitina and how Alicia’s experiences during entrepreneurship, licensure, and motherhood helped her create a program that encourages participants to release shame, embrace their heritage, and achieve their goals in the profession.
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Connect with Alicia:
https://apmonarch.com/
https://www.arquitina.org/
@alicia_ponce_architect
@arquitina
@apmonarch
>>>
Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
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Replay!
On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome a dynamic duo! Aya Shlachter and Jing Lauengco are two outstanding women who connected over their mutual tenacity for entrepreneurship, design, and storytelling. Both women are business owners, entrepreneurs, and podcasters.
Aya Shlachter is the CEO and founder of MGS Global Group, a company that accelerates growth for architecture and design firms worldwide by providing architectural support and staffing services internationally. Her team provides Revit, ArchiCAD, AutoCAD, and 3D Visualization services to architects and interior designers. Aya is a keynote speaker and the host of the Architect My Business Podcast – a business growth podcast for architects.
Jing Lauengco is an award-winning Brand and Business Strategist and Producer and Host of NEXT THING WITH JING, a podcast exploring next chapters in the new now. Jing teaches modern entrepreneurs how to connect, convert, and engage using signature storytelling and brand building to drive growth.
We talk about:
- How Aya and Jing came to be friends and collaborators through their local entrepreneur community and how it has impacted their personal and professional lives.
- We talk about the challenges, uncertainties, and pivots of being serial founders and how each woman has built their own architecture and design industry businesses and have grown through each success, failure, or experiment.
- The power of storytelling: how understanding your story and being able to convey it to others can enrich your ability to connect, market, and grow.
- We also talk about their experiences as podcast hosts: favorite topics, guests, rebranding, and community building.
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
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Meghan Webster is the Co-Managing Director of Gensler Chicago, where she is driven by her lifelong passion for shaping human experiences. For the past 15 years, she has guided business strategy, built client engagement, and deepened her expertise in education, health, sciences, and civic markets at the firm. Currently, she is a Global Health Sector Leader, supporting the practice area’s focus on innovation and is a mentor and advocate for elevating the next generation of talent.
Meghan is a licensed architect and her notable project work includes the mHUB Innovation Center, Purdue University’s Mitch Daniels School of Business, and Wichita State University’s Barton School of Business.
We talk about:
- Meghan’s elevation to co-managing director and how she approaches leadership of more than 250 people across 18 practice areas.
- How leadership roles may emerge through a mix of self advocacy, finding your champion, client relationships, and being open to opportunities you may not initially feel ready for.
- Gensler’s thought leadership and how it is often a response to real client questions. Meghan shares how data can emerge from research partnerships, post occupancy studies, and design collaborations.
- The issues that her higher education clients are grappling with today, including funding uncertainty, AI, aging buildings, real estate strategy, and evolving global campuses. Meghan shares how Gensler is considering these topics and making their forecasts about the future of education.
>>>
Connect with Meghan:
LinkedIn
Gensler's Website
>>>
Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
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Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
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Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
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Replay!
On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Alexandra Chaves. Alexandra is a project manager at Restructure Studio in Austin TX, a mom, an Austin Women in Architecture (WiA) member, as well as the founder of the WiA 'Profiles' Subcommittee.
We talk about:
- Starting her education in Venezuela, finishing a graduate degree in the United States, and starting a career in New York City.
- Alexandra's career experience leading up to and during the 2008 recession and how she overcame getting laid off.
- We chat about her transition to Austin, working for a women-led and women employed architecture firm, and finding support and encouragement in WiA.
- What inspired her to establish the 'Profiles' series and how she works with her husband to put together exciting, thoughtful conversations with featured women in architecture.
- We end by chatting a bit about the architectural growth in Austin and how the design community is looking forward to encouraging positive change.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette by leaving us a rating and review!
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Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
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Jo Haas and Cynthia Torp join us to discuss their collaboration on The Dot Experience, the American Printing House for the Blind’s (APH) reimagined museum set to open in Louisville in October 2026. Designed around an unprecedented commitment to inclusive design, The Dot Experience aims to set a new global standard for accessibility in museums.
Named in homage to the six-dot system of Braille, The Dot Experience is about changing perspectives. Through powerful personal stories, hands-on interactive experiences, and innovations shaped by blind and low-vision collaborators including archival material from Helen Keller, the museum invites visitors to rethink accessibility and consider how each of us can help create a more inclusive world.
Jo Haas is Vice President of Advancement for The Dot Experience, where she is leading the team that will reshape the public’s understanding of blindness and disability through immersive, tactile learning. Her work reflects a career-long commitment to creativity, collaboration, and redefining inclusion in practice.
Cynthia Torp is the sole owner of Solid Light and has supervised the creation of unforgettable visitor experiences for museums, corporations, non-profits, universities, and visitor centers for over 40 years. Her expertise in storytelling coupled with her mastery of design and fabrication have helped her make an indelible mark on the museum and cultural world.
We talk about:
- We unpack the meaning of “nothing about us, without us” and how the project team reworked traditional project management to support inclusive reviews from blind and low-vision stakeholders. Cynthia shares how prototyping and focus groups continuously challenged the team’s design assumptions.
- Jo walks us through the creation of tactile replicas of archival objects, revealing how user feedback reshaped scale, detail, and mounting to produce touch-based experiences that are durable while being intuitive, dignified, and deeply meaningful.
- We dive deep into the design systems behind the museum, exploring how Solid Light balanced redundancy through tactile graphics, Braille, audio narration, QR codes, ASL, captions, visual descriptions, along with architectural tools like flooring, wayfinding, tactile maps, and high contrast graphics.
- The episode challenges architects and designers to rethink accessibility and sets The Dot Experience as a precedent for inclusive museum and exhibit design.
>>>
Connect with Jo and Cynthia of The Dot Experience:
The Dot Experience Website: https://thedotexperience.org/
Solid Light Website: https://solidlight-inc.com/work/american-printing-house-for-the-blind/
American Printing House for the Blind LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-printing-house-for-the-blind/
KET’s News
WAVE 3 News
Spectrum News 1
Museum Magazine
>>>
Thank you to our Sponsor:
Arcol is a collaborative building design tool built for modern teams. Arcol streamlines your design process by keeping your model, data, and presentations in sync- enabling your team to work together seamlessly.
Learn more about Arcol on their Website, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette:
- Leave us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
-
Replay!
On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Thuy Fontelera, P.E., S.E., LEED AP. Thuy is the founding principal of woman and minority-owned Element Structural Engineers. Their impressive work spans commercial and residential sectors, but what makes this company unlike any of their competitors is Thuy’s commitment to transforming what leadership and workplace culture looks like in the AEC industry.
We talk about:
- What it feels like to not match the stereotype of a structural engineer and how Thuy has faced and overcome discouragement.
- Wellness and workplace culture. Thuy encourages her employees to be open and honest with the team, take mental health days, and utilize wellness perks in the office- we joke that Thuy leads by example when she takes an occasional mid-day nap in Element’s wellness room!
- Empathy is another important topic we cover. Thuy shares what tools and methods she uses to create a workplace environment where people feel supported and encouraged.
- The realities of running a business like dealing with layoffs, nervousness during performance reviews, and having tough conversations.
- The hiring process and how adaptability and humility are the most important qualities that Thuy looks for in candidates.
- We end with a few book suggestions from Thuy’s library!
>>>
Connect with Architectette:
- Website: www.architectette.com (Learn more)
- Instagram: @architectette (See more)
- Newsletter: www.architectette.com/newsletter (Behind the Scenes Content)
- LinkedIn: The Architectette Podcast Page and/or Caitlin Brady
>>>
Support Architectette by leaving us a rating and review!
>>>
Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay.
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