#381 - Anthony Laney on Craft, Clarity, and the Definition of Home
In this episode of Archispeak, we sit down with architect Anthony Laney to explore the ideas behind his new book, Poetics of Home. We talk about what it really takes to design spaces that feel deeply human and how his team at Laney LA has built a practice around clarity, rigor, and emotional resonance.We dig into the invisible forces that shape a great project: the trust between architects and builders, the discipline required to strip a design down to its essentials, and the humility it takes to let a home reveal what it wants to become. Anthony shares stories from the field, from working with an extraordinary build team to navigating the inevitable surprises that show up during construction, and how those moments often lead to the most beautiful outcomes.Across generations in our profession, there’s a hunger for meaning in the work. This conversation gets right to the heart of that. Whether you’re just entering architecture or you’ve been at it for decades, Anthony’s perspective is a powerful reminder of why we do this in the first place: to create places where people can live well.Episode Links:POETICS of HOME by Laney LAAmazon Link-----Have a question for the hosts? Ask it at AskArchispeak.comThank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.Support Archispeak by making a donation.
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53:50
#380 - The Vibe
In this episode of Archispeak, we talk about that elusive quality that aligns people with great art (and spaces)—but this time through the lens of a real-world architectural field trip. Evan shares his recent trip to Iowa, where he spent time touring projects and hanging out with the folks at OPN Architects. We dive into why the atmosphere of a place, both in architecture and in practice, matters more than most people realize.Episode Links:Watch this episode on YouTube (with all the pictures that go along with the conversation!)Jeff Skunk Baxter - Harmonic Vibration & the Human Spirit (YouTube)The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin (Amazon)tetragrammaton podcastRick Beato’s interview of David Gilmour (YouTube)OPN ArchitectsPickle Palace-----Have a question for the hosts? Ask it at AskArchispeak.comThank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.Support Archispeak by making a donation.
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51:30
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51:30
#379 - Step Back to Move the Work Forward
In this episode we discuss how taking a step back from work leads to better architecture. We talk about concrete ways to break free from constant busyness, when to pause instead of charging ahead, and how technology can both help and hurt creative solutions. We offer clear, practical advice on finding the right balance between thinking things through and getting work done.-----Have a question for the hosts? Ask it at AskArchispeak.comThank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.Support Archispeak by making a donation.
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55:21
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55:21
#378 - Misalignments of Rigor
In this episode of Archispeak, we trade fresh field notes from Cormac’s latest midwestern architecture road trip and wrestle with the title theme: Misalignments of Rigor. Cormac stands in the rain in Toledo to watch a Gehry facade actually perform, peek at SANAA’s elegant double-skin glass and its (imperfect) parapet detail, and then compare all of it to a new addition grafted onto a Louis Kahn building that seems to ignore his relentless order. Along the way, we unpack preservation vs. recreation, how committees and clients steer “of-our-time” interventions, and why tiny choices like material transitions, door proportions, and device locations (aka wall warts) make or break the whole. For students, emerging pros, and firm leaders alike, we turn on-the-ground observations into practical takeaways: where rigor matters, when to prototype, how to collaborate with manufacturers, and how to keep design intent aligned with construction reality so your next addition reads as deliberate, not accidental.-----Have a question for the hosts? Ask it at AskArchispeak.comThank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.Support Archispeak by making a donation.
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42:03
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#377 - The Disconnect Between Academia and Practice
In this episode of Archispeak, we dive into the tough reality of how the architecture profession often fails its own. From the way firms accelerate project timelines while under-developing young talent, to the disconnect between academia and practice, we ask hard questions about why architects feel overworked, underprepared, and sometimes completely betrayed by the system they’ve dedicated their careers to. We explore how the industry’s obsession with speed and efficiency robs emerging professionals of essential learning opportunities, and why bad leadership and broken processes keep compounding the problem. Through real-world stories—from 52-minute model load times to lessons learned only through hard-earned experience—we grapple with whether the profession can change course, or if it’s destined to keep “eating its young.”Episode Links:Are students prepared for practice? (AIA article)-----Have a question for the hosts? Ask it at AskArchispeak.comThank you for listening to Archispeak. For more episodes please visit https://archispeakpodcast.com.Support Archispeak by making a donation.
What’s it really like to work in architecture? The hosts of Archispeak know, and they’re here to share real-life experiences. Since 2012 architects Evan Troxel and Cormac Phalen have been podcasting their brand of real talk on everything from design, tools, and work/life balance to generational differences, mentoring, job hunting, and more. Probing questions, revelatory interviews, and unique insights have grown their audience and become a weekly ritual for students and seasoned professionals alike. To join the conversation or learn more about the hosts, visit archispeakpodcast.com
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