Hello Reader,

I just returned from a trip to Southeast Asia, where I had the opportunity to meet with leaders from architecture organizations across the region. What struck me most was how familiar the conversations felt: no matter where you practice, the challenges architects face around business operations echo what we’ve been talking about here at home.

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The story is the same: a gap between what we learn in school and what’s actually needed to run a thriving practice. It’s not just about missing skills—it’s about the systems, structures, and support we don’t build within our firms. And as I listened, it became clear: the need for better business acumen in architecture isn’t just a local issue—it’s a global one.

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That’s why this week’s podcast episode feels so timely. I sat down with Nima Balasubramanian, Director of Architecture at the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), to explore how architects can forge stronger connections with materials, industry partners, and alternative career paths. Nima’s journey—from working in traditional firms to launching her own practice abroad, to now leading the Architecture Center at AISC—offers lessons in resilience, reinvention, and redefining success on your own terms.

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We talk about the cultural shifts needed in practice, the burnout baked into old models, and why hands-on experiences (like welding workshops) can reignite our connection to the materials we design with.

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👉 Tune in to the full conversation here:

​Architecture And: Bridging Design and Industry with Nima Balasubramanian​

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Keep learning and growing,

Evelyn M Lee, FAIA | NOMA Founder, Practice of Architecture Host, Practice Disrupted & Fractional COO

/// PoA Podcast - Practice Disrupted ///

Architecture, And: Bridging Design and Industry with Nima Balasubramanian How can architects build better relationships with materials – and each other? listen here

/// Practice Community + LAB /// What we're reading and sharing ///

​Voices of Gen Z: Preparing the Heartland for an AI Future - Despite widespread adoption of AI tools by Gen Z, significant gaps in formal preparation and training persist—architecture firms should proactively upskill emerging professionals in AI competencies to bridge this readiness gap and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving, tech-driven industry.

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