Hello Reader,

This week in the Practice of Architecture community, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to run Practice of Architecture as an AI-first company—and what it would take to truly adopt that mindset.

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Eric Cesal recently asked whether any genuinely AI-first firms exist in our industry, and that question has stuck with me. There’s a fundamental difference between using AI tools to improve existing processes and reimagining an entire practice with AI as the foundation. The latter requires more than just swapping out a few tools—it calls for a complete rethinking of how we operate, make decisions, and deliver value.

To take that step, I need to reexamine how I use my entire tech stack.

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Expect to see some changes ahead as I begin to build new systems, workflows, and offerings—starting from the assumption that AI isn’t just a helpful layer but a core part of our operating model.

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At Practice of Architecture, our mission has always been to help architects design new careers and practices—and to practice new design. Not just design for buildings, but design for systems, services, and experiences that go beyond the built environment and ultimately allow us to build more of the buildings our communities need.

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Being AI-first is not just about speed or automation. It’s about asking better questions: What could this look like if we reimagined it entirely? Where can AI unlock new forms of support or strategy ?And where do we still need distinctly human judgment and care?

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As I explore this, I want to be transparent. I believe in building in public, so hopefully, I can bring you all along as I reimagine the Practice of Architecture from this AI-first perspective. I hope that this process sparks ideas, invites collaboration, and models what it might look like to challenge the status quo inside your own firm or career path.

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If these questions resonate, don’t miss this week’s episode of Practice Disrupted:

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🎧 Episode 187 – Architecture and a New Language for Material Decision-Making​

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In this conversation, we explore how the way we talk about—and select—materials is evolving, and how that shift reflects broader changes in the profession. This episode is part of a larger theme we keep returning to: architects stepping outside traditional roles to rethink how they create value. If you’ve been feeling the pull to evolve your practice or expand your influence beyond the building, this one’s for you.

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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: A New Language for Material Decision-Making How a non-technical founder built a tech solution to transform material selection for architects. In the latest episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee sits down with Vardhan Mehta, co-founder of AceLab, an AI-powered platform transforming how architects research and specify building materials. Vardhan shares his journey from practicing architect to tech entrepreneur, the inefficiencies he saw in traditional material selection, and how AceLab is helping firms make faster, data-driven product decisions. The conversation begins with Vardhan’s early career working on complex building envelopes for U.S. embassies and high-profile projects at MIT and Yale. He describes how his experiences in traditional architecture firms highlighted the challenges architects face when balancing sustainability, cost, performance, and aesthetics in material selection. Recognizing the need for a better solution, he co-founded AceLab with the mission of streamlining the process through AI-driven insights. Listen Here

CannonDesign’s Billie, An AI Companion Transforming Architectural Workflows How can AI transform knowledge sharing and efficiency in architecture? In the latest episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping workflows in architecture firms. She is joined by Emily Lotterer, National Marketing Operations Leader at CannonDesign, and Joel Yow, Director of Digital Products, to discuss the firm’s AI-powered tool, Billie. Designed as an internal AI companion, Billie helps streamline knowledge sharing, improve efficiency, and enhance collaboration across the firm. The conversation begins with the origins of Billie, which started as an AI hackathon project before evolving into a firm-wide tool. Emily and Joel share insights on how CannonDesign built and implemented Billie, balancing automation with human expertise to ensure security, accuracy, and practical value. Listen Here

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

​Fast Company's Most Innovative Architecture Companies for 2025 - Note that these awards, like deisgn awards, are always pay to play, but it is still interesting which firms make the list.

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​Pew Research Center: US Workers Are More Worried Than Hopeful About Future AI use within the Workplace - A new Pew Research Center survey finds that most U.S. workers have limited exposure to AI in their jobs, but younger and more educated employees are more likely to use AI tools.

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​Building Impact - Perspective and recommendations on the current state and future of architecture - The RAND Corporation, commissioned by AIA, NCARB, and ACSA, has released the Building Impact report—examining the gaps between academia and the realities of practice.

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Every article we share in our newsletter can be found in the Practice Community + Lab.

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