We’re back! After taking a short break, the Practice of Architecture newsletter is back in your inbox—did you miss us? A lot has happened while we were away, and we hope you’ve been navigating the chaos with resilience.
This past month has been heavy. The devastating fires in Southern California have hit close to home—literally. A place I’ve called home for half my adult life is now marked by loss. Entire families, homes, and dreams have been upended overnight. The destruction is staggering—not just in lost structures but in how it has transformed entire communities. While I believe in the incredible resilience of Southern California, that faith doesn’t lessen the acute pain of what’s been lost.
At the same time, a new administration is taking shape, rolling out executive orders that leave me wrestling with their potential impact—on our industry, our businesses, and the future we’re working to build. And just when we needed a sign of stability, the billings index took another downward turn.
One thing remains clear: Architects must be adaptable, forward-thinking, and resilient.
That’s precisely why we created this space—to navigate these shifts together, challenge outdated systems, and rethink the future of practice.
To cap off Season 9 of Practice Disrupted, we’re bringing you a must-listen episode: 🎙️ Architectette Takes on Practice Disrupted 🔗 Listen here
This episode wraps up our season with a robust conversation about what it means to challenge the status quo in architecture. If you’ve been feeling the weight of industry shifts, this one is for you.
And we’re not slowing down. Season 10 of Practice Disrupted launches on the first Thursday in February! We’ve got some incredible conversations lined up to help you build resilience, navigate change, and rethink the future of practice.
Let’s keep the conversation going—what’s been on your mind lately? Hit reply and let us know.
Keep learning and growing,
Evelyn M Lee, FAIA | NOMA
Founder, Practice of Architecture & Host, Practice Disrupted & Fractional COO
/// PoA Podcast - Practice Disrupted ///
How can architects redefine leadership and success in a changing profession?
In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee takes the guest chair as Caitlin Brady, AIA, flips the script for a reflective and thought-provoking season finale. Caitlin, a Project Architect, inclusion advocate, and host of the podcast Architectette, leads this candid discussion about the evolution of career paths in architecture. Together, they explore lessons in leadership, generational dynamics in the workplace, and balancing personal and professional identities.
The conversation begins with Evelyn’s reflections on pivotal career moments, including her transition out of traditional practice and into tech, and her current journey as an entrepreneur. Caitlin and Evelyn discuss how architecture professionals can adapt to generational shifts, navigate hybrid work models, and challenge traditional definitions of success. They also delve into the value architects bring to their clients beyond design.
How can architects use data and technology to build sustainably?
In this episode of Practice Disrupted, we sit down with Sandeep Ahuja, Co-Founder & CEO of CoveTool and co-author of Build Like It’s the End of the World. Known for her innovative contributions to the architecture and sustainability space, Sandeep shares her journey from licensed architect to tech entrepreneur. Together, we explore how data, AI, and a shift in business models are reshaping the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.
We begin by diving into Sandeep’s newly released book, Build Like It’s the End of the World. She discusses the inspiration behind the book, which provides a comprehensive guide to building sustainably in today’s climate. From financial implications to actionable strategies, the book is designed to empower everyone in the AEC industry—from students to seasoned professionals.
/// Practice Community + LAB /// What we're reading and sharing ///
How this Tokyo Robot Cafe is Changing Lives - This is one of the most humane uses of robots I have seen in a while, and none of it is fiction - it’s truly changing lives.
Architecture Software in 2025 - “Show It Better” has created a breakdown of where market-ready Architecture software is going in 2025.
PBS: Weathered- "When will we stop moving to the riskiest regions."
Lake | Flato Investigations - Lake|Flato's Investigations initiative empowers team members to conduct independent research that enhances the firm's collective expertise, particularly in design and sustainability. This program encourages exploration of the connections between the built environment and human and ecological well-being.
Every article we share in our newsletter can be found in the Practice Community + Lab.
2025 Hello Reader, Last week, I had the incredible honor of presenting the 2025 AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion for Excellence in Architectural Education to someone who’s shaped my thinking for over two decades—Tom Fisher. We met at an ArchVoices retreat in the late '90s, and from that first conversation, Tom pushed me to stay curious, critical, and deeply engaged in rethinking how architecture serves society. To recognize his contributions now felt like a full-circle moment—one rooted in personal...
2025 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. 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...
2025 Hello Reader, After weeks on the road, I've treasured this past week at home—a much-needed reset before diving back into the whirlwind. Today, I'm swapping keynote stages for something possibly more challenging: serving as the mystery reader in my daughter's classroom. Frankly, I suspect these young critics might be tougher to impress than any conference audience I've faced! Behind the scenes, I've been revamping my business operations in Notion, streamlining systems that were overdue...