{"podcast":{"title":"Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture","slug":"practice-disrupted-by-practice-of-architecture-804792","podcast_index_feed_id":804792,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/practicedisrupted/","website_url":"https://practiceofarchitecture.com/podcast/","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/a7351a17-e837-44ba-b6cd-d16279cd41bd/WTx3hzqmiBf-0YwaX4XHFYaE.jpeg","author":"Evelyn Lee","episode_count":281,"summary":"The evolution of architectural practice has been relatively slow towards change, yet modern shifts in business and design management have prompted today's leading architects to rethink how they work. On Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee, FAIA, NOMA, an architect, angel investor, fractional COO, and Founder of Practice of Architecture, sets out to illuminate the future of the profession to help architects remain relevant and valuable in a changing world. She will explore how technology, cultural shifts, and emerging best practices are prompting firm owners to reassess their business models and adjust their studios. Each episode features an industry leader who explores the new frontier of architectural practice.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-02T20:21:15.515737+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/practice-disrupted-by-practice-of-architecture-804792"},"episode":{"title":"230: Claiming the Room: How FORA Built a Business Architects Kept Walking Past","slug":"230-claiming-the-room-how-fora-built-a-business-architects-kept-walking-past","published_at":"2026-04-09T10:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/practice-disrupted-by-practice-of-architecture-804792/230-claiming-the-room-how-fora-built-a-business-architects-kept-walking-past","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/practice-disrupted-by-practice-of-architecture-804792","url":"https://practiceofarchitecture.com/podcast/","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/4c58879d-258a-4697-82b2-da792ab298ca.mp3","summary":"How much of what architects claim they value actually shows up in how they practice, especially when it comes to community engagement? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee is joined by the leadership team from Architects Fora: Leah Alissa Bayer (President), Kate Conley and Sarah Vaccaro (Principals), and Nicole Little (Community Engagement Lead). Together, they pull back the curtain on how their firm successfully transitioned community engagement from a nebulous, often pro-bono \"extra\" into a structured, billable service called Engage Fora. Nicole, whose dual background in architecture and urban planning drives this initiative, shares how she leveraged the firm’s unique 20% research-and-passion-time policy to build a full-service practice area that bridges the gap between design and the people it serves. The conversation explores the internal mechanics of a firm that prioritizes \"slow-burn\" hiring and deep value alignment. Leah, Kate, and Sarah discuss the intentionality behind their remote-first structure and how they empower staff to pursue professional convictions that move the needle for the entire industry. Nicole reflects on her personal history, growing up in housing that actively harmed her family’s health, and how that experience became the professional catalyst for ensuring that community voices are not just heard, but are fundamentally integrated into the architectural process through a sustainable business model. \"I think our role as young professionals is to bring in that fresh new perspective. To be disruptive and change the field for the better.\" - Nicole Little This episode is a masterclass in aligning firm operations with personal and professional convictions. The team breaks down the logistical challenge of building a community engag…","meta_description":"How much of what architects claim they value actually shows up in how they practice, especially when it comes to community engagement? In this episode of…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3366,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/practice-disrupted-by-practice-of-architecture-804792/episodes/230-claiming-the-room-how-fora-built-a-business-architects-kept-walking-past/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/practice-disrupted-by-practice-of-architecture-804792/230-claiming-the-room-how-fora-built-a-business-architects-kept-walking-past.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}