What does a career path look like when it’s guided by necessity, unconventional experiences, and a deep respect for place?

This week, we're joined by David Sellers, founder of Hawaii Off-Grid Architecture and Engineering and Surf Block, whose journey embodies designing within limits to create smarter, self-sustaining systems.

David shares his non-traditional path, from working as a mechanic and on Alaskan fishing boats to studying architecture in the Netherlands. These experiences fueled a fascination with self-sufficient systems, inspired by observing the integrated mechanics of boats. This led him to Hawaii, where high energy costs and resource constraints created the perfect environment to build a multidisciplinary practice focused on net-zero and off-grid projects. His firm, Hawaii Off-Grid, now mandates that all new buildings be at least net-zero, driven by both environmental values and a compelling economic proposition for clients.

The conversation also dives into Surf Block, a startup born from observing the sheer volume of surfboard foam waste filling local landfills. Inspired by insulated composite concrete forms (ICCFs), David saw an opportunity to turn this waste into a high-performance, resilient building material - resistant to hurricanes, mold, mildew, and termites - perfectly suited for Hawaii's climate and challenges. Now, Surf Block is playing a crucial role in the rebuilding efforts in Lahaina. David's hope is that his work inspires others to find similar opportunities in their own backyards.

“Necessity - that’s been the story of my life ever since. And I think that part of our architecture practice is rooted in necessity. There’s a necessity for us to have climate responsive design, because we’re seeing a shift in vernacular architecture.” - David Sellers

This episode concludes with a powerful reminder that innovation often stems from constraints and necessity. David’s story showcases how diverse experiences outside traditional architecture can enrich design thinking and lead to ventures with profound environmental and community impact. He demonstrates that architects' next frontier may lie not in grand scale, but in developing intelligent, self-sufficient systems that respond directly to the unique challenges of their place, ultimately inspiring others to find and create value in unexpected ways.

David Sellers is the founder of Hawaii Off-Grid Architecture and Engineering and the co-founder of Surf Block. With an unconventional background that includes working as a mechanic, on fishing boats, and studying architecture internationally, David brings a unique systems-thinking approach to sustainable design. His practice in Hawaii focuses on net-zero, off-grid, and climate-responsive projects driven by the unique environmental and economic necessities of the islands. Through Surf Block, he is pioneering the use of recycled surfboard foam waste to create innovative, resilient building materials for communities like Lahaina.

Is This Episode for You?

This episode is for you if:

✅ You are interested in off-grid, net-zero, and sustainable design practices.

✅ You believe necessity and constraints can be powerful drivers of innovation.

✅ You are inspired by unconventional career paths within and beyond architecture.

✅ You want to learn about innovative approaches to waste stream utilization and sustainable materials.

✅ You are looking for examples of architecture practices with a strong quadruple bottom line focus (community, environment, global impact, career progress).

📍 Show Links:

• Connect with David on LinkedIn
• Learn more about

What happens when a tech leader with a background in democratizing design at companies like Figma turns their attention to architecture?

This week, we're joined by Radhika Parashar Narain, Head of Marketing at Arcol, a software company reimagining how architects design and collaborate.

Coming from the world of Software as a Service (SaaS), Radhika offers a fresh and insightful perspective on a profession she finds fascinatingly complex and creative, yet overdue for better tools. She shares her initial shock at the fragmented, inefficient, and often joyless workflows architects are forced to navigate. Radhika discusses the cultural and practical hurdles to tech adoption in an industry rooted in tradition, from the high "cost of change" after years spent learning legacy software to a scarcity mindset around collaboration. The conversation explores how Arcol, founded with a "Figma for BIM" ethos, aims to bring simplicity, accessibility, and collaboration to the earliest stages of design.

Ultimately, Radhika’s vision is not about disruption for its own sake, but about empowerment. She argues that by embracing intuitively designed, cloud-based tools, architects can reduce friction, foster collaboration, and rediscover the joy in their craft. Her hope is for architects to raise their standards for the software they use every day.

"My hope for the profession is for architects to have as high expectations as we have of the tools that we can foresee and we can kind of imagine can bring that joy back to the process." - Radhika Parashar Narain

This episode concludes with a call for the profession to see technology as a leverage point. Radhika encourages architects, especially students and smaller firms, to experiment early, build collaboration as a muscle, and use new tools to "punch above their weight." By democratizing access to powerful, well-designed software, the next generation can move beyond the limitations of legacy systems and focus on what they do best: creating the built world.

Guest:

Radhika Parashar Narain is the Head of Marketing at Arcol, a software company building a new generation of design and collaboration tools for architects. With a background in SaaS and design technology, including a tenure at Figma, she is passionate about empowering creators with better tools and making design more accessible to everyone.

Is This Episode for You?

This episode is for you if:

✅ You are an architect frustrated with your current software and workflows.

✅ You are curious about how the mindset of Silicon Valley (SaaS) applies to the AEC industry. ✅ You want to understand the challenges and opportunities of tech adoption in architecture.

✅ You believe in the power of technology to democratize design and empower smaller firms. ✅ You are a student or educator looking for the next wave of tools that will shape the future of practice.

📍 Show Links:

• Learn more about Arcol
• Connect with Radhika on LinkedIn

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What does it take to build and fund the companies that are truly transforming the built environment?

This week, we are joined by Jesse Devitte, co-founder and General Partner of Building Ventures and a pioneer who has spent over three decades at the intersection of architecture, construction, and technology.

Jesse shares his remarkable journey, from co-founding SoftDesk, the company that laid the groundwork for Autodesk's AEC division in the early 90s, to becoming one of the first venture capitalists dedicated to the industry. He explains the origin of Building Ventures, a firm created to invest across the entire lifecycle of how we design, build, and operate our world. Supported by a network of industry leaders, the firm was founded on the belief that a wave of innovation was coming, and the built environment was ready for a new generation of transformative companies.

The conversation offers a rare look inside the mind of an investor, exploring the evolution of AEC tech, the business model challenges facing architecture firms, and what it takes to get a startup funded. Jesse reveals that his team looks for more than just a good idea; they look for founders with a unique, firsthand understanding of the problem they are solving.

"We want them to really not pitch us on a solution for their problem. We want them to be in love with the problem. That's an earned secret to us that someone has that they can apply that makes them really unique." - Jesse Devitte

This episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective on where the industry is headed. Jesse argues that the path forward requires a mindset shift from all players: architects must "lean in" to new opportunities like industrialized construction to maintain influence, and the industry as a whole must foster a collaborative ecosystem where startups, incumbents like Autodesk, and practitioners work together to drive progress. His story is a guide to where opportunity lives, offering invaluable insights for both aspiring entrepreneurs and firm leaders wondering how capital, innovation, and design intersect to shape the future of practice.

Guest:

Jesse Devitte is a co-founder and General Partner at Building Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups that are transforming the built environment. With a career spanning over 30 years, Jesse was a pioneer in AEC software development, co-founding SoftDesk, which was acquired by Autodesk to create its AEC Market Group. He later became one of the first VCs to focus on the built world, with early investments in iconic companies like SketchUp. Through Building Ventures, he continues to support entrepreneurs who are improving how we design, build, and operate our world.

Is This Episode for You?

This episode is for you if:

✅ You are an entrepreneur with a startup idea for the AEC industry and want to know what investors look for.

✅ You are a firm leader trying to understand the broader trends in AEC technology and investment.

✅ You are curious about the evolution of venture capital in the built environment.

✅ You want to hear the perspective of a pioneer who has shaped AEC software from the beginning.

✅ You are interested in the future of design tech, pre-construction, sustainability, and industrialized construction.

📍 Show Links:

• Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Building Ventures

📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:

How do you build a career with intention, navigate unsupportive environments, and find the mentors who will champion your growth?

This week, we are joined by Leslie Sydnor, an architect and design manager whose journey offers a masterclass in resilience, self-advocacy, and the power of networks.

Leslie shares her story, from being inspired by New York City construction sites as a child to finding her path at Yale and UCLA. She offers a candid look at her career, including her "dream job" designing low-income housing for the City of New York, her time in small, supportive firms, and a challenging stint in a corporate environment that confirmed her fears about who gets to climb the ladder. A pivotal point in her career was finding a mentor in Helena Jubany, who saw her potential and taught her how to run an office, a relationship that shaped her understanding of what’s possible as a woman of color in architecture.

Now a Design Manager for the country's largest community college district, Leslie acts as a crucial translator between the massive institution and its architects. She argues this is not a role architects have "given up," but a necessary function in a complex bureaucracy, one best filled by an architect who can advocate for the design team.

"Find your tribe and keep them close. Architecture is such a small, interconnected world - you’ll cross paths with classmates, colleagues, even old bosses, again and again. Your tribe will support you, tell you about jobs, and help you when you need it most." - Leslie Sydnor

This episode concludes with Leslie’s core advice for the next generation of architects, distilled from years of experience and her current role as an educator at Cal Poly Pomona. She emphasizes the importance of strategy, flexibility, and building a strong professional network, summed up in her key mantra: "Find your tribe and keep them close." Her story is a powerful reminder to treat job interviews as a two-way street, to ask the hard questions, and to find the environments and people who align with your values and will support your long-term success.

Guest:

Leslie Sydnor is an architect and Design Manager with the Cumming Group, currently working with the Los Angeles Community College District. With a career spanning traditional practice in firms both large and small, design-build, and now owner-side representation, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. A graduate of Yale University and UCLA, Leslie is also an educator at Cal Poly Pomona, where she teaches project management and mentors students on building intentional careers. As one of the first few hundred licensed Black women architects in the U.S., she is a passionate advocate for diversity, mentorship, and self-advocacy within the profession.

Is This Episode for You?

This episode is for you if:

✅ You are a young professional seeking advice on how to navigate the architecture industry and find supportive firms.

✅ You want to understand the career path of a design manager and what the role entails.

✅ You are inspired by stories of mentorship and the impact of finding the right champions in your career.

✅ You have felt undervalued and want to learn more about the importance of self-advocacy.

✅ You believe in the power of networks and want to be more strategic about building your professional community

📍 Show Links:

• Connect with Leslie on LinkedIn
• Follow Leslie on Instagram
• Visit Cal Poly Pomona’s

How can architects remain relevant in a world where cities are as digital as they are physical?

In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee sits down with Bryan Boyer, Co-Founder of Dash Marshall and Faculty Director of the Urban Technology Program at the University of Michigan. Bryan’s career bridges technology, design, and urbanism - and through his leadership, he is training the next generation of designers to think differently about how we build, govern, and inhabit our cities.

Bryan shares the origins of the Urban Technology program, why he believes the built environment has lagged behind other industries in digitization, and how the program prepares students to be equally fluent in architecture, planning, and technology. He highlights how fragmentation in the AEC industry creates a “chain drain” of intelligence and argues that architects need to reclaim agency by embracing new tools, methods, and mindsets.

The conversation delves into the unique curriculum of Urban Tech, which integrates cities, technology, and design. Students learn to view cities as complex systems, develop technical fluency in coding and data science, and practice forms of service and strategic design that extend beyond traditional building. Bryan also reflects on how AI, automation, and interaction design are reshaping the skills architects need, and what this means for education, practice, and the profession as a whole.

“Our cities today are fully physical and fully digital. The challenge isn’t just to bridge the gap between urbanist and technologist - it’s to prepare a new generation who doesn’t believe that gap exists at all.” – Bryan Boyer

This episode concludes with Bryan’s vision for the future: a profession that works with urgency, embraces user research, and balances long-term aspirations with near-term agency. He challenges architects to move beyond utopian visions and engage directly with the realities of policy, economy, and technology in order to create cities of shared prosperity, sustainability, and joy.

Guest:

Bryan Boyer is the Co-Founder of Dash Marshall, a design practice that works across architecture, interiors, and strategy. He is also the Faculty Director of the Urban Technology Program at the University of Michigan, where he leads an innovative undergraduate degree exploring the intersection of cities, technology, and design. His career spans architecture, technology, and public sector work, including roles at Sidewalk Labs, the Helsinki Design Lab, and the Office of New Urban Mechanics.

Is This Episode for You?

This episode is for you if:

✅ You want to understand how technology and architecture intersect in urban contexts

✅ You’re curious about new forms of design education and career paths

✅ You’re grappling with the challenges of fragmentation in the AEC industry

✅ You believe architects should embrace coding, user research, and new design methods

✅ You’re interested in what the future of urban practice looks like in a digital era

📍 Show Links:

• Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn
• Follow Bryan on Instagram
• Visit Bryan’s Website
• Subscribe to Urban Technology Substack
• Learn more about

What happens when a public servant becomes a tech founder to solve the problems they face every day?

This week, we're joined by Nichole Sterling, the Mayor Pro Tem of Nederland, Colorado, and the founder of MyTownAI. Her journey offers a unique perspective on how technology can reshape civic decision-making from the inside out.

Nichole shares the origin story of MyTownAI, a venture born from the "pain" of watching her own small-town staff navigate a maze of disconnected sources - zoning maps, municipal codes, county websites, and even Zillow, just to answer a simple question like, "What can be built on this parcel of land?". To address this, she developed MyTownAI, an intelligent data hub that consolidates information and utilizes low-cost digital twins to enable municipalities to run simulations, ranging from modeling the impact of zoning changes to exploring economic development strategies.

The platform is designed to serve the vast, often-overlooked majority of American communities: the 83% of towns with fewer than 10,000 people. By providing accessible AI tools to under-resourced governments, Nichole is driven by a powerful vision for the future of the public sector.

"I want to see local governments become the next wave of innovation. If you think about it, just that a very small disruption at the local government level has the potential to make huge waves." - Nichole Sterling

This episode concludes with an exploration of how a tool built for government can create a more transparent and collaborative ecosystem for all. MyTownAI aims to enhance civic participation by giving citizens direct access to information and a platform to co-create ideas for their communities. For architects and developers, it represents a future where they can quickly find community-aligned opportunities, accelerating a process that is often opaque and slow. Ultimately, Nichole's work challenges architects to evolve their value proposition from being navigators of a complex system to becoming strategic partners in a data-empowered, citizen-driven future.

Guest:

Nichole Sterling is the Mayor Pro Tem of Nederland, Colorado, the founder of MyTownAI, and the co-founder of the nonprofit Women Defining AI. As a public servant and civic tech founder, she is focused on leveraging artificial intelligence to empower small and under-resourced municipalities. Her work aims to make government more efficient, transparent, and innovative by providing accessible tools for data analysis, scenario planning, and civic engagement.

Is This Episode for You?

This episode is for you if:

✅ You are an architect or planner who feels the pain of navigating fragmented municipal data. ✅ You are interested in how AI and digital twins can be applied at the local government level. ✅ You want to understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing small towns.

✅ You are inspired by stories of non-technical founders solving real-world problems.

✅ You believe technology can enhance civic participation and create more collaborative communities.

📍 Show Links:

• Connect with Nichole LinkedIn
• Visit MyTownAI’s Website
• Visit Woman Defining AI’s Website
• Listen to the Previous Episode with Nichole

📍...

How can a career in architecture be more than a single path, but a foundation for a multifaceted professional life?

This week, we welcome back Mikael Avery, a designer, educator, and healthcare professional, for a deep dive into his own remarkable journey. Mikael’s story is one of continuous exploration, starting with a degree in landscape architecture before moving through urban design, a traditional architectural apprenticeship, and a solo digital fabrication practice. Driven by a desire for a larger impact, he then made a significant pivot, earning a master's degree in occupational therapy to learn about healthcare from the inside out. Today, his work weaves all these threads together as a senior lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, a collaborator with design firms, and the co-leader of a medical device startup.

Throughout the conversation, Mikael explains how he sees these varied roles not as separate careers, but as different facets of one cohesive professional identity: that of a designer and educator. He shares invaluable insights into the cross-pollination of skills between fields, how his designer’s mindset informs his work in healthcare, and how the crucial soft skills learned in occupational therapy, like building instant rapport with clients, are vital for architects. His ultimate hope for the profession is a return to its fundamental purpose.

"Architecture is a service profession. Because our work is in service of the people. And so I think the more students who graduate and really appreciate that service aspect of architecture and design, I think the more in demand designers will be." - Mikael Avery

This episode concludes with a powerful reframing of what a career can be. Mikael’s journey is a testament to seeing a career not as a linear path to be followed, but as a continuous development propelled by curiosity and a desire to learn. He offers actionable advice for anyone looking to forge their own way: start with confidence in your design skills, be curious, learn the language of other industries, and build a network to create opportunities. His story is a compelling case for how a commitment to service can unlock the true value of design in any field.

Guest:

Mikael Avery is a designer, educator, maker, and healthcare professional working at the intersection of architecture, product design, and health. He is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches courses in the architecture department and the Integrated Product Design program. Alongside his teaching, he advises healthcare systems, collaborates with design firms like Fifteen, and co-leads a medical device startup, embodying a truly interdisciplinary approach to practice.

Is This Episode for You?

This episode is for you if:

✅ You are exploring a non-linear career and want to see how different interests can form a cohesive whole.

✅ You want to understand how skills from other industries, like healthcare, can benefit architectural practice.

✅ You are a student or young professional seeking advice on how to forge your own unique career path.

✅ You believe in the power of design to have a larger social impact beyond the building.

✅ You are inspired by the idea of architecture as a service profession and want to explore what that means.

📍 Show Links:

• Connect with Mikael LinkedIn
• Visit FIFTEEN’s Website

📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:

What happens when an architect’s skillset is applied not just to buildings, but to the complex systems that shape our cities, policies, and climate?

This week, Evelyn is joined by co-host Larry Fabbroni and his longtime friend and Carnegie Mellon classmate, Mark Chambers, an environmental policy leader and architect who has taken his training from design studios to city halls and the White House.

This rich conversation explores Mark's remarkable career arc, from practicing architect to the Sustainability Director for Washington D.C. and New York City, and later, the first Senior Director for Building Emissions and Community Resilience in the Biden White House. Mark explains how he views his architectural training as the discipline of a "three-dimensional problem solver," a skill that allows him to deconstruct and reassemble complex policy challenges just as he would a building. He argues that this skillset is a strategic advantage, especially in interdisciplinary rooms where the architectural perspective is unique and highly valued.

The discussion goes beyond resumes to tackle the big questions facing the profession and society. When asked how architects can secure more value for their work, Mark challenges the premise of fighting for a bigger piece of the existing pie.

"I'm questioning the whole pie. I'm questioning the way in which the pie was set up. It's like, I don't want a bigger slice. I want a different pie." - Mark Chambers

This episode concludes with a masterclass in optimistic disruption, as Mark advocates for a fundamental reimagining of the architect's role - from a service provider to an owner, a caretaker, and a shaper of systems. He offers advice for professionals at any stage on how to build a personal narrative, take calculated chances, find their audience, and use their unique skills to drive collective action and build the future they want to see.

Mark Chambers is an architect, environmental policy leader, and social impact designer focused on the intersection of climate action, community, and the built environment. His career has been dedicated to public service, having served as the Director of Sustainability for both New York City and Washington D.C., and as the Senior Director for Building Emissions and Community Resilience for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Mark uses his architectural training to solve complex systemic problems and advocate for a more sustainable and equitable future.

Larry Fabbroni is an architect with over two decades in practice. He formerly led master planning projects at Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects and Strada Architecture, working on some of the largest development projects in the U.S. Today, he serves as a consultant specializing in strategic pre-development services and as CIO for the Practice of Architecture. Larry earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he focused on entrepreneurship and strategy.

This episode is for you if:

✅ You are curious about career paths for architects in public policy, climate action, and government.

✅ You want to understand how an architectural skillset can be a strategic advantage in non-traditional roles.

✅ You feel frustrated by the existing systems and are looking for inspiration to challenge the status quo.

✅ You are seeking an optimistic framework for staying hopeful and effective in a time of uncertainty.

✅ You want advice on how to build a career narrative, take chances, and find your voice to make an impact.

📍 Show Links:

• Connect with Mark on