Earlier this week, I was reading a brief for an exhibition at a well-known school of architecture and something stood out to me, something that seems to be a typical case in academic circles. I read this prompt, which was probably about 500 words. At the end, I had no idea what the... View full entry

In the hunt for new team members, an ideal aim for most firms is to establish oneself as a kind of talent magnet. Quality response from quality candidates is an ideal outcome for any job advertisement. A crucial aspect in achieving this is in the representation of one's public image. A firm must... View full entry

Writing a job ad can seem like a toneless task. Just get it out it out there as fast a possible, we need people, some might think. But, really, the desired outcome is to attract the best talent, and that takes some finesse. Especially in our current market, where job-seekers have a plethora of... View full entry

In his Masterclass, Frank Gehry touches on an important creative principle: "I have always felt if you know what you are going to do in advance then you won't do it. Your creativity starts with whether you're curious or not." It's an intriguing point. As I rewatched the trailer for the course, it... View full entry

In our professional growth, learning new skills and gaining new knowledge are foundational to our progress. Mentors guide our trajectory, and our experiences sharpen our competency. However, we can't always rely on the received information presented to us by other people. Instead, in many cases... View full entry

Collaborative conceptions Pride attaches undue importance to the superiority of one's status in the eyes of others; and shame is fear of humiliation at one's inferior status in the estimation of others. When one sets one's heart on being highly esteemed, and achieves such rating, then he or she is... View full entry

A couple of weeks ago we looked at the importance of tailoring your resume to a particular job opportunity. While a resume provides a brief picture of your experience, a portfolio presents a tangible proof of your ability. Today, we'll look at one overarching principle that can work as a measuring... View full entry

A common question when preparing for an interview is on what to wear. A tie? A blazer? Is a dress okay or pants? Are sneakers too casual?How does one determine what's appropriate and what's over the top? First, it's important to understand that dress is only one factor when it comes to making a... View full entry

Like many professionals, our days in architecture can get hectic. We try to manage the emails, the meetings, and the deadlines. In our efforts to check off all of our boxes we can sometimes fall short. With everything from calendar apps to team management softwares, we have a multitude of tools to... View full entry

Small talk is a dreaded practice for many professionals. It's often forced, and the parties involved participate out of obligation as opposed to genuine interest. Naturally, there are those of us who don't mind it, we actually enjoy it. Instead of hysterically pressing the close door button in the... View full entry

We all have enemies 'If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.' - Sun Tzu... View full entry

Abraham Lincoln's Disappointment In the summer of 1863 after three days of brutal warfare, the Battle of Gettysburg culminated with the retreat of Robert E. Lee's army, something, that at the time, President Lincoln was not happy about. While the battle was seen as a triumph for the Union Army... View full entry

If there is one skill we learn as architects and designers, it's how to talk. We know how to dress up our ideas and present them eloquently and compellingly. As a result, we sometimes build a tricky habit of winging presentations. This happens in school and in professional practice. Most of the... View full entry

The all-nighter is a common occurrence in architecture today, especially in school. We briefly explored the reasons for this growing phenomenon in The Architecture Student's Guide to Studio, but let's dive a little deeper into the issue. Here are 2 things you should ask yourself before you... View full entry

Resumes are kind of a default when it comes to job hunting. Sometimes they might even seem like an accessory to your portfolio and work samples. In a sense it is, but only with the right sense of value. Like a building made of many parts, some more visible and beautiful and others more rough and... View full entry