Open Plan Podcast

Get ready for an unfiltered catch up of what happened this summer! It's been a whirlwind of life events and we are catching you up on all things wedding, Eras Tour, vacations and we get a bit ~deep~ at the end. We hope you enjoy! Here are timestamps:0:00 Intro1:30 Eras Tour Recap9:30 Emily in Atlanta11:03 Hamptons Bachelorette13:43 Brazil Wedding44:10 Maria's TakeawaysSupport the show

In this episode, Emily and Maria share practical habits they are incorporating into their daily life that breaks up the monotony of the everyday grind & brings the joy back into simply LIVING. We hope this episode inspires you! Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0Support the show

In our next installment of the ARE 5.0 Series, Emily goes solo to talk about the 3rd exam in our recommended test order - Construction & Evaluation!  She covers the content of the key sections in the test, goes over practice questions, and covers study resources + miscellaneous tips that YOU need to PASS this exam! Good luck to everyone studying - we are rooting for you! Be sure to follow @openplanpodcast on Instagram for even more ARE content & fun architecture tips and tricks. Timestamps:4:06 - Content of test & practice questions17:55 - Study Resources28:00 - Miscellaneous tipsUse code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0RESOURCES MENTIONED:Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP)AHPP Wiley GuideAIA ContractsBallast (PPI) Review ManualHyperfine ArchitectureBuilding Construction IllustratedSupport the showSupport the show

Kate Reggev truly does it all! By day she is an architect working as an Owner's Rep while teaching at Columbia GSAPP, and by night she is an architectural writer for publications like MadameArchitect, Architectural Digest, Dwell, and more.  Interested in transitioning from a traditional architecture firm to the Owner's side and flexing your project management skills? Or learning how to get into writing in the design world? This episode has all that and more - so you don't want to miss it! Links mentioned:Kate's Column: In InkBorn Within These Walls: The Lying-In HospitalSupport the show

Negotiating a new job offer or a promotion can be uncomfortable - but we're here to change that!  Using the valuable advice they've received on their own journeys, Emily and Maria give in-depth guidance on how to change your job search mindset and get what you deserve during the negotiation period. What do you say when an employer asks for your ideal salary number? What do you do when you have multiple offers at the same time? How do you talk about getting promoted and a salary bump at your current job? They answer these questions and many, many more during this information-packed episode. You do not want to miss this!Timestamps:Catch Up  - 0:00 - 9:55Salary Negotiation Content - 9:55Links mentioned:AIA Compensation Survey Salary Calculator Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0Support the show

In our next installment of the ARE 5.0 Series, Emily goes solo to talk about the 2nd exam in our recommended test order - Project Management!  She covers the structure of the test, the content of the 5 key sections in the test, and how you would see the section content in question form.  She also dives deep into the most important resources you need to PASS this exam. Feel free to DM us on Instagram if you have any questions or comments! Good luck to everyone studying - we are rooting for you!Timestamps:0:00 - Format of test4:18 - Content of test13:08 - Study resourcesUse code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0RESOURCES MENTIONED:ARE 5.0 HandbookArchitect's Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP)AHPP Wiley GuideContracts: B101, C401, A201Schiff Hardin - Professional Practice Lecture SeriesBallast (PPI) Review ManualBallast (PPI) Practice QuestionsBallast (PPI) Practice ExamsDesigner Hacks Free PjM QuizDesigner Hacks Paid

This is Part II of a very special interview with Rashida Ng, RA, NOMA! Rashida is one of the first 500 black women to be licensed architects in the United States.  She currently serves as Associate Professor and Chair of Undergraduate Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. In this episode, Rashida gives valuable  advice to anyone who might be interested in teaching, and how that has played a huge role in her life. We also discuss architectural education as a whole, what shifts the recent years have created in our industry and the future of our profession. Listen to find out why it seems like all architecture faculty went to an Ivy League school, and how that influences the next generation of educators.//Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0Become a Patron!Follow us on Instagram @openplanpodcast for the latest episode updates, architecture content, study material, and much more!

This is Part I of a very special interview with Rashida Ng, RA, NOMA! Rashida is one of the first 500 black women to be licensed architects in the United States.  She currently serves as Associate Professor and Chair of Undergraduate Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. In this episode, Rashida tells stories of her experience as a POC in architecture school and as a young designer in the workforce. We also dive deep into our industry's gatekeeping and exclusion of the word "architect" and how it may be negatively impacting our profession. This is a vulnerable, impactful interview you don't want to miss!Timestamps:Emily and Maria's catch-up: 0:00 - 7:50 Rashida's Interview: 7:50 - 50:44// Links mentioned:www.studyarchitecture.com Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0 Become a Patron!Follow us on Instagram @openplanpodcast for the latest episode updates, architecture content, study material, and much more!

Emily is DONE with the ARE's! In this episode, Maria interviews Emily about all the details of her exam journey and how she made it to her final pass. Emily opens up about her fails (yes, there were multiple), what her exact study schedule was, how to stay sane throughout the whole process, and much more! Be sure to stay tuned to the end for Emily's 7 tips that she's gathered from passing the ARE's.  Enjoy the episode!Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0Follow us on Instagram @openplanpodcast for the latest episode updates, architecture content, study material, and much more!

It's summer internship season! And we want YOU to crush it. Whether you are doing a summer internship or beginning a new architecture position, we have 10 ways for you to make the most of your time at work. We cover advice that we wish someone told us when starting out, including being more communicative, prioritizing your goals, utilizing your firm's resources, and much more! These are tips you can carry forward through the rest of your career. We hope you enjoy!Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0

In our next installment of the ARE 5.0 Series, we are breaking down the exam we recommend taking first - Practice Management! We discuss what the test is generally about, the exact resources we used/are currently using, and critical study strategies to PASS this exam.  Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0RESOURCES MENTIONED:ARE 5.0 HandbookArchitect's Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP)Contracts: B101 Sample, C401 Sample, A201 SampleSchiff Hardin - Professional Practice Lecture SeriesHyperfine ArchitectureBallast (PPI) ARE 5.0 Review ManualBallast (PPI) ARE 5.0 Practice QuestionsBallast (PPI) ARE 5.0 Practice ExamsBlack Spectacles Walking the ARE 5.0 - PcM Practice ExamDesigner Hacks Free PcM QuizDesigner Hacks Paid Practice ExamAIA Contract Relationships

It's the first of our ARE [Architecture Registration Exam] Series! So you've decided you want to get licensed...now what?! Starting can be overwhelming - but we've got you covered! In this intro episode,  we cover all the steps required to become licensed and how to begin the process. How do you become eligible to sit for exams? Are there time limits to reporting AXP hours? What exam order do we recommend? We cover these and other frequently asked questions.Be sure to stick around for the end to hear about our "why" for becoming licensed, how we started in our journey, and where we're at now!  Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0LINKS MENTIONED:NCARB State Requirements NAAB Accredited Program SearchAXP Tasks by Category AXP Tracking Spreadsheet (download + save for your personal use!)ARE 5.0 Handbook

Early friend of the pod & award-winning architect Bryn Young sits down with us for an engaging conversation about her journey into architecture and all the amazing things she is doing. Bryn started her firm after completing her Masters (with a newborn in tow!) and has been running her business, podcast, and ARE resources/coaching program ever since. Tune in for a real and honest chat about motherhood in architecture, following through with what you're passionate about, and dealing with ARE failure. We hope you take away some great insights, because we most definitely did!Where to find Bryn:@byoungdesignBryn's ARE ResourcesDesign Create Inspire Podcast// Become a Patron!

From the University of Michigan Master of Architecture program, friends and classmates Collin Garnett & Timothy Peterson join us in the studio!  What made U of M stand out when they applied to grad school? What's it like living in a college town like Ann Arbor?  What's the studio culture like? (spoiler: it might not be what you think) Plus, we all go down the rabbit hole about what we think needs to change in the architecture industry. We talk about these topics and MUCH more in this engaging conversation with Collin and Timothy.  If you are thinking about applying to the University of Michigan or are just curious about it, don't miss out on this episode!

We're back for our first episode of 2022! Maria and Emily catch up with some big life updates (hint hint it might involve a job change) and give their recommendations on what they are loving right now.  They then dive into strategies on how to prioritize yourself this year and combat burn out. They cover topics like focusing on your mental health, silencing negative thoughts, setting boundaries, and much more.  Tune into tips on how to put your best self out there this year - we're all on this journey together!  // Become a Patron!Maria & Emily's Recommendations:Hyperfine  ARE courseAppointed 2022 Planner Notion Notetaking App

In this Professional Series interview, we speak with Tracy Carusi,  2021 President of AIA Atlanta and Former President/CEO of Collins Cooper Carusi Architects. We dive into Tracy's past (including some statements she received about being the only woman in the drafting room), how she put the "Carusi" in Collins Cooper Carusi, and why introverts make fantastic leaders. She also lends advice on knowing your worth in the field, and knowing the why behind everything you do. Join us in this content packed conversation with Tracy, we promise you'll leave inspired!// Become a Patron! Maria & Emily's Recommendations:Show: MaidShow: SuccessionARE Prep: QuizletBook Rec for introverts in leadership Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan CaneProjects mentioned:Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum - Zaha Hadid Architects

In one of our favorite episodes yet, we sit down with Ellen Dunham-Jones; architect, urban designer, educator, author, podcast host, viral TED Talk host...the list goes on!We cover a lot of ground with Ellen during this episode, including the adversities she faced as one of the few women in her architecture program, what sparked her interest in "retrofitting suburbia," and how autonomous vehicles will change the future of cities. We also discuss how COVID has impacted the public realm and her favorite mode of transportation (hint: it has two wheels). Join us in this thought-provoking conversation with one of our role models in the design industry - it's an episode you don't want to miss!//Emily & Maria's recommendation links:The French Dispatch's graphic illustratorSydney Cumming's workout channelChrissy Stanley's workout channelDesk Crits//Where to find Ellen:TwitterRedesigning Cities PodcastTED TalkWIRED interviewHer books (use code ARC35 for 30% off from now until December 2021!):Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Solutions for Retrofitting Suburbs Case Studies in Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Strategies for Urgent Challenges //Follow us @OpenPlanPodcast or visit our website!

It's another exciting installment of our Professional Series, but this time with one of our own! Emily interviews Maria about her role as a Marketing Manager at Collins Cooper Carusi. What does a Marketing Manager do at an architecture firm? How did she pivot from a designer role to a marketing role? What is a typical day in the life of a Marketing Manager? We discuss these topics and much, much more. If you are interested in learning more about a marketing position in architecture, this episode is for you! We hope you enjoy it, and if you have more questions for Maria, feel free to DM or email us!

Happy 1 Year Anniversary! We can't believe it's already been a year since our first episode went live, and we're so grateful to you for sticking with us during this time! In this bonus episode, we discuss a few of our favorite moments and behind the scenes from the last year and share some fun stats. We also want to thank you for listening and hear more about your thoughts on how we're doing! If you'd like to take 5 minutes to provide us some feedback so we can plan future content, you can fill out the survey here: OPEN PLAN PODCAST SURVEY

We're back with another professional interview! From Studio SOGO, Leslie Ellsworth is a firm owner, principal  and mother of two. We talked about how she started her career, the difficulties she went through as a young mom at a small firm, how Studio SOGO came to be and how they're trying to do things differently in terms of increasing equity in the profession.  She also offered some valuable advice for young professionals! We hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as we did. Take your notepad out, because this ep is packed with useful tips from this amazing woman in our industry!LINKS:Studio SOGOWestview Cemetery

Long-time friend Danny Griffin joins us this week to chat about his experience as a designer and M.Arch candidate at MIT! How did he find his interests in undergrad? What's the culture like at MIT? How do his interests in architecture and robotics come together? Most importantly, how did he get away with writing a children's book as a studio project?! We hope you enjoy getting to know Danny and if you're considering applying to MIT, this is a must-listen!LINKS:dannygriffin.design + @gri.dfab + Dream Lawn BookMIT Media Lab + MIT Architecture

Why pursue an MBA after design school? How do the skills learned in business school help your architecture career? What are some differences in culture between an MBA program and a design school? In our first student series episode, Bangseh Akuchu tells us about his experience at his GA Tech MBA program. Also, stick around for the lightning round where you'll hear about him meeting and singing for the Obamas. We hope you enjoy the conversation!

Ayyy welcome to our crib(s)! On this episode Maria and Emily catch up on some recent life changes and then have a chat about all things home decor and apartment hacks. They cover easy to do, affordable tips to elevate your apartment’s vibe and organization  - no matter what the size! They then give their take on recent Tik Tok design trends. Green kitchens, pink bathrooms, oh my! *disclaimer - we are not professional interior designers, thoughts are completely our own and done in good fun*We hope you enjoy! 

What’s it like coming from a different country into an architecture school? How does one actually apply for a PhD in Architecture? Yousef’s unique career path inspired us to interview him about these topics and much more! He’s a PhD candidate at Georgia Tech, teaches architecture studios and is the creator of the Architect’s Tarot. We hope you enjoy getting to know more about his story as much as we did! See below for timestamps, links to things mentioned and how to find his art! Intro: 6:40His background: 10:15Our questions: 29:40Side hustles: 1:06:30Wrap up: 1:23:00LINKS:Behind Closed Doors - Life of an Architect DocumentaryLeYousef.comIG: @leyousefSimTigrate Design LabGoogle 89+ Website

Woohoo! You've landed an interview with an architecture firm! Now what? In this Part II of the Career Series, Emily and Maria cover how to prepare before the interview (how much should you stalk firms?), how to discuss an architecture portfolio (without having to go through every image), and have stellar questions ready (what questions help make you stand out?). We also touch on important salary + negotiation advice and how to navigate job searching as an international student. We hope this episode helps you during the interview process! Good luck!

It's that time of the year! Career fairs, job applications, interviews, oof! We're here to help. In this episode, we give our best tips and tricks for before, during and after the career fair. How do you prepare? What should I ask the firms about? How can I stand out? What if they ghost me? Find answers to this and much more in this ep! Plus: Tips on how to navigate an online career fair during these strange times.Follow us @openplanpodcast, subscribe and leave a nice review if you enjoyed it!//Learn more about our project of the week!239 HouseUNA Arquitetos (now UNA BV and UNA MUNIZVIEGAS)São Paulo, Brazil239 House on Arch Daily239 House by UNA BV

It’s 2021! In this episode, Maria and Emily discuss all things goal setting when starting out a new year. They reflect on the past year, the good and the bad, and discuss what things they took away from it. They then dive deep into their personal, professional, and podcast goals and talk strategies on how they plan to follow through with them. Stick around for helpful tips and tricks in maintaining your own goals and making your vision become reality! We hope you enjoy this episode and find it as inspirational and energizing as we did!Follow us @openplanpodcast, subscribe and leave a nice review if you enjoyed it!//Learn more about our project of the week!Beyazit State Library Istanbul, Turkeyhttps://www.archdaily.com/791885/beyazit-state-library-tabanlioglu-architectshttps://archello.com/project/beyazit-state-library

This is Part 1 of our Picking a School series, Undergraduate edition! Maria, Emily, and special guest Matt Denig break down how they chose where to go for undergrad. What things did they consider? Did location matter? Did they know they wanted to do architecture? The three discuss their own unique experiences as well as what they would have done differently. They also offer advice to anyone considering currently considering different undergraduate schools. Hope you enjoy it!Follow us @openplanpodcast, subscribe and leave a nice review if you enjoyed it!//Learn more about our project of the week!UTEC - Grafton ArchitectsUTEC - Arch Daily

In this episode, Emily and Maria break down the LEED Green Associate Exam. What is it? Why should you take it? How should you begin studying? They also speak about their experiences taking the exam, and give their own tips and strategies that helped them pass! Hope you enjoy and find this helpful. Let us know if you decide to take the test!Follow us @openplanpodcast, subscribe and leave a nice review if you enjoyed it!//Things mentioned:LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook https://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-v4-green-associate-candidate-handbook Creating a USGBC accounthttps://www.usgbc.org/credentials/leed-green-associateLEED GA Study Planhttps://www.usgbc.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/GA_Two_week_study_plan.pdfFree Practice Questions onlinehttps://www.greence.com/LEED_Exam_Prep_Courses/LEED_v4_Exam_Prephttps://www.learning-hub-gbrionline.org/courses/leed-v4-green-associate-free-mock-exam/https://www.linkedin.com/learning/cert-prep-leed-green-associate/leed-green-associate-effective-exam-preparation?u=2163426 https://greenstepeducation.com/GreenStep%20Free%20LEED%20v4%20Practice%20Exam.pd fLearn more about our project of the week!The Kendeda Building, Atlanta, GAhttps://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/the-kendeda-building-for-innovative-sustainable-design_ohttps://livingbuilding.gatech.edu/

We've got some very special guests on the podcast this week! Tune in to meet Ashcon (Emily's fiancé, not an architect) and José (Maria's boyfriend, an architect) and join our conversation to hear about our experiences having relationships while in architecture school! Find out how we met, what it was like for them to live with us while going to grad school, and much, MUCH more. Maybe too much? We also compare their different perspectives as an architect vs. non-architect regarding design, stereotypes, and the architecture industry. They also take a guess at what would be our dream project to work on!Follow us @openplanpodcast, subscribe and leave a nice review if you enjoyed it!Time Stamps:04:00 Project of the week09:00 How Emily and Ashcon met12:10 How Maria and Jose met16:48 Grad school years27:03 Questions for the guys//Things mentioned:Project of the week: Brasilia Cathedral, Brasilia, BRhttps://www.archdaily.com/101516/ad-classics-cathedral-of-brasilia-oscar-niemeyerhttps://divisare.com/projects/306858-oscar-niemeyer-gonzalo-viramonte-catedral-metropolitana-nossa-senhora-aparecida-1970

We're diving deep into architecture internships this week! Did any of us actually have to grab coffee for someone? Clean out the library? Organize samples? Emily and Maria each talk about their own experiences and what kinds of things to expect from your internship. We're talking money, responsibilities, and common tasks that are usually given to interns. Plus, we have a crazy story sent by a listener about one of her internships… Stay tuned until the end for some must-have tips and advice that worked for us, or that we wish we knew before!Follow us @openplanpodcast, subscribe and leave a nice review if you enjoyed it!//Things Mentioned:Project of the Week: National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta, GAhttps://www.civilandhumanrights.orghttps://www.archdaily.com/770551/national-center-for-civil-and-human-rights-the-freelon-group-architects-plus-hokStart logging your internship hours NOW!https://www.ncarb.org/gain-axp-experience

It’s September, so that means back to school! In this episode Emily and Maria discuss all things architecture school. What’s it structured like? What’s a “studio”? What are the differences between undergraduate and graduate school? Are you going to have a social life? They answer these questions and more, along with sharing some cringeworthy school experiences. Hope you enjoy! Follow us on instagram @openplanpodcast for the latest updates. //Learn more about our featured architecture firm of the week!NADAAAhttp://www.nadaaa.com/http://www.nadaaa.com/academic/

In this episode Emily and Maria introduce themselves and discuss where they’re from, how they ended up in architecture, and how they met.