Archispeak #379: Step Back to Move the Work Forward
Hosts: Evan Troxel & Cormac Phalen
Release Date: October 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In this thoughtful episode, Evan and Cormac dive into the power of stepping back—both in teaching and in architectural practice—to provide context and strengthen teamwork, clarity, and outcomes. Drawing on Cormac’s recent teaching experience at Lawrence Technological University, they wrestle with enduring challenges of group dynamics, project communication, the disconnect between academia and practice, and the ingrained grind culture in architecture. The hosts discuss how intentional context-setting can transform everything from student projects to professional careers, and ponder how the industry could reimagine its values and processes to better serve architects, clients, and communities alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The AI Hype in Architecture (00:00–02:12)

• Briefly, Evan mentions the gap between generic AI tools and genuine productivity needs in architecture, referencing a recent episode of his Troxel podcast. Real-world, purpose-built AI is just starting to help, but most tools remain disconnected from AEC realities.

2. Lighthearted Banter: The Human Side of Podcasting (01:39–04:18)

• The hosts joke about digital enhancements, avatars, and the inundation of AI-driven meeting features.
• Notable Moment:

  “I'm actually very tired of all of these new AI features being added to everything.” (Evan, 02:41)

3. Teaching Teamwork: Lessons from Academia (04:20–13:39)

• Cormac shares insights from teaching an Integrated Design course (ID5) at Lawrence Technological University:
  • The first semester was troubled by poor communication and unclear expectations about group work, resulting in student frustration and poor team dynamics.
  • This semester, providing context and clearly explaining the rationale behind group projects led to smoother collaboration and greater student ownership.
• Key Quote:

  “It has been night and day, honestly, between the last...little context up front. Exactly...I see the involvement of everybody in the work effort...It's so refreshing to see.” (Cormac, 07:23–08:41)

4. The Importance of Context and Communication (13:39–28:13)

• Evan and Cormac reflect on the pain points of group work in architecture education and practice.
• Evan stresses the necessity of providing context for instructions and decisions—to avoid confusion, frustration, and disengagement.
• Cormac describes ongoing strategies, including desk critiques, regular check-ins, and mid-project reviews, to ensure students are connected to the “why” behind tasks.
• Notable Quote:

  “When delivered properly, [communication] can make a difference... It is such a good reminder...please provide as much context as possible.” (Evan, 18:34)

5. Learning to Step Back: Framing the Problem (24:23–27:56)

• Both hosts recognize that students often jump into data collection without first zooming out to understand the bigger idea.

• Cormac describes using cue cards to force students to "start with the big idea" and "provide the context first.”

• Notable Teaching Insight:

  “Before we take a step forward, we actually need to take a step back… look at this from the 30,000-foot level. Why does this even matter?” (Evan, 24:36)

• Both agree most architectural presentations aren’t given to architects, so students must learn to explain their work to non-architects with clear, accessible context.

6. Career Trajectories, Ambiguity, and the Lack of Context (28:13–34:54)

• The conversation shifts to the ambiguity in professional growth within architecture.

  • Advancement is often unclear, with expectations and criteria left vague or outdated.
  • Longstanding cultures perpetuate "just keep doing what you’re doing," often without critical reflection on whether this is still relevant.

• Quote:

  “This intentional ambiguity of not providing the correct context and, and therefore just keeping people in the dark…” (Evan, 28:48)

• Cormac criticizes how “bad habit culture” is passed on—pushing excessive hours and loyalty in the name of advancement, rather than teaching sustainable time management and project planning.

7. Grind Culture & Architectural Burnout (34:55–38:18)

• The hosts decry the normalization of overwork—architects expected to "just deal with it" and do more for less, leading to burnout and a sense of lost agency.
• Notable Quote:

  “We call ourselves a service industry...but the part we seem to forget the most, is being a service to ourselves.” (Cormac, 36:55)

8. Setting Boundaries, Finding Agency (37:11–39:42)

• Both reflect on the challenge of saying “no” and the constant temptation to accept more work for little or no compensation, all for the allure of creative opportunities.
• Evan urges architects to reclaim agency and thoughtfully assess commitments.

9. Disconnects in Professional Development & Division of Labor (39:42–46:12)

• They reminisce about the historical split between architects (design) and draftsmen (technical documentation), noting that recent graduates are too often mired in production work with little explanation or understanding of its value.
• Outsourcing drafting is seen as a double-edged sword: it brings technical quality but severs learning opportunities for new architects and disconnects design intent from execution.

10. The Impact and Limits of AI on Architecture (46:12–49:21)

• The hosts are skeptical that AI can or should replace the human, integrative thinking required in architecture, emphasizing that real understanding comes from direct experience.
• Key Parallel:

  “Doing that is thinking. Yes. Problem solving. It is figuring it out...sketching is thinking, talking is thinking, presenting is thinking, drafting is thinking, modeling is thinking.” (Evan & Cormac, 46:12–46:16)

11. Embracing a “Step Back” Mentality in Practice (49:21–55:00)

• They champion the idea of slowing down: providing more time for reflection, quality, and rest—contrasting American grind culture with European approaches to work-life balance.

• Cormac tells the story of an Italian clothing CEO who rejects the chase for “more” in favor of health, family, and meaningful work (50:09–52:45).

• The hosts connect this mindset to architecture:

  • The profession suffers from a scarcity mentality, leading to a “race to the bottom” on fees, schedules, and self-care.
  • They ponder: What would architectural practice look like if it were redesigned by people unfettered by old “bad habits”? Could a new paradigm be born if students (and practitioners) started with deeper context, purpose, and self-respect?

• Closing Challenge:

  “But in turn, like you saying us that, oh, that would…never work. We never stop to say why?” (Cormac, 54:33)

• Evan advocates for reflecting on these assumed constraints, inviting a new generation to challenge and remake the profession’s rules.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On group projects in education:

  “Last semester, I don't think we did a very good job of really communicating the intent on why we're doing a group project...And as part of our kind of like preamble at the very beginning of the year, we talked about it... It has been night and day.” (Cormac, 07:09–07:23)

• On the value of providing context:

  “When delivered properly, [communication] can make a difference...please provide as much context as possible.” (Evan, 18:34)

• On burnout and boundaries:

  “We call ourselves a service industry...but the part we seem to forget the most, is being a service to ourselves.” (Cormac, 36:55)

• On learning through doing:

  “Doing that is thinking. Yes. Problem solving. It is figuring it out. It's not just the final product...sketching is thinking, talking is thinking, presenting is thinking, drafting is thinking, modeling is thinking.” (Evan and Cormac, 46:12–46:16)

• Reflection on industry values:

  “We never stop to say why.” (Cormac, 54:33) — on the need to challenge inherited assumptions.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• AI Hype & Profession (Intro): 00:00–02:12
• Banter & Human Touch: 01:39–04:18
• Teaching Group Dynamics: 04:20–13:39
• Importance of Context: 13:39–28:13
• Encouraging “Step Back” Mentality: 24:23–27:56
• Professional Ambiguity & Culture: 28:13–34:54
• Burnout, Agency, and Boundaries: 34:55–39:42
• Division of Labor & Outsourcing: 39:42–46:12
• Limits of AI: 46:12–49:21
• Redefining Practice & Societal Values: 49:21–55:00

Final Thoughts

Evan and Cormac’s candid conversation weaves together personal teaching revelations, workplace realities, and industry introspection. The central lesson: stepping back to provide context, clarify intent, and encourage agency isn’t just good pedagogy—it’s essential to building fulfilling careers and sustainable architectural practices. Their call to question “the way it’s always been done” offers inspiration to students, educators, and practitioners seeking a more humane and purposeful professional path.