Archispeak #380 – The Vibe

Hosts: Evan Troxel & Cormac Phalen
Date: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Evan and Cormac dive into the elusive quality of "the vibe"—that intangible resonance which makes both music and architecture impactful, personal, and sometimes polarizing. Drawing connections between music, architectural design, and personal taste, the hosts reflect on how and why certain buildings (and sounds) strike a chord with some people but not others. The bulk of the episode is also a virtual architectural tour, as Evan recounts a recent work trip to Iowa, sharing detailed first impressions of several significant buildings and reflecting on firm culture, design decisions, and the profound role of resonance in an architect’s work life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Resonance, Vibration, and Taste

[03:38–16:47]

• Introduction to the Notion of Vibration:

  • Evan and Cormac riff on the idea that everything (music, teamwork, architecture) is about vibration and resonance.
  • Reference to Apple TV’s "Invasion," Steely Dan’s Skunk Baxter, and the metaphysics of music.
  • “Everything is vibration. Everything.” — Evan [03:50]

• Subjectivity of Taste:

  • Cormac shares an anecdote: While touring Detroit, he and his sister debate the aesthetics of new construction—what he finds appealing, she finds ugly.
  • Both hosts liken this to differing music tastes and discuss how architectural styles resonate (or not) with individuals.
  • “What makes somebody like something more than something else? As architects, we’re always trying to figure this out…” — Cormac [08:44]

• Architects as Antennas:

  • Drawing from Rick Rubin’s ideas, Evan describes creative people as “antennas,” tuned into different frequencies:
  • “Every human being is an antenna... and you are going to tune into certain frequencies and...out others.” — Evan [09:35]

2. Authenticity, Art, and Subjectivity

[11:22–16:47]

• Uniqueness of Creative Expression:

  • Rick Beato’s interview with David Gilmour is cited: Even playing the same song, every person brings a unique timbre and sense of timing, analogous to how studio assignments yield diverse outcomes.

• Art’s Dual Nature:

  • Evan sums up: “That’s art, though. That’s the definition of art. It’s going to repel some and attract others.” [13:08]

• On Trying to Please Everyone:

  • Attempts to create universally appealing work are futile; pop culture references and music analogies abound (Depeche Mode, “don’t judge a book by its cover”): not everyone needs—or will—like what you make.

3. Iowa Architecture Tour – First-Hand Reflections

[17:16–50:48]

Steven Holl’s Visual Arts & Art Building West (University of Iowa)

[19:11–29:11]

• Visual Arts Building:
  • Evan describes it as visually interesting (“light silver metal screen building”) but sterile and echoey inside. “It just didn’t land for me...it felt kind of sterile and cavernous.” [21:32]
• Art Building West:
  • Clad in Corten steel and channel glass; feels warmer and more resonant than its newer neighbor.
  • “This building, I thought, was way more successful from just an experiential point of view…” — Evan [24:33]
  • Cormac compares it to Morphosis’ work and early 90s deconstructivist architecture.

Hancher Auditorium (Pelli Clarke & Partners)

[29:15–34:40]

• Exterior:
  • Compared to a cruise ship, complete with a landscaping “wake” and sculptures of fish playing into the motif.
  • “It literally is like a cruise ship...sending out waves. There are literally sculptures of giant concrete fish.” — Evan [32:33]
• Material/Detail Highlights:
  • Notable curtain wall and wood ceiling detail where fixtures “drop down” below the surface. “A really beautiful glow of light.” [31:59]
  • Hugh (OPN tech lead/host) points out subtle but impactful lighting choices.

Downtown Campus Building (LMN Architects)

[34:58–45:34]

• Atrium and Fire Curtain Details:
  • Features rare horizontal fire curtains housed behind a metal-paneled guardrail—an unusual and impressive technical solution. “That is an incredibly unusual way to deal with isolation of atriums.” — Cormac [37:53]
• Acoustic Performance over Aesthetics:
  • Interior finishes prioritize function and acoustics over visual polish—perforated metal panels resemble unfinished gypboard up close.
  • “This is performance over aesthetics, in my opinion.” — Cormac [39:38]
• Performative Circulation & Public Engagement:
  • Circulation is on display, both for those inside and those passing the building. “It actually puts it on display…I love the fact that you can see and connect with interior uses from the exterior.” [43:08]

Firm Impressions & Professional Development

[45:34–51:08]

• OPN Architects Culture:
  • Evan was impressed by the firm’s proactive discussion on future goals and company culture, comparing it to his prior long-term employer.
  • “OPN is a cool firm...so proactive about talking about their future and where they’re going and how to get there.” [45:34]
  • Annual retreat included keynotes, panel discussions, project presentations, emotional milestone celebrations, and fun at a local “Pickle Palace” (pickleball club and event space).
• Highlights of the Retreat:
  • Guest speakers included Duane Euler of Euler Wu Collaborative.
  • Multiple offices, strong firm culture, and supportive colleagues. “If you’re looking for a firm to work at and you live in the Midwest, you might check them out.” — Evan [49:45]
  • Cormac: “You were feeling their resonance.” Evan: “I was resonating with them. I was aligned.” [50:05]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On teamwork and resonance:
  “Isn't that the goal of teamwork—to try to get a little bit in tune? Just a little.” — Cormac [03:43]
• On creativity and inspiration:
  “Every human being is an antenna… Many people are not tuned in…creative people especially are more tuned in to certain frequencies.” — Evan [09:35]
• On art’s polarizing effect:
  “That’s art, though. That’s the definition of art. It is going to repel some and attract others.” — Evan [13:08]
• On clients’ preferences:
  “That's why we started asking them what they like before we start showing them what we think they might like.” — Evan [09:20]
• On firm culture:
  “It was really emotional for some of it, which I thought was fantastic because it shows that they're really an incredible team with some great bonds.” — Evan [47:53]
• On playfulness in design:
  “They just leaned right on it… Some say it looks like a cruise ship, and they're like, ‘Oh yeah, we're gonna double down.’” — Evan [32:52]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Resonance & personal taste: [03:38–11:15]
• Art and subjectivity: [11:15–16:47]
• On not trying to please everyone: [13:53–16:47]
• Iowa architecture tour begins: [17:16]
• Steven Holl buildings: [19:11–29:11]
• Hancher Auditorium (Pelli Clarke & Partners): [29:15–34:40]
• LMN Architects building & fire curtain details: [34:58–45:34]
• Firm culture & retreat, OPN Architects: [45:34–51:08]

Overall Tone & Takeaways

Candid, reflective, and often playful, the episode embraces the complexity of taste, authenticity, and creative practice in architecture. Architecture, like music, is shown to be a deeply subjective, resonant, and sometimes ineffable experience, shaped by context, personal history, and open-mindedness. Through storytelling, analogies, and technical asides, Evan and Cormac spotlight both the joys and challenges of practice—and the lasting impact of a good vibe, whether in a building, a team, or a life in architecture.

Links to referenced images and more at archispeakpodcast.com (Episode 380).