Are architects going to figure out startups first, or will startups figure out architecture first?

In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee is joined by Bryan Boyer, founding director of the Bachelor of Science in Urban Technology at the University of Michigan's Taubman College and Faculty Director of the University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit, and Larry Fabbroni, architect and innovator, to discuss the critical crossroads facing the built environment. With roughly 165 companies currently vying to sell technology into the AECO supply chain, Bryan and Larry explore the innovation gap in an industry that remains significantly under-innovated compared to analogous sectors. They advocate for a radical shift in architectural education and practice, one that equips architects with the entrepreneurial vocabulary and venture design skills needed to lead the companies of the future.

The conversation delves into the rise of Urban Technology and why it is essential for architects to understand the startup and capital landscape. Bryan shares the mission behind his first-of-its-kind degree program, which prepares students to manage the complexity of cities through a lens of product and service design, and explains how that work has evolved into a new master's degree program launching through UMCI, a $250 million innovation hub opening in downtown Detroit in fall 2027. Larry discusses the intimidation many architects feel when entering the startup world and the importance of providing them with the resources to move from passive employees of tech companies to founders and leaders who actually define how our built environment is delivered.

"The fastest moving teams are gonna be the ones who have individuals with those deep knowledge expertise, who have the knowledge across the domains and can collaborate with each other faster and better." - Larry Fabbroni

This episode is a deep dive into the tension between traditional practice and the rapid influx of venture-backed technology. Brian and Larry break down the mechanics of the "professional intensive" they are building to bridge the gap between design thinking and business innovation. Whether you are curious about the intersection of cities and technology or looking to bring a more entrepreneurial mindset to your own career, this discussion offers a roadmap for architects to reclaim their seat at the head of the table in the digital age.

Guests:

Brian Boyer is the founding director of the Bachelor of Science in Urban Technology at the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning and Faculty Director of the University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit (UMCI), a $250 million initiative bringing multidisciplinary graduate education and workforce development to downtown Detroit. A designer and educator with a background in strategic design and urban informatics, Bryan has spent his career exploring how technology and design can be leveraged to improve the quality of urban life and governance.

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 especially for you if:

✅ You are curious about the "Urban Tech" landscape and why it is a critical new frontier for architectural practice.

✅ You want to understand why the housing sector is considered "10 times under-innovated" and how architects can change that.

✅ You are interested in how architecture schools are evolving to teach venture design and entrepreneurial leadership.

✅ You are an architect looking to expand your professional vocabulary to include startups, scale-ups, and venture capital.

✅ You want to hear a strategic perspective on whether architects will lead the next generation of tech companies or simply work for them.

What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.

📍 Show Links:

Learn more about Bryan on his Website
Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn
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Listen to the previous episode with Brian

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228: Architecture, Innovation, and What the Built Environment Needs to Learn