Architecture Social

Stephen Drew speaks with Laura Simpkins about Pride Road Architects, larger practice experience, family, parenting, the pandemic, career adaptation and launching her own route through the Pride Road Architects franchise.

Show Notes

Laura Simpkins' story is useful because it shows architecture practice life as it actually happens: career ambition, family, pressure, timing and adaptation.

Stephen Drew speaks with Laura Simpkins about Pride Road Architects, larger practice experience, family, parenting, the pandemic, career adaptation and launching her own route through the Pride Road Architects franchise.

The conversation covers:

  • How larger practice experience can shape a later career route
  • How parenting and family life affect architecture careers
  • What career adaptation looked like during the pandemic
  • Why supported practice models can help people build a business
  • What candidates can learn from non-linear career paths

____

▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJBQC9XOWWw

📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/a-conversation-with-the-wonderful-laura-simpkins-from-pride-road-architects/

Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/

The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/

Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.

____

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Laura Simpkins and Pride Road Architects
  • 04:00 Career in larger architecture practices
  • 10:00 Family, parenting and professional life
  • 17:00 Weathering the pandemic and career change
  • 24:00 Piano lessons, local work and adaptation
  • 31:00 Launching through Pride Road Architects
  • 38:00 Real-life obstacles in architecture careers
  • 44:00 Final reflections on resilience and practice

Creators and Guests

Host
Stephen Drew
Hello! I’m Stephen Drew, Founder of the Architecture Social—an online community and resource hub dedicated to helping professionals in Architecture, Design, Development, and Real Estate advance their careers. I’m here to connect you with insights, tools, and opportunities that lead to meaningful growth, whether you’re just starting out or ready to take that next big step.

What is Architecture Social?

It is hard to get a job in architecture. We exist to help you get there. Hosted by Stephen Drew, Architecture Social is the unfiltered guide to the UK Built Environment. We decode the realities of the industry, provide actionable cheat codes for your career, and bridge the communication gap between the drafting board and the boardroom.

Whether you are a Part I assistant trying to survive your first role, a Part III architect managing complex procurement, or a Practice Director fighting tight margins and adapting to the Building Safety Act, this podcast is your central node of intelligence. We strip away the aesthetic gatekeeping and toxic positivity to talk about the actual mechanics of the business.

Expect honest conversations about salary realities, portfolio strategies, hiring economics, and the true experiences of the people actively shaping the profession.

No fluff, just the reality of practice.