In this episode, Christian sits down with Leah, Kate, and Sarah - the team behind Architects FORA, a 100% women-owned, fully virtual practice redefining what an architecture firm can be. Their path to creating FORA grew out of a shared desire for a healthier, more transparent way of working as the foundation of the firm. They dive into how they built a practice centered on equity and trust, why affordable housing became their focus, and how projects reflect a community-driven approach. The conversation also touches on how they’re embracing AI and emerging technology to stay nimble, relevant, and impactful as the industry evolves. It’s a candid look at three architects reimagining the profession - and proving there’s more than one way to build a thriving firm.
https://architectsfora.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/ 0:00 – Intro
0:42 – Meet the three leaders behind Architects FORA
1:16 – A new model for architectural leadership
2:06 – How their mission was sparked by a retreat
3:30 – Discovering affordable housing as a calling
4:14 – The moment they realized design could do more
5:28 – The shift from prestigious buildings to purpose-driven work
6:13 – A deep dive into housing and homelessness
7:09 – How their remote collaboration began
8:43 – Rethinking the value of work and space
9:41 – Advice for young architects on choosing meaningful projects
10:14 – Why purpose matters more to younger generations
11:08 – What frustrates them most about traditional architecture culture
13:26 – The danger of treating architecture as precious and untouchable
14:39 – How rigidity threatens the future of the profession
16:00 – Finding new areas of influence beyond traditional architecture
17:20 – Why architects are overworked and underpaid
18:50 – A better way to structure tasks and reduce burnout
20:12 – Redundancy and team structure to protect work-life balance
22:40 – Breaking generational mindsets in architectural leadership
24:14 – How they use asynchronous, flexible scheduling
25:17 – Can you work from anywhere, even Guam?
27:04 – How they handle site visits as a remote firm
28:52 – Why travel is worth the tradeoff for team happiness
31:06 – How schedule flexibility supports parenting and caregiving
33:28 – Intentional culture-building without being in person
34:58 – Their secret to authentic team bonding remotely
36:14 – What happens if someone goes over their 40 hours
38:00 – How transparency prevents unrealistic deadlines
39:05 – Why overwork is a leadership failure, not a badge of honor
41:00 – How they designed a clear, equitable salary system
43:00 – Their transparent leadership tiers and performance scoring
45:00 – What “Architects FORA” actually means
46:03 – Solera Apartments: Trauma-informed design in action
49:27 – El Camino: Sustainability and community feedback
51:59 – Lee Avenue: Senior housing with a real sense of place
55:32 – Launching paid post-occupancy evaluations
57:01 – Why AI is a tool, not a threat
59:10 – A call to reimagine what your firm could look like
1:00:44 – Final thoughts and how to learn more about Architects FORA