Elizabeth Turner (Honeyguide)

In this episode of the Flying Solo Podcast, host Katie Kangas speaks with Elizabeth Turner, founder of Precipitate, a specialty architecture and consulting firm focused on passive house design, energy modeling, and performance-driven research. Elizabeth’s practice operates at the intersection of academia, community engagement, and real-world building outcomes. She pairs research with practice to create lasting buildings and infrastructure in our communities.Elizabeth’s practice mirrors a Honeyguide, a small African bird known for its remarkable symbiotic relationship with humans. The honeyguide can locate wild beehives, but it cannot open them alone. Instead, it guides people to the hive, relying on collaboration to access the reward. In return, both benefit from the sweetness inside. This partnership, built on trust, signaling, and shared purpose, reflects Elizabeth’s approach to practice. She doesn’t work in isolation. She guides students, research teams, communities, and partner firms toward opportunities they could not reach alone.Throughout the conversation, Elizabeth shares her journey of stepping away from traditional firm structures to build a hybrid practice. Her balance of grant writing, mentorship, and community-centered design has advanced her specialty in sustainability. She talks about the fear and uncertainty that comes from forging a new paths—and the freedom that follows when architects follow their curiosities. Through collaboration, Elizabeth has expanded her impact. She works on meaningful, large-scale initiatives while remaining a small, specialized firm.Three takeaways resonate with Elizabeth’s Honeyguide practice: the power of collaboration as a professional strength rather than a compromise; the courage required to move forward despite uncertainty; and the role of generosity in building lasting community impact. Elizabeth’s story challenges the myth that solo practitioners must work small or alone. Instead, her work shows how guiding others, sharing knowledge, and connecting disciplines can create healthier buildings, stronger communities, and a more resilient future for the profession.Precipitate: Architecture Planning ResearchWebsite: PrecipitateInstagram: @precipitateFacebook: Precipitate PLLCLinkedIN: PrecipitateSeason 2 of the Flying Solo Podcast is sponsored by the Minnesota Architectural Foundation, whose mission is to invest in excellence, leadership, discovery, and equity within the profession of architecture.To join this flying solo movement, you can follow Flying Solo Arch on Instagram where Katie posts content to encourage your business life. Find out which bird defines your marketing strategy with the Bird Quiz on the Flying Solo Website. Listen to more encouraging content on the Gabl Media platform including podcasts with CEU and HSW credit towards your licensure renewal. Consider joining the EntreArchitect Network by becoming a member or joining the free EntreArchitect Community Facebook Group.