Designing Austin with Gary Wang

Leonid Furmansky is an acclaimed photographer and artist. He has an exhibit titled Beautiful City - Empty City that is showing at Gallery 200 through May 14, 2026.www.leonidfurmansky.comwww.gallery200-austin.comwww.designingaustinpodcast.com

Join us for this episode where we chat with Hugh Jefferson Randolph!See Hugh's work here: ⁠⁠⁠https://austinarchitect.com/VISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/⁠⁠

Larry Speck is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, the W.L. Moody, Jr. Centennial Professor in Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin. He was the Dean for nine years, was principal of Lawrence W. Speck Associates for 20 years, and a partner at Page Southerland Page, before became Page; before it was acquired by Stantec.See Larry's work here: ⁠https://soa.utexas.edu/faculty/larry-speckhttps://larryspeck.com/VISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/⁠⁠

Today we’re joined by Camille and Ada, the principals of Jobe and Corral Architects here in Austin. They’ll share how they’ve built a partnership grounded in trust, collaboration, and shared purpose — and what it means to navigate the world of architecture as women leading their own firm. See Camille and Ada's work here: https://jobecorral.com/VISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/⁠

In this special episode, we take Designing Austin on the road! Kim Nigro is a Chicagoan architect and was the founding principal of Studio Nigro. She was awarded the prestigious Burnham Prize and was a fellow at the American Academy in Rome. Kim led her firm for 18 years before shuttering her office and transitioning into a larger, more-established practice.See Kim's profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-nigro-architect/⁠VISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/⁠

Kevin Alter is the founding principal of Alterstudio Architecture and the Sid W. Richardson Centennial Professor in Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin.See Kevin's work here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://alterstudio.net/The Rabies: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3iOzszjpT3uNg0BnZKiR6K?si=wxFhGwrxTwCl9Og1mIE_KAVISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/⁠

Jakeb is a partner at Specht Novak Architects in Austin. They focus upon modern luxury residential projects throughout central Texas and beyond. Jakeb joined the firm in 2014 and became a partner in 2023. See Jakeb's work here: ⁠⁠https://spechtnovak.com/work/VISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/⁠

Nicole Blair is a native Austinite, focusing on residential, small commercial and public art projects. She was named one of the greatest living architects by Elle Decor.See Nicole's work here: ⁠https://nicoleblair.com⁠VISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/⁠

April Clark and Ed Richardson are a wife and husband team, and the founders of principals of Clark Richardson Architects in Austin. See April and Ed's work here: https://www.clarkrichardson.com/VISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/⁠

Ingrid Spencer has been the Executive Director of AIA Austin for the past decade, during which time the Austin Metro area grew by more than 25%. aiaaustin.orgVISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/⁠

Kory Bieg is a brilliant academic whose research and practice focuses upon computational design. He now serves as the Associate Dean at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also founder of the firm OTA+.See Kory's Research here: https://soa.utexas.edu/faculty/kory-biegSee Kory's work here: https://www.otaplus.comVISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/⁠

In this special episode, the tables are turned, and Gary gets interviewed by Talia Blum and Ava Koehne - First Year Facilitators and students at the University of Texas at Austin. They cover a large range of topics, including how Gary stumbled into architecture in college, why we don't call windows "windows", and things he thinks all students should take away from their educational experience.Follow Ava on Instagram: ⁠⁠@ava_koehne ⁠⁠Follow Talia on Instagram: ⁠⁠@⁠talia.blumm⁠⁠ UTSoA on Instagram: @utsoafirstyearsVISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/⁠

Mari Michael and Joyce and dedicated their careers to teaching. In this episode, we explore teaching first year studio together as a team.  https://soa.utexas.edu/faculty/mari-michael-glassellhttps://soa.utexas.edu/faculty/joyce-rosnerUTSOA: ⁠⁠⁠https://soa.utexas.edu/⁠⁠⁠VISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/⁠

We are wrapping up our interviews with first year UT architecture students with Talia Blum and Ava Koehne joining us in the studio. We dig into bigger life issues, like dealing with social media and the traps of comparing ourselves to others. Follow Ava on Instagram: ⁠@ava_koehne ⁠Follow Talia on Instagram: ⁠@⁠talia.blumm⁠ UTSOA: ⁠⁠https://soa.utexas.edu/⁠⁠VISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/

Thinking about going into architecture school? This is two interviews in one! Don't miss the intro discussion between Gary and Lauren Figley, who is currently a graduate student at UTSoA. Then we dive into the experience of first year student James Penver. ⁠UTSoA: ⁠https://soa.utexas.edu/⁠VISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/

What’s it like to be a freshman architecture student at UT Austin? Esme Barraz and Ellah Wambach share their stories, including the highs and lows of design projects, building community, and adjusting to the demands of architecture school. Perfect for anyone curious about student life in the world of design!Follow Ellah on Instagram: @ellahwambachFollow Esme on Instagram: @esme_barrazUTSOA: https://soa.utexas.edu/VISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/

Gary Wang shares where he's been, why we took a break in Designing Austin, and welcomes you to Season 2. He discusses the nine things every aspiring architect should know about the profession. If you are in high school or college, you won't want to miss the beginning of season 2!  WANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/ VISIT ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ INSTA ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credit: Jon Guerra

Ashley Heeren is principal and a partner at Low Design Office. They have projects in Austin, Anam (Nigeria), and elsewhere. Gary and Ashley talk about LOWDO's pursuit of equitable architecture.  https://www.lowdo.net/ VISIT ⁠⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠ INSTA ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠⁠ Music Credit: Jon Guerra WANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/

Elizabeth Danze is a Professor of Architecture at UT. She has taught in the School of Architecture for over 30 years and has served as Interim Dean, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs. She is a principal with Danze Blood Architects.  https://soa.utexas.edu/faculty/elizabeth-danze VISIT ⁠⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠⁠ INSTA ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠⁠ Music Credit: Jon Guerra WANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/

Burton Baldridge is the principal and founder of Baldridge Architects in Austin. He is a world class talent and is responsible for the Arrive Hotel in East Austin and other award-winning projects throughout the city. In this episode, we discuss the many challenges of owning a small firm. He is the President-Elect for AIA Austin.See Burton's work here: https://baldridge-architects.com/VISIT ⁠https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/⁠INSTA ⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/⁠Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: ⁠https://www.wangarchitects.com/

Sophia Razzaque is an Architect, Austinite, daughter of an architect; she was recognized with an emerging professional achievement award by the AIA, and is now serving as President of AIA Austin. VISIT https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/ INSTA https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/ Music Credit: Jon Guerra WANG ARCHITECTS: https://www.wangarchitects.com/

Diana Skellenger, founder of Skelly Build + a University of Texas at Austin graduate, integrates her passion for quality, teamwork, and integrity into every project. As a female leader in construction, she founded Skelly Build in 2017, and the firm boasts a predominantly female workforce, a rarity in the industry. Visit Skelly Build Here: Home - Skelly Build Build + Bundle: Business Templates for the Build and Construction Industry - Build + Bundle (buildandbundle.com) VISIT https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/INSTAhttps://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: https://www.wangarchitects.com/New boost

Martin is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture. His research and teaching focus centers on housing that occupies the "middle ground" between the suburban home and the urban high-rise.  https://soa.utexas.edu/faculty/martin-haettasch Send us your questions and comments! VISIT https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/INSTAhttps://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: https://www.wangarchitects.com/

Michael Hargens is co-founder and principal of Agenda Architecture. We talk about the challenges of starting your own firm and everything that goes into it. https://www.agendaarchitecture.com/ Send us your questions and comments! [email protected] Follow us on INSTA! https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/ VISIT https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/ Music Credit: Jon Guerra WANG ARCHITECTS: www.wangarchitects.com

Jennifer Smith is the owner of Permit Solutions in Austin. We talk about all the potential landmines and snags in the permitting process, and about the new Home Initiative recently passed by the City of Austin. https://www.permitsolutionstx.com/ Send us your questions and comments! [email protected] Follow us on INSTA! www.instagram.com/designingaustin VISIT www.designingaustinpodcast.com Music Credit: Jon Guerra WANG ARCHITECTS: www.wangarchitects.com

Murray Legge Architecture was the recipient of the 2023 AIA Austin Firm Achievement Award.

Mark Vornberg is principal and managing partner of Dick Clark and Associates. In this episode, we learn that Mark has spent his entire career at DCA, where he has also spearheaded the Architect as Developer movement here in Austin. If you are interested in joining Mark's Architect as Developer Happy Hour, email us here at [email protected]. We'd also love to hear your questions or comments at [email protected]. INSTA ⁠https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/See DCA's work here: https://dcarch.com/VISIT https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/Music Credit: Jon GuerraWANG ARCHITECTS: https://www.wangarchitects.com/

Put on your thinking caps! This is our first of many academic interviews we will be sharing. In this episode, we explore Liang's research on the super block and its historic and contemporary relationship to capitalism - abroad and here at home. See Liang's research here: https://soa.utexas.edu/faculty/liang-wang VISIT https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/ INSTAhttps://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/ Music Credit: Jon Guerra WANG ARCHITECTS: https://www.wangarchitects.com/

Michael Hsu is arguably Austin's most recognized architect. He is the founder of Michael Hsu Office Of Architecture. See Michael's work here: https://hsuoffice.com/ VISIT https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/ INSTA https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/ Music Credit: Jon Guerra WANG ARCHITECTS: https://www.wangarchitects.com/

Candace is an architect based in Austin and the principal and founder of cwA+D. She's an A&M grad and received her Master of Architecture from USC. See her work here: https://www.cwaplusd.com/ VISIT https://www.designingaustinpodcast.com/ INSTA https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/ Music Credit: Jon Guerra WANG ARCHITECTS https://www.wangarchitects.com/

David Webber is an architect who has crafted beautiful projects in Austin and internationally. As founder of Webber+Studio, David believes in architecture as a vehicle for problem-solving. Check out David's work here: https://webberstudio.com/ VISIT https://designingaustinpodcast.com/ INSTA https://www.instagram.com/designingaustin/ Music Credit: Jon Guerra WANG ARCHITECTS: https://www.wangarchitects.com/