The Architecture Geeks Podcast

Midnight email looking for work provides the latest for The Architecture Geeks! Matthew and Larry talk about getting ready for the job hunt, steps to take to prepare, and whether or not schools are doing enough to help future interns.

Is the profession of architecture in poor shape? Year end magazine articles say yes. Matthew and Larry take the first podcast of the year to discuss some of the "issues" supposedly affecting architecture.

Preserving buildings isn't always a yes or no discussion. Now the architecture community in Dallas finds itself at a crossroads of what to do with Dallas City Hall. Matthew and Larry discuss what should go into the decisions about preserving the I.M. Pei structure, including if the building is worth saving or if it's time has come and gone.

Matthew and Larry take opposite sides on recent changes to Atlanta's building ordinances which require all roofs to be white. Plus there are dogs barking in the background.

Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill - which is turning out not so beautiful - communities across the country are losing funding for sometimes critical infrastructure projects. Matthew and Larry touch on a couple of changes impacting Texas.

Architects cannot only be the victims of a crime. They can also be the ones committing them. Join Matthew and Larry as the discuss the activities architects may conduct that could potentially land them in hot water, from misuse of their license to abusing their position within local government to line their pockets.

Ever get those calls where something just seems fishy? Matthew and Larry talk about some potential scams architects may encounter during their career, and one or two they've experienced personally.

Is a recession just around the corner? Matthew and Larry discuss what the tariff talk may already be doing, what preparations they are making, and what's come out of past recessions.

The Twins have turned 6! Yikes! Join Larry and Matthew (mostly Matthew) as they discuss what Matthew has learned in the latest year of parenting as an architect. What's noticed most this time around? You might be surprised.

Larry and Matthew kick off 2025 with a quick discussion around the plusses and minuses of AI, what's still missing, and how they are currently utilizing the various programs.

Need some ideas for last minute gifts? Larry and Matthew share some simple solutions for those moments when you panic and realize your holiday shopping isn't quite done.

Florida and other areas have taken quite the beating the last couple of months between Debby, Helene, and Milton. Matthew and Larry share what they've learned from an architect's perspective, from costs associated with damage to the potential to build more resilient structures as hurricanes grow more fierce.

What would you do if your child's school decided to close? Districts across Texas and the US are facing this challenge. Matthew and Larry discuss some of the reasons behind school closings and consolidations; the impact school can have on neighborhoods; and potential uses for once vital facilities.

Do you still use your dining room? Matthew and Larry discuss the disappearing dining room, what some people have theorized as to why, and whether that really contributes to loneliness. You'll also enjoy listening to Larry sound a bit like a foghorn as he gets over a recent head cold.

The 2024 Summer Olympics are over, and while Larry got to be a little sporty, there was plenty for he and Matthew to geek out about. To finish off the games, Matthew and Larry share info on slow pools, fast tracks, and architecture as an Olympic event. They had breakdancing this year, so why not?

Kind of. With the Olympics underway, Matthew and Larry discuss some of the architectural challenges cities face hosting the Olympics as well as the truly important question - What are the athletes sleeping on? Who knew they could be so sporty?

Larry and Matthew kick off the second half of the season with a conversation with Matthew's intern AJ. We find out what he did and didn't like doing and what his future plans are.

As Matthew faces the prospect of having a high school student shadow him this summer, he has a few questions for Larry to answer. Hopefully he got the answers right.

No potties this time. But don't let the title fool you. This isn't about outdoor activities either. Matthew and Larry talk about some of the factors driving the increase in homeowners insurance rates, including cost of goods and climate change.

Politicians and the public have spent far too much time over the last decade discussing who can use which restroom. So Larry and Matthew decided to talk about that some more. Join them as they discuss the practical challenges of converting to all-gender or gender-neutral restrooms.

An estimated 30% of water usage comes from flushing toilets. Not showering. Not laundry. Just flushing. Matthew and Larry kick off the first of several podcasts on water usage and footprint and new tech being researched to make toilets even more efficient.

Another year and time to check in and see how Matthew's twins are doing. Are they architects yet? Matthew and Larry talk about the changes over the last year in how the twins are seeing the world and if that comes from being the children of an architect.

What if the roads you drive on every day could charge your car? Matthew and Larry speak with Michelle Mueller at the Michigan Department of Transportation and Dr. Stefan Tongur at Electreon about Detroit's pilot program to electrify roadways that can extend the charge on electric vehicles and help ease the worry of charging anxiety.

Are you dating? Or just working with an architect? Matthew and Larry spend the day after Valentine's looking at the similarities between personal relationships and your relationship with your architect. Are they really that alike?

A month late, but Larry and Matthew sit down to share their New Year's resolutions as business owners. Better communication. Updated whiteboards. We'll see how 2024 rolls out.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Matthew and Larry close out 2023 chatting about Christmas decorations, the odd inflatable beaver, and what might or might not be coming in 2024.

This ain't your grandma's astroturf! But is it worth installing anyway? Matthew and Larry talk about the downside of using astroturf versus grass, from maintenance to off-gassing.

What is it about empty spaces that lets our imaginations run wild? Matthew and Larry talk this Halloween season about the creepiness of being alone in an empty place, and the need to turn on every light imaginable.

Part of the fun about being an architect and being a geek is the articles that pop into your emails showcasing new and funky technology. Matthew and Larry spend the podcast sharing some of that new tech that the average homeowner may never know about.

Matthew has just passed his one year mark as a business owner. He and Larry chat a little about what happens in that first year and the milestones reached.

Architects are often asked which building is their favorite. But what are the buildings architects think of as least favored? Matthew and Larry talk about some of their not-so-favorites and the love-hate relationship architects have with some buildings.

Architects are notorious for lapsing into technical talk when meeting with clients. But how do clients communicate their wants and needs when talking with their architect? Matthew and Larry explore some of the unique ways past clients have shared their ideas for their projects. Also, try not to giggle too much when you realize Larry got the date wrong.

What makes college football such a different experience from a professional event? Matthew and Larry discuss the differences between attending games at different venues and the benefits of having a walkable environment.

Zoning can be a fine needle to thread when getting ready to start a project. Matthew and Larry talk about how zoning can impact not just what and where you build but also how communities interact with one another.

Larry shares with Matthew a quick recap of his visit to San Francisco for the AIA's national conference. And his desire to have his favorite presenter teach every class.

Any idea what your architect is saying? Matthew and Larry aren't sure either. Listen in to some of their favorite architect quotes and see if you can figure out what's really being said.

Who are Matthew and Larry? Find out as they both answer not-quite-twenty questions, sharing information about their favorite architects, architect, and what they really do for fun.

We've all seen the cool and sometimes not so cool images being created by artificial intelligence. So what are the implications for architecture? Matthew and Larry talk through some of the potential issues with integrating AI and architecture, including potential built-in biases, accountability, and privacy.

What does architecture sound like? Depends on the architect! Matthew and Larry discuss the different soundtracks of architecture within their own careers, and how that varies depending on the work being done.

Matt and Larry try to get a jump on their continuing education before December rolls around and share some coping strategies as well as playing a game of "Where's the poop?"

OMG!!! Matthew's twins are now four! How did that happen? Join Matthew and Larry as they talk about utilizing playgrounds to burn off 4-year-old energy and how playgrounds have evolved from when Matthew and Larry were that age.

Wonder what happens when you call an architect? Matthew and Larry walk through what to expect if you are a client and sometimes when you're the architect. Just how many questions should you expect?

Matthew and Larry sit down for a chat with Jeremiah Russell of Rogue Architecture in Little Rock, Arkansas and discuss life running two businesses, how Rogue became Rogue, and even a quick speed round that ended up being not so quick.

Matthew and Larry kick off 2023 with a holiday recap and a small preview of what's in store for the year. Join them throughout the year as they explore architecture unions, how the five sense relate to architecture, and other topics.

What else can you use a roof for beside Santa's landing pad? Matthew and Larry share some projects that did more with their roofs than provide a way to keep the water out. Enjoy the last podcast of 2022!

Determining your worth when it comes to being paid can be a challenge. Matthew and Larry discuss the differences between hourly pay as a salaried employee and being paid as contract labor; what factors go into determining billable rates; and why that's important in the current work environment.

Happy Halloween! Time for lots of candy and haunted houses. Join Matthew and Larry as they talk with a paranormal investigator about what goes into making a truly haunted house.

Larry's husband James joins the podcast to discuss the ins and outs of working with recruiters when it comes to finding a new job and what makes a good and not-so-good recruiter. Plus Matthew shares some of his own experiences when looking for help in finding something new.

In celebration of International Podcast Day, Matthew and Larry podcast about podcasting. They share some of the ins and outs of hosting their own show, where ideas come from, and what at least Matthew likes to listen to.

Every architect has been an intern, but we sometimes forget what that was like. Matthew and Larry share some advice for firm owners and for interns to consider as they begin working together as well as some thoughts on interning in a hybrid work environment.