May 28, 2025

Quick Insights to Start Your Week

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Welcome to this week’s AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) huddle – your go-to source for the latest trends, industry insights, and tools shaping the industry. Let’s dive in! 🔥

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Design Discourse on the Phone Screen: A New Era for Architecture?

The Rise of Very Online Architecture

In the era of constant connectivity, architecture and design discourse have found a new home: our phone screens. No longer confined to printed pages or occasional documentaries, criticism now thrives on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, providing instant access to a vast array of architectural content.

From Print to Pixels

A decade ago, critiques were limited to specialized journals or documentary films. Today, they’re easily digestible, bite-sized snippets served up on our devices. This new realm, dubbed Very Online Architecture, is both informative and addictive, covering everything from congestion pricing to the absurdity of NEOM in Saudi Arabia, often with a humorous twist.

Content Creators Changing the Game

Critics and architects now turn to social media not just for promotion but as a significant part of their practice. Platforms like Instagram (1 billion+ users), YouTube, and TikTok offer unparalleled reach, enabling creators to build sizable followings and even earn a living from content creation.

Breaking Down Barriers

Unlike traditional, sometimes dry, architectural discourse, these digital influencers present complex topics in an engaging manner. Diana Regan, for instance, uses her platforms (Cities by Diana) to explore familiar yet overlooked themes like suburban development and car culture.

The Power of Accessibility

Licensed architect Dami Lee leveraged YouTube to reach a broader audience, shifting from academic content to more accessible design history and analysis. Her approach paid off, both in terms of client acquisition and audience engagement.

Embracing Change: The New Normal

The pandemic accelerated the shift towards digital communication. Cathal Crumley, who began creating videos during lockdowns, sees this as a future trend—a blend of remote work and digital storytelling. His content tackles controversial topics like fossil fuel commissions in architecture.

Innovative Communication Strategies

Stewart Hicks, a University of Illinois Chicago professor, applies science-based communication strategies (e.g., animation, narrative) to architecture videos. His approach makes complex ideas relatable and engaging, as seen in his popular YouTube channel.

Advocacy Through Visual Storytelling

Adam Paul Susaneck’s Instagram account, Segregation by Design, uses visual storytelling to highlight the racial implications of urban planning. By making these topics accessible, he aims to foster public understanding and demand for change in city planning.

Media Literacy: A Growing Need

As social media usage continues to rise (with an average of 2.5 hours daily), there’s a growing recognition of the need for media literacy. Comedian Dan Rosen uses his platforms to critique celebrity homes, sparking conversations about wealth, consumerism, and power in design.

The Student-Turned-Content Creator

Nino Ferrari-Mathis, an undergraduate architecture student, shares building field trips on Instagram and TikTok. His content serves as a form of apprenticeship, offering a unique perspective that complements traditional learning.

Conclusion: The Future of Architecture and Social Media

As architecture embraces social media, it opens new avenues for accessibility, advocacy, and learning. Whether as a supplementary career path or a tool for engaging broader audiences, content creation is becoming an integral part of architectural practice in the digital age.

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Why Veterans Make Exceptional Construction Leaders

According to a recent webinar hosted by Skanska and the Society of American Military Engineers, former and current military members excel in various construction roles, particularly as superintendents, project engineers, and safety managers. This insightful discussion highlights how veterans’ leadership and adaptability skills make them strong candidates for the construction industry.

The Unique Advantages of Veteran Leaders

  1. Mission-driven Focus: The construction environment mirrors military operations with constantly evolving tasks and a need to integrate diverse skill sets.

    “You just replace the map with a set of plans, and it’s the same type of challenge,” says retired Col. Aaron Reisinger, president of Sevan Multi-Site Solutions.

  2. Field-Tested Soft Skills: Veterans bring valuable problem-solving, small-unit leadership, and logistical coordination skills that are difficult to teach in conventional entry-level hires.

    “The majority of candidates we place in construction don’t come from construction backgrounds,” explains Patrick Jones, managing director at Proteus Recruiting. “They’re often strong field leaders with a solid work ethic and drive.”

  3. Quick Career Advancement: Veterans can rapidly progress despite minimal prior construction experience due to their operational skills.

Addressing Transition Challenges

  1. Unfocused Transitions: While veterans have strong leadership qualities, they may lack familiarity with business-side concepts and industry terminology.

    “Veterans might not know industry-specific jargon or project workflows,” notes Neil Moloney, environment, health, and safety manager at Skanska.

  2. Mentorship and Training: To bridge these gaps, firms should provide upfront training, mentors who understand both worlds, and jobsite exposure before hiring.

    “A short crash course or jobsite exposure can make a significant difference,” says Moloney.

  3. Career Advancement Blueprint: Clear promotion pathways and structured support are essential for veteran retention.

    “Doing 30-, 60-, 90-day check-ins with new veteran hires is really helpful,” advises Jones.

Construction’s Labor Shortage Solution

With the construction industry facing a persistent labor shortage, veterans’ unique skills and adaptability make them an invaluable resource for bridging this talent gap. By embracing veteran hires and implementing effective support systems, firms can unlock new potential and strengthen their workforce.

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Political Headwinds Cloud Living Future’s Annual Gathering in Portland

Living Future’s 2025 annual conference, “Accelerating Regenerative Action,” in Portland, OR, was marked by a mix of optimism and uncertainty. Lindsay Baker, CEO of Living Future, posed the question: “Are we a movement or an industry?” She emphasized that the organization’s roots lie in activism for change in building practices. This year, however, the landscape has shifted dramatically.

Jason McLennan of McLennan Design, in a passionate speech, declared the “green building movement” as largely obsolete. He suggested that the movement must now act as a catalyst for new thinking to bridge ideological divides. McLennan invited attendees to a September seminar to explore these challenges further—a fundraiser for his School of Regenerative Design.

Baker highlighted external pressures: the Inflation Reduction Act’s aftermath, looming elections, and the cancellation of Living Future’s $5 million EPA grant. She noted that the organization must pivot from certification-focused programs to broader education and storytelling. Emphasizing job creation in the industry, Baker stressed the importance of partnering with communities and educational institutions for training.

The conference featured a blend of idealistic and technical content. Anyeley Hallová (Adre) and Danny Desjarlais (Lower Sioux Hemp) were among the speakers, showcasing innovations like straw-based construction materials and hemp in building projects.

Notable sessions included “Nature’s Genius Unleashed: Biomimicry in the Built Environment” by Microsoft’s Daphne Fecheyr-Lippens, highlighting a Netherlands data center that reduced water usage and partnered with schools for environmental education. Amazon’s Julia Raish discussed their progress towards renewable energy goals and zero-carbon logistics buildings.

Despite these achievements, social justice initiatives faced challenges. The Albina Vision Trust’s effort to reclaim a historically Black neighborhood in Portland, described as the nation’s largest restorative justice project, expressed uncertainty about receiving an $450 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration. Similarly, projects funded by now-frozen EPA Community Change Grants faced policy shifts but remained hopeful about the embedded design solutions in affected communities.

The conference underscored the ongoing struggle and innovation within green building practices, balancing ideals with pragmatic action amidst evolving political landscapes.

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🛠️ Tool of the Week

BLUEBEAM The software offers a comprehensive markup feature set through its customizable toolset. Users can create precise annotations using text boxes, highlights, clouds, callouts, and stamps. Beyond basic editing, the platform provides specialized tools for:

  • Vector pen drawing for irregular shapes
  • Auto-stretching text highlighters
  • Custom stamp creation and import options

🤯 Fun Fact of the Week

At 2025, the architecture industry is witnessing a rise in “experience multipliers.” People now seek spaces that inspire connection, foster engagement, and create a sense of belonging, moving the built environment towards prioritizing human experiences.

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