Systems thinking and the future of architecture with Evelyn Lee

STEAM Powered

Architecture has always struck me as a multidisciplinary field. It draws knowledge from all areas of STEMM into creating the spaces in which we live and work. But that's not always how this profession is perceived and this reflects in the way the industry has and needs to evolve.

Evelyn Lee is Head of Workplace Strategy and Innovation at Slack Technologies, and Founder of Practice of Architecture. Join us as we speak about the Evelyn's journey through architecture and tech, the future of architecture, and systems thinking in physical and organisational environments.

About Evelyn Lee

Evelyn Lee, FAIA, is the first-ever Global Head of Workplace Strategy and Innovation at Slack Technologies, Founder of the Practice of Architecture, and Co-Host of the Podcast, Practice Disrupted. Lee integrates her business and architecture background with a qualitative and quantitative focus to build better experiences for the organisation's employees, clients, and guests.

She is widely published, wrote a monthly column for Contract magazine for over three years, and is now a frequent contributor to Architect Magazine. Evelyn has received numerous industry awards, including 2016 40 Under 40 award for Building Design + Construction and the 2014 AIA National Young Architects Award. She recently served as the first-ever female Treasurer to the AIA National Board in 2020-2021.

Show Notes (link)

[00:01:07] What drew Evelyn to architecture?

[00:03:46] How Evelyn envisaged a career in architecture.

[00:06:24] What does the average career in architecture look like?

[00:09:40] Attrition in the architecture industry.

[00:12:07] The need for business education as part of architecture programs.

[00:15:37] The culture of the industry. Having to earn your way before you are welcome.

[00:17:23] The sense of prestige of the profession vs the tangible value that architects offer.

[00:19:07] What can we change that will provide more value to the industry?

[00:21:48] The innovations in the architecture space.

[00:23:57] Evolving the role of firms and the client experience.

[00:26:08] Evelyn's architecture journey and the desire to stay involved with the architecture industry.

[00:28:25] The Practice of Architecture.

[00:32:01] Evelyn's journey to tech.

[00:33:47] Applied workplace strategy and operation processes.

[00:36:52] A change in space requires cultural change management as well.

[00:38:10] Architects are systems thinkers.

[00:40:08] Evelyn's future in architecture and systems thinking.

[00:43:52] What advice would you give someone who'd like to do what you do, and what advice should they ignore?

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Hosted and produced by Michele Ong.

Music is "Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935" by Brett Van Donsel.

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