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Artwork for Life of an Architect

Life of an Architect

Bob Borson and Andrew Hawkins
Architecture
Work-Life Balance
Design Process
Career Development
Creativity
Holiday Gifts
Construction
Time Management
Architectural Drawings
Mentorship
Leadership
Education
Modernism
Inspiration
Architecture Business
Intelligent Quotients
Architectural Profession
Networking
Construction Specialties
Architecture Education

A gifted storyteller communicating the role and value of architecture to a new audience, host Bob Borson uses the experiences acquired over a 25-year career to inform his podcast. A small firm owner, architect, and college design instructor, co-host Andrew Hawkins brings his insight from his 20 years in various roles within the profession. It responds to the public curiosity and common misundersta... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes207Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DesignArts

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Artwork for Life of an Architect

Latest Episodes

Most of us have learned to treat more thinking as the responsible move, right up until it isn't. This episode is about the moment careful preparation quietly turns into avoidance, and why waiting for certainty is usually just a slower way of losing. ... more

What started as a simple commitment to sketch more became an unexpected lesson in accountability, criticism, and staying true to the reasons we begin creative work in the first place. Bob shares how a personal sketching exercise evolved into a broade... more

Designing a house does not begin with floor plans, exterior styles, or deciding where the kitchen island should go. It begins with understanding the people who will live there and translating their habits, priorities, routines, and expectations into ... more

In episode 204, “Character Development - Revisited,” we go back to the beginning and revisit the very first Life of an Architect podcast episode. Episode 001 was mostly an introduction: who we were, why the podcast existed, and what we thought it mig... more

Key Facts

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Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Denise Poyer
Product Specialist at Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 206: Work to Your Own Standard
Sharon Schietler
Product Specialist at Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 205: How to Start Designing Your House
Jennifer Mahalski
Business Development Manager at Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 203: Ten Museums to Visit Before You Die
Denise Boyer
Product specialist at Construction Specialties focused on interior wall protection, interior doors, and cubicle curtains
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 196: Do Architects Retire
Martin Reed
Business Development Manager for Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 194: Being Your Own Boss
Pat Baker
Brings experience in skilled trades, product development, and envelope design.
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 189: Holiday Gift Guide for Architects
Serbi Godgi
Business Development Manager at Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 183: Tips for being an Architect AND a Good Person
Anthony Pici
Senior Marketing Manager at Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 181: Attitude Reflects Leadership
Alexander Bostwick
Product specialist for architectural product solutions at Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 179: Is Half the Story Enough?

Hosts

Bob Borson
Host of the show; authorial design storyteller and firm owner
Andrew Hawkins
Co-host and co-creator with two decades in various roles within the profession

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 731 ratings
  • An architects companion

    I have been listening and reading the blog for years now. It has been my companion while I was studying and now into my career. An episode every 2 weeks isn’t enough - I am constantly going back to listen to old episodes. The insight gained is unmeasurable! Thank you Bob and Andrew for all your hard work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Debbie_F
    South Africa7 months ago
  • Love the show

    Amazing show. Watch every show that is posted.

    I would appreciate a show on the different types/degrees in architecture e.g. architectural engineering, architecture, interior design etc.

    I am aware that it may not be possible but it is just a suggestion! 🤩💪

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    #<EC>#
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • A lot of fun

    As a mid fifties architect and principal in a small firm this podcast has been very fun and thought provoking. Id never heard of Bob or the show before he came to my local Aia meeting for a presentation and I’ve been hooked ever since. My wife really enjoys some of the shows I’ve shared with her even though she is in the tech industry because some of the ideas of the work, process and life are very similar.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    banjo&fiddle
    United States3 years ago
  • I can’t stop listening

    I’m so glad I bumped into this podcast as an architecture student. I absolutely love the content, so informative and really motivates me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mathaleaphatela
    South Africa4 years ago
  • Modivated to continue

    2 years ago I was losing motivation toward my skill in designing and thought about doing something different til I stumbled upon this podcast I checked mr bob’s work on IG and since then I started to follow him and listen to his podcast’s, great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jonny Texan
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show as a constant source of practical architecture insight and motivation for students and pros alike.
Many comment on the quality of guests from Construction Specialties and the usefulness of product-level discussions for real projects.
Fans enjoy the mix of humor and hard-earned experience, citing relatable career stories.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#21
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#52
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#131
United Kingdom/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#6
Italy/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#73
Australia/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#148
France/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep 205: How to Start Designing Your House
Q: How does the workbook differ from the old questionnaire?
It starts with the household and daily routines to uncover needs and priorities, then uses that insight to justify room requirements rather than listing rooms first.
Ep 204: Character Development Revisited
Q: What role does analytics play in improving staff efficiency in healthcare facilities?
Analytics helps identify best practices, optimize staff performance, and guide space planning by showing how spend, maintenance, and product performance correlate with patient care outcomes and operational efficiency.
Ep 202: From Practice to Professor
Q: What does it mean to make the leap from practice to a full-time teaching role?
It means adapting to a setting with different constraints—no budgets for classroom decisions, the need to design authentic learning experiences, and aligning one's professional experience with pedagogy and institutional expectations.
Ep 201: The Middle of Middle Management
Q: What changes when moving from middle management to ownership?
You gain final accountability, balance employees' livelihoods with firm viability, and learn to avoid treating tough decisions as personal, instead embedding them in firm culture.
Ep 201: The Middle of Middle Management
Q: How does one cope with responsibility that outpaces authority?
By being transparent about constraints, advocating for necessary resources, and focusing on communication and collaboration to align teams with leadership goals.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Life of an Architect

What is Life of an Architect about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show offers practical, story-driven conversations about architecture, practice, and the built environment. Frequent topics include how design decisions affect real-world outcomes—ranging from patient experience in healthcare facilities to the everyday realities of running a small architectural firm—and how personal processes and habits shape professional work. Guests from Construction Specialties provide hands-on product insights that tie design choices to project performance, while the hosts share experiences from decades in the field, blending humor with actionable guidance for designers at any stage. A standout element is the recurring emphasis on mentorship, knowledge transfer, and staying curious about how small decisions ripple th... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Life of an Architect?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Life of an Architect:

1. Business of Architecture Podcast
2. Hidden Brain
3. What It's Like To Be... with Dan Heath
4. 99% Invisible
5. A Bit of Optimism

How many episodes of Life of an Architect are there?

Life of an Architect launched 8 years ago and published 207 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Life of an Architect?

Recent guests on Life of an Architect include:

1. Denise Poyer
2. Sharon Schietler
3. Jennifer Mahalski
4. Denise Boyer
5. Martin Reed
6. Pat Baker
7. Serbi Godgi
8. Anthony Pici

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