Open Plan Podcast
43 episodes - English - Latest episode: 22 days ago - ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIf you're an architect, currently studying to become one, or just curious about the profession, this podcast is for you! Cohosts Emily Zand and Maria Pastorelli talk candidly about all things architecture, careers, life, and struggles they face on the path of becoming architects. Join them in building a community that fosters more transparency in architecture with content that is relatable to young professionals and students.
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Episodes
#36 / I'm licensed... now what? ft. Architect Caitlin Brady from Architectette
April 04, 2024 11:00 - 52 minutes - 35.8 MBOn another incredible interview, Maria and Emily sit down with Caitlin Brady, host of the Architectette Podcast! What happens when you're done with exams and can finally call yourself an architect? Listen in to hear more about how to advocate for yourself while being one of the youngest in the room, career progression and importance of life outside of the office. Listen to Architectette Follow Architectette on Instagram Support the show Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast Use code OPP15 fo...
#35 / International Students in College (and Architecture!)
January 31, 2024 12:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBIt's finally here! Maria shares all of her most useful tips and tricks she learned from her experience as an international student going to college in the United States. Even if you're not in the architecture field, this episode is packed full of amazing advice. 00:00 - Getting to college 15:20 - In-college experience 34:15 - Post-college advice 43:25 - Listener Questions Support the show Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0
#34 / ARE Series: How to PASS Programming & Analysis
October 04, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBIn our next installment of the ARE 5.0 Series, Emily goes solo to talk about the 4th exam in our recommended test order - Programming & Analysis! She covers the content of the key sections in the test, goes over practice questions, and covers study resources + miscellaneous tips that YOU need to PASS this exam! Good luck to everyone studying - we are rooting for you! Be sure to follow @openplanpodcast on Instagram for even more ARE content & fun architecture tips and tricks. Timestamps: 5...
#33 / Summer Recap: Eras Tour, Brazil Wedding and what we did this summer
August 17, 2023 12:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBGet ready for an unfiltered catch up of what happened this summer! It's been a whirlwind of life events and we are catching you up on all things wedding, Eras Tour, vacations and we get a bit ~deep~ at the end. We hope you enjoy! Here are timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:30 Eras Tour Recap 9:30 Emily in Atlanta 11:03 Hamptons Bachelorette 13:43 Brazil Wedding 44:10 Maria's Takeaways Support the show Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0
#32 / Habits to Be More Present & Mindful in Everyday Life
April 13, 2023 10:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MBIn this episode, Emily and Maria share practical habits they are incorporating into their daily life that breaks up the monotony of the everyday grind & brings the joy back into simply LIVING. We hope this episode inspires you! Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0 Support the show Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0
#31 / ARE Series: How to PASS Construction & Evaluation
March 09, 2023 11:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MBIn our next installment of the ARE 5.0 Series, Emily goes solo to talk about the 3rd exam in our recommended test order - Construction & Evaluation! She covers the content of the key sections in the test, goes over practice questions, and covers study resources + miscellaneous tips that YOU need to PASS this exam! Good luck to everyone studying - we are rooting for you! Be sure to follow @openplanpodcast on Instagram for even more ARE content & fun architecture tips and tricks. Timestamps...
#30 / Broadening a career in architecture with Madame Architect's Kate Reggev, AIA
December 14, 2022 13:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBKate Reggev truly does it all! By day she is an architect working as an Owner's Rep while teaching at Columbia GSAPP, and by night she is an architectural writer for publications like MadameArchitect, Architectural Digest, Dwell, and more. Interested in transitioning from a traditional architecture firm to the Owner's side and flexing your project management skills? Or learning how to get into writing in the design world? This episode has all that and more - so you don't want to miss it! ...
#29 / Know Your Worth: How to Negotiate a Job Offer with Confidence
November 17, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBNegotiating a new job offer or a promotion can be uncomfortable - but we're here to change that! Using the valuable advice they've received on their own journeys, Emily and Maria give in-depth guidance on how to change your job search mindset and get what you deserve during the negotiation period. What do you say when an employer asks for your ideal salary number? What do you do when you have multiple offers at the same time? How do you talk about getting promoted and a salary bump at your ...
#29 / Know Your Worth: How to Negotiate a Job Offer with Confidence
November 17, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBNegotiating a new job offer or a promotion can be uncomfortable - but we're here to change that! Using the valuable advice they've received on their own journeys, Emily and Maria give in-depth guidance on how to change your job search mindset and get what you deserve during the negotiation period. What do you say when an employer asks for your ideal salary number? What do you do when you have multiple offers at the same time? How do you talk about getting promoted and a salary bump at your ...
#28 / ARE Series: How to PASS Project Management
October 06, 2022 11:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBIn our next installment of the ARE 5.0 Series, Emily goes solo to talk about the 2nd exam in our recommended test order - Project Management! She covers the structure of the test, the content of the 5 key sections in the test, and how you would see the section content in question form. She also dives deep into the most important resources you need to PASS this exam. Feel free to DM us on Instagram if you have any questions or comments! Good luck to everyone studying - we are rooting for yo...
#28 / ARE Series: How to PASS Project Management
October 06, 2022 11:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBIn our next installment of the ARE 5.0 Series, Emily goes solo to talk about the 2nd exam in our recommended test order - Project Management! She covers the structure of the test, the content of the 5 key sections in the test, and how you would see the section content in question form. She also dives deep into the most important resources you need to PASS this exam. Feel free to DM us on Instagram if you have any questions or comments! Good luck to everyone studying - we are rooting for yo...
#27 / A Conversation with Rashida Ng, RA, NOMA - Part II
September 22, 2022 12:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBThis is Part II of a very special interview with Rashida Ng, RA, NOMA! Rashida is one of the first 500 black women to be licensed architects in the United States. She currently serves as Associate Professor and Chair of Undergraduate Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. In this episode, Rashida gives valuable advice to anyone who might be interested in teaching, and how that has played a huge role in her life. We also discuss architectural education as a whole, what shifts the ...
#26 / A Conversation with Rashida Ng, RA, NOMA - Part I
September 15, 2022 04:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBThis is Part I of a very special interview with Rashida Ng, RA, NOMA! Rashida is one of the first 500 black women to be licensed architects in the United States. She currently serves as Associate Professor and Chair of Undergraduate Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. In this episode, Rashida tells stories of her experience as a POC in architecture school and as a young designer in the workforce. We also dive deep into our industry's gatekeeping and exclusion of the word "archi...
#25 / Emily Passed the ARE's!
September 01, 2022 11:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBEmily is DONE with the ARE's! In this episode, Maria interviews Emily about all the details of her exam journey and how she made it to her final pass. Emily opens up about her fails (yes, there were multiple), what her exact study schedule was, how to stay sane throughout the whole process, and much more! Be sure to stay tuned to the end for Emily's 7 tips that she’s gathered from passing the ARE’s. Enjoy the episode! Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0 Follow us on...
#24 / 10 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Summer Internship
July 14, 2022 12:00 - 28 minutes - 19.4 MBIt's summer internship season! And we want YOU to crush it. Whether you are doing a summer internship or beginning a new architecture position, we have 10 ways for you to make the most of your time at work. We cover advice that we wish someone told us when starting out, including being more communicative, prioritizing your goals, utilizing your firm's resources, and much more! These are tips you can carry forward through the rest of your career. We hope you enjoy! Use code OPP15 for 15% off...
#23 / ARE Series: How to pass Practice Management
June 09, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 44 MBIn our next installment of the ARE 5.0 Series, we are breaking down the exam we recommend taking first - Practice Management! We discuss what the test is generally about, the exact resources we used/are currently using, and critical study strategies to PASS this exam. Timestamps: Emily & Maria's Catch-Up: 0:00 - 9:57 Practice Management Content: 9:57 - 1:04 // Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0 RESOURCES MENTIONED: ARE 5.0 Handbook Architect's Handbook of Pr...
#23 / ARE Series: How to PASS Practice Management
June 09, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 44 MBIn our next installment of the ARE 5.0 Series, we are breaking down the exam we recommend taking first - Practice Management! We discuss what the test is generally about, the exact resources we used/are currently using, and critical study strategies to PASS this exam. Timestamps: Emily & Maria's Catch-Up: 0:00 - 9:57 Practice Management Content: 9:57 - 1:04 Test Strategies 45:00 Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0 RESOURCES MENTIONED: ARE 5.0 Handbook Architec...
#22 / ARE Series: How to get started on your licensure journey
April 14, 2022 12:00 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MBIt's the first of our ARE [Architecture Registration Exam] Series! So you've decided you want to get licensed...now what?! Starting can be overwhelming - but we've got you covered! In this intro episode, we cover all the steps required to become licensed and how to begin the process. How do you become eligible to sit for exams? Are there time limits to reporting AXP hours? What exam order do we recommend? We cover these and other frequently asked questions. Be sure to stick around for the ...
#21 / Professional Series: Redefining ARE failure, juggling work and family + the value of Architects feat. Bryn Young, AIA
March 30, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 48 MBEarly friend of the pod & award-winning architect Bryn Young sits down with us for an engaging conversation about her journey into architecture and all the amazing things she is doing. Bryn started her firm after completing her Masters (with a newborn in tow!) and has been running her business, podcast, and ARE resources/coaching program ever since. Tune in for a real and honest chat about motherhood in architecture, following through with what you're passionate about, and dealing with ARE f...
#21 / Professional Series: Redefining ARE failure, juggling work + family, + the value of Architects feat. Bryn Young, AIA
March 30, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 48 MBEarly friend of the pod & award-winning architect Bryn Young sits down with us for an engaging conversation about her journey into architecture and all the amazing things she is doing. Bryn started her firm after completing her Masters (with a newborn in tow!) and has been running her business, podcast, and ARE resources/coaching program ever since. Tune in for a real and honest chat about motherhood in architecture, following through with what you're passionate about, and dealing with ARE f...
#20 / Student Series: Collin Garnett & Timothy Peterson, M.Arch Candidates at the University of Michigan
March 10, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBFrom the University of Michigan Master of Architecture program, friends and classmates Collin Garnett & Timothy Peterson join us in the studio! What made U of M stand out when they applied to grad school? What's it like living in a college town like Ann Arbor? What's the studio culture like? (spoiler: it might not be what you think) Plus, we all go down the rabbit hole about what we think needs to change in the architecture industry. We talk about these topics and MUCH more in this engagi...
#19 / How to put your best self forward + avoid burnout
February 03, 2022 05:00 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBWe're back for our first episode of 2022! Maria and Emily catch up with some big life updates (hint hint it might involve a job change) and give their recommendations on what they are loving right now. They then dive into strategies on how to prioritize yourself this year and combat burn out. They cover topics like focusing on your mental health, silencing negative thoughts, setting boundaries, and much more. Tune into tips on how to put your best self out there this year - we're all on t...
#18 / Professional Series: Leading as an introvert, prioritizing your goals, and knowing your why feat. Tracy Carusi
December 16, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBIn this Professional Series interview, we speak with Tracy Carusi, 2021 President of AIA Atlanta and Former President/CEO of Collins Cooper Carusi Architects. We dive into Tracy's past (including some statements she received about being the only woman in the drafting room), how she put the "Carusi" in Collins Cooper Carusi, and why introverts make fantastic leaders. She also lends advice on knowing your worth in the field, and knowing the why behind everything you do. Join us in this cont...
#17 / Professional Series: Breaking glass ceilings, retrofitting suburbia and the post pandemic city feat. Ellen Dunham-Jones
November 22, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 67.8 MBIn one of our favorite episodes yet, we sit down with Ellen Dunham-Jones; architect, urban designer, educator, author, podcast host, viral TED Talk host...the list goes on! We cover a lot of ground with Ellen during this episode, including the adversities she faced as one of the few women in her architecture program, what sparked her interest in "retrofitting suburbia," and how autonomous vehicles will change the future of cities. We also discuss how COVID has impacted the public realm and h...
#16 / Professional Series: Marketing in Architecture feat. Maria Pastorelli
October 14, 2021 04:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBIt’s another exciting installment of our Professional Series, but this time with one of our own! Emily interviews Maria about her role as a Marketing Manager at Collins Cooper Carusi. What does a Marketing Manager do at an architecture firm? How did she pivot from a designer role to a marketing role? What is a typical day in the life of a Marketing Manager? We discuss these topics and much, much more. If you are interested in learning more about a marketing position in architecture, this epi...
#16 / Professional Series: Marketing in Architecture feat. Maria Pastorelli
October 14, 2021 04:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBIt’s another exciting installment of our Professional Series, but this time with one of our own! Emily interviews Maria about her role as a Marketing Manager at Collins Cooper Carusi. What does a Marketing Manager do at an architecture firm? How did she pivot from a designer role to a marketing role? What is a typical day in the life of a Marketing Manager? We discuss these topics and much, much more. If you are interested in learning more about a marketing position in architecture, this epi...
#15 / One Year Later
September 23, 2021 12:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MBHappy 1 Year Anniversary! We can't believe it's already been a year since our first episode went live, and we're so grateful to you for sticking with us during this time! In this bonus episode, we discuss a few of our favorite moments and behind the scenes from the last year and share some fun stats. We also want to thank you for listening and hear more about your thoughts on how we're doing! If you'd like to take 5 minutes to provide us some feedback so we can plan future content, you can f...
#14 / Professional Series: Starting a firm, how she hires, and equity in the profession feat. Leslie Ellsworth of Studio SOGO
September 08, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBWe're back with another professional interview! From Studio SOGO, Leslie Ellsworth is a firm owner, principal and mother of two. We talked about how she started her career, the difficulties she went through as a young mom at a small firm, how Studio SOGO came to be and how they're trying to do things differently in terms of increasing equity in the profession. She also offered some valuable advice for young professionals! We hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as we did. Take your n...
#13 / Student Series: Danny Griffin, designer and M.Arch Candidate at MIT
July 09, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 50.7 MBLong-time friend Danny Griffin joins us this week to chat about his experience as a designer and M.Arch candidate at MIT! How did he find his interests in undergrad? What's the culture like at MIT? How do his interests in architecture and robotics come together? Most importantly, how did he get away with writing a children's book as a studio project?! We hope you enjoy getting to know Danny and if you're considering applying to MIT, this is a must-listen! // Become a Patron! LINKS: dannyg...
#13 / Student Series: Danny Griffin, designer and M.Arch Candidate at MIT
July 09, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 50.7 MBLong-time friend Danny Griffin joins us this week to chat about his experience as a designer and M.Arch candidate at MIT! How did he find his interests in undergrad? What's the culture like at MIT? How do his interests in architecture and robotics come together? Most importantly, how did he get away with writing a children's book as a studio project?! We hope you enjoy getting to know Danny and if you're considering applying to MIT, this is a must-listen! // Become a Patron! LINKS: dannyg...
#12 / Student Series: Pursuing an MBA at GA Tech after Arch School ft. Bangseh Akuchu
May 20, 2021 04:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBWhy pursue an MBA after design school? How do the skills learned in business school help your architecture career? What are some differences in culture between an MBA program and a design school? In our first student series episode, Bangseh Akuchu tells us about his experience at his GA Tech MBA program. Also, stick around for the lightning round where you'll hear about him meeting and singing for the Obamas. We hope you enjoy the conversation! // Become a Patron! Support the show Follow...
#11 / Welcome to Our Crib: Apartment Decor Tips + Tricks
April 29, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 48.7 MBAyyy welcome to our crib(s)! On this episode Maria and Emily catch up on some recent life changes and then have a chat about all things home decor and apartment hacks. They cover easy to do, affordable tips to elevate your apartment’s vibe and organization - no matter what the size! They then give their take on recent Tik Tok design trends. Green kitchens, pink bathrooms, oh my! *disclaimer - we are not professional interior designers, thoughts are completely our own and done in good fun* ...
#10 / Pursuing a PhD in Architecture, teaching studio + starting a side hustle feat. Yousef Bushehri
April 05, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBWhat’s it like coming from a different country into an architecture school? How does one actually apply for a PhD in Architecture? Yousef’s unique career path inspired us to interview him about these topics and much more! He’s a PhD candidate at Georgia Tech, teaches architecture studios and is the creator of the Architect’s Tarot. We hope you enjoy getting to know more about his story as much as we did! See below for timestamps, links to things mentioned and how to find his art! // Become ...
#09 / The Interview: Prep + Steer the conversation + Get that offer
February 24, 2021 05:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBWoohoo! You've landed an interview with an architecture firm! Now what? In this Part II of the Career Series, Emily and Maria cover how to prepare before the interview (how much should you stalk firms?), how to discuss an architecture portfolio (without having to go through every image), and have stellar questions ready (what questions help make you stand out?). We also touch on important salary + negotiation advice and how to navigate job searching as an international student. We hope thi...
#08 / The Career Fair: How to Prepare, Navigate + Crush It
February 17, 2021 05:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBIt's that time of the year! Career fairs, job applications, interviews, oof! We're here to help. In this episode, we give our best tips and tricks for before, during and after the career fair. How do you prepare? What should I ask the firms about? How can I stand out? What if they ghost me? Find answers to this and much more in this ep! Plus: Tips on how to navigate an online career fair during these strange times. Follow us @openplanpodcast, subscribe and leave a nice review if you enjoyed...
#07 / Start the year off right: Our 2021 Goals
February 03, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBIt’s 2021! In this episode, Maria and Emily discuss all things goal setting when starting out a new year. They reflect on the past year, the good and the bad, and discuss what things they took away from it. They then dive deep into their personal, professional, and podcast goals and talk strategies on how they plan to follow through with them. Stick around for helpful tips and tricks in maintaining your own goals and making your vision become reality! We hope you enjoy this episode and find ...
#06 / Picking a School: Graduate School Edition feat. Matt Denig
January 04, 2021 05:00 - 41 minutes - 28.9 MBThis is Part 2 of our Picking Schools series! Maria, Emily, and special guest Matt Denig continue the conversation on their experiences choosing a grad program. They cover topics like how long of a break to take in between, what other things to consider, and how different grad school is compared to undergrad. They also give advice for a better application, tips on getting a Teaching or Research Assistantship and other valuable lessons they learned over the last couple of years. Tune in and l...
#05 / Picking a School: Undergraduate Edition feat. Matt Denig
December 14, 2020 05:00 - 49 minutes - 34 MBThis is Part 1 of our Picking a School series, Undergraduate edition! Maria, Emily, and special guest Matt Denig break down how they chose where to go for undergrad. What things did they consider? Did location matter? Did they know they wanted to do architecture? The three discuss their own unique experiences as well as what they would have done differently. They also offer advice to anyone considering currently considering different undergraduate schools. Hope you enjoy it! Follow us @open...
#04 / LEED GA: Our Exam Tips & Strategies
November 13, 2020 05:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBIn this episode, Emily and Maria break down the LEED Green Associate Exam. What is it? Why should you take it? How should you begin studying? They also speak about their experiences taking the exam, and give their own tips and strategies that helped them pass! Hope you enjoy and find this helpful. Let us know if you decide to take the test! Follow us @openplanpodcast, subscribe and leave a nice review if you enjoyed it! // Become a Patron! Things mentioned: LEED Green Associate Candidat...
#03 / Love & Architecture: Our Experiences
October 15, 2020 04:00 - 56 minutes - 39 MBWe've got some very special guests on the podcast this week! Tune in to meet Ashcon (Emily's fiancé, not an architect) and José (Maria's boyfriend, an architect) and join our conversation to hear about our experiences having relationships while in architecture school! Find out how we met, what it was like for them to live with us while going to grad school, and much, MUCH more. Maybe too much? We also compare their different perspectives as an architect vs. non-architect regarding design, st...
#02 / The Intern
September 30, 2020 04:00 - 59 minutes - 40.9 MBWe're diving deep into architecture internships this week! Did any of us actually have to grab coffee for someone? Clean out the library? Organize samples? Emily and Maria each talk about their own experiences and what kinds of things to expect from your internship. We're talking money, responsibilities, and common tasks that are usually given to interns. Plus, we have a crazy story sent by a listener about one of her internships… Stay tuned until the end for some must-have tips and advice t...
#01 / Back To School
September 16, 2020 04:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBIt’s September, so that means back to school! In this episode Emily and Maria discuss all things architecture school. What’s it structured like? What’s a “studio”? What are the differences between undergraduate and graduate school? Are you going to have a social life? They answer these questions and more, along with sharing some cringeworthy school experiences. Hope you enjoy! Follow us on instagram @openplanpodcast for the latest updates. // Become a Patron! Learn more about our featu...
#00 / Intro
September 16, 2020 03:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBIn this episode Emily and Maria introduce themselves and discuss where they’re from, how they ended up in architecture, and how they met. // Become a Patron! Support the show Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0