Episodes
-
An Introduction to a new series on Artificial Intelligence and Architecture to start the conversation and current development on architecture education and practice.
"With the emergence of AI-powered design tools and techniques. The need for traditional architectural education is rapidly diminishing. And this is not inconceivable that it may disappear entirely. " (ChatGPT). Prophetic or doom and gloom due to ignorance when one reads the statement produced by ChatGPT, but is there some truth in this?
A series is dedicated to this topic based on research with Facebook group comments, articles, and YouTube videos that spanned from 2023 and will come to some conclusions in the end. You are welcome to join me.
© 2024 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is the AI Brain taken from the internet.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
ESG business models impact society's aspirations when focused on creating eco-systems and not just ticking boxes to look good. Have businesses considered the 'social' in ESG enough? " The Social in ESG covers 'human rights, community involvement, diversity, and customer satisfaction'" (https://www.thecorporategovernanceinstitute.com/insights/guides/simple-guide-esg/)
However, in this discussion, we look to the words 'sense', 'embrace', and, 'approach' rather just on taking a cursory approach to 'social' in a business model.
© 2024 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is the ESG concept taken from the internet.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
Missing episodes?
-
Are architects and designers neuro-divergent or have traits that are neuro-divergent? Google says that: neurodivergent (adjective) means "differing in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or normal (frequently used with reference to autistic spectrum disorders); not neurotypical".
We often think of ourselves as special or have special skill sets, but to identify as a 'neurodivergent' would be going too far. Or is it? There is a particular skill of being able to "look at a 2-dimensional drawing and imagine the 3-dimensional equivalent in my head", as the author Scaff said in the article: Designing and leading while neurodivergent.
I thought my students and my (manual drawing) peers were able to do this and it is a skill that architects need to have. Or was I wrong about this?
© 2024 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is a 2D house plan taken from the internet.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
Part 2 and the concluding episode of this discussion were inspired by the architect, Mitch Moss's post on Facebook on 18 February 2024. Some discussion includes the design of high-rise buildings and identity. The argument is that when we propose that the context (people) is at the core of the design decision, we will design more of an inside-out building rather than merely focusing on form. The use of the design thesis project by Wong Joe Yee's Vertical Neighbourhood Shared Space, took the Menara Mutiara, a 13-story building, and transformed it into a place for the community at Petaling Jaya Old Town, and other examples, juxtaposed with the ubiquitousness of cities with the typical high-rise designs.
© 2024 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is a drawing by Wong Joe Yee's Vertical Neighbourhood Shared Space design thesis in 2019-20.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
The first part of a two-part series is the first reaction that was discussed after reading the architect, Mitch Moss's Facebook post on 18 February 2024.
Readings of what Mitch had posted interspersed with Naziaty's Talk Architecture host's opinion on Concepts, Context, and Content in Malaysian Architecture Identity, take forward last December 2023 discussion based on a newspaper article on Malaysian Identity.
© 2024 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is downloaded from the internet -
Editorial credit: IZWAN IS / Shutterstock.comSupport the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
“Don't Take Things Personally”, is one of the Four Agreements that Don Miguel Ruiz wrote in his book. People at the office, be it a co-worker, your boss, a consultant or the contractor may state their opinion to you. At that moment you could say something back but you don't have to. One could feel threatened at that instant feeling less worthy or being insulted even. But you could give an opinion but better still just stay silent. Because it is not personal even if it is directed to you and based on what you are supposed to have not done or did. There is no loss if you don't reply because it was not personal, at all.
Part 2 of the Series “Loving Yourself Unconditionally” for the Architect & Designers.
©️Talk Architecture 2024, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo downloaded from the Internet on “argue office”, 2024.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
“Be impeccable with your word”, is one of the Four Agreements that Don Miguel Ruiz wrote in his book. Communication is key and using the right words is necessary to achieve your dreams and goals in architectural practice and education.
Part 1 of the Series “Loving Yourself Unconditionally” for the Architect & Designers.
©️Talk Architecture 2024, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo downloaded from the Internet on “flawless”, 2024.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
This opinion piece is a reply to someone in a facebook who commented that architecture is a “dead/ dying industry in many parts… nobody wants to pay for design when it can just be replicated digitally from something done before”.
This is in conjunction with the Rediscover Architect posted earlier. FB ad on “3 Reasons Architects Suffer Stress and Burnout and How to Fix it!”
©️Talk Architecture 2024, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo downloaded from the Internet on “burnout”, 2024.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
This is an introduction to a series of discussion on “unconditionally loving yourself” which will at first, refer to Don Miguel Ruiz’s “The Four Agreements”:
1. Be impeccable to your word
2. Don’t take anything personal
3. Don’t make assumptions
4. Always do your best
How do these agreements help the architect to achieve a work-life balance and rid of stress and burnout?
©️Talk Architecture 2024, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo by a student: Final Crit at UCSI, 2023.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
A design curriculum is designed and run for a reason. The architectural graduate characteristics were influenced by their experience when gaining knowledge and skills at architecture school.
A Facebook post discussion referred to the architect Frank Duffy's 5S diagram of "site, structure, skin, space, stuff". After exchanging comments, I discussed here how the design curriculum may affect the architect's character and traits.
In the first instance in the Part 1 episode, I speculated and discussed UTM's design thesis themes of (1) Building facade and (2) Urban design and planning (diagram by Dr Azari), compared with UM's design thesis labs of (1) Green and sustainable architecture, (2) Urban & community architecture, and (3) Heritage and conservation architecture.
©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo credit Image from the internet of Stewart Brand's book "How Buildings Learn - What Happens After They're Built" (1995).Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
The idiom 'push the envelope' means "to surpass normal limits or attempt something viewed as radical or risky" (Merriam-Webster) and that is true about the design thesis topic choice and justification.
The discussion focuses on the need for architecture students who come up with design thesis topics to be more challenging and 'push the envelope' when it comes to justifying and defending their design. Finding the questions to ask themselves including the right questions is fundamental in the final year course.
© 2023 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is downloaded from the internet - envelope icon.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
Further explanation on why a museum is not a recommended topic for students of architecture, by deep diving into 2 hypothetical projects of a museum compared to a library design, describing the design development and processes and what it entails.
© 2023 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is downloaded from the internet - museum icon.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
An opinion piece based on a comment on the Facebook group “Architectural Insurgency: Kuala Lumpur” that I said, “A student doing a museum project will ignore context”.
Definition of context: “understanding people and relationships, when the designer is empathizing with the user who is using the space”.
Making a new context from an existing context, hence for a museum project for a design thesis topic is too specialized and will be more focused on itself and less on context.
© 2023 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is downloaded from the internet - museum icon.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
"Educating the client" does not mean you will be 'schooling' them as notably they are 'above you' (as the paymaster). Education here means the ability to sell your service by using the psychology learned in sales and the ability to create a conversation with the client to maintain a healthy professional relationship.
What happens in a meeting is the following:
Ideas > Brainstorm > Solve problems
The client bought your services and as the architect, you give valuable insights (ideas) and the client has their ideas, therefore the conversation (even though your client at first seems to be 'talking down on you' (it is not personal) is hearing your valuable insights and considering them to make a decision. So there is a collaboration that happens which will only be a positive thing to the whole professional relationship. Architects need to learn the psychology of how to deal with clients, as explained in this episode.
© 2023 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is downloaded from the internet where a group of people are having a meeting.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
If the Berita Harian news article is anything to go by, the use of the Malaysian identity debate is a poor strategy if it’s relegated to the patterns, embellishment, motifs, and decorations on skyscrapers.
Scraping at the bottom of the barrel in terms of ideas to debate about, it is disappointing in the least, that the debate on the Malaysian identity is actually to advocate for mega-big projects for local architects.
There is so much more to debate and discuss regarding Malaysian architectural identity and we need to be more critical to get the right attention from the Government or the general public.
© 2023 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is from Universiti Teknologi Petronas Library in 2023 (Taken by Naziaty Mohd Yaacob)Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
Here we go again after we had that Search for Malaysian Architecture Identity debate in the 1980s, we are flogging the same issue... again. I am all for Malaysian architects being advocates fighting for their rights to get mega-big projects and not having the Government give them to foreign architects, but I don't understand when we talk about 'identity'. It invariably is about the lack of patterns, embellishments, and motifs of design that have old Malay architectural characteristics. In fact, on my last trip to Fosters' building in Tronoh, the UTP auditorium had songket-type patterns on the inside wall. I don't want to be in the middle of the motifs and patterns debate (not identity, because this is a bigger debate), so I leave it at that.
The newspaper article that had several people debating and discussing: https://www.bharian.com.my/hujung-minggu/lain-lain/2023/12/1192854/rekaan-seni-bina-hilang-identiti
A podcast that dealt with this issue before Learning from Kisho Kurokawa: Asian public space is the street! (how to originate from past designs) https://www.buzzsprout.com/1042819/episodes/7207186
© 2023 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is songket pattern downloaded from the internet.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
After almost 4 years since we first published the 1st episode called "Design Process in Architecture Studio Curriculum" which is the most listened-to episode in the Talk Architecture podcast, a reflection on the topic in terms of 'design methodology' and the studio curriculum is deliberated in this episode.
A methodology is a system of methods and principles for doing something (Collins, 2023).
The fact that different schools of architecture practice different methodologies as we have observed, shows that there is not one philosophy in architecture. Is that a good or bad thing for the profession? This is not a recent phenomenon as I recall in the 1980s we talked of the more theoretical school and the more practical school. The diagram in the thumbnail was a way to describe the attempt to have a balanced approach to the architecture curriculum, especially in the final year or design thesis year.
© 2023 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The diagram is called the design process for all architecture design studios at a school of architecture © Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob, 2023Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
This is an introduction to stress and burnout, the similarities and differences in the context of architects and building professionals. The article that is being referred to is in this LINK.
It is a complex situation if a person is experiencing either of these things, but the article with the reading and some interpretation helps to define the words and understand better, to be more aware, especially if you are experiencing it right now.
©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo credit: Fatigue architect (downloaded image) 2023.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
A discussion on the diagram posed earlier in the first episode of Talk Architecture and discussed in this blog: Life is a design thesis. However, the 'design problem' is explained in more detail by referring to the diagram (shown in thumbnail) which is a flow chart of the design processes in 4 phases (for the design thesis) but much of the components and stages can be applied to any architecture program in 1-5 years.
© 2023 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The artwork in the podcast is the diagram by Naziaty Mohd Yaacob called the design process diagram for all architecture design studios at UM School of Architecture Author: © Copyright: Naziaty Mohd YaacobSupport the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
-
A proposal for the school of architecture to have a university campus design project that includes a master-planning exercise in the beginning for design thesis students to engage in. It is crucial to have a good studio tutor team where they have a commonly understood philosophical approach and the complexities and expectations of the design thesis projects will be fulfilled as there will be a lot of design problems to be identified and solved by each student taking in different building types and in-between spaces issues.
©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo (artwork): Site visit of Universiti Malaya campus in July 2020 by Unit 2, led by Kevin, Naziaty, and Lisa with the students.Support the show
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!
- Show more
