Welcome BACK to season 4!!!

In this episode, I talk to Helen Maunders , a self-employed Architect based in London, UK who has been in business for over 13 years at her practice Grafeso.

Helen is passionate about creating spaces that are both beautiful and functional and has a deep understanding of the building regulations and the construction process. She is also a strong communicator and has a proven ability to work with clients to understand their needs and deliver projects that meet their expectations.

However, she is currently looking for a new challenge as she has had no new work for the last 6 months and has had to resort to sleeping on her sofa and give up her bedrooms to get lodges in to survive financially.

In this episode, we discuss the survival of an architect who is a single mother, has navigated serious health problems while finding out later in life that she has ADHD. This episode is an emotional rollercoaster for Helen and I thank her for her bravery.

This episode is brought to you by Hahn Plastics, makers of Hanit – the innovative material reshaping the future of construction and design. Manufactured from 100% recycled consumer plastic waste and with unmatched durability, Hanit is the sustainable solution for tomorrow's projects. Want to discover how Hanit can transform your designs while reducing environmental impact? Book a CPD presentation today and let’s shape a greener future together. Visit hahnplastics.com to learn more.

Special Episode – “Are we creating too many Architects in the UK?

🎙️ The Broke Architect Podcast – Special Pre-Season Episode
📅 Release Date: [17th December 2024]
⏱️ Duration: Approx. 57:43 minutes

🚨 "DON'T MISS THIS EPIC EPISODE!" 🚨

Before we dive into the much-anticipated Season 4, we’re bringing you a special pre-season episode that will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to take on the architectural world like never before! 🎉

We now have a sponsor for Season 4! Hahn Plastics Ltd and without their support, I could not bring back this show.

Why You Can’t Miss This Episode

This isn’t just another podcast—it’s a call to action for architects everywhere. Whether you're burned out, broke, or just looking for that next career boost, this episode will challenge you to think about the profession of architecture.

Tune in to hear:
✅ The truth about why I think there is an oversupply of architects in the UK at present.
✅ Why I decided to leave the role of being an architect.

✅ We hear opinions from many architects on why the architecture profession is a poor state.

🎧 Where to Listen
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcast fix.

🔔 Subscribe Now
Hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss this special episode and the exciting journey ahead in Season 4 of The Broke Architect Podcast.

💬 Join the Conversation
Follow us on social media @TheBrokeArchitect (TikTok) and share your thoughts using the hashtag #BrokeArchitectSeason4.

Should you want to be on season 4 of the podcast please email: globalarchitecturealliance@gmail.com

For the final episode of season 3 I speak to RIBA President Elect for 2025-2027 Chris Williamson who is Founding Partner of WestonWilliamson + Partners part of the EGIS group.

Chris and has over 35 years’ experience in practice. He is also a NORTHERNER and has spent 30 years in transport projects attracting commuters out of cars onto safe, efficient well designed public transport including the design and masterplanning of stations, high speed rail, complex interchanges, underground, overground and light rail stations.

In addition to being an Architect, Chris plays a very active role in various professional organisations. Chris is a registered Project Manager and an active member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Institute of Collaborative Working. Chris has acted as an expert witness for TWA and planning enquiries.

In Feb 2016, Chris was inducted as a Freeman of the City of London and is currently Master of the Company of Architects in the City of London. Chris is a visiting professor at the University of London and Chair of the Southwark Design Review Panel.

In this episode, we discuss the RIBA's future, pay, business, the £85m RIBA's HQ refurbishment and education. We discuss solutions and how Chris plans to pair up with government ministers.

Today we have a CLIENT!

Robin Roberts , an Architect and a Fellow of the RIBA, is also the Chief executive of the Sutton Housing Society and is therefore a CLIENT!

However, Robin is also a Chartered Surveyor. The only individual to be simultaneously recognised as a fellow of both institutions, holding FRIBA and FRICS.

Robin seeks to identify more powerful ways to deliver projects, recognised by a collection of industry awards. Derek Rees, to quote Regional Director of Constructing Excellence "I see many great people that are trying to drive positive change in the construction sector and achieving it. But Robin clearly stands out, as demonstrated by the length and breadth of the Construction Excellence awards he has been instrumental in winning. He has also achieved several 'firsts' for us, including the first national client of the year and our first innovation in practice."

We discuss, why you should be a GOOD client and how you can be a GOOD client. We also look at how you can move into the client role.

Robin is a winner of 10 Constructing Excellence awards and received their first innovation in practice recognition.

This is Part 2 of my interview with ⁠Ramesh Pari ⁠who works for a well-known grocery tech firm. You may ask: “Why am I interviewing someone from a tech company?” However, it may surprise you that Ramesh is an architect and is the Head of BIM Design & Coordination.

In part 2 Ramesh talks about his work in the TECH sector and how he is thriving, getting more pay and family time. We discuss the RIBA and why he felt he had to leave and we also discuss his leadership style.

This is Part 1 of my interview with Ramesh Pari who works for a well-known grocery tech firm. You may ask: “Why am I interviewing someone from a tech company?” However, it may surprise you that Ramesh is an architect and is the Head of BIM Design & Coordination.

Ramesh left being a practising architect 6 years ago after not finding enjoyment in the profession and in his own words had a toxic relationship with architecture.

Ramesh is a child of an immigrant family from South Asia and thought the pursuit of becoming an Architect would result in him having a comfortable life. However, like more and more people in architecture, this is no longer popular as the salaries are quite frankly, SH*T.

Part 2 will focus on what happened when he left architecture and entered the tech sector.

Meet Emma Cogswell, a lighting designer based in the South of the United Kingdom in a town called Maidenhead, for the rest of the world it’s near Windsor.

Emma is enchanted and intrigued by the thrilling effects of light, and lights' magnetic appeal. Instantly hooked by its special power, she has worked within the lighting industry for 25 years.

Emma has worked with many industry experts and trade bodies and has kept her army informed about innovations through her Skills Army website, which she founded as a knowledge-share network.

To contact Emma visit: https://www.skillsarmy.co.uk

Meet Mohammad Balila who is a multi-cultured, Ivy League-educated architect and designer with 17+ years of experience in the profession and academia having worked in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Italy, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. He has worked in various projects involving small and large scale residential, commercial, educational, institutional, hospitality and urban planning developments. His academic experience involves teaching and acting as a visiting juror in various institutions in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Mohammed strives to help students develop a more complete set of design skills in an environment that is constantly changing due to technological advancements in software, building materials, as well as ever-changing social, economic and environmental issues. By forming a critical and analytical relationship to their work, students form a solid basis for their continuing education and their future professional careers.