In this episode, Christian sits down with Leah, Kate, and Sarah - the team behind Architects FORA, a 100% women-owned, fully virtual practice redefining what an architecture firm can be. Their path to creating FORA grew out of a shared desire for a healthier, more transparent way of working as the foundation of the firm. They dive into how they built a practice centered on equity and trust, why affordable housing became their focus, and how projects reflect a community-driven approach. The conversation also touches on how they’re embracing AI and emerging technology to stay nimble, relevant, and impactful as the industry evolves. It’s a candid look at three architects reimagining the profession - and proving there’s more than one way to build a thriving firm.https://architectsfora.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/ 0:00 – Intro0:42 – Meet the three leaders behind Architects FORA1:16 – A new model for architectural leadership2:06 – How their mission was sparked by a retreat3:30 – Discovering affordable housing as a calling4:14 – The moment they realized design could do more5:28 – The shift from prestigious buildings to purpose-driven work6:13 – A deep dive into housing and homelessness7:09 – How their remote collaboration began8:43 – Rethinking the value of work and space9:41 – Advice for young architects on choosing meaningful projects10:14 – Why purpose matters more to younger generations11:08 – What frustrates them most about traditional architecture culture13:26 – The danger of treating architecture as precious and untouchable14:39 – How rigidity threatens the future of the profession16:00 – Finding new areas of influence beyond traditional architecture17:20 – Why architects are overworked and underpaid18:50 – A better way to structure tasks and reduce burnout20:12 – Redundancy and team structure to protect work-life balance22:40 – Breaking generational mindsets in architectural leadership24:14 – How they use asynchronous, flexible scheduling25:17 – Can you work from anywhere, even Guam?27:04 – How they handle site visits as a remote firm28:52 – Why travel is worth the tradeoff for team happiness31:06 – How schedule flexibility supports parenting and caregiving33:28 – Intentional culture-building without being in person34:58 – Their secret to authentic team bonding remotely36:14 – What happens if someone goes over their 40 hours38:00 – How transparency prevents unrealistic deadlines39:05 – Why overwork is a leadership failure, not a badge of honor41:00 – How they designed a clear, equitable salary system43:00 – Their transparent leadership tiers and performance scoring45:00 – What “Architects FORA” actually means46:03 – Solera Apartments: Trauma-informed design in action49:27 – El Camino: Sustainability and community feedback51:59 – Lee Avenue: Senior housing with a real sense of place55:32 – Launching paid post-occupancy evaluations57:01 – Why AI is a tool, not a threat59:10 – A call to reimagine what your firm could look like1:00:44 – Final thoughts and how to learn more about Architects FORA