The Broke Architect The Global Architect Alliance

I have with me today New York City Architect Bill Mandara, the CEO and Co-owner of Mancini Duffy. Bill has twenty-five years of experience in architectural design and is also a musician. 



Bill has contributed his design abilities on a variety of project types including industrial facilities, corporate offices, residential housing, retail facilities, and educational facilities but he is now best known for a massive project in the heart of Times Square (TSX Broadway) where a Theatre was lifted 30ft in the air but we will get into that. 



Bill also has vast experience in new building design and adaptive reuse of existing buildings and the practice exists in one of the most expensive cities in the world. 



We talk about the work of Mancini Duffy but also about leadership, repositioning projects, embracing technology and how Bill nurtures client relationships.


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It was an absolute pleasure to talk to the mega talented Razan Altiraifi who is; a Design Technologist, Architectural Designer and Programmer who works for the large US practice, Perkins and Will.



Razan is located in North Carolina and has a growing TikTok presence where she talks about architecture and tech. Razan has moved from the TECH sector into Architecture, which is RARE because most of my past guests have done it the other way around. Razan also has an MS in Information Systems and a Master's (M.Arch) in Architecture. 



In this episode we discuss being a boomerang employee and how it can benefit you. We discuss; AI and Tech and how and why she went into architecture. We discuss PTO, lack of vacation in USA, unionisation and how she has managed to graduate without any debt.



You can connect to Razan on the following social media platforms:

Tik Tok at: @ctrl.alt.des and

Instagram at @ctrlaltdes

YouTube: @CTRLALTDES


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Season 3, Episode 13 is all about Part 3 with fellow podcaster Maria Skoutari who is an Architect, Mentor to Architectural Assistants & Architects, and a fellow Podcaster & Founder & Host of "Part3 With Me". 



In this episode, we discuss how students of architecture often fear Part 3. We talk about the issues facing the profession. We talk about regulations, responsibilities and fees. We discuss AI and how Maria can assist future architects succeed at their part 3.



Maria has worked at large practices specialising in high-profile Developer Residential and Masterplan projects for clients with both a national and international presence for the past 10 years having joined a smaller high-end residential practice Maria’s experience is broad from macro to micro scale and multi-disciplinary, with her past and present portfolio spanning the UK and beyond. 



Maria’s commitment to Architecture – and the future of the discipline – extends beyond her day-to-day practice and she has been previously and presently a mentor to Part 1, 2 & 3 students currently supporting the RIBA Future Architects Student Mentoring Programme at Oxford Brookes University.



In addition to her formal mentorship programme at Oxford Brookes, she made the leap to independently launch a podcast – ‘Part3 With Me’ – to help inspire and support emerging Architects and final year students through their educational journey, into their final qualifications and beyond.



Listen to Maria's podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4nPcCl6wgR67BxNS31hiCM?si=oeBssb4FSaudZWRus3rXww


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This is the first episode in a series of special episodes on the state of volume house building located in the UK.

This podcast was generated from a LinkedIn post showing pictures of modern British housing and the post received 104 individual comments and over 25,400 impressions. 

The post reads:

“When you fly into England you see green….then you land on concrete and drive home on tarmac back to your bland housing estates devoid of vegetation and you enter rooms so small you still think you are on an aeroplane.



Houses that are devoid of proportion, firmness and delight, it’s a SH*T show from start to finish.



Now these houses aren’t cheap! These houses probably weren’t designed by architects and if new are probably full of defects…



Why is British housing generally so SH*T?”



I have with me today an Architect in the UK who wishes to remain anonymous as she has clients who are housebuilders. 

The intention is to talk with architects, planners and housebuilders and hopefully, the end users to hear from as many perspectives as possible.



Please contact me at www.globalarchitectalliance.com


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In episode 11 of season 3, we hear of the heartbreaking struggle of Amy Francis-Smith who despite all of the odds became an Architect, a successful one at that!



Amy and I ask each one of you who listens to this podcast to support the Architect's Benevolent Society by donating. You know it's the right thing to do. https://absnet.org.uk/get-involved/donate/



Amy's story is of someone who never gave up and is an inspiration to anyone in architecture who is considering throwing in the towel. Try having operations without anaesthetic and then you will understand her strength!



Growing up Amy had over 50 operations on her ear and head whilst also being a carer to her mother who was a wheelchair user. While studying architecture she was diagnosed with Mast cell activation syndrome and Ehlers Danlos syndrome and later Crohn's disease which is a lifelong condition where parts of the digestive system become inflamed.



We discuss Amy's story, her conditions and how she worked through her treatment to become a multiple award-winning architect.



Amy helps individuals, professionals and organisations deliver beautiful spaces, grow inclusive cultures and create a more inclusive world. Should you wish to contact

Amy her website is https://amyfrancissmith.com where she operates as an expert in accessibility for the built environment.


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In episode 10 of season 3 we talk to Architect Christina Linda Chan who was born and raised in Toronto. We discuss why must broaden architecture schools creative foundation. We talk why she took on Airbnb’s and became really good at it! We discuss pay and how other professions couldn’t believe what architects really get paid!
Linda has worked in both the corporate architectural firms and the design studio environment where her most notable project was the Drake Hotel Modern Wing. She was also the first Toronto in-house architect of an international real estate management company where she led the design and construction of their corporate offices in Europe and North America.
Christina did her MBA at the Rotman School of Management whilst co-founding Primal Note Studios, a music rehearsal space, recording studio, and performance venue that nurtures the careers of new and established musicians. Currently, she serves as lead investor and board member at Primal Note. Reach out if you are interested in getting involved.
Primal Note: www.primalnote.com

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