How can architects utilize their diverse skill sets outside of the practice to create meaningful, lasting social impact within communities and the built environment?

On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we welcome Wayne Mortensen, a leader whose career spans architecture, urban design, and social work. As Vice President of Excel Development Group and founder of Public Square Development Services, Wayne brings an interdisciplinary perspective to community development. In our conversation, we discuss Wayne’s passion for affordable housing and his commitment to creating lasting social impact through design.

First, he shares his journey, beginning with his academic pursuits in architecture, urban design, and social work. We touch on his transition from traditional consulting to social work to address the intersection between design and community needs.

Then, Wayne highlights his time as a Rose Fellow in Cleveland and the importance of trust-based relationships in community development. He talks about founding Public Square Development Services, his leadership role at Excel Development Group, his position at the University of Nebraska, and why working in multiple roles can increase social impact.

There's all sorts of ways that skills can be utilized in both conventional architectural practice and non-traditional practice. I want architecture school to be a lot more like my social work experience, where we are an accelerator and not a gatekeeper. Because if there's somebody that is an architecture school, it's because they have a passion and a fundamental belief in the built environment and its importance, and there's absolutely no reason that we can't find a role for them. - Wayne Mortensen

To wrap up the conversation, Wayne offers advice to emerging professionals, encouraging them to view architecture education as a tool for diverse career paths. He advocates for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to education as a means to drive meaningful change.

Tune in next week for an episode about community-impact consulting

Guest:

Wayne Mortensen, AIA, NASW

Wayne Mortensen is a developer, planner, and architect in Lincoln, Nebraska where he serves as Vice President of Excel Development Group and runs a nonprofit affordable housing consultancy, Public Square Development Services. After preparing for a traditional career in architecture at the University of Nebraska, his academic interests shifted to the emerging field of public interest design–a journey that took him to DC, St Louis, and Cleveland before returning home in 2020 to explore affordable housing solutions that transcend the urban/rural divide.

In DC, Wayne oversaw the launch of a national service initiative called Freedom by Design while serving as the 2003 President of the American Institute of Architecture Students. In 2010, he was awarded an Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellowship, which took him to Cleveland, Ohio. For nearly a decade, he helped facilitate citywide planning, housing, and redevelopment strategies as a pro bono consultant within Cleveland’s expansive community development ecosystem. This work culminated in 2020, the same year that Wayne was the recipient of an AIA Young Architect Award.

📍 Show Links:

Connect with Wayne on LinkedIn

Check out Excel Development Group

How can architecture firms develop strong and innovative company values, foster a supportive workplace culture, and continue to grow while making an impact?

On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we sit down with the founding team of Modellus Novus – Jonathan Garnett, Creative Director; Preeti Sriratana, Managing Director; and Steven Harper, Operating Director. In our conversation, they discuss the inspiration behind their firm, what sets them apart from others in the industry, and how they're actively challenging the status quo of the practice of architecture.

First, the team explains their shared vision for Modellus Novus, their leadership dynamic, and their commitment to building an innovative architecture firm that stays true to values. They provide examples of how their workplace culture and policies prioritize employees, reflecting the mission to create a team-first business.

Then, we dive into their approach to collaboration and the strategies the firm uses to continuously improve their work environment. The founders also discuss their response following the pandemic, their diverse project portfolio, and how they choose which clients to work with.

I'll share one of our admin values, which is – the team, the team, the team. Put your people first. They're the ones who are actually going to design and build the architecture. Support them and they'll deliver something incredible. And in turn, you will find clients that value that. - Jonathan Garnett

To wrap up the conversation, Jonathan, Preeti, and Steven share their exciting plans for growth while maintaining quality, culture, and impact. They offer valuable advice to young architects who want to make a difference in their communities and the world through the practice.

Tune in next week for an episode about affordable housing and community development.

Guest:

Jonathan Garnett

Jonathan Garnett is Creative Director and a founding partner at Modellus Novus, where he oversees creative direction for a range of the firm's architecture and design projects, as well as its external and internal initiatives. He is responsible for establishing, evolving, and tailoring the firm's design processes, priorities, and principles in coordination with business development, financial, and organizational strategies. Jonathan was fundamentally shaped by summers working with a non-profit design firm in Detroit that provided design-build services to underrepresented communities and community organizations invested in improving the quality of life in that city. A native of Oakland, California of Black and Japanese descent, he received his Bachelor of Arts (Magna Cum Laude) with Concentrations in Industrial Design and Graphic Design from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, studied at the Technical University at Delft in the Netherlands, and received his Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles. Previously he worked at Detroit Collaborative Design Center in Detroit, George Yu Architects in Los Angeles, and Open Office in New York. After spending years overseeing the construction of projects he designed, while also making furnishings and objects with his hands, Jonathan learned what kind of creative leader he wanted to be. He imbues those values in his daily work with the project teams at MN.

Preeti Sriratana

Preeti Sriratana is Managing Director and a founding partner at Modellus Novus, where he provides strategic direction and manages growth. He is committed to shaping communities and creating access, from non-profit work to MN’s efforts to create spaces for the many in all of their projects. Beyond MN, he is board chair for Apex for Youth (for which he received an Official Commendation from the City of New York); co-founder and board member of national renovation marketplace

How can firms effectively leverage knowledge management to stay ahead of the evolving industry?

In this episode of Practice Disrupted, we explore the evolution of knowledge management in the AEC industry with Christopher Parsons, founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture. Christopher’s work centers on developing ways to manage and share knowledge within AEC firms. Together, we discuss the future of knowledge management and how firms can stay ahead of industry shifts.

First, Christopher defines knowledge management as integrating people, processes, and technology to maximize a firm’s expertise. He breaks down the benefits for firms of all sizes and outlines the three key eras of knowledge management: tacit knowledge, social media, and AI.

Then, we discuss why Christopher believes AI will drive the next major shift in knowledge management. He touches on effectively leveraging AI to optimize its potential, the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI in AEC, and generational critical knowledge transfer.

I think there's this idea that our industry right now is in a permanent state of change that's only picking up speed… Part of knowledge management is learning what to unlearn… don't be too attached to the way we've done things or the knowledge that we've acquired, and be willing to continue to upgrade yourself and your company in terms of what you know and how you work – knowing that the half-life of knowledge is shrinking every year more and more. - Christopher Parsons

To wrap up the conversation, we highlight how knowledge management supports the development of soft skills and strong leadership within firms. Christopher shares practical tips for starting to integrate knowledge management into firms and personal routines. He also shares his perspective on the future trends for knowledge management.

Tune in next week for an episode about starting Modellus Novus.

Guest:

Christopher Parsons

As Founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture, Christopher is responsible for product development, marketing, and organizational health. Christopher has been a technology leader in the AEC industry since 2002, including serving as the Chief Information Officer for Steinberg Architects and the Information Technology Director for SMWM (now Perkins+Will).

Christopher has a degree in History from Wake Forest University. He’s an avid reader, trail runner, birdwatcher, and cook.

📍 Show Links:

Connect with Christopher on LinkedIn

Check out Knowledge Architecture

📚Continue Learning:

AEC Knowledge Management 101

Synthesis Overview

Synthesis AI Roadmap

Critical Knowledge Transfer Series at KA Connect

KA Connect Talk Archive

Deep Smarts by Dorothy Leonard and Walter C. Swap

Critical Knowledge Transfer by Dorothy...