The Voice of Florida Architecture

Melissa Brillhart and Jacob Brillhart, AIA discuss their award winning project with Rhonda Hammond, AIA and Stephen Hruby, AIA.

Host Rhonda Hammond, AIA, welcomes Shawn Mulligan, AIA, founding partner of Design Clarity and member of the AIA Strategic Council, to explore new approaches to the business of architecture. Drawing on research from the Strategic Council, Mulligan discusses the importance of thinking beyond traditional business models, developing entrepreneurial strategies and approaching firm operations with the same creativity architects bring to their projects. From alternative revenue streams and leadership to lessons from other industries, the conversation explores how architects can rethink their value, strengthen their practices and embrace opportunities for the future. Shawn's contact information: Shawn Mulligan, AIA Founding Partner DESIGN CLARITY E [email protected]

To honor the life and legacy of Carl Abbott, FAIA, who passed away at age 90, we revisit our conversation Guy Peterson, FAIA and Max Strang, FAIA recorded in 2023. The youngest member of the Sarasota School of Architecture, Carl carried its principles forward through a distinctive approach to design shaped by the land, natural light, coastal breezes, and the relationship between buildings and their surroundings. A graduate of the University of Florida and Yale, Carl studied under Paul Rudolph and worked with Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, and I. M. Pei before establishing his Sarasota practice in 1966. His award-winning work and dedication to preserving Sarasota’s architectural heritage left a lasting mark on Florida architecture. We invite you to listen to this conversation and remember an architect whose work continues to inspire.

Host Rhonda Hammond, AIA, welcomes Molly Penn from PENN Creative, the consulting firm leading AIA Florida's Relevance of Architecture Study. The conversation explores the goals of the study, insights from member focus groups and why hearing from architects, clients and other industry stakeholders is essential to understanding the profession's evolving role. Participate in the survey by Nov. 2 at https://aiafla.org/About-the-AIA_Relevance-of-Architecture.cfm.

Host Rhonda Hammond, AIA, speaks with Itzel Lozada, AIA, and Keith Lashley, FAIA, two architects with experience in healthcare design whose own medical journeys brought new perspective to their work. From accessibility and patient dignity to natural light, comfort, caregiver support and design details, they discuss how their experiences deepened their understanding of what patients and their families encounter in some of their most vulnerable moments and reinforced the importance of designing to support healing, reassurance and hope.

Host Rhonda Hammond, AIA, talks with Ignacio Reyes, FAIA, about ownership transitions and succession planning in architecture firms.Their conversation explores the challenges firm owners may face, the importance of planning early and why culture, trust and financial preparation can make a significant difference in a successful transition. Reyes also discusses the long-term impact succession decisions can have on a firm’s people, identity and future.

In the latest episode of "The Voice of Florida Architecture," Amie Calisti, AIA co-host of "The Real Pink Diaries," Rhonda Hammond, AIA, host of "The Voice of Florida Architecture," and Jessica Rogers, NOMA, host of "Unspoken Practice" and co-host of "She Builds Podcast" gather for a conversation about finding and using your voice through podcasting and how to share your voice to express ideas, experiences and stories with a broader audience.

Joyce Owens, FAIA, RIBA, returns to talk with host Rhonda Hammond, AIA, about her election as 2027 AIA president-elect and 2028 AIA president, reflecting on the leadership journey that brought her to this moment, her campaign experience, how Florida plays a large part in it, and the priorities she hopes to carry onto the national stage.

Nati Soto, FAIA, reflects on the mentors, relationships and opportunities that shaped her career. She shares how service through AIA, along with a willingness to speak up, can help architects become more engaged professionals, strengthening their voices and contributing beyond their individual practices.

Voting for the 2026 AIA Florida People’s Choice Competition on Instagram runs from July, 3 at 12 p.m. Eastern through July, 17 at 11 p.m. Eastern. This year’s voting will take place directly on AIA Florida’s Instagram page­­ and the Florida Foundation for Architecture's Instagram page, where each project will be featured in its own post. To vote, followers will simply “like” their favorite project posts during the voting period.This year’s People’s Choice Competition Contestants:Bayshore Park, Miami, FL -­Savino & Miller Design Studio, Master Planning and DesignNorton Musuem of Art, West Palm Beach, FL -­CBT Architects - Architect of Record, Foster + Partners - Design ArchitectOvertown Youth Center, Miami, FL -­Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design­ - Design Architect, Design2Form - Architect of RecordThe Corner at Debs Store, Jacksonville, FL -­ALS Architects-PlannersThe Hub/Big Chill 30A, Watersound Beach, FL -­DAG ArchitectsUniversity of Miami Theatre Arts Building, Coral Gables, FL - MATEU ArchitectureUniversity of West Florida Museum of Industry Entrance & Train Canopy, Pensacola, FL - SMP Architecture, PABe sure to follow AIA Florida on Instagram­ and the Florida Foundation for Architecture and check back when voting opens to support your favorite contestant!