The Crit Room Podcast

As the semester is coming to an end, we started to reflect on our experiences from our first years all the way to our final semester and just started to think about all the crazy events and scenarios that challenged us to the point where we almost dropped out and the amazing moments that kept us going. We know architecture school is extremely hard and overwhelming. If you are in a situation right now where you are thinking about what you are even doing in architecture school - maybe listening to our stories can help you out. In this episode, we wanted to let you know that you can make it in your program and that it's possible. Between the toxic professors, burnout, uninteresting projects, and losing passion for design, we’ve experienced each one throughout our five years.

Something that’s always bothered me about job searches is that it feels like I'm stuck in a toxic relationship. You’re putting so much effort into your crush, but they're just not giving. You send them a risky hire me please text, and they ghost you. And worst of all, you see everyone around you is going out on a date with their firms, and you can't even get a text back. You start to wonder, what's going on? What am I doing wrong? We were also in your shoes during our final semester of the year watching everyone getting snatched up and getting super stressed out on how to secure a job opportunity.Today, we will share our stories and experiences in dealing with these situations with you. So pull up linkedin, get your firm pick up lines ready, and let's get into it.

Architecture as we know it could COMPLETELY change. Join our architecture podcast episode as we discuss the evolution of architecture and explore what would happen if the architecture industry transformed from service to product based. Inspired by The Business of Architecture Podcast, this week we navigate the challenges of AI, home-builder dominance, and the quest for accessible design. Can off-the-shelf solutions democratize architecture, or will architects face obsolescence? Tune in for a deep dive into the possible future of architecture.

Are we witnessing a New Age Renaissance of Crappy Buildings?   Embark on an exhilarating journey through modern architecture with Maria Ulashchenko on the Crit Room podcast in "The Renaissance of Crappy Buildings." Get ready to dive deep into today's architectural landscape, from the revival of craftsmanship to the game-changing impact of 3D printing. Join us as we peel back the layers of contemporary design, uncovering the reasons behind why many modern buildings just don't cut it. This conversation is sure to spark your interest in architecture and shed light on where the field is headed next. Let us know what you think in the comments below. Don't forget to follow us @critroompodcast @mariaulashchenko_architecture as we try to break down the current trend in architecture in our new episode. Check out the last Architecturally Speaking Episode "We Need To Fix Architecture School From The Inside" with @koray_yardas

Mid crits, and critiques in general, have a way of making you doubt your abilities - and for professors - a wide open opportunity to roast students into oblivion. So, in this episode, we will talk about our major struggles and learning points in our critiques from the last 5 years of our architecture school, and how to avoid the worst mid-crit of your life. We will talk about: How to not cry during the roast session, how to prepare properly, and how to get what you need to take your project to the next level

Ever wonder what the secret is to transform your good design ideas into great studio projects that impress your professors and peers? In this episode, we’re peeling back the curtain and revealing RIDICULOUSLY SIMPLE TRICKS that can transform your good designs into GREAT DESIGNS, what secrets we found from our 5 years in architecture school, and how that led us to creating better-than-ever projects in studio.

It's midnight, and there you are, staring at your half-baked design, feeling the pressure of the upcoming mid-crits.  The design competition is just around the corner, and soon you’ll have to present your final project, and you’re knee-deep in self-doubt, wondering if your design will stand out in the crowd. If you're an architecture student, you've probably been here before – wrestling with creativity blocks, questioning every choice, and asking yourself if your design can really shine in this intense competition.  If that sounds like your struggle, you're in good company. In this episode, we're not just giving you tips; we're sharing a real, relatable journey where we unpack the story behind the struggles we went through and promise to equip you with actionable insights to turn your design challenges into successes

It's no secret studio takes up a lot of time, and in this episode, we break down the methods and some tips we discovered that helped us strike a life/work balance and get some of that time back!

Need a mental recharge?  If you’re tired of doing your project and need to take a moment to rest your eyes, take a step away from your computer, or walk around and talk to people - that's exactly what Brain Break is.  Our latest brain break episode is focused on breaking those repetitive brain patterns and giving our mind the relaxation it deserves. Take a break from everything that's been occupying your thoughts and listen to our podcast. It is a principle we like to give ourselves and encourage others to do in studio to refresh our minds and prioritize our mental health. Don't wait – hit play, take a break, and let your mind unwind. Your mental well-being deserves this pause. #architecture #university #architecturestudent #brainbreak #mentalhealth #brainbreakideas

Why is architecture so toxic? Why is it that we have to SURVIVE architecture school. Why not THRIVE? These are just some of the questions we discuss. In this episode, we challenge architecture school stereotypes, questioning the traditional norms to hopefully redefine the studio experience and unveils the reality behind the romanticized facade of architecture, and uncover the hidden issues within the industry. Check out Koray's Instagram: @koray_yardas https://www.instagram.com/koray_yardas/?hl=en #architecture #university #architecturestudent #toxicworkplace #architectureschool #toxicculture