Architect Exam Podcast

Every type of light bulb produces different color quality, and two numbers on the spec sheet control everything: color temperature (CCT) measured in Kelvin, and the color rendering index (CRI) measured on a 0 to 100...

Zoning controls what you build, how tall, and how close to the property line before you draw a single line. This episode breaks down every zoning term candidates confuse. We cover setbacks, encroachment, easements...

ADA bathroom layout dimensions all exist to make one physical action possible: the toilet transfer. This episode breaks down every restroom requirement and the human experience behind it. Emily spent an entire day in a...

Galvanic corrosion happens when dissimilar metals touch in the presence of moisture, and it destroys building assemblies faster than most people expect. In this episode, Layla breaks down exactly how galvanic corrosion...

The five major roof membrane types for low-slope roofs: BUR, modified bitumen, EPDM, TPO, and PVC. In this episode, you will learn what each one is, where it belongs, and how to choose the right one for any building. We...

Study motivation is the real barrier to passing the architect exam, not the content itself. If you've been closing the laptop every night without reading a single page, this episode is for you. Emily shares her own...

What are foot candles, and how are they different from lumens? Foot candles measure how much light actually arrives at a surface, while lumens measure total light output from the source. One foot candle equals one lumen...

Join Michael and Emily for a free CDT® certification presentation on August 6, 2026 at 7:30 PM Eastern. Learn why CDT® takes just 30 to 60 hours to pass compared to the 900 to 1,300 hours for the full architect exam...

Historic preservation defines four distinct approaches to working on historic buildings, and mixing them up can send your project in the wrong direction. In this episode, Michael Riscica breaks down the Secretary of the...

Architecture Firm Finances: From Salary to Profit The overhead rate, utilization rate, and net multiplier are the financial concepts that keep architecture firms alive. In this episode, Emily breaks down how...

Vapor barriers, air barriers, and water barriers each do a completely different job inside your wall assembly, and mixing them up is one of the most common mistakes on the ARE. In this episode, we break down the three...

AIA B101 is the most important contract in architecture, and most people working under it have never actually read it. This episode breaks down the entire B101 owner-architect agreement in 30 minutes, covering all 13...

<p >Soft story buildings are one of the most dangerous structural conditions in seismic design, and the 1994 Northridge earthquake proved why.</p> <p >In this episode, we break down the seismic irregularities that cause...

<p >Which sealant goes where on the building envelope? This episode covers every sealant type, backer rod, and how to design joints that actually work.</p> <p >We break down the five main sealant families: silicone...

<p >Project delivery methods define who holds the contracts, who carries the risk, and how the architect's role changes on every construction project. This episode breaks down all six major methods so you know exactly...