Where it's AT - the Architectural Technology podcast

About Where it's AT - the Architectural Technology podcast

Celebrating the diversity of Architectural Technology, one episode at a time. Whether you're an AT, an industry collaborator, or just curious about how buildings really come together — you're in the right place.

Publisher

Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)

Category

arts · education · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Jul 2024

Latest episode

30 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

28 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Oct 2026

   Studying Architectural Technology to Healthcare Building Design with Lauren Winfield MCIAT | 024

   Welcome to Where it's AT | the Architectural Technology Podcast Lauren Winfield MCIAT on Studying Architectural Technology and Designing Healthcare Spaces Host Jon Clayton MCIAT interviews Lauren Winfield MCIAT, a Chartered Architectural Technologist and co-chair of the CIAT Western Region aspiration Group, about her route into Architectural Technology, her non-linear career path, and her current healthcare work. Lauren discovered the profession via the CIAT website. She found university overwhelming due to the volume of new information, self-imposed pressure, and disruption from the global pandemic, but highlights the value of embracing the challenge and the field’s variety beyond “just drawings.” She explains her motivation to design buildings with purpose and impact, shares her experiences working on diverse healthcare projects (from refurbishments and temporary units to hospitals), and recalls handing over an ICU refurbishment two weeks into the pandemic. Lauren advocates for greater understanding that Architectural Technology is inclusive, encourages more women into the sector, and outlines how the aspiration Group supports students and early-career professionals through mentoring, events, and connections. — Lauren Winfield MCIAT Lauren Winfield is a Chartered Architectural Technologist & the Co-Chair of the CIAT Western Region aspirATion group supporting students and those newly qualified in Architectural Technology. — 00:00 Meet Lauren Winfield MCIAT 00:38 Finding Architectural Technology 01:31 Challenges Studying Architectural Technology 03:34 Overwhelm and Learning Curve 05:27 Advice for New Architectural Technology Students 07:27 Designing With Purpose 09:43 A Typical Week as an Architectural Technologist 11:34 Life in Healthcare Projects 14:16 Pandemic ICU Story 15:13 Women in Architectural Technology 19:00 Lauren's Favourite Piece of Tech 20:02 Key Takeaways and Getting Involved 21:40 CIAT Aspiration Group 22:49 How to Connect and Wrap Up — Embrace the challenge — the path won't be straight Lauren's journey through Architectural Technology wasn't a smooth line. It had ups and downs, moments of doubt, and even a global pandemic thrown in the middle. She put a lot of pressure on herself and often felt she had to prove herself to others. But she says the challenge is part of what makes it worthwhile — "where's the fun in it being easy?" Her advice is to push through the hard parts, because the other side of that effort is amazing. The learning never stops, and every day brings something new. Buildings are about people, not just structures Lauren always wanted to design with a purpose. Rather than grand houses, she chose healthcare buildings — spaces that save lives. She describes the feeling of handing a building over to the people who will use it as "gold." Her ICU project was handed over just two weeks into the pandemic and was used for exactly what it was designed for from day one. She reminds us that a building is not just about how it looks from the outside — it's about what life feels like for the people inside it. Spaces can outlive the people who design them, and whole lives unfold within them. The profession is for everyone Lauren often sits in meetings as the only woman at the table, but she's proud to be there. She wants people to know that Architectural Technology doesn't belong to any one group — it's open to all ages, genders, and backgrounds. She's already seeing the shift, with more women entering the field and a more balanced split among new graduates. Her message is simple: don't let anyone tell you this isn't for you. Get involved, take every chance that comes your way, and use the support networks that exist — like the CIAT aspiration Group — to help you along. — Know someone who could benefit from listening? Subscribe and share this episode with your network. Know someone with a story to tell or a topic to explore? Email us at atpodcast@ciat.global (mailto:atpodcast@ciat.global) to nominate a guest or a topic. Want to learn more about Architectural Technology, how to progress your career, or how to work with a Chartered AT? Head to architecturaltechnology.com (http://architecturaltechnology.com) to find out more We welcome your feedback, so please keep in touch and email all feedback to atpodcast@ciat.global — Podcast recorded and edited by: Jon Clayton [Podcasting] (https://jonclayton.co.uk/) — Disclaimer The contents and views expressed by individuals in the Where it's AT podcast are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of the companies they work for, or CIAT (the Host). This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as advice. The episode transcript is AI-generated. Typos or incorrect words may still be present.

2. 

   25 Sept 2026

   Born Into Architectural Technology: AJ Fleet on Practice, Leadership & Fees | 023

   Welcome to Where it's AT | the Architectural Technology Podcast Host Jon Clayton interviews AJ Fleet, a Chartered Architectural Technologist working across East Anglia. AJ describes growing up around the profession through his father’s practice, his current role balancing management, client conversations, and hands-on technical detailing, and a key challenge of struggling to say no to opportunities. He enjoys meeting people and solving complex project problems, and discusses differing personality strengths within practices and the challenge of moving from technical to management roles. AJ’s believes that most practices should charge higher fees and account for profit, supported by better internal transparency on hours and allowances. He highlights misconceptions about the breadth of Architectural Technology and recommends tools like Wisprflow voice dictation and Polycam LiDAR scans. He advocates talking to peers, apprenticeships and nurturing junior talent. — AJ Fleet MCIAT AJ (Adrian) Fleet MCIAT is a passionate Chartered Architectural Technologist working in a range of sectors across East Anglia. AJ's experience primarily focuses on the residential sector, working for both householders and developers and extends to the equine market, working with many of the key players in flat racing. — 00:00 Introduction 00:53 AJ's Early Roots in Architectural Technology 01:43 Growing Up Around Practice 02:22 Following Dad’s Footsteps 02:38 AJ's Typical Week Today 03:41 Hands On With Details 04:06 Working On vs In Business 04:45 Learning When To Say No 05:29 Approaching Work Challenges 06:48 What AJ Loves Most 08:00 Problem Solving Mindset 09:06 People Skills in the Industry 11:12 Playing to Team Strengths 12:48 The Case For Charging More 13:45 Profit and Pricing Reality 15:11 Talking Fees With the Team 17:53 Peer Support and Community 19:21 The Added Challenge For Sole Practitioners 20:32 Common Myth About Architectural Technology 23:20 AJ's Favourite Work App's 25:42 AJ's Main Takeaway 27:01 Architectural Technology Apprenticeships 28:10 Wrap Up — Key Takeaways Learn when to say no AJ admits he has always struggled to turn down opportunities. He sees something promising and jumps straight in, which has sometimes worked against him. Over time, he has learned to step back and think about what saying yes really means — the time, the money, and whether the client is a good match. Not every opportunity is the right one, and sometimes it's better to pass it on to someone else. Charge more — and don't forget profit AJ believes most professionals in the industry are undercharging, sometimes by a lot. He points out that people often just multiply their hours by an hourly rate without properly thinking about profit. Profit is key in running a business, and if it isn't built into your fees, you could spend months working only to find out you've barely broken even. His advice: sit down, look at your real costs, review past projects, and be honest about whether your fees are high enough. Talk to people — it's how you learn and grow AJ's main takeaway from the conversation is simple: it's good to talk. If you don't talk to people, you won't get work. If you don't talk to people, you won't learn. He points out that sole practitioners in particular can end up sitting in an echo chamber with no one to bounce ideas off. Talking to other professionals — about fees, about technical problems, about how other businesses run — helps you spot what you're doing well and what you might want to change. Peer support, he says, is something you can't do without. — Connect with AJ Fleet on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianfleetmciat/) — Know someone who could benefit from listening? Subscribe and share this episode with your network. Know someone with a story to tell or a topic to explore? Email us at atpodcast@ciat.global (mailto:atpodcast@ciat.global) to nominate a guest or a topic. Want to learn more about Architectural Technology, how to progress your career, or how to work with a Chartered AT? Head to architecturaltechnology.com (http://architecturaltechnology.com) to find out more We welcome your feedback, so please keep in touch and email all feedback to atpodcast@ciat.global — Podcast recorded and edited by: Jon Clayton [Podcasting] (https://jonclayton.co.uk/) — Disclaimer The contents and views expressed by individuals in the Where it's AT podcast are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of the companies they work for, or CIAT (the Host). This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as advice. The episode transcript is AI-generated. Typos or incorrect words may still be present.

3. 

   28 Aug 2026

   From Challenges to Triumphs: Ryan Davies's Journey from Student to Aspiration Chair | 022

   Welcome to Where it's AT | the Architectural Technology Podcast Host Jon Clayton interviews Ryan Davies, a Chartered Architectural Technologist at Rio Architects in Cardiff with five years’ experience across fire remediation, education, high-rise residential, and heritage projects, and winner of the AT Awards 2025 Aspiration Award for Emerging Talent. Ryan describes discovering Architectural Technology through school DT, completing an art foundation, and studying at Cardiff Metropolitan University, including the challenge of transitioning from hand drawing to Revit. He shares how a cardiac arrest during second year, alongside the start of COVID lockdowns, disrupted his motivation, but focusing on goals helped him finish with first class honours and secure a graduate role at Rio. He discusses gaining chartership, varied work on complex fire remediation details, the coordination demands of the profession, his Aspiration Chair role supporting students and graduates, and the importance of perseverance through difficult times. — Ryan Davies MCIAT Ryan Davies is a Chartered Architectural Technologist at Rio Architects in Cardiff, with five years’ experience across fire remediation, education, high-rise residential and heritage projects. He graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2021 with First Class Honours and is the current Aspiration Chair for the Wales region. In 2025, Ryan won the CIAT Aspiration Emerging Talent at the AT Awards. — 00:00 Introduction 01:03 How Ryan Found the Field 01:20 School Spark and Curiosity 01:56 Art Foundation to UCAS 03:01 Starting Cardiff Met 03:14 Learning Revit the Hard Way 04:05 Finding Confidence in Tech 04:54 Cardiac Arrest Turning Point 06:26 Recovery During Lockdown 07:03 Drive to Finish Strong 08:20 Landing the Rio Job 09:18 Earning Chartership 10:35 Life at Rio Architects 12:33 Fire Remediation Challenges 13:21 Mentorship and Paying It Forward 15:09 The Real Challenge of Coordination 17:52 Thriving on Deadlines 20:41 Aspiration Chair Role 22:16 Showcase Events and Connections 24:11 Winning the Aspiration Award 25:59 Advice for AT Awards Networking 27:26 No Single Career Path 28:41 Favorite Tech and iPad Workflow 30:07 Key Takeaway Message 31:14 New Initiative Teaser and Farewell — Setbacks don't define where you end up Ryan suffered a cardiac arrest during his second year at university. He lost his motivation and felt trapped with his thoughts, especially as COVID lockdown had just begun. But he poured his energy into his work, and bit by bit his passion came back. He says it took almost losing everything to realise his own potential. His message to anyone going through a hard time: it's not the end of your story. Just keep going, and you will surprise yourself. Good mentors and community make a real difference Ryan talks about how the experienced team at his firm helped him grow when he started out. One director in particular, Mike, was a brilliant mentor who could look at a problem and just know the answer. Now Ryan is coming full circle — new Technologists are joining the firm, and he's stepping into that mentoring role himself. He also values the wider CIAT community, from organising student site visits to meeting people at events. Being around the right people opens doors you didn't know were there. There's no single right path in a career Ryan didn't even know what Architectural Technology was when he was younger. He did an art foundation year first, only to realise he missed the technical side. He then found the right course by chance while scrolling through UCAS. His point is that you can build your own road — you can focus on BIM, on design, on site work, or on education. The field is open-ended, and you'll always find the path that fits you. — Know someone who could benefit from listening? Subscribe and share this episode with your network. Know someone with a story to tell or a topic to explore? Email us at atpodcast@ciat.global (mailto:atpodcast@ciat.global) to nominate a guest or a topic. Want to learn more about Architectural Technology, how to progress your career, or how to work with a Chartered AT? Head to architecturaltechnology.com (http://architecturaltechnology.com) to find out more We welcome your feedback, so please keep in touch and email all feedback to atpodcast@ciat.global — Podcast recorded and edited by: Jon Clayton [Podcasting] (https://jonclayton.co.uk/) — Disclaimer The contents and views expressed by individuals in the Where it's AT podcast are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of the companies they work for, or CIAT (the Host). This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as advice. The episode transcript is AI-generated. Typos or incorrect words may still be present.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

160,385

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 62 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

89

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.