Episode 79: Sarah Vaccaro, Leah Alissa Bayer & Kate Conley of Architects FORA

In this episode, Christian sits down with Leah, Kate, and Sarah - the team behind Architects FORA, a 100% women-owned, fully virtual practice redefining what an architecture firm can be. Their path to creating FORA grew out of a shared desire for a healthier, more transparent way of working as the foundation of the firm. They dive into how they built a practice centered on equity and trust, why affordable housing became their focus, and how projects reflect a community-driven approach. The conversation also touches on how they’re embracing AI and emerging technology to stay nimble, relevant, and impactful as the industry evolves. It’s a candid look at three architects reimagining the profession - and proving there’s more than one way to build a thriving firm. https://architectsfora.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/  0:00 – Intro 0:42 – Meet the three leaders behind Architects FORA 1:16 – A new model for architectural leadership 2:06 – How their mission was sparked by a retreat 3:30 – Discovering affordable housing as a calling 4:14 – The moment they realized design could do more 5:28 – The shift from prestigious buildings to purpose-driven work 6:13 – A deep dive into housing and homelessness 7:09 – How their remote collaboration began 8:43 – Rethinking the value of work and space 9:41 – Advice for young architects on choosing meaningful projects 10:14 – Why purpose matters more to younger generations 11:08 – What frustrates them most about traditional architecture culture 13:26 – The danger of treating architecture as precious and untouchable 14:39 – How rigidity threatens the future of the profession 16:00 – Finding new areas of influence beyond traditional architecture 17:20 – Why architects are overworked and underpaid 18:50 – A better way to structure tasks and reduce burnout 20:12 – Redundancy and team structure to protect work-life balance 22:40 – Breaking generational mindsets in architectural leadership 24:14 – How they use asynchronous, flexible scheduling 25:17 – Can you work from anywhere, even Guam? 27:04 – How they handle site visits as a remote firm 28:52 – Why travel is worth the tradeoff for team happiness 31:06 – How schedule flexibility supports parenting and caregiving 33:28 – Intentional culture-building without being in person 34:58 – Their secret to authentic team bonding remotely 36:14 – What happens if someone goes over their 40 hours 38:00 – How transparency prevents unrealistic deadlines 39:05 – Why overwork is a leadership failure, not a badge of honor 41:00 – How they designed a clear, equitable salary system 43:00 – Their transparent leadership tiers and performance scoring 45:00 – What “Architects FORA” actually means 46:03 – Solera Apartments: Trauma-informed design in action 49:27 – El Camino: Sustainability and community feedback 51:59 – Lee Avenue: Senior housing with a real sense of place 55:32 – Launching paid post-occupancy evaluations 57:01 – Why AI is a tool, not a threat 59:10 – A call to reimagine what your firm could look like 1:00:44 – Final thoughts and how to learn more about Architects FORA