216: ‘The Future of AEC Belongs to Those Who Evolve’, with Randy Deutsch
A conversation with Randy Deutsch about the future of the AEC industry, the importance of adaptability in architecture, and how AI can enhance human agency while reshaping professional practices for the next generation of architects.
Randy Deutsch joins the podcast to talk about what real adaptation looks like inside architectural practice. Not trend-chasing. Not tool collecting. But a fundamental shift in how architects think, learn, and operate in an AI-accelerated world.
Randy draws on decades of experience as an educator, practitioner, and author to explore why resilience, convergence, and continuous learning are now core competencies, not optional extras. The conversation spans design technology, professional identity, authorship, and the uncomfortable truth that the firms who survive the next decade will be the ones who change before they’re forced to.
This is a clear-eyed look at where architecture is headed and what it takes to stay relevant when the ground keeps moving.
Original episode page: https://trxl.co/216
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Connect with the Guest
- Randy Deutsch
- Randy's former students mentioned:
- Aaron Laniosz https://archinect.com/aalaniosz
- Ben Feicht https://www.benfeicht.com
Recommended Reading
- The Agentic Architect: AI and the Resurgence of Practice (Routledge, 2026)
- Randy's 7th book is coming out in the Spring of 2026
- Adapt as an Architect: Building Resilience and Agility in Practice by Randy Deutsch
- Amazon Link
- Focuses on resilience and adaptive strategies architects need in a changing world.
- Think Like an Architect: How to develop critical, creative and collaborative problem-solving skills by Randy Deutsch
- Amazon Link
- A foundational book on architectural thinking and design mindset.
- Superusers: Design Technology Specialists and the Future of Practice by Randy Deutsch
- Amazon Link
- Explores how design technology superusers are reshaping modern practice.
- Convergence: The Redesign of Design by Randy Deutsch
- ARE Hacks: Learn How to Pass the Architect Registration Exam by Evan Troxel
- The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
- Amazon Link
- From the legendary music producer, a master at helping people connect with the wellsprings of their creativity, comes a beautifully crafted book many years in the making that offers that same deep wisdom to all of us.
About Randy Deutsch:
For over thirty years, Randy Deutsch FAIA has been an architect and educator, and more recently, an author, international keynote speaker, and AI researcher. As a licensed architect, Randy designed over 100 large, complex sustainable projects for which he received the AIA Young Architect Award Chicago.
In the last decade Randy has authored 6 books, most recently Convergence: The Redesign of Design; Superusers: Design Technology Specialists and the Future of Practice (a “Best Future of Technology Book of All Time” recipient); Think Like An Architect: How to develop critical, creative and collaborative problem-solving skills; and Adapt As an Architect: A Midcareer Companion. In 2026 Randy will publish his 7th book, The Agentic Architect: AI and the Resurgence of Practice.
In addition to teaching at University of Illinois at Chicago starting in 2001 and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign starting in 2012, until 2019 Randy served as Associate Director for Graduate Studies in the School of Architecture. He previously served on AIA Chicago Board as Director and Vice President; on Architect Magazine’s 2018 R+D jury; led an annual Executive Education program at Harvard GSD; and served on the 2023 AIA National Design Awards jury.
In 2020, his team received an NSF Grant and DPI Seed Grant for planning a first-of-its-kind institute for the application of AI in design, construction and operations of buildings and infrastructure. He is the co-founder of the Built Environment Futures Council (BEFC). In 2020 Randy was elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council.
As a book author, international keynoter, workshop leader, administrator, mentor and educator Randy aims to help current & future design professionals understand impacts of emerging technology on future practice, to plan for and navigate a fast-moving, uncertain future with confidence. More about Randy https://www.randydeutsch.com
