Leadership Edge: TRXL 186
Rethinking architecture’s value chain: exploring tool specificity over monoliths, the real obstacles in AEC, and why capturing design intent, not just drawings, is key to thriving in the age of AI and automation.
In episode 186 of the podcast, I sat down with Clifton Harness, CEO and co-founder of TestFit, to have what turned into a wide-ranging and cathartic conversation about the state of architectural practice, technology adoption, and the limits of automation. Clifton didn’t hold back as we unpacked the cultural inertia in architecture, the outdated contracts that hobble innovation, and why TestFit was never meant to be “another BIM tool”, but something radically more focused.
We talked about the difference between working harder vs. working smarter, why architects must decouple their identity from drawing production, and how developers seem to be playing an entirely different (and more scalable) game.
“Architecture is dying a death by ten thousand paper cuts.” — Clifton Harness
The conversation offers a rare glimpse into Clifton's unfiltered perspective and serves as a rallying cry. His message is unmistakable: architecture must evolve beyond its rigid contracts, entrenched culture, and universal tooling approach, or risk losing ground to developers, software, and AI. Yet there's hope: by owning our value, choosing the right tools for specific tasks, and properly encoding our design intent, we can create a future where architecture isn't just relevant, it's essential.
Key Takeaways
Here are my top 5 takeaways from the podcast episode. Then we'll get into the deeper analysis.
