David Zach, professional futurist, joins host Adam Wagoner to explore what it really means to think about and design for the future. Recorded live at the 2025 AIA Conference, David shares how a career built on curiosity, philosophy, and connecting the unconnectable has shaped his perspective on architecture, technology, and human creativity.
David discusses the rise of AI, automation, and the accelerating pace of change, and why architects must defend the deeply human 20 percent of their work that cannot be automated, including beauty, artistry, storytelling, and judgment. He challenges designers to rethink efficiency, rediscover play, and articulate the value of architecture as the most public of all arts. The conversation explores optimism versus hope, the importance of community, and why slowing down may be the most radical move in a rapidly evolving world.
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This episode is sponsored by:
AIA Colorado, the Colorado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the voice of the architecture profession in Colorado.
Pendula is an inspiring co-working studio to connect and enable architects and practitioners in related fields, including engineering, planning, development, interiors, landscape, production, and design.
Check out Adam's architecture firm, High Low Buffalo.
This podcast is powered by The Plug Podcast Agency and Collective Culture.
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