TT5: Time to Recalibrate
Dec 18, 2025
This is the last Thursday Top 5 of 2025. Where did the year go?
Last Saturday, I led a Vibe coding workshop for AIA New York, where I helped architects use AI to write Revit code without first becoming programmers. It was a blast, and it got me thinking about how many of our assumptions about "how things are done" are worth revisiting.
That idea shows up in all of this week's links. Each one is essentially asking us to step back and question something we take for granted. From the jargon we use, the culture we accept, or the habits we've built. Seems fitting for the end of the year. Before 2026 kicks off and we're back in the weeds, here are five articles to check out this week.
#1: A Primer on Archispeak
Sean Joyner delivers a wickedly funny takedown of architecture's favorite linguistic acrobatics. You know the typeā€”when a door becomes "a threshold articulating a condition of permeability." If you've ever sat through a crit or read a project description that made you feel like you were missing something, this piece will make you feel seen. It's satire, but it stings because it's true.
#2: Inside an AI-First Architecture Firm
Most firms are dipping their toes into AI; Cedar in Austin built their entire practice around it from day one. This Archinect interview unpacks where they use AI, why it works for them, and the growing pains they encountered along the way. Whether you're already experimenting or still skeptical, there's useful perspective here on what "AI-first" actually looks like in practice.
#3: Nano Banana Life Hacks
Google's new image model, Nano Banana, is generating significant buzz. This video walks through specific use cases for architects and interior designers. It covers techniques such as changing materials, swapping textures, populating scenes with people, and even extracting buildings from their context. It's a practical look at what's possible right now (and what still trips up the AI).
#4: The Red Flags of Architecture
This Architizer piece pulls no punches. From the "passion discount" that justifies low pay to the cult of long hours that treats burnout as a badge of honor, Eirini Makarouni catalogs the profession's systemic problems. None of this is new, but the fact that we keep having the same conversation says something. Worth reading, especially if you're in a position to change any of it.
#5: Why Your Brain Needs Everyday Rituals
Rituals aren't just religious ceremonies or ancient traditions. Instead, they're the small, repeated patterns that help our brains manage stress and uncertainty. This Big Think piece explores the neuroscience behind why rituals work and, more interestingly, how you can design your own to fit your specific needs. A good reminder heading into a new year.
That's it for 2025. Thank you for reading, for clicking, and for being part of this community. I hope your holidays are restful and your new year is off to a strong start.
See you in 2026!
Michael
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