Your Design Passport

What happens when an architecture career crosses a border?

Martin Najera grew up with two architect parents in Mexico, studied architecture there, and has spent his professional career in the United States. His story is not simply about becoming licensed in another country. It's about taking the foundation you already have, learning a new professional system, and discovering a career path that turns out to be different from the one you imagined.

We talk about what changes when you move between countries, what stays the same, why professional culture can matter as much as technical knowledge, and how licensure became the stamp that opened doors Martin didn't know existed.

We also talk about growing up in a family of architects, finding project management later in his career, redefining success, and the bigger question at the heart of Your Design Passport: can architecture genuinely take you somewhere new?

Listen in for a thoughtful conversation about international architecture, career identity, professional growth, and the unexpected doors a career can open.

Links:

• The International Architect Starter Map

What happens when a podcast about architecture, careers and global perspectives starts reaching people in places you never expected?

That's the question that sent me down a rabbit hole with my Podbean analytics.

I expected most of the listeners of Your Design Passport to come from South Africa, Australia and the United States—the three countries where I've lived and worked.

Instead, I'm seeing downloads from 31 countries.

Singapore. Japan. Iran. Ecuador. Puerto Rico. Nepal. Uzbekistan. El Salvador. Romania. Pakistan. Panama. Morocco. Jordan. Spain... and more.

And honestly?

Who are you people?

I want to know.

I want to know why you're listening, how you found the podcast, what you're finding valuable and—probably most importantly—what I can learn from you.

That curiosity leads into a bigger question: Is architecture actually more universal than we think?

I've practiced architecture in South Africa, Australia and the United States, and while the title is the same, the role isn't necessarily.

I explore that through one of the biggest professional differences I've encountered: the role of the quantity surveyor. I also look at terminology, registration, education, construction methods, work culture and the relationships between architects, engineers and contractors.

Because the profession can be recognizable without being identical.

And yet, for all those differences, we're still designing buildings.

We still have clients, engineers, contractors, drawings and details. We still appreciate good design. And apparently, architects everywhere can become fascinated by the grout lines in a public restroom.

So now I'm turning the question back to you.

Where are you listening from?

What does architecture or design look like where you live?

What can you teach me?

Because I have a feeling we have far more in common than what first meets the eye.

And this passport apparently has a lot more stamps to collect.

Links:

• The International Architect Starter Map
• Your Design Passport website

Following my conversation with Samantha Flores in Episode 17, I wanted to share something a little more personal.

Rather than talking about where artificial intelligence might be heading, this episode explores how I'm actually using AI today; as an architect, podcaster, and lifelong learner balancing work, study, and everything in between.

From generating meeting minutes on large construction projects to organizing podcast ideas, summarizing research papers, and overcoming creative blocks, AI has become an important part of my workflow. But while these tools save time, they don't replace the skills that define great architects: critical thinking, professional judgment, creativity, and empathy.

In this episode, I discuss where AI genuinely improves productivity, where we still need human expertise, and why I believe architects should lead the conversation about how these technologies shape our profession.

If you've been wondering whether you're already behind on AI - or whether it's something to fear - this episode offers a practical, balanced perspective grounded in real-world experience.

In this episode you'll learn:

• How AI has transformed my architectural workflow.
• Why meeting minutes were my first AI breakthrough.
• How I use ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner rather than a replacement writer.
• The role AI played while completing professional studies.
• Why confidence isn't the same as correctness.
• How to avoid digital procrastination.
• Why architects must remain in the driver's seat as AI evolves.
• Why your creativity, judgment, and relationships will always matter.

If today's conversation changed the way you think about AI, I'd love to hear from you. How are you using AI in your work? What's helping, and where are you still cautious?

Share your thoughts with me on LinkedIn or Instagram, and if you're thinking about working internationally, don't forget to download the International Starter Map. It's a free resource designed to help architects and designers take the first step toward building an international career.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a colleague or friend who's trying to figure out where AI fits into our profession.

Artificial intelligence has quickly become one of the most discussed topics in architecture. Some see it as the future of design. Others worry it could replace architects altogether.

In this episode of Your Design Passport, Sam G sits down with Samantha Flores, Director of Hugo—Corgan's Research and Innovation team—to explore what AI actually means for architects working today.

Rather than focusing on hype or fear, Samantha explains how AI is already improving architectural workflows while reinforcing something architects have always done best: designing for people.

Together they discuss:

• How architecture firms are adopting AI
• Why AI should support—not replace—creative thinking
• The importance of understanding human behavior
• How emerging professionals can prepare for an AI-enabled future
• Why empathy may become architects' greatest competitive advantage
• How international architects can leverage AI across cultures and languages

Whether you're an architecture student, emerging professional, firm leader, or simply curious about the future of design, this conversation offers a thoughtful and practical perspective on where the profession is heading.

The International Architect Starter Map

Your Design Passport Website

YouTube

Most people think networking starts at conferences, industry events, or the moment you need a new job.

But what if you've actually been networking your whole life?

In this solo episode, I reflect on the conversations, introductions, friendships, and unexpected acts of kindness that shaped my career across South Africa, Australia, and the United States. From landing my very first architecture job to changing careers and launching this podcast, every major opportunity started with a relationship—not a business card.

If networking has ever felt intimidating, this episode might completely change the way you think about it.

Your International Architect Starter Map

Website: yourdesignpassport.com

Networking doesn't have to feel awkward.

Architect and community leader Cassidy Jones shares how authentic relationships have shaped her career, helped her navigate career transitions, and opened unexpected opportunities within architecture.

In this episode we discuss:

• Building professional relationships as an architect
• Networking as an introvert
• Career growth through community involvement
• Women in architecture
• Leadership development
• Starting over in a new city

Listen now and discover why your next opportunity might simply start with showing up.

Connect with Cassidy on LinkedIn

Connect with Sam G and Your Design Passport

• The International Architect Starter Map
• Your Design Passport
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Most architects dramatically underestimate how transferable their skills actually are.

After speaking with Neil Pann in the previous episode, I found myself reflecting on something deeper — not just how architecture careers are built, but how they expand.

Because somewhere along the way, many of us forget this: being an architect is not limited to one job title.

This episode is a reflection on identity, confidence, and what becomes possible when you stop shrinking your skillset to fit a single definition of practice.

“You’re the architect of your own career.”

That single sentence from Neal Pann stayed with me long after this conversation ended.

Because for so many architects, there comes a moment where the traditional path no longer feels like the full story. The profession teaches us how to design buildings — but rarely how to redesign ourselves.

In this episode, Neal shares how his career evolved far beyond the walls of a studio: from studying architecture in Florence, to working on the developer side, serving on planning commissions, and eventually helping shape architectural conversations through podcasting and media.

“You are not starting from zero.”

And yet, that’s exactly how many internationally trained architects feel when they begin applying for jobs in the U.S.

“I found that I couldn’t bear sitting at a desk any longer… I really needed that people connection. Every time I stepped into a client meeting, I was excited. But then I’d leave the meeting upset that I had to go back to my desk.” Rachel Davis

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

• What architecture recruiters actually look for when reviewing candidates
• The resume and portfolio mistakes architects commonly make
• How international experience can become a strength, not a barrier
• The role networking really plays in architecture hiring
• How to navigate visas, relocation, and U.S. hiring culture

If you’re navigating the U.S. job market — or simply rethinking what your architecture career could look like — this episode is for you.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

And if this conversation resonates, share it with another architect navigating their next chapter.

Am I about to undo my entire career?

That was the question I couldn’t shake when I started the process of moving from Australia to the United States as an architect.

When you move countries, you don’t just change where you live —
you leave an entire version of your life behind and step into uncertainty.

In this episode of Your Design Passport, we talk about what it really means to find home in Australia — emotionally, practically, and personally.

My guest today is Bonnie Worth, a real estate expert and principal who has helped countless newcomers navigate renting and buying in Australia — including my own family when we first arrived.

No one had done it before — so Emily Perna decided to figure it out herself. When her architecture school didn’t have an existing exchange program in Australia, Emily built her own path, structured her own curriculum, and spent five months studying architecture at the University of Sydney.

This is where everyone meets on the same starting line.

In this episode of Your Design Passport, we’re diving deep into the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) — the final hurdle before you can officially call yourself an architect in Australia.

Whether you trained locally or internationally, the APE is the great equaliser. It’s challenging, humbling, and absolutely achievable — especially when you understand what’s actually being assessed.

Download APE Registration Checklist

This whole thing teaches you patience before you even board the plane.

In this episode of Your Design Passport, I’m walking you through exactly how I transferred my architectural qualifications from South Africa to Australia — through the Overseas Qualification Assessment (OQA).

If you’ve been staring at AACA documents, NSCA templates, and checklists wondering where to even begin, this episode is your grounded, honest starting point.

AU Rego Resource Download

In the first episode of Your Design Passport, I share my journey across Johannesburg, Brisbane, and Dallas—exploring identity, burnout, and reinvention. From rebuilding confidence and navigating multi-country licensing to surviving high-pressure architecture, pivoting to specs during COVID, and rediscovering joy in the U.S., this story is for anyone dreaming of working abroad or starting over.

This journey is about so much more than ticking academic boxes — it shapes who you become as a designer.

In this episode of Your Design Passport, I’m opening the door to what it actually looks like to begin an architecture career in South Africa — beyond prospectuses, entry requirements, and glossy studio photos.

This is Part 1 of a two-part mini-series where I walk you through the real foundations of studying architecture in South Africa: how people arrive here (often by accident), what schools really expect, and why studio culture becomes something you carry with you long after graduation.

This qualification becomes your global passport.

In Part 2 of this mini-series on becoming a registered architect in South Africa, we move beyond architecture school and into the phase that transforms you into a professional — mentorship, thesis, candidacy, logbooks, the PPE exam, and finally, registration with SACAP.

This episode is both a roadmap and a reflection on how these milestones shape not just your career, but your confidence, credibility, and global mobility as an architect. Download PDF here

“Do not think that the Middle East is glamorous all the time. There is a lot of blood, sweat and tears in order to make six-month programs work.”

In this episode of Your Design Passport, architect and project manager Carl Adams pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a global architecture career — beyond the Instagram posts and glossy portfolios.

Your Design Passport

Instagram: carl.architect

Carl Adams - LinkedIn

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🎙️ Your Design Passport — Unlock global pathways in architecture, design, and creative leadership. Hosted by Sam G, a triple-registered architect in South Africa, Australia, and the USA. Explore international licensure, global design trends, and wellness hacks for sustainable creative careers. Brick by brick, border by border — stamp Your Design Passport, one story at a time.