It’s time to dust off the desk, grab your favourite pen, and roll out the trace because InktoberArchitecture is here!
In this episode of What the RFI?, host Matt Brennan welcomes back Nathan Taylor, Building Envelope Consultant, artist, and creator of the global sketching movement InktoberArchitecture. Together, they dive deep into how hand sketching connects creativity, communication, and construction in an increasingly digital and AI-driven profession.
This episode explores why architects, designers, and students are rediscovering sketching as a tool for problem-solving, storytelling, and learning. Nathan shares the origins of the challenge, his favourite prompts from this year, and why drawing, even on a napkin, can change how we design and think.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The story behind InktoberArchitecture and how to participate
- Why hand sketching still matters in the era of BIM, Revit, and AI
- How a quick field sketch can solve problems faster than an RFI
- The power of community and visual storytelling in architecture
- Practical tips for getting started: tools, pens, prompts, and mindset
Whether you’re an architect, student, or creative professional, this episode will inspire you to slow down, draw more, and reconnect with the craft that started it all.
Learn more and join the challenge:
👉 Follow the hashtag #InktoberArchitecture on LinkedIn and Instagram
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: Dust off the desk and grab your pen
- 02:00 – Catching up with Nathan Taylor: CSI, AIA East Bay, and new projects
- 03:15 – What is InktoberArchitecture? Origins and inspiration
- 06:40 – Why architects should still draw in a digital world
- 09:30 – This year’s prompts and creative interpretations
- 13:20 – The role of hand sketching in Construction Administration
- 17:00 – Field sketches, RFIs, and real-world problem solving
- 20:30 – The muscle memory of drawing vs. digital design
- 26:00 – The community behind InktoberArchitecture
- 31:30 – Favourite sketches, firms, and global participation
- 33:45 – Overcoming the “I can’t draw” myth
- 39:50 – Favourite tools: pens, paper, and the art of imperfection
- 42:30 – Digital sketching and apps like Morpholio Trace
- 45:00 – Architecture culture, creativity, and balance
- 48:00 – Sketching as stress relief and collaboration tool
- 50:00 – How to join the challenge and where to find Nathan
- 52:00 – Final thoughts: pick up a pen and start sketching
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