Episode Description

The episode from the Beyond the Surface features Deborah Berke, an esteemed architect, educator, and founder of the New York-based architecture firm TenBerke. Deborah also serves as the Dean of the Yale School of Architecture. Deborah shares stories from her distinguished career in both academia and architectural practice. The conversation explores her path as a leader in design education and her approach to practice, which balances academic rigor with the demands of real-world projects. Listeners gain insight into Deborah’s design philosophy, her commitment to thoughtful, nuanced architecture, and how she integrates her educational roles with her firm’s work to influence the next generation of architects. The episode touches on Deborah’s experience steering a major architecture school, navigating the evolving landscape of architectural practice, and fostering inclusivity and innovation. Deborah’s reflections provide a unique perspective on how architecture can be a tool for meaningful change, both through professional practice and shaping architectural education. This episode is valuable for architecture professionals and students interested in the intersections of design, education, and leadership, offering inspiration from one of the field’s prominent voices.