12 Mar 2025

Exploring Architecture and Town Planning with UPP - Journey, Challenges, and Collaboration

Architecture and town planning often sit in different conversations, but the best projects need both design judgement and a clear understanding of policy, process and place.

Stephen Drew speaks with Enrique, Motti and James from UPP about building an interdisciplinary studio, combining town planning with architecture and growing a collaborative practice from a small start-up into a broader team.

The conversation covers:

How town planning and architecture overlap in everyday project work
Why UPP built a practice around both disciplines
How culture, flexibility and face-to-face collaboration affect a growing studio
What early-career applicants can learn about portfolios and attitude
How AI may support planning and architecture workflows

Read the episode on Architecture Social: Exploring Architecture and Town Planning with UPP

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and purpose
00:33 Meet the UPP founders
04:20 The role of town planning
07:44 UPP's interdisciplinary approach
11:41 Collaboration and practice challenges
17:00 The impact of the pandemic
23:01 UPP's culture and flexibility
26:44 Why face-to-face meetings still matter
28:10 What makes a great portfolio?
28:56 Attitude, passion and early-career potential
32:19 Moving from large to small practices
40:01 AI in architecture and planning
43:07 Future prospects and optimism
47:15 Final thoughts and reflections

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(00:00) - Introduction and Purpose
(00:33) - Meet the Team: UPP's Founders
(04:20) - The Role of Town Planning
(07:44) - UPP's Unique Approach
(11:41) - Navigating Challenges and Collaboration
(17:00) - The Impact of the Pandemic
(23:01) - UPP's Culture and Flexibility
(26:44) - The Importance of Face-to-Face Meetings
(28:10) - What Makes a Great Portfolio?
(28:56) - The Value of Attitude and Passion
(32:19) - Transitioning from Large to Small Practices
(40:01) - Embracing AI in Architecture
(43:07) - Future Prospects and Optimism
(47:15) - Final Thoughts and Reflections

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