Show Notes
Most design firms are experimenting with AI. Very few know how to make it work. In this episode, Aya Shlachter sits down with Stephanie Lindsay and Jessica Nelson, co-founders of Etch Design Group and AI for Interiors, to explore how design firms can stop treating AI as a side experiment and start using it as a core business strategy. Stephanie and Jessica share how they went from testing AI tools to building real workflows — and eventually a platform that helps designers understand where AI actually fits in practice. From client intake and documentation to budgeting, scheduling, and quality control, they break down exactly how AI is helping firms do more with less. What You'll Learn: How AI is filling talent gaps and freeing teams to focus on higher-value work
Why custom GPTs are transforming everyday firm processes
How strong prompting leads to better, more reliable AI outputs
Why a flexible multi-tool approach outperforms any single platform
How AI handles the repetitive 80% — so your team can own the other 20%
Timestamps: 00:00 – Episode Snippet 01:17 – Introducing the guests, Stephanie Lindsey and Jessica Nelson 02:33 – How AI supports work instead of replacing people 04:37 – From Geek Squad to interior design and AI 08:25 – The "AI curiosity → anxiety → clarity" adoption curve 10:05 – How the firm uses custom GPTs in real workflows 12:04 – Building better prompts with deep research 14:19 – Why you shouldn't stick to just one AI platform 16:38 – How Gemini Pro speeds up design work 18:58 – Checking plans and finding blind spots with AI 21:46 – The "60% to 90%" multi-tool AI workflow approach 25:05 – Midjourney, Gamma, and NotebookLM in practice 29:37 – Sponsor Spotlight: Struggling to meet deadlines with limited staff? MGS Global Group is here for you. We provide qualified architectural professionals on demand so you can scale your projects without compromising quality. Visit https://mgsglobalgroup.com today. 30:39 – Fyxer, Otter, and Plaud for daily workflows 34:17 – Inside the AI for Interiors Design Academy and community 37:23 – The 4-month firm-wide AI onboarding process 41:31 – Custom GPTs and AEO as standalone services 42:55 – Upcoming speaking engagements 45:24 – "Earn the right to push the easy button" 47:25 – Why resisting AI won't stop it 51:39 – AI services beyond the design industry 53:22 – What's next for AI for Interiors and future offerings About the Guests: Stephanie Lindsey and Jessica Nelson are the co-founders of Etch Design Group, a luxury full-service interior design firm based in Austin, Texas. Together, they also launched AI for Interiors, a groundbreaking venture dedicated to educating interior designers, builders, and vendors on how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to grow and future-proof their businesses. Under Stephanie and Jessica's leadership, Etch's talented team has mastered a signature process rooted in listening, creativity, and care. They design extraordinary spaces that reflect each client's unique story and style, proving that friendship, passion, and purpose can build something truly meaningful. Connect with Etch Design Group: Websites: https://aiforinteriors.com/ , https://etchinteriordesign.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiforinteriors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ai-for-interiors/ About the Host: Aya Shlachter is the Founder and CEO of MGS Global Group, an architectural support services firm serving hundreds of architecture practices worldwide.With over 18 years of industry experience, she helps firm owners scale smarter, adopt emerging technologies, and build resilient, future-ready practices. Aya also hosts the AI for Architects and Architect My Business podcasts and is the co -founder of Archicon 2026, a global architecture business conference. She was named the 2025 Global FWN100™ Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World in the Founder and Pioneer category for her leadership in business
More from AI for Architects
What happens when architecture starts shifting from a profession built on forms and materials to one shaped by data, circularity, and AI? In this episode, host Aya Schlochter sits down with Dr. Christopher Bamborough, postdoctoral research fellow at the University of New South Wales and the ARC Centre for Next Generation Architectural Manufacturing, to explore how intelligent systems are changing the future of design practice. Chris shares how his path moved from architecture practice in the UK and Australia into teaching, research, digital fabrication, and computational design. The conversation goes deep on data as a cultural and historical construct, why architects need to stay critical of AI-generated outputs, and how circular design could transform the way buildings are made, used, and reused.
What if the biggest challenge in AI adoption isn't technology at all, but understanding people, culture, and practice? In this episode, host Aya Shlachter sits down with Annie Ferguson, Head of AI & Digital Innovation at DKO Architecture, to explore why most firms get AI adoption wrong, not because of the tools, but because of the people. Before leading one of Australia's most ambitious architecture AI transformations, Annie studied languages, conducted ethnographic research in rural Mexico, and spent over a decade designing user experiences for companies like Autodesk and Lonely Planet. She brings a refreshingly human lens to a conversation usually dominated by prompts and productivity hacks.
AI is becoming easier to use. Understanding how it actually works is where most architects struggle. In this episode, Aya Shlachter sits down with Prof. Hank Haeusler to explore how AI and computational design are reshaping architecture in practice and in business. Hank shares how thinking in systems, data, and computation is changing how architects design, make decisions, and deliver work. The conversation highlights the shift from manual, skill-based tasks to higher-level thinking. As AI takes over repetitive work, architects are being pushed toward strategy, problem-solving, and continuous learning. It also addresses the growing gap between academia and practice, and why firms must start treating AI as a business priority, not just a tool. What You'll Learn: How computational design is changing the foundation of architecture
In a profession facing rapid technological change, understanding how to use AI without losing the human element has become one of the most important challenges for architects today. In this episode, Aya Shlachter sits down with Mark R. LePage, an entrepreneur architect and Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Gābl Media Group, Inc., to explore how AI is reshaping the AEC industry and what it means for the future of architectural practice. With decades of experience building firms, communities, and media platforms, Mark shares how his journey from practicing architect to business educator has shaped his perspective on leadership, creativity, and growth. They discuss why AI should be viewed as a powerful tool rather than a threat, how architects can build AI literacy at every level of their business, and why human connection will remain the profession's greatest differentiator. Mark also breaks down the business gaps left by traditional architectural education, the rise of community-driven learning, and how initiatives like EntreArchitect and the EntreArchitect Academy are helping architects build stronger firms. Tune in for practical insights on building sustainable firms, developing leadership skills, preserving institutional knowledge, and preparing the next generation of architects for long-term success. Key Takeaways: AI is a powerful tool that can improve efficiency, productivity, and creativity at every level of architectural practice.
In a world where knowledge is power, having the right system to manage that knowledge might just be the smartest investment a growing firm can make. In this episode, Aya Shlachter sits down with Christopher Parsons, founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture, the team behind Synthesis and the KA Connect conference. With over 15 years of experience shaping knowledge management in AEC firms, Chris shares his journey from history major to tech consultant during the dot-com boom, and eventually to leading Knowledge Architecture since 2009. They discuss how knowledge management has evolved from capturing information to strategically sharing it across firms, and now, how AI is embedding knowledge directly into workflows. Chris also highlights Synthesis's new AI search platform, already being used by over 80 firms, and shares real-world case studies demonstrating how knowledge infrastructure can transform firms. This episode explores the power of designing knowledge as an intentional part of business growth, creating sustainable learning systems, and preparing for the rapid changes AI is bringing to the AEC industry. Key Takeaways: Knowledge management in AEC firms has evolved from simply capturing information to embedding it directly into workflows.