Chris Simmons explores what influence in architecture really means, arguing that it is not about self-promotion or visibility for its own sake, but about learning to communicate clearly, shape conversations, and build a reputation that extends beyond the office. Through a personal reflection on confidence, career setbacks, and the experience of rebuilding his professional identity, he examines why architects often remain on the sidelines of public debate despite shaping the spaces, cities, and communities people live in every day.

The talk is both a critique of the profession’s tendency to believe that good work alone will speak for itself and a call for architects to become more intentional about how they show up in the world. Chris frames influence as a combination of agency, visibility, and leverage, and encourages architects to treat their careers as something they can actively design rather than passively inherit. Ultimately, he makes the case that architects need to step forward, communicate their value, and take a greater role in shaping both their own futures and the wider built environment.

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