Dear Architects: weekly insights for software architects

Interview with Patrick Kua

What does it mean to be an architect in today’s fast-paced tech world? For Pat Kua, it’s less about the title and more about fostering a culture where everyone cares about architecture. Shaped by the early days of agile and XP, Pat believes in moving beyond strict role boundaries toward team empowerment and shared ownership. As he puts it, “you might label me as an architect but it’s just one of many hats I think senior technical leaders play these days.”

Interview with Jacqui Read

Discover the inspiring journey of Jacqui Read, internationally renowned architect and author, as she shares her insights on software architecture, collaboration, knowledge management, and the future of design in an AI-influenced world.

Interview with Vlad Khononov

In this interview, he shares the defining moments that shaped his architectural thinking, including hard-learned lessons from the microservices hype, the influence of Eliyahu Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints, and why modularity remains the key to managing complexity—no matter how fast AI evolves.

Interview with Sonya Natanzon

In this interview, Sonya shares insights from her journey, including the challenges and rewarding moments she’s experienced along the way. We discuss her unique approach to solving complex problems, her thoughts on the future of architecture, and how she balances creativity with the practical demands of large-scale systems. Plus, Sonya opens up about what inspires her work and offers some valuable advice for aspiring architects looking to make an impact in the field.

Interview with Barry O'Reilly

In this conversation, Barry shares his unconventional journey into architecture, the pivotal moments that shaped his perspective, and his approach to balancing creativity with practicality. We also dive into the challenges he’s faced, the mentors who inspired him, and his candid thoughts on the trends shaping the next decade, including the role of AI in architectural thinking.