Anthony Burke's By Design
Hosted by Anthony Burke, Professor of Architecture at UTS and a leading voice on building better futures, this podcast explores the clever ideas and human stories behind the spaces, systems, and objects shaping our everyday lives. Each episode dives into a theme through engaging interviews and real-life case studies from across Australia, covering topics like prefab housing, smart homes, and the future of open-plan living. The show ends with The Extraordinary Everyday, a segment uncovering the cultural and social history of familiar objects. With an informal, accessible tone, By Design makes design visible, relatable, and relevant for everyone.
Episodes
How plastic bags redesigned us
Humans were trained to think of plastic bags as disposable. Before they were invented, we were more accustomed to using sustainable means to carry our groceries - like in boxes or material bags. The invention of plastic transformed everyday life forever - in both good ways and bad.
Cars that change colour: the next design revolution
Why settle on one colour when your car could wear hundreds? New automotive technologies are making colour-changing vehicles a real possibility, challenging long-held assumptions about personalisation, resale value and the role colour plays in car design.
Extraordinary Everyday: How the Aussie lawnmower shaped our identity
What can a lawnmower reveal about the Australia that emerged after World War II? More than a machine for trimming grass, the Victor lawnmower became a powerful symbol of suburban aspiration, backyard pride, masculinity and Australian ingenuity. But where did it start? And how did it evolve?
Extraordinary Everyday: What's Really in Your Cup? The 5,000-Year Journey of Tea
Australians love a good cuppa, but do you know the twists and turns this little leaf has taken over the years? From being brewed in medicinal bowls to being “jiggled” in a tea bag - the distilling of tea has its own fascinating history.
The Home Front, Lessons from afar
In episode five of our special series The Home Front, around the globe, architects and designers are reimagining housing with bold, inventive solutions - from sprawling multi use compounds in Indonesia to compact cooperative models in Europe. These global experiments offer fresh perspectives on affordability, sustainability and community. But could they work in Australia? In this
Extraordinary Everyday: Do locks really keep you safe?
Locks have existed as long as we’ve had something to keep safe. From ancient Sumeria to the lock on your front door - the design evolution of locks is a series of twists and turns. So how well do locks today stand up against their predecessors? And what is the future of safety in a world of AI?
The Home Front, Money money money
In episode four of our special series The Home Front, we all know that house prices have gone through the roof - but what’s driving them, and what can actually be done?In this episode we dig into the money behind the housing crisis; from tax policy and global market shifts to government targets and the growing role of intergenerational wealth.We explore how renters and homeowners
Extraordinary Everyday: How the toy industry rebranded dolls for boys - and struck gold
They weren’t dolls—they were a revolution. Once, dolls were seen as toys for girls—until clever companies reimagined them as “action figures” and made them irresistible to boys. With that simple rebrand came explosive success: from G.I. Joe, the original “action figure,” to the galaxy-spanning rise of Star Wars, the muscle-bound power of He‑Man, and the shape-shifting dominance o
The Home Front, One roof, many lives
In episode three of our special series The Home Front, Australia’s homes are doing more than sheltering families - they’re accommodating multigenerational households, solo dwellers, single parents, and shared living arrangements.But is our housing stock too rigid to reflect this diversity? Is it failing behind the way we actually live?In this episode, we meet the architects and d
Extraordinary Everyday: The invention that eliminated a day’s hard labour
Laundry once took a full day of hard labour—before the washing machine changed everything.Water had to be carried, clothes scrubbed by hand, wrung out, and then hung to dry. In the mid-1800s, the first washing machines began to appear in the homes of the wealthy, marking the start of a quiet domestic revolution. What once consumed a full day of exhausting work can now be done in
The Home Front, Lessons in Living
In episode two of our special series The Home Front we look at how Australians have lived together in the past—and what those lessons might offer us today.From the tightly packed worker’s cottages of the early 1900s, where strong community bonds helped people get by, to the bold experiments in communal and cooperative living during the 1970s, Australians have long found creative
Extraordinary Everyday: Why today’s bikes are still stuck in the 1800s
Do you remember your first ride? For kids, it’s a first taste of freedom. For others, it’s transport, fitness—or both. But here’s the twist: for all their variations, the bike’s core design hasn’t changed since the 1800s. So why are those designs still so successful? We go back to where it began—and to the ideas that still carry us today.
The Home Front, Owning the dream
Why do so many Australians see owning a home as the cornerstone of the Great Australian Dream?In this opening episode of our special series The Home Front, we unpack the historical, cultural, and political forces that shaped Australia’s deep-rooted obsession with home ownership. From post-war prosperity to the rise of suburban ideals, we trace how the dream took hold- and why tha
How the sari became fashion’s ultimate chameleon
It’s a single strip of cloth that has shaped centuries of style and identity.Worn for thousands of years across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, the sari is one of the world’s most enduring—and adaptable—garments. From sacred ceremonies to high fashion runways, it has continually reinvented itself while carrying deep cultural meaning. But how has one garment continued to fe
How an interior designer really sees your home
What do designers notice the moment they walk through your front door? Interior designer Adelaide Bragg and photographer and author Robyn Lea reveal how they read a room—translating light, objects and atmosphere into deeply personal stories. We explore their collaboration on City, Coast and Country and what it takes to style and capture uniquely Australian homes with meaning, not
How was the fork an instrument of evil?
It sits quietly on the table, beside the knife and spoon, rarely asking for attention. But the fork hasn’t always looked — or behaved — the way it does today. From scandalous novelty to everyday necessity, this small object has played a powerful role in shaping how we eat, how we gather, and how manners became habit.
Public toilets: The design, history and politics of who gets to go
‘The sewer is the conscience of the city’, or so the French writer Victor Hugo once claimed. It’s a confronting idea, but a revealing one: the way a society deals with waste can tell us a lot about its values, priorities and politics. And yet our toilet habits are something we’re usually taught to ignore, avoid or feel embarrassed about. We look at one everyday object that sits r
Extraordinary Everyday: The dressing gown
Today, the dressing gown is as likely to appear over pyjamas during a dash to the bins as it is at a lazy breakfast table — but it wasn’t always this casual. Once, this was a garment that signalled leisure, status and a certain velvet‑chair‑owning elegance. In this episode, we wrap ourselves up and trace the surprisingly stylish design history of the dressing gown, from indulgent
Mary Featherston: Design, disruption and advocacy
When we think about design in Australia today, it’s impossible not to trace its evolution back to pioneers like Mary Featherston, AM. A leading force in shaping a more human‑centred approach, Mary has spent decades reimagining design as something embedded in our everyday environments — not just objects, but experiences.From transforming the way we think about learning spaces to h
Extraordinary Everyday: The esky
From cricket sidelines to camping trips, the esky is an essential tool of getting out and about, making sure cold drinks are always within reach. It’s so familiar it feels stitched into Australian life. But where did the esky actually come from? And is it really an Australian design, or something we simply made our own?
Will the budget finally make it easier to buy a home?
What does the federal budget really do for Australia’s housing crisis? Peter Martin from The Economy, Stupid joins Anthony Burke from By Design to examine whether changes to tax settings will make it any easier to buy a home. And what impact it will have on rents.
Inside Eurovision’s high-stakes world of spectacle design
Once a punchline, now a powerhouse. For decades, Eurovision lived on the fringes of Australian culture — loved by some, dismissed by many. But when Australia entered the competition in 2015, perception began to shift. What was once mocked for its camp excess and theatrical scale moved steadily into the mainstream. After 70 years of spectacle, ambition and visual escalation, how h
Extraordinary Everyday: Umbrellas
The umbrella has seen more than rain.For centuries, its silhouette has barely changed — but its story is anything but ordinary. From ancient status symbol and sun shield to political prop and covert weapon, the umbrella has quietly intersected with power, fashion and invention. In this episode, we trace the dramatic design evolution of an everyday object we only notice when it ra
How do you design your way out of a sinking city?
It sounds like a dystopian story - a city sinking lower every year, streets flooded by tidal waters.. But this is the lived reality of many cities across the globe, particularly in Jakarta, where the city is sinking at a rate of 200 mm per year, the fastest in the world. So far there have been plans to relocate the political community to a new city, and walls to keep out the risi
Extraordinary Everyday: Men’s ties
If you stop and think about today’s item, it’s one of fashion’s strangest inventions. We loop it around our necks, pull it into a neat little noose, and call it an accessory. Yet the humble men’s tie - this decorative strip of fabric - has survived centuries of reinvention. And somehow, it has come to symbolise masculinity more strongly than almost anything else you can wear.
Why neurodivergent minds need better design — and how our spaces exclude them
Flickering lights, windowless offices, overwhelming noise — bad building design affects everyone, but for neurodiverse people it can be exhausting. We explore how everyday design irritations are amplified for neurodivergent minds — and how the built environment can quietly work against the brain. We ask what neuro‑inclusive design really looks like, and why changes made for some
Extraordinary Everyday: The kettle
Australians love a cup of tea. From the boil of a billy by the campfire to “everybody jiggling” a Lipton tea bag, a good cuppa has long been woven into our cultural identity.So it feels only natural that when it comes to delivering this liquid gold, Australians would be at the forefront of engineering the best way to boil water - and it's come a long way since the days of the bil
What is lost when buildings become casualties of war?
One of the greatest tragedies of war is the loss of innocent life, and it’s rightly at the forefront of how we measure the cost of conflict. Against that reality, the protection of buildings and monuments can seem frivolous — even misplaced. But organisations like Blue Shield, a non‑profit dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage, argue otherwise. They believe the built enviro
Extraordinary Everyday : Gravestones
Gravestones may be stark reminders of our mortality, but they’re also powerful records of history, identity and belief. What can the design of these enduring markers tell us about the people they commemorate — and the eras they lived through? From symbolism and materials to craftsmanship and changing cultural values, we trace how grave markers have evolved over time.
Is adaptive reuse worth the investment?
Heritage buildings can be pretty … but are they worth the money? Adaptive reuse advocates argue that reworking existing structures isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about unlocking potential. These projects take longer, cost more, and demand far greater creative problem‑solving, but for designers willing to take them on, the value extends well beyond the balance sheet.
Extraordinary Everyday: Pockets
Men expect them in every pair of pants, every jacket, every coat. And yet, for women, pockets have been mysteriously withheld, removed, resized, or declared “unnecessary” for centuries. Why?In this episode, we unpack the surprisingly political, practical, and quietly rebellious history of pockets — from their deliberate disappearance in women’s fashion to the small jolt of joy wh
How AI is reshaping architecture
Algorithms are sketching, rendering, optimising, and quietly reshaping who holds creative power. In this episode, we ask the uncomfortable questions: Is AI a tool, a collaborator, or a threat? What happens to expertise when clients can generate designs in seconds? And who really benefits when intelligence is automated?Guests: * Philip Allsopp, Co-Chair, RIBA Expert Advisory Group
Extraordinary Everyday: Surfboards
Australia’s surfing story has been influenced from far beyond our shores, from ancient Peruvian reed boards to Hawaiian royalty and the design revolutions that shaped the modern surfboard. So how did we get from the earliest surf boards of heavy wooden planks to the sleek, high‑performance boards ridden today? Guest: Andrew McKinnon, Surf reporter and historian
Material Cultures: Reinventing Batik in Indonesia
Batik is a material that is both ancient and modern. In the final stop on our South Asian tour, we explore how small, ingenious design ideas are driving big change, exploring the rich tradition of batik - its royal roots, ceremonial uses, near‑decline, and bold return to contemporary fashionGuest: Josephine Komara, Founder Bin House
Extraordinary Everyday: Kites
Kites aren’t just toys—they’re one of the most influential inventions in the history of science. Sure, they look playful drifting across a windy sky, but the humble kite has quietly powered some of humanity’s biggest breakthroughs. From early experiments to world‑shaping discoveries, this lightweight frame of fabric and string has been a surprising engine of innovation.Guest: Joh
Material Cultures: Bamboo in Bali
Bamboo is nothing short of extraordinary - growing fast, bending without breaking, and carrying the strength of steel. In Bali, it’s more than a material; it’s a philosophy of design grounded in flexibility, resilience, and imagination.This is the second episode in our three part series Material Cultures, in which we meet designers who don’t just shape their materials, they liste
Extraordinary Everyday: Beanbags
They’re squishy, often colourful, mobile pieces of furniture that are forever associated with the late 60s and early 70s. Growing up in the 80s you’re sure to have plonked yourself on one of these while you watched Magnum PI. We're talking about beanbags. Who on earth thought that this malleable, ball-filled piece of furniture would become the success story it did?Guest: Berto Pa
Material Cultures: Letting Wood Speak in Mumbai
Just how creative can you get with wood? In the first of this new three part series we meet a master furniture maker in Mumbai giving new life to old timbers, letting the wood speak again. It’s our first stop on a South Asian tour with host Anthony Burke, revisiting some of his favourite conversations from filming Culture By Design across the region.Guest: Siddharth Sirohi, BARO
Extraordinary Everyday : Swimming costumes
Australia’s swimsuit has a wilder history than you think. In this episode, we dive into the design evolution of our beloved togs, bathers, and budgie smugglers, from the days when inspectors patrolled the beach in search of exposed shoulders to today’s sleek, sun-smart designs. How has culture, modesty, technology and style shaped this iconic piece of Aussie design, and what does
The invisible housing crisis hurting older Australian women
As women age, many joke about becoming “invisible”, but in Australia’s housing crisis, invisibility has devastating consequences. Women over 55 are now the fastest‑growing group at risk of homelessness, while the housing system fails to provide safe, secure, and dignified options that meet their needs. But there are those working on this problem now who say the solutions are not
Extraordinary Everyday: Mirrors
Mirrors may show us our reflection today, but for centuries they were thought to reveal far stranger things.Forged through a perilous, mercury‑soaked process, these “everyday” objects hide a mysterious past that’s anything but ordinary.Guest:John Hawkins, antiques dealer
Why we all need to embrace the dark
For years, designers pushed the gospel of “more light, more health.” Then LEDs arrived—tiny, efficient, and bright enough to turn night into a permanent noon—and we discovered a plot twist: human eyes (and brains, and hormones) were never built for this much brilliance. And animals? They’re even less impressed.In this episode, we dig into how our light‑soaked world has scrambled
Extraordinary Everyday: Traffic lights
They are the silent force that guides us through our days, but how much do you know about the humble traffic light? More than just three colours that tell us when to slow down, stop or go, these machines weave complex movements of people throughout our cities. How do they work, what impact do they have and what is the future for traffic lights in a world of smart cars?Guest: Chri
Meet the movement reimagining the future, slowly
Meet the movement reimaging the future, slowlyCraft is cool again. Across Australia — and far beyond — traditional design practices long considered “old fashioned” are experiencing a powerful resurgence. From tapestry as contemporary art, to handcrafted chairs, to the ancient weaving traditions of First Nations communities, slow, tactile craftsmanship is being embraced by a gener
Extraordinary Everyday: Wristwatches
Humans have been tracking time for millennia — but when did we decide to wear it? In this episode, we trace the evolution of the watch, from clunky ticking contraptions to sleek wrist‑bound supercomputers. How did a simple time‑telling bracelet become the indispensable gadget we can’t stop glancing at?Guest: Tania Edwards, Co founder of Collectability, a collecting consultancy a
Designing for power: White House changes and the signal they send
If buildings speak, the White House never whispers — and recent design overhauls have given it a whole new vocabulary. In this episode, we decode the aesthetic signals embedded in its latest transformations: the dramatic palettes, the opulent flourishes, the bigger‑brighter‑bolder touches that reshape how the building presents power. We ask what these stylistic choices reveal abo
Extraordinary Everyday: Corduroy
Corduroy is back—and its story is wilder than you think. From its origins in ancient Egypt to royal courts, retro fashion, and now a modern design renaissance, this humble fabric has lived many lives. In this episode, we unravel how corduroy went from utilitarian to iconic, and why designers are embracing it in clothing and furniture today.Guest:Elaine Evans, Senior Teaching Fell
Is open plan officially dead?
Is the open-plan home officially over? How has COVID and the rise of remote work reshaped the way we live; From privacy-friendly layouts to multifunctional spaces, discover why designers are rethinking open-plan living and what the future of home design looks like.Guests:Dr Libby Sander, Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at Bond UniversityEva-Marie Prineas, Lead Arc
Extraordinary Everyday: Soy Sauce Containers
Can design save the planet—one soy sauce fish at a time? Meet the innovative minds behind a sustainable alternative to the iconic plastic soy sauce container. Discover how clever design is tackling single-use plastics, reducing waste, and reimagining everyday objects for a greener futureGuest:Angus Ware, Co-founder and Director at Heliograf
The surprising new world of designing for non-humans
What happens when architects design for animals instead of humans? In this episode, we explore a bold new frontier where animal behavior—not human comfort—shapes the spaces we build. From wildlife sanctuaries to urban habitats, this surprising trend flips traditional design thinking on its head. How do professionals trained for people reimagine environments for paws, claws, and w
Extraordinary Everyday: Backyard Pools
Extraordinary Everyday: Backyard PoolsWhy do Aussies love a backyard pool? In this episode, we dive into its evolution—from retro status symbol to sleek, sustainable showpiece. Discover how pool design trends have shaped our summers, our homes, and our obsession with outdoor living. It’s a deep end of culture, creativity, and cool innovation!Guest:Professor Hannah Lewi, Faculty o
Can we find a new and exciting future in prefabricated homes?
Prefab is back—and it’s changing the game. Once a Federation-era staple, prefabrication is now being hailed as a creative design solution and a practical fix for the housing crisis. Innovative modular techniques are delivering sustainable, stylish homes faster than ever before—but is this the future of construction?Guests:Warren French, Lead Architect Valley Workshop Tasmania and
Extraordinary Everyday: The toothbrush
From twigs to tech, the toothbrush has had quite the glow-up! In this episode of Extraordinary Everyday, we brush up on the wild history of dental hygiene—from ancient chew sticks to sleek smart brushes—revealing how this humble tool became a design icon in our daily lives.Guest:Scott Swank, Curator at National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore, and an associate professor in the D
How cruise ships became the ultimate floating cities
What does it take to design a floating city? Uncover the secrets of cruise ship design — from sleek engineering and sustainable innovations to creating unforgettable luxury experiences at sea. Discover how maritime architects balance safety, style, and comfort to craft the world’s most spectacular ships.Guests:Inger Sheil, Assistant Curator of Society and Water at the Australian
INTRODUCING — Anthony Burke's By Design
Anthony Burke's By Design uncovers the ideas and human stories behind the designs, spaces, systems, and objects shaping our lives — from the resurgence of colour in modern interiors to untapped opportunities for Australia in prefab housing, designing habitats for injured and in-captivity wildlife, to Presidential renovations and the mind-boggling considerations behind the perfect
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