Talking Architecture & Design
Talking Architecture & Design is Australia's first B2B architecture podcast, now in its 9th season. It covers issues affecting architects, building designers, and built environment professionals. Produced by Architecture & Design magazine, it offers regular insights into important and interesting topics in building design.
Episodes
Episode 305: Designing sustainably for health & wellbeing with Tamara White from WAM
In this episode, sponsored by Autex Acoustics, we talk with Tamara White from Warren and Mahoney (WAM), whose work spans creating environments that support human performance, connection, and healthier futures. We discuss how designers are redefining what sustainable spaces look and feel like — and what that means for the people using them.” Our theme is on how can architects and designers create
Episode 304: Plus Studio Principal John Walsh on how shared-use & hybrid buildings are redefining design for density, community, and long-term value
Drawing from his local and overseas architecture experience, recently appointed Plus Studio principal John Walsh, in this episode, unpacks how shared-use, hybrid buildings—blending education, civic, and commercial functions—are redefining how we design for density, community, and long-term value. From navigating security and adaptability to stretching the design brief for greater impact, this conv
Episode 303: The wonders of straw-based panels with Derek Layfield, Managing Director of Durra Panel & Michael Jones, Studio Lead – Design at AJC Architects
Derek Layfield, Managing Director of Durra Panel, who has championed straw-based panel technology for decades, and Michael Jones, Studio Lead – Design at AJC Architects, a registered architect with a wealth of experience specifying bio-based materials, including Durra Panel projects and recent Byera Hadley research into straw and prefabricated systems, explain why straw is the ultimate building ma
Episode 302: David Holm, Principal at Cox Architecture on the intersection of connectivity, culture, and placemaking
David Holm, Principal at Cox Architecture has a career spanning major transport and civic infrastructure—from international airports like the new Western Sydney airport and Changi airport in Singapore to urban masterplans and public spaces—David’s work sits at the intersection of connectivity, culture, and placemaking. He’s also a passionate advocate for drawing as a design tool and has contribut
Episode 301: Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, co-founder of Snøhetta explains how architecture can shape culture, public life, and collective futures
In this episode of Talking Architecture & Design, we speak with Kjetil Thorsen, co-founder of Snøhetta—the Oslo-based, globally recognised practice known for its transdisciplinary approach to architecture, landscape, interiors, and design. From iconic cultural landmarks like the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet to the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion, Snøhetta has built a repu
Episode 300: Jacob Burke, founder of Mijasu, on removing the bottlenecks for people‑centred outcomes across the built environment
Jacob Burke is the founder of Mijasu, an interdisciplinary group of design practices focused on people‑centred outcomes across the built environment. With more than 25 years’ experience in the Australian market, his career was shaped by humble beginnings in a family business and a hands-on experience through design, delivery and business leadership. He established Mijasu in 2019 as a parent compan
Episode 299: Zoe Schmidt & Paul Charteris on how low-carbon construction can actually work
This episode tackles one of construction’s biggest questions: If the built environment needs to rapidly cut embodied carbon, what materials and manufacturing systems can realistically scale.The construction sector sits at the centre of the climate challenge. Cement and concrete underpin modern infrastructure but remain among the world’s most carbon-intensive materials. At the same time, a new gene
Episode 298: Jim Hunter, Managing Director of Capital Corporation on the The Residences at Wahroonga Estate
The Residences at Wahroonga Estate, designed by GroupGSA, is a project that’s generating a lot of discussion up on Sydney’s Upper North Shore. Capital Corporation has officially broken ground on The Residences at Wahroonga Estate — a landmark luxury development delivered in partnership with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, award-winning builder DASCO, with architecture by GroupGSA and interiors b
Episode 297: Architectural representative Cindy Lee from Stratco Architectural on why early collaboration is key to the perfect project
Cindy Lee from Stratco Architectural talks about the strategies needed to bridge the gap between design and delivery in her role at Stratco. In this recent interview, Cindy Lee shares insights on the company’s evolution, the shifting challenges of practice, and how early collaboration with suppliers can help architects realise their vision.
Episode 296: Léo Terrando from Studio Terrando on choreographing interiors for timeless residential and hospitality spaces
In this episode of Talking Architecture & Design, Clémence Carayol sits down with Interior Designer Léo Terrando to explore how hospitality thinking is reshaping the way we design and live. With over two decades of experience across hotels and high-end homes, Terrando brings a perspective grounded in how spaces are actually used, how people move through them, and how they feel along the way. H
Episode 295: Leanne Guy Principal & Global Health Sector Leader of Hassell on rethinking our healthcare learning environments
As demand for healthcare services rises and workforce shortages intensify, universities and health institutions are under growing pressure to educate more students, more effectively, and in environments that reflect the rapidly changing nature of healthcare itself.A recent research whitepaper, Anatomy of Change: Rethinking Healthcare Learning Environments, explores how architecture, planning and d
Episode 294: Senior Landscape Architect and TCL Associate Kar Gan on designing Adelaide's award-winning Breakout Creek / Purruna Pari Stage 3
Breakout Creek / Purruna Pari Stage 3 recently took out both the Landscape & Urban category and Best of the Best at the 2025 Sustainability Awards. Delivered by TCL in collaboration with Green Adelaide, the City of Charles Sturt and the City of West Torrens, the project reimagines a once-degraded drainage channel as a thriving blue–green landscape.Featuring over six kilometres of new walking t
Episode 293: Sarah Lebner, Director of Cooee Architecture and her stunning award-winning project, The Silos
In this episode, we’re joined by award-winning architect Sarah Lebner, Director of Cooee Architecture. Sarah recently took out the Hospitality & Tourism Award at the 2025 Sustainability Awards for her remarkable transformation of an old grain silo into The Silos Accommodation — a sustainable, off-grid farm stay that celebrates adaptive reuse, environmental performance, and regional experience.
Episode 292: Gabriel Solorzano Torres on why & how MMC can solve the housing crisis
Gabriel Solorzano Torres is the Executive Director of Commercial, Sustainability and Infrastructure at Melbourne Polytechnic. He brings deep strategic and operational experience in infrastructure and industry development — and is at the forefront of the new Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence, a national initiative aimed at scaling Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) skills and in
Episode 291: Hassell Studio Principals Ingrid Bakker and Craig Guthrie on how Melbourne's new Metro Tunnel uses design to improve the city’s liveability
Ingrid Bakker is a Principal architect, a board director for Hassell and a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.Craig Guthrie is a specialist in Landscape Architecture and Urban Design with over 25 years of experienceAs Hassell Studio Principals Ingrid Bakker and Craig Guthrie talk about the legacy for Melbourne and how the newly-built Metro Tunnel uses design to increase the city
Episode 290: Daniel Jarosch, CEO of the new Sydney Fish Market on the importance of designing for place for commercial buildings
Daniel Jarosch, Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Fish Market has lead the organisation through a once-in-a-generation relocation and reopening that has attracted millions of visitors and redefined this iconic waterfront for the future.He explains how the new Sydney Fish Market is a game changer in terms of designing for place and the future of retail and hospitality design in busy and growing cit
Episode 289: Lisa Munao, Managing Director and Principal of Gensler Sydney on sustainability, creativity and designing an award-winning koala sanctuary
Lisa Munao, Managing Director and Principal of Gensler’s Sydney office leads the strategic growth and operations of the firm across Australia and New Zealand. With over 25 years of experience in the design industry, Lisa has guided major interior and workplace projects for global and local organisations and brings a passion for creative thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and sustainable des
Episode 288: Taylor Buchtmann Architecture founders Anne Taylor and Michael Buchtmann on adaptive reuse, rural design and lowering building waste
We talk with architects and founders of Taylor Buchtmann Architecture, Anne Taylor, and Michael Buchtmann, who are also the winners of the 2025 Sustainability Award in the Adaptive Reuse – Alteration/Addition category about their extraordinary award-winning project, The Stopover. This remarkable build transformed a dilapidated grain store into resilient, sensitive accommodation that honours both p
Episode 287: Gabrielle Pavicic, GBCA's emerging leader in sustainable design on reshaping how the built environment approaches sustainability
With a background in architecture and interior design, emerging leader in sustainable design and the Green Star Program Lead at the Green Building Council of Australia, Gabrielle Pavicic is helping reshape how the built environment approaches sustainability — particularly at the fitout level, where waste and embodied carbon have long been overlooked. Her work bridges design thinking with technical
Episode 286: Reviewing 40 Years of Architecture with Ed Lippmann
Known for his thoughtful, context-driven approach to design, acclaimed Australian architect Ed Lippmann, owner and founder of architectural practice, Lippmann Partnership, has a design portfolio that spans decades of civic buildings, cultural spaces, religious buildings, educational projects, and private residences that have helped define parts of Australia’s, as well as his own architectural iden
Episode 285: Talking sustainability with 2025 Sustainability Awards Lifetime Achievement Winner, Distinguished Professor Deo Prasad
Across more than three decades, UNSW Professor Deo Prasad has shaped the national and global conversation on low carbon living through research, education, policy leadership, and industry collaboration. From pioneering sustainability education in the southern hemisphere to leading Australia’s largest built-environment research collaboration through the CRC for Low Carbon Living, his impact spans a
Episode 284: COX Executive Chair Patrick Ness and BLP Principal Mark Mitchell on designing the ‘People’s Hospital’ in Footscray
In this episode of Talking Architecture & Design, host Clémence Carayol heads to Melbourne’s west to unpack one of Australia’s most ambitious health projects: the new Footscray Hospital. More than a deep dive into a major piece of infrastructure, the conversation explores how architecture can reshape the experience of healthcare itself.The $1.5 billion hospital, designed by COX Architecture i
Episode 283: Dr. Kavita Gonsalves & Brayden Goodwin from Populous on Beyond the Games: How circular design and sustainability are transforming sports infrastructure
To help us unpack what it really means to build not just for a few weeks of sport, but for decades of community benefit, reuse, and resilience we spoke to two experts from design firm Populous: Dr. Kavita Gonsalves, Associate Principal - Sustainability Design Lead ‑ APAC, and Brayden Goodwin, Principal, Architect — Brisbane, on how circular design and sustainability are transforming sports infrast
Episode 282: Talking about the unique design of Sydney's brand new Fish Market with BVN, 3XN GXN & ASPECT Studios
Catherine Skinner, Principal, BVN, Audun Opdal, Senior Partner, 3XN, Louise Pearson, Studio Director, ASPECT Studios, and Miguel Serrao, Associate, ASPECT Studios, sat down with Talking Architecture and Design at the recent opening of the stunning Sydney Fish Markets, to talk about the highlights, surprises and challenges of working on such a large, iconic and complex public infrastructure project
Episode 281: Shaping Melbourne’s cultural future with Director and CEO of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Katrina Sedgwick
In this episode of Talking Architecture & Design, we’re joined by Katrina Sedgwick, the inaugural Director and CEO of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co), who is leading one of Australia’s most ambitious cultural transformations – a $1.7 billion revitalisation connecting Federation Square through to Southbank.Sedgwick shares what it’s like to build a new organisation while simulta
Episode 280: Suzanne Toumbourou, Australian Council of Recycling CEO, on why waste reduction is actually a revenue stream
Suzanne Toumbourou, CEO of the Australian Council of Recycling, shares her insights and helps us understand on the challenges the enormous opportunities that recycling and circular thinking present for Australia’s built environment. She also explains how architects, designers, builders and policymakers all have a critical role to play in shaping a more sustainable, resource-smart future.
Episode 279: 2025 Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Business Awards Lifetime Achievement Award winner Michael Rayner on urban design & his 'what else' philosophy
Michael Rayner is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects, co-founder of Blight Rayner Architecture and the 2025 recipient of the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Business Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.This prestigious honour — presented only six times in the Awards’ two-decade history — recognises Michael’s remarkable four decades of design leadership, a career that has shaped Brisbane’s
Episode 278: David Henderson from COX on how architects can make smarter & lower-carbon decisions without compromising on design
An experienced architect and leader within COX’s sustainability team in Melbourne, David Henderson is one of the creators of Product Aware, and in this final episode for 2025, David takes us on a deep dive into the sustainable materials maze and how architects can make smarter, lower-carbon decisions without needing to compromise on design embeds as well as explaining how regenerative design can
Episode 277: Nic Hughan from Hames Sharley on the design & delivery challenges of hospitals, schools, and community buildings
Over a career spanning more than 28 years, Hames Sharley's Nic Hughan has gained extensive local and international experience in the planning, design, documentation, and delivery of large and complex projects, with a focus on hospitals, education, and community buildings.Having assumed the leadership role for several high-profile hospital and social infrastructure projects, as well as owning
Episode 276: The Ellinikon - one of Europe’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects is taking shape
In this episode, we head to the warm waters of the southern coast of Athens in Greece to talk about one of Europe’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects — The Ellinikon.Once home to the city’s former international airport, this 6.2-million-square-meter development is being transformed into a “15-minute smart city” — a place where everything from housing and workplaces to parks and cultural s
Episode 275: Arup CEO Jerome Frost on shaping Brisbane’s legacy & how good planning ensures Olympic investment benefits communities
In this episode, we’re joined by Jerome Frost, the Global CEO of Arup and former Head of Design and Regeneration for the London 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority—a role that helped transform East London and redefine how major sporting events can deliver long-term urban and social value.As Brisbane accelerates preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we’ll discuss what lessons can be d
Episode 274: Sarah Butler on the changing role of intellectual property laws & moral rights in construction contracts
In this podcast, Sarah Butler, a partner with Holding Redlich, specialising in intellectual property (IP), commercial and technology law, and media and advertising regulation across a range of industries explains why intellectual property still often overlooked in construction contracts, despite the sector becoming more design-led and digitally enabled?
Episode 273: Ellen Rosengren-Johnson on why good hospitality design should matter to us all
Foolscap Sydney Studio Director Ellen Rosengren-Johnson brings a unique international perspective to Australian design, having spent a decade in Norway delivering award-winning hospitality and residential projects before returning home. Her work is defined by a deep commitment to collaboration with local makers, craftspeople, and suppliers – a skill she’s currently bringing to life in the boutique
Episode 272: Designing community-defining precincts with Gray Puksand Senior Associate, John Czechowski
The latest episode of Talking Architecture & Design features John Czechowski, Senior Associtae at Gray Puksand, whose career spans more than three decades of shaping public and multi-use precincts across Australia. Born in Canada and trained at the University of Toronto, with formative studies in Florence and Paris, his practice has stretched from infrastructure and stadia to high-rise living
Episode 271: Dr Caroline Noller on the end of greenwashing and the twilight of unsustainable products in the building industry
Dr Caroline Noller is a qualified quantity surveyor, Climate Active Product assessor, and past, MECLA benchmarking working group Chair, ALCAS board member and EPD Australia board member and holds a phD in the Built Environment.These days Dr Noller provides independent oversight and technical assurance for the Rebuilt Product Carbon Footprint methodology and governance platform. Drawing on her care
Episode 270: Damien Crough & Martin Fenn on the huge opportunities available from Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)
Damien Crough from prefabAus, a recognised leader and advocate for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in Australia. As Co-founder and Executive Chairman of prefabAUS, Damien has been instrumental in positioning the organisation as the national peak body for offsite construction. Under his leadership, prefabAUS has grown from a grassroots initiative into a respected and influential voice shaping
Episode 269: Hassell's Moonshot - Xavier De Kestelier, Principal, Hassell Studio, on designing on the moon
“Technology is often seen as the answer, but I believe design is the real answer. Technology is there to enable and to empower.”Xavier De Kestelier is a global Head of Design and leader of Hassell’s design technology and innovation team, which sets strategy and advises on the tools and knowledge the international design firm needs to succeed. Both an architect and technologist, Xavier harnesses te
Episode 268: City West Housing CEO Leonie King on affordable homes, funding, planning approvals and how to solve our housing crisis
As CEO of City West Housing, Leonie King leads a committed team that develops affordable housing and provide housing services to some 1,600 residents in metropolitan Sydney.In this episode, Leonie King will be talking about affordable homes, funding, planning approvals, land costs, how can we get governmental outcomes for housing, private developers, and community housing providers working togethe
Episode 267: Think Brick CEO Cathy Inglis & Architect Tone Wheeler on achieving greater urban density without compromising liveability while using low-carbon materials
Cathy Inglis AM is Group CEO for Think Brick, Concrete Masonry Association & Roofing Tile Associations Australia and is an experienced Materials Engineer and technical expert with nearly 30 years in the building industry with a focus on research, product development and product compliance.Cathy has worked in key leadership roles in management and business development with responsibility for re
Episode 266: HDR's Alison Potter & Simon Fleet talk about Opacity, their annual global design review, collaborative design and data centres
Opacity is HDR’s annual global design review, bringing together diverse voices from across the design community to critically examine our best built and unbuilt work. It provides a platform for rigorous dialogue, sharpening our design conscience and pushing creative boundaries. In this episode, HDR's Melbourne Design Principal Alison Potter as well as Simon Fleet, who is HDR's Sydney Des
Episode 265: Samantha Peart, Hassell’s Global Head of Sustainability & Prue Pascoe, Associate Interior Designer at Hassell on Closing the Loop
Samantha Peart has worked across 20 different countries, involving sustainability strategies and multidisciplinary project delivery for commercial and residential buildings, healthcare facilities, retail developments, university campuses, large-scale infrastructure projects and organisations. In her role as Hassell’s Global Head of Sustainability, Peart is leading the drive for innovation in susta
Episode 264: Metricon National Design Director Adrian Popple on why houses are not designed like cars
Adrian Popple has over 35 years’ experience in residential design and under his guidance seen Metricon countless times recognised and awarded by Australia's peak building bodies for its innovative and industry leading designs.Joining Metricon in 1987, Adrian Popple swiftly ascended the ranks navigating diverse roles-from drafting cadet to design and display management, and a stint in business
Episode 263: Phillip Rossington and Richard Francis-Jones on the the design philosophy, challenges, and vision that shaped Sydney House
This is the story of Sydney House, a transformative mixed-use development that redefines luxury living while honouring over 130 years of built legacy. Rising above the historic facades of the former City Tattersalls Club, this elegant composition is more than just a building—it’s a conversation between past and present. From the scalloped rhythms of the tower to the carefully restored Victorian an
Episode 262: Designing for Hope with Design Psychologist Kylie Sandland
In this episode of Talking Architecture & Design, we speak with Kylie Sandland, Design Psychologist and Co-Founder of Design for Hope, a social enterprise creating trauma-informed spaces for recovery and well-being. With three decades of experience in psychology and organisational consulting, Sandland brings a unique, evidence-based approach to the way environments affect our mental health. Fr
Episode 261: New designs, cladding & facade trends and the value of Stratco's local manufacturing base with Eric Lien and Andrew Steele
In this episode, we’re taking a deep dive into Stratco, an Australian company with over 75 years of experience providing building solutions for both professionals and homeowners. Stratco offers a wide range of products, including patios, carports, verandahs, garages, sheds, and outdoor living products such as NINELINE, SUPERDEK & PRODEK.Critically for Australian architects and builders, Stratc
Episode 260: Ray White’s Chief Economist and one of Australia’s leading property experts, Nerida Conisbee on fixing Australia's housing crisis
Nerida Conisbee is Ray White’s Chief Economist and one of Australia’s leading property experts. Nerida works closely with industry partners to provide strategic vision and policy recommendations for the future of property in Australia.She represents Ray White to inform and influence key stakeholder groups across the residential and commercial sectors, in addition to advising major Australian gover
Episode 259: Autex's Jono Mountford on circularity, regenerative design and why Closing the Loop is now more important than ever
Jonathan 'Jono' Mountfort is the Creative Director at Autex Acoustics and a design expert specialising in sustainable acoustic solutions. With over 20 years of experience in design and manufacturing, Jonathan oversees product design, compliance, and sustainability. His journey into design began with a background in mechanical engineering, which sparked his passion for tinkering. After
Episode 258: Holding Redlich Special Counsel Katharine Huxley on the EPBC Act Amendment & its impact on future land use
The Australian Parliament passed the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Reconsiderations) Bill 2025, restricting the Minister for the Environment’s power to reconsider certain past decisions under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This change has significant implications for environmental oversight, particularly in cases wh
Episode 257: Paul Scully, New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces explains all about the NSW Housing Pattern Book
With housing affordability at crisis levels and younger generations leaving Sydney in record numbers, the Minns Labor Government has announced a bold plan to make it faster, easier, and more affordable to build a new home. At the center of this plan is the launch of the NSW Housing Pattern Book—a collection of architect-designed terraces, townhouses, and manor houses—combined with a world-first Co
Episode 256: Why weatherproofing at the system level rather than through individual components is key to delivering code-compliant buildings
Proper weatherproofing is essential for buildings in Australia due to the country's climate, which includes intense sun, heavy rainfall, and varying temperatures. Effective weatherproofing protects the building from water damage, structural issues, and the growth of mould and mildew, while also ensuring a comfortable and healthy living environment. Jon Conway – National Technical & Produc
Episode 255: Graphisoft goes full circle & renews its focus on Australia's built environment. So why does this matter for architects?
Graphisoft is a European multinational corporation that designs 3D design software made by architects for architects.Based in Bavaria Germany, Graphisoft CEO Daniel Csillag is a former general manager of Bluebeam and CEO of Nevaris, who in Feb 2024 became CEO of Graphisoft with a focus on strategy, sales & products/services. Marton Kiss is Graphisoft’s Chief Product Officer and Senior Product
Episode 254: Kukame McPierzie, Principal at Woods Bagot talks about Perth’s METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line
Designed by Woods Bagot, Perth’s METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line creates 21km of new railway track, connecting the north-eastern suburbs and Perth CBD. Five new integrated station precincts link various places of character and landscape along the unique Perth Swan Coastal Plain. The Morley-Ellenbrook Line represents the most significant expansion of the rail network since the Mandurah Line was bui
Episode 253: Architecture, storytelling and AI with Bowerbird Co-Founders Nic Granleese and Ben Morgan
In this episode of Talking Architecture & Design, host Clémence Carayol is joined by Ben Morgan and Nic Granleese, Co-Founders of Bowerbird, a platform that’s reshaping how architectural projects are shared with the media.With backgrounds in publishing and architecture, Morgan and Granleese created Bowerbird to make architectural storytelling more accessible. Their goal: to simplify the way ar
Episode 252: The Brave New World of Data-Driven Design with HDR's Computational Design Director, Jeremy Graham
In this episode, we are going to delve into the world of Data-Driven Design or D3 as it's known.And to help us traverse this brave new world of design, we’re talking with, Jeremy Graham from HDR. With over a decade of experience, HDR's Computational Design Director, Jeremy Graham is recognised for his expertise in computational design and software development, significantly impacting the
Episode 251: Jefa Greenaway on the true meaning and value of Designing for Country
Jefa Greenaway is the director of Greenaway Architects and an honorary fellow of Design at Deakin University and Adjunct Industry Fellow at Swinbourne university. He is also a co-founder of several organizations set up to support Indigenous peoples pursuing a career in design.Greenaway was born on the Dharawal Country in Sydney. His father Bert Groves, was an Indigenous civil rights activist, and
Episode 250: Project Management Institute (PMI), Global director, Construction and Vice President APAC, Ben Breen on how to fix our skills shortages
The Government’s promise to build 250,000 completed homes a year for the next four years, coupled with a renewed focus on defence expenditure, and significant infrastructure projects like the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, are all putting increased pressure on the construction industry. But experts say, Australia does not have enough construction workers to meet Labor’s election promise to boost housi
Episode 249: Llewellyn Regler & Mario Mey on cladding, the NCC, the facade market, Project Remediate and why waterproofing matters
Llewellyn Regler Network Architectural National Technical Manager is a specialist in providing solutions for high-quality architectural facade products, starting with the specification process and all the way through to the builder and end-user.Mario Mey is a highly experienced façade engineer and former National Façade Lead at ACOR, who played a pivotal role as Global Façade Consultant in NSW’s P
Episode 248: Drawing parallels between France and Australia when it comes to sustainability in the built environment with HIP V HYPE's Alexandra Faure
In this episode of Talking Architecture & Design, host Clémence Carayol sits down with Alexandra Faure, a French-Venezuelan urbanist and sustainability consultant based in Melbourne. With a background spanning Paris and Australia, and extensive experience at HIP V. HYPE, Faure offers a compelling cross-cultural lens on sustainable development and urban governance.Together, they explore the con
Episode 247: Moddex CEO Alvin Rowland on his company's journey to become an icon of Australia's handrail-making industries
Alvin Rowland, the CEO and founder of Moddex, which started out as Sentaur Products in 2008, brings his passion to the table every day. Prior to starting the modular handrail business, Alvin worked his way from being on the tools to General Manager of Bendpro, the family business specialising in Mandrel bending, metal forming and fabrication.He explains his journey and that of his company into wha
Episode 246: 2025 Powerhouse Photography Architectural Commission winner Tasha Tylee on light, space & the beauty of architectural photography
Powerhouse has awarded architecture photographer Tasha Tylee the Powerhouse Photography Architectural Photography Commission, a new $20,000 commission project that will see Tylee collaborate with Powerhouse on a major new work over the coming year.Born and raised in New Zealand, Tasha Tylee is an emerging architectural photographer who has worked with some of Australia’s top firms, most notably ca
Episode 245: Will Messiter from Sekisui House on housing affordability, new home design and the Asora Norwest Community Park
We talk with Will Messiter, Chief Operating Officer - Residential Communities and Home Building at Sekisui House Australia at the opening of their $4.8 Million Asora Norwest Community Park. Providing 9,553 sqm of essential green space and recreational amenities to residents in Norwest, one of Sydney's rapidly expanding suburbs in the Hills Shire, Irongum Terrace Reserve responds directly to
Episode 244: COX Architecture National Head of Sustainability Mathias Irger on circularity, regenerative design & carbon counts
Dr Matthias Irger is an experienced architect, urban designer and academic specialising in regenerative design, holistic city planning and climate adaptation, who champions an evidence-based, collaborative, and interdisciplinary approach. As the National Head of Sustainability at COX Architecture, Matthias creates national strategies, objectives, actions, and tools that reduce and mitigate the emb
Episode 243: The straight and narrow on all things circular economy with Lisa McLean, CEO of Circular Australia
We talk all things circular with Lisa McLean, a circular economy and zero-carbon business transformation leader and Managing Director, CEO of Circular Australia, a national independent NFP leading the transition to a zero-carbon circular economy in Australia. Lisa has been successfully advising industry and governments in developing new policy frameworks and regulations that bring about market cha
Episode 242: Davina Rooney, GBCA CEO explains why we have falling circular economy rates, the value of sustainability and TRANSFORM 2025
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) represents 650+ members including individual companies with a collective annual turnover of more than $60 billion.CEO Davina Rooney, after 6 years at the helm, looks at what has been happening in the built environment in areas such as sustainability, circular economy and the role of the GBCA in the wider business sector.This exclusive interview was re
Episode 241: Tackling urban density, rediscovering the beauty of 1960s walk-up unit blocks & remembering Mulholland Drive with Tone Wheeler
On our 7th anniversary, in this episode of Talking Architecture & Design, we explore the evolving landscape of our cities and the ideas shaping how we live. Today, we’re tackling urban density and taking a fresh look at an often-overlooked housing model—the humble 1960s walk-up unit block.Architect, author, lecturer and urban thinker Tone Wheeler joins us to discuss why these mid-century apart
Episode 240: Gerald Matthews on modern education design, heritage-rage and why doughnut-shaped planets can't exist
Gerald Mathews, the managing director of Matthews Architects, a practice which was founded by his father way back in 1975 in North Adelaide, South Australia.In this podcast, he talks about modern education design, heritage hysteria and why doughnut-shaped planets have no gravity in their centres..
Episode 239: Breaking barriers - Gray Puksand’s Maria Correia on women in architecture and leadership
In this special episode ahead of International Women's Day this March 8 and for her debut podcast for Talking Architecture & Design, our Digital Editor Clémence Carayol talks to Gray Puksand Lead Partner Maria Correia to discuss her journey as a woman in architecture, the challenges she faced, and the progress being made toward greater gender equality in the industry. At Gray Puksand, Mar
Episode 238: NSW Minister Rose Jackson and her plans to help our most vulnerable citizens with housing affordability
Rose Jackson is a Labor Member of the NSW Legislative Council and NSW Minister for Mental Health, Housing, Homelessness, Youth, Water, and the North Coast. Rose was elected to the Legislative Council in May 2019 and has been fighting for real action on climate change and tackling homelessness and housing affordability.Jackson has held a variety of roles within the labour and union movements includ
Episode 237: US architect Jessica Saravia on design trends, sustainability, fireproofing homes and AI in the Trump era
Jessica Saravia is the technical director of DMAC Architecture & Interiors based in Chicago Illinois in the US.With over 20 years of experience, Jessica brings extensive technical expertise in design, construction and administration, assuring high performance results on every DMAC project. Jessica currently sits on the AIA National Building Performance Knowledge Community Leadership Group and
Episode 236: ASA founder Alex Symes on sustainability, winning awards and how design can help alleviate our housing woes
Alex Symes, the founder of ASA picked up the Commercial Architecture - Small with Coconut Crab as well as the Single Dwelling -Alteration award at the 2024 Sustainability Awards with his Fun Haus adaptive Passive House reuse.He also delivered the keynote speech at last year’s sustainability summit that was held on the same day. Away from those wins, Alex Symes founded his practice in 2014 with a m
Episode 235: Tina Tziallas on energy-efficient building design, sustainable materials and promoting behavioural change to promote sustainability
Recently elevated to Fellow by the Institute of Architects, Tina Tziallas graduated from Sydney University in 2003 and underwent registration with the NSW Architects Registration Board soon after. In 2013, she launched her own practice, Tziallas Architects in the Southern Highlands of NSW and has never looked back.Tina has worked on a variety of projects, including high-end and sustainable reside
Episode 234: The advantages of using metal ceilings in transport infrastructure hubs
Transport infrastructure projects, such as airports and railway stations, are complex buildings with demanding requirements for functionality, longevity, and durability.Most transport hubs operate around the clock and are expected to last for decades while also being subject to heavy foot and equipment traffic.Airports and railway stations are architecturally complex structures, placing high deman
Episode 233: Australia's Jansen Che, winner of a competition to help redesign Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city
As part of the new concept masterplan being developed for Ukraine’s 2nd largest city, Kharkiv, whoch is home to some 1.4 million people.The Norman Foster Foundation along with the City Council, UNECE and Arup launched an international competition to create a new landmark for the city, which was requested by the Mayor in April 2022. Jansen Che is a Sydney-based architect with over 10 years of exper
Episode 232: Sam Morris on mass timber design and why Architectus' Barker College Maths Hub won the Editors Choice Award at the 2024 Sustainability Awards
Sam Morris, a multi-award-winning architect and Senior Associate and Public Sector Sustainability Lead at Architectus drives sustainable design solutions and is uniquely positioned to understand the social and environmental challenges facing the architectural profession.An expert in mass timber construction, Sam has led innovative projects such as the Macquarie University Ainsworth Building - winn
Episode 231: Nuanu Creative City - a mirage in the jungle or a vision of the future?
Nuanu Creative City is a city spanning 44 hectares set on a lush tropical site in Bali, Indonesia.Designed as an integrated ecosystem, the city features dedicated spaces for education, art & culture, wellness, experience, and nature-inspired living, envisioning a future where these elements seamlessly intertwine. And Lev Kroll is the CEO of Nuanu Creative City.Lev’s entrepreneurial ventures sp
Episode 230: Jimmy Walker from JCB Architects reflects on the practice's big wins at the 2024 Sustainability Awards
T3 Collingwood won the Commercial Architecture – Large category and the Best of the Best category at the recently-held Sustainability Awards, that were hosted in Sydney by Architecture and Design. According to the architects behind this project, T3 Collingwood is the firm’s first project in Asia Pacific to adopt the T3 strategy - Timber, Transit and Technology.Senior Associate at Jackson Clements
Episode 229: Improving the thermal performance and reducing heat loss risk of roofs
Jeremy Robb is the National BDM for Kingspan Insulation. He has over 15 years' experience in Business Development within the Construction Industry, specialising in solutions focused roles liaising with a range of stakeholders including Architects, Engineers, Builders and Contractors. Ashley Bowen is a National Specification Manager for Fatra Australia with over 15 years of experience in water
Episode 228: Water, so fundamental to life, yet so complex
So, water, the lifeblood of wellness, an essential yet often invisible force that shapes the health of every ecosystem, community, and individual on Earth. In a single drop, water carries the promise of life, bearing minerals and nutrients essential for cellular repair, brain function, and metabolism. Organisations are grappling with the reality that a substantial percentage of their employees may
Episode 227: Dominic Gaetani, the DKO lead architect on the trials & tribulations of the Pentridge Prison urban rehabilitation project
Dominic Gaetani is a senior associate from DKO Architecture, who as a Tasmanian-born architect, left the sleepy Apple Isle more than 10 years ago to pursue his dream of shaping Melbourne’s skyline. One of those is the old Prison Pentridge in Coburg, an Australian landmark established in 1851, that has housed some of Australia’s most notorious criminals including Ned Kelly, Squizzy Taylor, Mark ‘Ch
Episode 226: The growth and growth of Studio.SC and balancing aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability in diverse projects
Studio.SC or Scott Carver as it was known then was established in Sydney in 1983 by Stuart Scott and Malcolm Carver using innovative and entrepreneurial spirit across commercial and experiential projects, including several Sydney CBD towers, hotels and 16 venues for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.Since then, the studio has developed to encapsulate a broad range of local and international experience
