Design Speaks Weekly
Design Speaks Weekly brings you the biggest stories in Australian architecture and design. Produced by Architecture Media, each episode explores a key theme shaping the built environment, paired with the latest industry news and analysis. As an extension of the Design Speaks event series, this podcast opens up vital conversations to a wider audience.
Episodes
What makes something architecture? | Marina Tabassum
Marina Tabassum is a world-renowned Bangladesh architect and educator. Her architecture studio, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA), was established in 2005 and has received numerous accolades, including two Aga Khan Awards for Architecture, the first for the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque and the second for a housing solution called Khudi Bari. Marina and her studio also designed the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion.
Inside Australia's 2027 Venice Biennale Exhibition | Kerstin Thompson and Lee-Anne Khor
Recently, the exhibition Lived In was announced as Australia’s contribution to the 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale. Building on the Housing Atlas for Australia research project, the exhibition is a collaboration between creative directors Kerstin Thompson of Kerstin Thompson Architects, and Maryam Gusheh, Lee-Anne Khor and Louise Wright of Monash Urban Lab.
Lived In will draw on more than a cent
Can a garden be both controlled and wild? | Rob Champion
Rob Champion is the founder of TARN, a landscape practice that focuses on experimental projects. Alongside his residential work, Rob is currently co-leading the design of the National Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery in Canberra, an ambitious project that is revitalising and expanding an important landscape.
In this episode, Emily Wong, editor of Landscape Australia, speaks with Rob about
Adaptive reuse is a discipline, not a trend | David Welsh and Chris Major
David Welsh and Chris Major founded their practice, Welsh and Major, more than twenty years ago. Since then, they have refined and embraced an adaptive reuse design method, delivering thoughtful and enduring architecture across a diverse range of project types.
In this episode, they reflect on the evolution of adaptive reuse in Australia and the value of designing with the unexpected.
Further re
What do we sacrifice for resale value? | Anthony Gill
Since establishing his practice in 2007, Anthony Gill has crafted residential projects that challenge assumptions about contemporary housing. His work often focuses on refining spatial arrangements, resulting in homes that feel generous and functional without relying on excess.
In this episode, Alexa Kempton, editor of Houses magazine, speaks with Anthony about how residential architecture that re
What does good design even mean? | Lee Hillam
Lee Hillam is a seasoned design critic. Her experience as a principal of Dunn Hillam, as a reviewer for national publications such as Architecture Australia, and as chair of the State Design Review Panel for the Government Architect NSW has sharpened her eye for what makes a successful architectural outcome.
In this episode, Lee unpacks how we justify a project's merit and explores the tension bet
Can we codify inclusive design? | Anthony Clarke
Anthony Clarke is an architect, scholar, writer, and founder of BLOXAS – a practice that focuses on the relationship between architecture and care.
In this episode, Lucia Amies, editor of ArchitectureAU, speaks with Anthony about the challenges and opportunities of regulation when it comes to designing inclusive spaces that support users' complex needs.
Further Reading
Residential design through
What kind of leader does architecture need? | Emma Williamson
Emma Williamson has held leadership roles across both architectural practice and public policy.
From her time as a partner at The Fulcrum Agency to her current role as Government Architect for Western Australia, she has been driven to improve the quality of the built environment and the culture of the profession.
In this episode, Emma shares her approach to leadership and discusses the behaviours
Where craft meets systems | William Smart
William Smart is the founder and creative director of Smart Design Studio, a practice that has delivered a wide range of projects, from large-scale masterplans and cultural buildings to private houses and product design.
In conversation with Architecture Media’s editorial director Katelin Butler, William reflects on how the drive towards scalability and standardisation in architecture is redefinin
Making architecture make sense | Izzie White
Izzie White is an architectural graduate, a leading voice in architectural advocacy on social media and currently acting National Communications Manager at Architectus. Through her TikTok and Instagram channels, where she has built a combined following of almost 50,000 people, she shares videos about architecture that cuts through industry jargon and explains the values and outcomes of design in c
Architecture without ego | Gregory Burgess
Australian architect Gregory Burgess AM is renowned for his culturally and environmentally responsive approach to architecture. For more than five decades, his work has been shaped by presence, patience, and a pioneering spirit of co-design.
Greg has been honoured with numerous national and international awards, including the 2004 Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal, and appointment as a
Balancing purpose and profit | Clare Cousins
There is a long-held notion that architecture is a luxury only available to the few. However, there are many designers finding ways to reclaim architecture’s role in everyday housing.
Clare established her practice Clare Cousins Architects in 2005. Since then, her firm has designed and delivered a mix of social housing typologies, as well as cultural, private residential and workplace projects.
Th
Are cafes the new office? | Mark Simpson and Damien Mulvihill
Mark Simpson and Damien Mulvihill, established their multi-disciplinary practice Design Office in 2008. The studio works across a wide range of project scales and typologies, with designs that seek to challenge and explore the qualities that determine a space for hospitality, a space for work or a space for living.
In today’s episode, InteriorsAu editor Cassie Hansen, speaks with Mark and Damien a
Making waste work | Amy Seo
The design and construction industry generates some of the largest amounts of waste in Australia. Approximately 26.8 megatons were recorded during the 2022–2023 financial year. In response to this excess, Amy Seo and Shahar Cohen created Second Edition to explore new ways of working with materials that would otherwise end up in landfill.
By designing their own projects and collaborating with other
Thinking like a fox | Neil Durbach, Camilla Block and David Jaggers
Neil Durbach, Camilla Block and David Jaggers are the recipients of the Australian Institute of Architects 2026 Gold Medal – Australia’s highest architectural honour.
Their Sydney-based practice Durbach Block Jaggers Architects is defined by a collaborative, exploratory approach to design that embraces complexity, contradiction and exchange.
In celebration of their Gold Medal win, editorial direct
Who benefits from Indigenous design? | Alison Page
Alison Page is a Walbanga and Wadi Wadi woman and a leading design entrepreneur. Her portfolio spans collaborations with Indigenous designers Dillon Kombumerri and Kevin O’Brien from the Merrima Aboriginal Design Unit and eight years as a panellist on ABC’s The New Inventors. She is also the founder of the National Aboriginal Design Agency, and has helped bring First Nations knowledge and culture
Every design project is a research project | Nigel Bertram
Nigel Bertram believes all design projects are research projects.
As director of Melbourne-based practice NMBW Architecture Studio and practice professor of architecture at Monash University, he has established a practice model that maximises the relationship between practice and academia, allowing research to inform and guide his studio’s projects.
In this episode, Nigel reflects on the opportun
Private vision, public value | Ingrid Richards
Ingrid Richards is a renowned Australian architect who co-founded Richards and Spence with Adrian Spence in 2008, and has since contributed significantly to the civic identity of Brisbane and beyond.
The practice is perhaps best known for its instrumental involvement in the development of the James Street Precinct in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley through a series of independent projects – including
Building as an act, not an object | Níall McLaughlin
Níall McLaughlin founded his London-based practice, Níall McLaughlin Architects, in 1990. Over three decades, the studio has developed a reputation for elegant detailing and thoughtful material exploration. This careful, consistent approach shapes a diverse body of work across a wide range of typologies. Underpinning it all is McLaughlin’s belief that building is “an act, not an object.”
Following
Are we overprotecting play? | Mike Hewson
Mike Hewson is originally from Aotearoa New Zealand and has been based in Sydney for the past decade. He has a background in structural engineering and heavy-civil construction, and he holds a Master of Fine Arts in visual arts from Columbia University.
Mike is perhaps best known for his inventive hybrid playground projects, which he describes as part art and part infrastructure. In 2025, Mike ope
How to practise what you preach | Sarah Lynn Rees
Sarah Lynn Rees is a Palawa woman descending from the Plangermaireener and Trawlwoolwaypeoples of north-east Lutruwita/Tasmania. In addition to her role as associate principal at national architecture studio Jackson Clements Burrows, Sarah is an academic and writer.
Over the course of her career, Sarah has been a prominent advocate for Indigenising the built environment, leading systemic reform in
Has architecture lost its nerve? | Peter McIntyre
Architect Peter McIntyre AO is known for his experimental approach and infectious enthusiasm. He’s received numerous awards, including the 1990 Gold Medal of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Peter was still in his early twenties when he established his own practice and began designing major projects that would help shape the city of Melbourne. He counts architects Robin Boyd and Roy Grounds
Should architects resist the ‘emerging’ label? | Belqis Youssofzay
Youssofzay Hart is an award-winning architecture and interior design practice based in Sydney. The studio is well acquainted with the "emerging architect" label and all that comes with it. Led by directors Belqis Youssofzay and David Hart, the studio works with leading Australian and international cultural and educational institutions – including Powerhouse, M+ in Hong Kong, and the University of
The economics of practice | Isabelle Toland and Andrew Nimmo
Commercial viability and creative ambition in architectural practice are a constant balancing act, even more so in this time of economic uncertainty. However, this tension is not unique to one generation.
As part of the 2025 Design Speaks Architecture Symposium: What’s next for practice?, Isabelle Toland, who cofounded Aileen Sage Architects in 2013, and Andrew Nimmo, who cofounded Lahznimmo Archi
The language of space and time | Olafur Eliasson
Renowned Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson is best known for his large-scale immersive installations that harness ephemeral materials, including light, air and water, to explore topics of time, the natural environment and the effects of climate change.
For this episode, Landscape Architecture Australia editor Emily Wong sat down with Olafur at the opening of his latest exhibition, Presence,
Is International Women’s Day still relevant? | Monique Woodward
In March 1911, over 1 million people protested across Europe to mark the first ever International Women’s Day, a landmark moment in the long fight for women’s suffrage and labour rights.
While IWD remains an important day of protest around the world, many question if its original purpose has been lost.
To unpack this, Georgia Birks is joined by Monique Woodward, principal and creative director at
Less house, more life | John Ellway
John Ellway is one of Australia’s leading residential architects. Since establishing his practice in 2017, he has received multiple state and national awards, including Australian House of the Year for Three House at the 2021 Houses Awards.
His residential designs prove that living well doesn't require a large footprint: with thoughtful planning and the strategic use of light, views and landscape,
Does architecture shape who we are? | Angelo Candalepas
Angelo Candalepas is one of Australia’s most influential architects working today. Since founding his multi-award-winning practice, Candalepas Associates, in 1999, he has made a significant contribution to the civic fabric of Australian cities, with major cultural projects including Punchbowl Mosque and the forthcoming The Fox: NGV Contemporary.
In this episode, Katelin Butler, editorial director
Architecture vs politics | Elizabeth Watson-Brown
As an established architect and a member of the Australian Greens, Elizabeth Watson-Brown is a strong advocate for the built environment – particularly when it comes to sustainability and social equity.
Prior to being elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 as federal MP for the seat of Ryan, Elizabeth ran her own practice for 21 years, and went on to become design director and design stra
Is the sum of parts greater than the whole? | Simon Pendal
Simon Pendal is founder of Fremantle-based practice Simon Pendal Architect, and associate professor and co-chair of the Studio Programme at The University of Notre Dame.
His work has been widely recognised in publications and awards – most recently winning the 2026 AA Prize for Unbuilt Work in collaboration with Whadjuk Balardong Elder Robyn Collard.
The winning project, titled “Walyalup/Fremantle
What kind of designer do you want to be? | Rory Hyde and Grace Mortlock
There is a lot to be learnt from traditional practice, but architects have the capacity to tackle greater social and environmental issues as well – and a new generation of Australian architects is being particularly proactive about using design to address contemporary problems.
Earlier this year, Design Speaks held The Architecture Symposium: What’s next for practice, an event that provided a snap
Advice to a young architect | Sean Godsell
Architect Sean Godsell has won numerous local and international awards, including the 2022 Gold Medal of the Australian Institute of Architects.
In his 30 years of practising architecture, Sean has garnered a wealth of experience and knowledge – and he is keen to impart some his findings onto the next generation of architects.
In this episode, Katelin Butler, editorial director at Architecture
Does architecture have a PR problem? | Elizabeth Farrelly
We all interact with architecture in some way, but the public’s understanding of the value and services of architects continues to be limited. Is this simply a professional image problem, or a symptom of something greater?
Elizabeth Farrelly is a veteran critic, urban thinker and architectural educator. Trained in architecture and philosophy and with a PhD in urbanism from the University of Sydney
Indigenising architecture, from the 90s to now | Kevin O’Brien
Kevin O’Brien is a Brisbane-based architect of Kaurereg and Meriam heritage and principal at BVN Architecture.
Over the past three decades, Kevin has worked across numerous projects and typologies in architecture and the arts, notably the exhibition design for Kith and Kin– Archie Moore’s exhibition for the 2024 Venice Biennale and the first Australian work to win the prestigious Golden Lion.
Wit
Can lessons from London solve our housing crisis? | Alexis Kalagas
The housing crisis is one of the most important challenges of our time. It is a complex and highly politicised issue, but it is not unique to Australia. Around the world, major cities are grappling with their own affordability crises, and some are finding ways forward.
Alexis Kalagas is a strategic advisor to the dean at Monash Art, design and Architecture and a regular commentator on urban strate
What makes a great Australian home? | Mel Bright
Over the last thirteen years, Studio Bright has garnered numerous national architecture and interior design awards for its residential work.
The latest addition to these acknowledgements is the Robin Boyd Award, which Studio Bright’s Hedge and Arbour House won at the 2025 Australian Institute of Architects National Awards. This is the most significant award for a new residential project in Austral
From starting out to standing out | Jared Webb
In the three years since Jared Webb opened his practice, J.AR Office, the studio has won a number of significant national architecture and interior awards.
Just last week, J.AR Office-designed Queensland restaurant Norte won Best Restaurant Design at the 2025 Eat Drink Design Awards, adding to the studio’s growing collection of accolades.
Jared’s studio has been led with a clear mission – holistic
Why do architects need to be advocates? | Jennifer McMaster
Architects have always been advocates for design solutions, but as global challenges grow, so too does pressure on architects to stand up and do more.
Jennifer McMaster is a founding director of architectural practice Trias and the recipient of the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2024 National Emerging Architect Prize. Across her work, she consciously advocates for environmentally responsible
Can design save the planet? | Ross Harding
Reducing carbon emissions has long been a global priority. Ross Harding, principal of Finding Infinity – a creative and technical environmental consultancy firm driving the transition to self-sufficient cities – is focused on turning ambition into action.
Finding Infinity is best known for initiating “A New Normal”, a $100 billion creative strategy aimed at transforming Melbourne into a model of
Does Australia need a federal government architect? | Adam Haddow
Australia has a chief medical officer and chief scientist – but no federal government architect. In today’s episode, associate editor of ArchitectureAu Lucia Amies is joined by national president of the Australian Institute of Architects Adam Haddow to discuss the case for introducing such a role.
Lucia and Adam unpack what the position might involve, and how it might contribute to better design o
Is “trend” a dirty word? | Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy
Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy are founding partners of the award-winning practice Kennedy Nolan. Along with its many accolades and acknowledgments, the practice has amassed one of the largest Instagram followings of any Australian architecture studio, making it arguably one of the most influential studios in the country today.
Over the years, Kennedy Nolan’s designs have shaped trends in the in
Who, or what, defines Indigenous architecture today? | Carroll Go-Sam and Deidre Brown
In this episode of Design Speaks Weekly, Carroll Go-Sam and Deidre Brown explore the progress of Indigenous recognition and representation in architecture across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Carroll (Dyirbal, Gumbilbara Bama) is a senior lecturer at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Queensland. Deidre (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu) is a professor of architecture a
Mastering the art of high-low design | Brahman Perera
In today’s episode, editor of InteriorsAu Cassie Hansen speaks with interior designer Brahman Perera about mixing styles, textures and price points to craft interiors that are unique, dynamic and accessible. His portfolio includes fitouts for fashion labels such as Christian Kimber and Henne, alongside hospitality venues like Entrecôte, Hopper Joint and Ursula's Paddington.
Brahman was a speaker f
What makes a successful Olympic city? | Lawrence Nield and Philip Thalis
This week marks 25 years since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games – an event that reshaped the city through an ambitious masterplan developed by a team of built environment professionals, including architects Lawrence Nield and Philip Thalis. Lawrence, a founding director of BVN and the 2012 Gold Medallist, has contributed to three Olympic Games: Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Philip, found
Trusting the chaos | Simone Bliss
In this episode of Design Speaks Weekly, Emily Wong, editor of Landscape Architecture Australia, is joined by landscape architect and creative director of SBLA Studio Simone Bliss to discuss rethinking the design process in the face of the climate crisis.
Drawing on Richmond High School by SBLA Studio, Simone reflects on the value of open-ended design – a process that embraces uncertainty and leav
What is an architect, really? | Timothy Hill
Timothy Hill is the director of architecture studio Partners Hill. In 2025, he was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal in recognition of his exemplary architectural work, as well as his broader contributions to the profession through education, discourse and advocacy.
In this episode of Design Speaks Weekly, Katelin Butler, editorial director at Architecture Media, sits down
Is the competition system failing architects? | Camilla Block
Camilla Block is director of architectural studio Durbach Block Jaggers. In this episode of Design Speaks Weekly, she tackles the state of architecture competitions in Australia, and asks: are they still working as intended? Reflecting on their history, their evolution and their impact on the profession, Camilla considers what an ideal future for the architectural competition system might entail.
Are you paid fairly? | Justine Clark
August 19 is the national Equal Pay Day for 2025. The date marks the 50 additional days from the end of the financial year that women in Australia need to work, on average, to earn the same annual wage as men.
Leading the fight for gender equity in architecture is Parlour, a research-based advocacy group whose work outlines what built-environment professions can – and should – do to help eradicat
My greatest lessons | Glenn Murcutt
With a career that spans almost 60 years, Glenn Murcutt AO is no stranger to the changing world of architectural practice. His work, which is ongoing, has won numerous prestigious awards, notably the Australian Institute of Architects’ 1992 Gold Medal, and the 2002 Pritzker Prize.
In this episode of Design Speaks Weekly, Glenn joins Architecture Media editorial director Katelin Bulter to discuss p
Why prefab? | Stuart Vokes and Dan Burnett
In the first episode of the Design Speaks Weekly podcast, architects Stuart Vokes of Vokes and Peters and Dan Burnett of Blok Modular discuss their collaborative journey in modular design and prefabrication.
This construction method has myriad advantages, including material and cost control, reduced construction time and high adaptability. It also has the potential to create solutions for two of t
