Parlour POD

Parlour

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Parlour POD presents convivial conversations from Parlour: gender, equity, architecture. Episodes are drawn from much-loved Seasonal Salons, recorded live across Australia. Wide-ranging and diverse stories of lives in and around architecture and the built environment are told with humour and humility. Personal and particular, intimate and engaging, each episode canvasses the complexities of careers, obstacles faced and opportunities found.

12 JAN

Mia Larsen & Rosie Shield | Launceston Autumn 2025

Our conversationalists for this episode are Mia Larsen, a architecture student currently studying a Master of Architecture at the University of Tasmania and has hands-on experience in bamboo and earth building. Rosie Shield is a Manager, Project Leader, Engagement + Content Developer across Designful Studio and Homeful by Designful This conversation offers a thoughtful, grounded look at what’s possible when we build with intention, innovation and with sustainability in mind. Mia and Rosie discuss the barriers and breakthroughs in introducing natural and regenerative materials, like hempcrete and rammed earth. They reflect on the importance of aligning building practices with ecological principles, and explore how community-driven projects can create sustainable buildings and more engaged and empowered communities. This episode was recorded live on Kanamaluka Country at the 2025 Launceston Summer Salon. Held at Brickworks on 13 March 2025, the Salon was held in collaboration with The Finlay Project and convened by Helen Norrie. Photos: Bruce Moyle We hope you enjoy Parlour POD, live recordings from our much loved Seasonal Salon series. For more great Parlour content, head to our website, and follow Parlour on Instagram or LinkedIn. To support our ongoing work, join the Parlour Collective!

48 min
12 JAN

Zoe King & Miranda Spencer | Adelaide Winter 2024

Our conversationalists for this episode are Zoe King, a Director at Cox Architecture, and Miranda Spencer an architect at Design Inc. They share candid insights into their career journeys, leadership experiences, and the realities of balancing work with parenthood. They describe learning to manage teams, navigating business development and taking on the financial responsibilities of running a practice. Parenthood introduced another layer of complexity. Both speakers describe the emotional and logistical challenges of becoming, and being parents – from surrogacy to sleep deprivation, building connection and solidarity through ArchiBubs, parental rights and to returning to work. They emphasise the importance of having supportive partners, flexible workplaces and inclusive parental leave policies. This episode was recorded live on Kaurna Country at the 2024 Adelaide Winter Salon. Held at Brickworks on 30 May 2024, the Salon was organised by Alison McFadyen. Photos: Benjamin Lieu. We hope you enjoy Parlour POD, live recordings from our much loved Seasonal Salon series. For more great Parlour content, head to our website, and follow Parlour on Instagram or LinkedIn. To support our ongoing work, join the Parlour Collective!

40 min
12 JAN

Justine Ebzery & Romina Richardson | Brisbane Winter 2024

Our conversationalists for this episode are Justine Ebzery, a director at Fulton Trotter Architects and Romina Richardson a senior associate at Architectus Conrad Gargett. In this episode, Justine and Romina share practical insights into navigating the profession, stepping into leadership, and balancing ambition, career and parenthood. They reflect on the critical role that communication, empathy and trust play when engaging with stakeholders and leading successful, collaborative teams. Justine and Romina touch on the future of the industry, including the inevitable impact of AI, and acknowledge that women still face significant barriers in ownership and leadership. They highlight the persistent gender gap in architecture practice ownership, explore its causes, and share advice for architects pursuing the pathway to ownership. Generous, candid and packed with good advice. Well worth a listen. This episode was recorded live on Yuggerah and Turrbal Country at the 2024 Brisbane Spring Salon. Held at the Brickworks Design Studio on 7 November 2024, it was convened by Justine Clark. Photos: Alanna McTiernan. We hope you enjoy Parlour POD, live recordings from our much loved Seasonal Salon series. For more great Parlour content, head to our website, and follow Parlour on Instagram or LinkedIn. To support our ongoing work, join the Parlour Collective!

32 min
19/12/2025

Jenny Newman & Rebecca Boland | Adelaide Winter 2025

Our conversationalists for this episode are Jenny Newman and Rebecca Boland. Jenny has over 25 years’ experience in architecture and planning, including 15 years serving on State and Local Government planning panels in South Australia. She is currently a Senior Associate at Swanbury Penglase Architects. Rebecca Boland works for Studio Nine Architects and became a registered architect in the same week of the Salon. Rebecca’s interest in the housing affordability crisis specifically for displaced women, led to her receiving the Peter Corrigan Memorial Medal and an honourable mention in the AA Prize for Unbuilt Work for her public housing concept design ‘Lost Property’. With candour and generosity, Rebecca and Jenny share their circuitous paths to working in architecture in Adelaide and the professional experiences that have enriched their work. Rebecca is grateful for her unconventional path into architecture and says she wouldn’t change a thing. Jenny describes the arduous process of getting registered in Australia again after realising her UK registration was not transferable (at the time). The setback merely increased her drive to progress, take on fresh challenges, and “say yes to everything”. Topics range from AI and the rapid pace of technological change to the progress women have made in the industry, the challenges of being the only woman in the room, and the importance of collaboration and mutual support. This episode was recorded live on Kaurna Country at the 2025 Adelaide Winter Salon. Held at the Australian Institute of Architect on 19 June 2025, the Salon was organised by Alison McFadyen. Photos: Benjamin Lieu. We hope you enjoy Parlour POD, live recordings from our much loved Seasonal Salon series. For more great Parlour content, head to our website, and follow Parlour on Instagram or LinkedIn. To support our ongoing work, join the Parlour Collective!

27 min
27/10/2025

Sam Spurr & Natalie Galea | Newcastle Winter 2024

Our conversationalists for this first ever Newcastle Salon are Natalie Galea and Sam Spurr. Sam is Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Newcastle. Natalie is an expert in gender justice and human rights in the construction sector and human rights in elite sport. Sam and Nat dubbed their wide-ranging, entertaining conversation as speed dating but longer (and with an audience). They discuss their careers, the powerful influences in their lives and the appealing "tempo of Newcastle". Nat explores her shift from construction project management work in the Middle East (where she was always the only woman in the room) to a PhD and focus on social justice. She spoke of the privilege of "holding truth to power" and her research on the effects of the intense male breadwinner model in construction (with its "diabolical" hours and impacts on their health, their families and wider society). Sam critiques the narrow view of excellence in architecture – the super competitive "keep going, do more all-nighters, work harder, bleed on your projects" approach – and calls for more innovation, listening, collaboration and ethical drive. She discusses the need for "muscular hope" in the face of a daunting future – "hope with the sleeves rolled up". It was a rich, generous conversation. This episode was recorded live on Awabakal and Worimi Country at the 2024 Newcastle Winter Salon. Held at the University of Newcastle on 9th August 2024, the Salon was organised by Justine Clark. Photos: Roni Bintang. We hope you enjoy Parlour POD, live recordings from our much loved Seasonal Salon series. For more great Parlour content, head to our website, and follow Parlour on Instagram or LinkedIn. To support our ongoing work, join the Parlour Collective!

37 min
21/10/2025

Felicity Stewart & Alex Lawlor | Canberra Autumn 2025

Our conversationalists for this episode are Alexandra Lawlor and Felicity Stewart. Alex is an Associate Principal and new Studio Leader for Architectus Canberra office. Born and raised in Canberra, Felicity leads the Stewart Architecture Sydney studio and manages projects in Canberra, Sydney and broader NSW. This rich conversation is full of career reflections, sharp insights and wise-cracking anecdotes. Alex and Felicity share stories and observations about Canberra, from its architectural heritage and vibrant (but often hidden) cultural life to its surplus of sprawling, ambiguous spaces and festering rabbit population (“Watership down” in the city). They explore the big picture of architecture and urban design, and their shared fascination with scale, density and inclusiveness in cities. Their discussion spans non-linear career paths, travel and global perspectives, the benefits of working alongside government decision-makers, and the critical role of publicly owned public spaces in the centre of our cities. This episode was recorded live on Ngunnawal Country at the 2025 Canberra Autumn Salon on 6 March. The Salon was hosted by Stewart Architecture with support from Brickworks. Photos: Andrew Campbell. We hope you enjoy Parlour POD, live recordings from our much loved Seasonal Salon series. For more great Parlour content, head to our website, and follow Parlour on Instagram or LinkedIn. To support our ongoing work, join the Parlour Collective!

52 min
21/10/2025

Sharon Mackay & Wei Hsu | Adelaide Autumn 2025

Our conversationalists for this episode are Sharon Mackay and Wei Hsu. Sharon is a Director at JPE Design Studio, a role she took up following extensive experience in government and policy roles, and in communicating architecture and design to broad public audiences. Wei is an architect at Phillips/Pilkington Architects, and a huge stalwart of the Adelaide Salons. A “child of the 70s”, Sharon spent her formative years building resilience in the country surrounded by nature. Drawn to landscape architecture, she found her people, passion for sustainability and environmental protests at RMIT. Wei describes her early but short-lived career as a photographer before discovering design and architecture. Her love for details and composition remain. In this generous, wide-ranging conversation, Sharon and Wei discuss the strength to be found in standing up for yourself, following your instincts (in architecture and life), taking risks, and being curious. They offer wise observations on work and career – from a commitment to lifelong learning, to the power in building networks and listening to as many different perspectives as possible. Their advice to others? Get out and about, meet people, expand your horizons. Have a go at something new, take risks, don’t be afraid. Make the dining table, take the trip, take the risk. This episode was recorded live on Kaurna Country at the 2025 Adelaide Autumn Salon. Held at Brickworks Design Studio on 27 March 2025, the Salon was organised by Alison McFadyen. Photos: Shaun Li. We hope you enjoy Parlour POD, live recordings from our much loved Seasonal Salon series. For more great Parlour content, head to our website, and follow Parlour on Instagram or LinkedIn. To support our ongoing work, join the Parlour Collective!

37 min
05/10/2025

Gabby Phillips & Lucy Burke Smith | Hobart Summer 2025

Our conversationalists for this episode are Lucy Burke Smith, a heritage expert and Associate Partner at Purcell, and Gabrielle Phillips, a project architect at Taylor and Hinds Architects. Their conversation was open, generous and wide-ranging, discussing everything from early mentors and influences to lessons learned, the transformative nature of travel, and the joys of living and working in Tasmania. Lucy shares her path from studying in Launceston and Melbourne to working in Hobart and London, emphasising the value of travel and diverse experiences. Gabby reflects on her determination to pursue architecture and the impact of her gap year. This episode was recorded live on Muwinina Country at the 2025 Hobart Summer Salon. Held at Brickworks Design Studio on 30 January 2025, it was convened by Nicky Adams and held in collaboration with the Findlay Project. Photos: Nina Hamilton. We hope you enjoy Parlour POD, live recordings from our much loved Seasonal Salon series. For more great Parlour content, head to our website, and follow Parlour on Instagram or LinkedIn. To support our ongoing work, join the Parlour Collective!

45 min

Parlour POD presents convivial conversations from Parlour: gender, equity, architecture. Episodes are drawn from much-loved Seasonal Salons, recorded live across Australia. Wide-ranging and diverse stories of lives in and around architecture and the built environment are told with humour and humility. Personal and particular, intimate and engaging, each episode canvasses the complexities of careers, obstacles faced and opportunities found.

Creator

Parlour
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

72
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Parlour POD
Show Website

Parlour POD