Design Speaks Weekly

Architecture Media
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Design
  • Updated 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, wherever you are.

  1. 1 day ago

    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 about the unique influence of hospitality design in the workplace.   Further reading: The Commons Richmond by Design Office https://architectureau.com/articles/the-commons-richmond-by-designoffice/ 2025 Australian Interior Design Awards: Retail Design https://architectureau.com/articles/2025-australian-interior-design-awards-retail-design/ Mark Simpson’s advice to the next generation of designers and architects https://architectureau.com/articles/mark-simpsons-advice-to-the-next-generation-of-designers-and-architects/ Design Office’s new Melbourne Headquarters https://architectureau.com/articles/designoffices-new-melbourne-headquarters/ Intimate volume: Higher Ground https://architectureau.com/articles/higher-ground/ 2017 Australian Interior Design Awards: Hospitality Design https://architectureau.com/articles/2017-australian-interior-design-awards-hospitality-design/ My Catwalk https://architectureau.com/articles/my-catwalk/ Nishi display suite interior https://architectureau.com/articles/nishi-display-suite-by-designoffice/

    20 min

  2. 25 May

    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 architects, Amy and Shahar seek to educate and advocate for deconstruction as an alternative to demolition. In today’s conversation, Amy speaks on whether or not there is appetite for this approach on projects across Australia.   Further Reading: Emerging profile: Second Edition https://architectureau.com/articles/emerging-profile-second-edition/  One to watch: Second Edition https://architectureau.com/articles/one-to-watch-second-edition/  Rochester Street Office by Allied Office, Akin Atelier and Second Edition https://architectureau.com/articles/rochester-street-office-by-allied-office-akin-atelier-and-second-edition/  Radical acts of repair: Second Edition https://architectureau.com/articles/second-edition-1/

    21 min

  3. 18 May

    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 director at Architecture Media Katelin Butler speaks with Neil Durbach, Camilla Block and David Jaggers about collaboration, creative process and the dynamics behind their practice. Further reading: National Prizes Gold Medal https://architectureau.com/articles/2026-national-prizes-gold-medal/ Beyond the unexpected https://architectureau.com/articles/beyond-the-unexpected/ Phoenix Central Park  https://architectureau.com/articles/phoenix-central-park/ UTS Science and Health Building  https://architectureau.com/articles/uts-science-and-health-building/ Newcastle East End Stage 1 https://architectureau.com/articles/newcastle_east_end_stage_one/ Durbach Block Jaggers' hourglass-shaped Omnia tower completed https://architectureau.com/articles/durbach-block-jaggers-hourglass-shaped-omnia-tower-completed/ National Architecture Awards Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture (Houses New) https://architectureau.com/articles/2017-national-architecture-awards-robin-boyd-award-for-residential-architecture-houses-new/ Heritage revitalisation of Sydney's Powerhouse Museum Ultimo granted approval https://architectureau.com/articles/heritage-revitalisation-of-Sydneys-powerhouse-museum-ultimo-granted-approval/ Durbach Block Jaggers designs Sydney pencil tower https://architectureau.com/articles/durbach-block-jaggers-designs-sydney-pencil-tower/

    25 min

  4. 11 May

    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 into contemporary Australian design. Ahead of her upcoming exhibition at Melbourne School of Design, presented as part of Melbourne Design Week, Alison discusses the growing interest in Indigenous design – and the opportunities and complexities it brings.   Further Reading Alison Page on artwashing in architecture https://architectureau.com/articles/alison-page-on-artwashing-in-architecture/ Melbourne Design Week 2026 announced https://architectureau.com/articles/melbourne-design-week-2026-announced/ Alison Page: Creative Shape Shifter https://designweek.melbourne/event/alison-page-creative-shape-shifter/

    24 min

  5. 4 May

    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 opportunities for innovation through research-led design and speaks to the value of post-occupancy evaluations. Further reading: St Albans Housing by NMBW Architecture Studio and MADA https://architectureau.com/articles/st-albans-housing/ Revisited: St Albans Housing https://architectureau.com/articles/revisited-st-albans-housing/ Sanders Place by NMBW Architecture Studio, Openwork and Finding Infinity https://architectureau.com/articles/sanders-place-by-nmbw-architecture-studio-openwork-and-finding-infinity/ University of Melbourne Student Precinct Project by Lyons et al https://architectureau.com/articles/university-of-melbourne-student-precinct-project/

    23 min

  6. 27 Apr

    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 the Calile Hotel and the Ada Lane Development. In today’s episode, Katelin Butler, editorial director at Architecture Media, asks Ingrid to reflect on the considerations required when designing civic legacy from private commissions and what urban qualities evolve best over time.   Further Reading Urbane luxury: The Calile Hotel https://architectureau.com/articles/the-calile-hotel/ Incremental civic-ness: James Street Precinct https://architectureau.com/articles/james-street-precinct/ 2019 Eat Drink Design Awards: Best Hotel Design https://architectureau.com/articles/2019-eat-drink-design-awards-best-hotel-design/ Nineteen James https://architectureau.com/articles/block-works/ Tactical urbanism: Fish Lane https://architectureau.com/articles/tactical-urbanism-fish-lane/ 205 North Quay by Hassell, REX and Richards and Spence https://architectureau.com/articles/205-north-quay-by-hassell-rex-and-richards-and-spence/ Richards and Spence’s seven favourite hotel designs https://architectureau.com/articles/richards-and-spence-seven-favourite-hotel-designs/

    23 min

  7. 20 Apr

    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 the announcement that Níall McLaughlin Architects has been appointed to design a new Catholic cathedral in Sydney, ArchitectureAu editor Lucia Amies speaks with McLaughlin about his studio’s philosophy, process and evolving approach to architecture.   Further Reading Australia’s first new cathedral in over a century planned for Sydney https://architectureau.com/articles/australias-first-new-cathedral-in-over-a-century-planned-for-sydney/ 2026 RIBA Gold Medal won by ‘humble visionary’ https://architectureau.com/articles/2026-riba-gold-medal-won-by-humble-visionary/

    23 min

  8. 13 Apr

    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 opened his first solo presentation, The Key’s Under the Mat, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The exhibition invites visitors to rethink what a playground and public space can be – a recurring agenda throughout Mike’s work. In today’s episode, Emily Wong, editor of Landscape Australia, sits down with Mike to discuss how avoiding overdesigning (or overprescribing) public space can foster moments of unexpected delight, playful risk and multi-generational inclusivity. Further Reading Playful chaos: the art of risky playgrounds https://architectureau.com/articles/playful-chaos-the-art-of-risky-playgrounds/ Discovery and daring: Rocks on Wheels https://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/rocks-on-wheels/ Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat https://architectureau.com/calendar/exhibitions/mike-hewson-the-keys-under-the-mat/

    22 min
See All (38)

About

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, wherever you are.

Information

  • Creator
    Architecture Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Design Speaks Weekly

You Might Also Like