Design Speaks Weekly

Architecture Media
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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. 16 HR AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 6 APR

    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 many ways – most notably by updating The National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA) to require practitioners to demonstrate a level of understanding of culture, Country and Indigenous engagement processes. In today’s episode, Sarah speaks on how her activism and support for Indigenous agency and leadership in architecture is being realised in project conception, procurement and delivery. Further Reading Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity Hub by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects https://architectureau.com/articles/atlantic-fellows-for-social-equity-hub-by-jackson-clements-burrows/ Winning design unveiled for WSU Indigenous Centre of Excellence https://architectureau.com/articles/winning-design-unveiled-for-wsu-indigenous-centre-of-excellence/ It costs nothing to care https://architectureau.com/articles/it-costs-nothing-to-care/ Design competitions: Starting from Country https://architectureau.com/articles/design-competitions-starting-from-country/ Indigenizing practice: Documenting Indigenous projects for publication https://architectureau.com/articles/indigenizing-practice-documenting-indigenous-projects-for-publication/ Indigenizing practice: To award, or not to award? https://architectureau.com/articles/indigenizing-practice-to-award-or-not-to-award/ Blakitecture: Beyond acknowledgement and into action https://architectureau.com/articles/blakitecture-beyond-acknowledgement-and-into-action/ Nexus 2013: a coming together of things https://architectureau.com/articles/nexus-the-coming-together-of-things/

    21 min

  5. 30 MAR

    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 among his early mentors. In this episode, Katelin Butler, editorial director at Architecture Media, speaks with Peter about the increase in risk aversion, and whether it’s narrowing the potential of young architects – and architecture itself. Further Reading 2021 National Enduring Architecture Award https://architectureau.com/articles/2021-national-enduring-architecture-award/ 25 years of Australian residential architecture https://architectureau.com/articles/houses-celebrates-100-issues/ Peter McIntyre Beaumaris house heritage listed https://architectureau.com/articles/peter-mcintyre-beaumaris-house-heritage-listed/

    20 min

  6. 23 MAR

    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 Sydney – to design galleries, exhibitions, installations and interiors. In this episode, ArchitectureAu editor Lucia Amies speaks with Belqis about whether the "emerging architect" label is a double-edged sword. Further reading: Qianyi Lim on whether to resist the ‘emerging architect’ label https://architectureau.com/articles/qianyi-lim-on-whether-to-resist-the-emerging-architect-label/ Nic Brunsdon on whether to resist the ‘emerging architect’ label https://architectureau.com/articles/nic-brunsdon-on-whether-to-resist-the-emerging-architect-label/ Kali Marnane on whether to resist the ‘emerging architect’ label https://architectureau.com/articles/kali-marnane-on-whether-to-resist-the-emerging-architect-label/ David Welsh on whether to resist the ‘emerging architect’ label https://architectureau.com/articles/david-welsh-on-whether-to-resist-the-emerging-architect-label/ Bradley Kerr on whether to resist the ‘emerging architect’ label https://architectureau.com/articles/bradley-kerr-on-whether-to-resist-the-emerging-architect-label/

    20 min

  7. 16 MAR

    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 Architects in 1994, spoke about the business of architecture, focusing on fees, procurement and starting their own practices. It was great to understand the similarities and differences that their respective studios experienced as they evolved over the years. It was such an informative conversation that we wanted to share it with our Design Speaks Weekly listeners. This episode beings with Isabelle asking Andrew, “what is it about public projects that interests him?” Further Reading Generation exchange: Fees and procurement https://architectureau.com/articles/generation-exchange-fees-and-procurement/ The many pathways to public work https://architectureau.com/articles/the-many-pathways-to-public-work/ Contributor: Andrew Nimmo https://architectureau.com/contributors/Nimmo-Andrew/ Contributor: Isabelle Toland https://architectureau.com/contributors/Toland-Isabelle/

    18 min

  8. 9 MAR

    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, at the Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, which runs until 12 July 2026. They talk about nature in cities, the tensions between the natural and human-made worlds, and the need to face the trauma of the climate crisis. Further reading Holding space for the future: Olafur Eliasson architectureau.com/articles/holding-space-for-the-future-olafur-eliasson Olafur Eliasson: Presence architectureau.com/calendar/exhibitions/olafur-eliasson-presence

    21 min
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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
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Design Speaks Weekly

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