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. 4D AGO

    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

  2. MAR 30

    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

  3. MAR 23

    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

  4. MAR 16

    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

  5. MAR 9

    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

  6. MAR 2

    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 WOWOWA Architecture and Interiors. Monique formerly served on the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Gender Equity Diversity Impact Committee, and continues to be a staunch advocate for gender equity in the built environment.     Further Reading Espy by Wowowa Architecture and Interiors https://architectureau.com/articles/Espy-by-Wowowa-Architecture-and-Interiors/ ‘A feeling of joyful exuberance’: Wowowa Architecture https://architectureau.com/articles/wowowa-architecture/ 2015 Dulux Study Tour: Toyo Ito and Associates https://architectureau.com/articles/2015-dulux-study-tour-toyo-ito-and-associates/ ‘A gracious and elegant lady doing a man’s job’: Australia’s first woman architect https://architectureau.com/articles/a-gracious-and-elegant-lady-doing-a-mans-job-australias-first-woman-architect/ Parlour and gender equity in Australian architecture: Where to from here? https://architectureau.com/articles/parlour-and-gender-equality-in-australian-architecture-where-to-from-here/ New data captures 100 years of architectural registrations, organised by state and gender https://architectureau.com/articles/New-data-captures-100-years-of-architectural-registrations-organised-by-state-and-gender/

    18 min

  7. FEB 23

    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, smaller homes can be rich in both spatial experience and functionality.   In this episode, Alexa Kempton, editor of Houses Magazine, talks with John about creating homes that are compact, practical and a delight to live in.     Further Reading Breezy lyricism: Three House https://architectureau.com/articles/three-house/ Winner: Australian House of the Year https://housesawards.com.au/gallery/2021/australian-house-of-the-year/2P6WIMX7QYX Full bloom: Terrarium House https://architectureau.com/articles/terrarium-house/ Niwa House by John Ellway https://architectureau.com/articles/niwa-house-john-ellway/ Hopscotch House by John Ellway Architect https://architectureau.com/articles/hopscotch-john-ellway/ ‘A place to picnic’: Cascade House https://architectureau.com/articles/cascade-house-john-ellway/ A neighbourly disposition: Twin Houses https://architectureau.com/articles/twin-houses/ How a speculative development won Brisbane’s house of the year https://architectureau.com/articles/twin-houses-john-ellway/ 2025 Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) https://architectureau.com/articles/2025-Eleanor-Cullis-Hill-Award-for-Residential-Architecture-Houses-Alterations-and-Additions/ 2019 Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) https://architectureau.com/articles/2019-national-architecture-awards-eleanor-cullis-hill-award-for-res-alts-adds/

    17 min

  8. FEB 16

    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 at Architecture Media, speaks with Angelo about the delicacies of designing cultural buildings and how architecture can embody the aspirations of a city.     Further reading: Punchbowl Mosque by Candalepas Associates architectureau.com/articles/punchbowl-mosque Winning design revealed for NGV Contemporary architectureau.com/articles/winning-design-revealed-for-ngv-contemporary Candalepas’s new addition to Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral precinct approved architectureau.com/articles/candalepass-new-addition-to-sydneys-st-marys-cathedral-precinct-approved Spirit of generosity: Birchgrove House architectureau.com/articles/birchgrove-house The Porter House Hotel and the Castle Residences by Candalepas Associates architectureau.com/articles/the-porter-house-hotel-and-the-castle-residences Angelo Candalepas architectureau.com/contributors/Candalepas-Angelo Murcutt, Candalepas-designed central Sydney tower approved architectureau.com/articles/murcutt-candalepas-designed-central-sydney-tower-approved

    18 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
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Design Speaks Weekly

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