Open House Conversations

Open House Melbourne
Open House Conversations

Series Two: Catalyst Conversations Catalyst projects are projects that precipitate or seed change. This new podcast series presents a series of knowledge building activities explore five interconnected, significant Victorian built environment themes and architectural projects that have effects beyond their boundaries connecting people to place through good design. All of the projects are aspirational legacy projects that seek to leverage good design in the provision of public benefit and public value beyond the straightforward delivery of bricks and mortar. This production was made possible with support from the Alastair Swayn Foundation. Find out more at http://alastairswaynfoundation.org. Series One: This is Public This is Public is a series of interviews with the thinkers, doers and advocates who are shaping our city. The first series asks big questions about the future of our city, with a special focus on built and natural environments and the people who shape them. Hosts Emma Telfer and Sally McPhee saw the opportunity to make more public the stories, ideas and issues that are being addressed by Open House Melbourne’s expanded public program. As a city, Melbourne is undergoing radical growth and transformation, but to plan for its full potential, we need to understand its past and realise collective ownership over its future. This is Public responds to Open House Melbourne's mission by making critical city issues more public, providing a thought-provoking resource about the future of our city. Series one was brought to life by the Metro Tunnel Creative Program, a program dedicated to enhancing city life alongside the Metro Tunnel. Episodes are recorded at and supported by The Espy, one of Melbourne’s most cherished and significant public meeting houses.

Episodes

  1. OCT 29

    End of Life as Catalyst

    The Catalyst podcast series unpacks clever design solutions in the built environment. Join host Tania Davidge in conversation with designers and field experts as they explore themes and issues that act as catalysts for creative design thinking. In this episode, we are looking at the End of Life as a Catalyst for the design of palliative care facilities. We speak with Dr Mark Boughey from St. Vincent's Hospital and Dr Rebecca McLaughlan from University of Sydney, to consider the design of the places in which we might die and reflect on how we can live a good life, right up until the end. It will look at what it means to die with dignity and address how we can help our loved ones to lead the conversation, allowing them agency at the end of life. What impact can good design have on spaces focused on the end of life? Guest speakers:  Dr Mark Boughey, Director of Palliative Medicine at St. Vincent's Hospital Dr Rebecca McLaughlan, Academic and Researcher at Sydney School of Architecture, Design & Planning, University of Sydney Please note: This episode discusses topics that may be upsetting to some listeners, including end of life and palliative care. Please take care while listening and contact Griefline at 1300 845 745 if you need further support. The Catalyst Podcast series is presented by Open House Melbourne and produced with the assistance of the Alastair Swayn Foundation. The Catalyst podcast series was recorded at The Push, Collingwood Yards. >> Open House Melbourne is an independent not-for-profit organisation that fosters public appreciation for architecture and public engagement in conversations about the future of our cities. Find out more at openhousemelbourne.org. The Alastair Swayn Foundation advances Australian architecture and design culture. Find out more at alastairswaynfoundation.org Image: Genesis Lake, Bunurong Memorial Park. Photo: Jonathan Lang for Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust.

    56 min
  2. Play as Catalyst

    OCT 15

    Play as Catalyst

    The Catalyst podcast series unpacks clever design solutions in the built environment. Join host Tania Davidge in conversation with designers and field experts as they explore themes and issues that act as catalysts for creative design thinking. In this episode, we are looking at Play as a catalyst for design, creativity and engaging people with the city. We speak with Professor Lisa Grocott from Monash University and artist, Mike Hewson, to explore the ways play and a playful mindset can foster connection and creativity in the city. We look at how we play in the city and the ways in which design can foster playful connections in an urban environment. Cities are not only for living and working – cities are also places where we play. Play can be many things. It can be creative and active or reflective and imaginative. Play is about discovery and curiosity, and it’s good for the body and the soul. Guest Speakers:  Lisa Grocott, Professor of Design and the Director of WonderLab at Monash University Mike Hewson, Artist The Catalyst Podcast series is presented by Open House Melbourne and produced with the assistance of the Alastair Swayn Foundation. The Catalyst podcast series was recorded at The Push, Collingwood Yards. >> Open House Melbourne is an independent not-for-profit organisation that fosters public appreciation for architecture and public engagement in conversations about the future of our cities. Find out more at openhousemelbourne.org. The Alastair Swayn Foundation advances Australian architecture and design culture. Find out more at alastairswaynfoundation.org Image: Rocks on Wheels. Photo: Dianna Snape.

    53 min
  3. Audience as Catalyst

    OCT 8

    Audience as Catalyst

    The Catalyst podcast series unpacks clever design solutions in the built environment. Join host Tania Davidge in conversation with designers and field experts as they explore themes and issues that act as catalysts for creative design thinking. In this episode, we are looking at Audience as a Catalyst for design through the lens of Performing Arts Centres. Professor Katya Johanson from Edith Cowan University and architect and founding director, Ian McDougall from ARM Architecture, help us unpack the relationship of audience to the design of the contemporary performing arts centre. The modern performing arts centre has its roots in the 1960s. These centres were designed as iconic buildings which spoke to their important role in our cities and towns. Although they were founded with great intentions- of bringing the arts to a wider public audience - they have traditionally showcased the ‘high arts’ to a relatively narrow cross section of the community.  Contemporary arts institutions, however, aspire to reach a broader demographic and tell stories that connect with a greater cross-section of the community. If the Arts are for everyone - what is the role of the Performing Arts Centre in contemporary society and what does this mean for the design of these Centres? As the role of the Performing Arts Centre has evolved and the audience it’s seeks to speak to has broadened what does this mean for the for the design of the Performing Arts Centre? Guest Speakers:  Ian McDougall, Founding Director of ARM Architecture Katya Johanson, Professor of Audience Research and Associate Dean for the Creative Humanities at Edith Cowan University Further Reading: Katya Johanson is also co-author of the article, alongside Hilary Glow, ‘The problem with permanence is that you’re stuck with it: The public arts centre building in the twenty-first century’ from the International Journal of Cultural Policy (2017) The Catalyst Podcast series is presented by Open House Melbourne and produced with the assistance of the Alastair Swayn Foundation. The Catalyst podcast series was recorded at The Push, Collingwood Yards. >> Open House Melbourne is an independent not-for-profit organisation that fosters public appreciation for architecture and public engagement in conversations about the future of our cities. Find out more at openhousemelbourne.org. The Alastair Swayn Foundation advances Australian architecture and design culture. Find out more at alastairswaynfoundation.org Image: Friday night market at Geelong Arts Centre. Photo: Peter Foster, courtesy of ARM.

    50 min
  4. Flood as Catalyst

    OCT 2

    Flood as Catalyst

    The Catalyst podcast series unpacks clever design solutions in the built environment. Join host Tania Davidge in conversation with designers and field experts as they explore themes and issues that act as catalysts for creative design thinking. In this episode, planner Jane Keddie from Hansen Partnership and architect James Davidson from JDA Co. discuss how planning and design can work with the weather and environmental flows to mitigate risk and rethink our relationship to water. The climate crisis is driving more and more extreme weather events. In Australia flood and fire are impacting our urban areas. Australians have always had a connection to coastal living and more and more the places we love are under threat of inundation.  In the midst of a climate crisis, where we are seeing increasing extreme weather events, how can we plan and design for flood?  Is it simply a matter of barricading our buildings against the flood waters or can we work with the ebbs and flows of our water eco-systems to design in a more responsive way? Guest Speakers:  Jane Keddie, Director of Strategic Planning at Hansen James Davidson, Founder and Principal at JDA Co. The Catalyst Podcast series is presented by Open House Melbourne and produced with the assistance of the Alastair Swayn Foundation. The Catalyst podcast series was recorded at The Push, Collingwood Yards. >> Open House Melbourne is an independent not-for-profit organisation that fosters public appreciation for architecture and public engagement in conversations about the future of our cities. Find out more at openhousemelbourne.org. The Alastair Swayn Foundation advances Australian architecture and design culture. Find out more at alastairswaynfoundation.org

    54 min
  5. Critters as Catalyst

    SEP 24

    Critters as Catalyst

    The Catalyst podcast series unpacks clever design solutions in the built environment. Join host Tania Davidge in conversation with designers and field experts as they explore themes and issues that act as catalysts for creative design thinking. In this episode, engineer Peter Standen from Partridge and architect Stuart Harrison from Harrison and White discuss how engineering and design can help to take care of our more than human friends. When we think about design and architecture, we typically think about designing for people but what does it take to design for animals? What does it take to get a frog in the mood for romance? How do you move pregnant elephants safely and securely from A to B? And how can design help to rehabilitate raptors? Guest Speakers:  Peter Standen, Engineer and Managing Director at Partridge Stuart Harrison, Broadcaster, Architect and Founder of Harrison and White architects The Catalyst Podcast series is presented by Open House Melbourne and produced with the assistance of the Alastair Swayn Foundation. The Catalyst podcast series was recorded at The Push, Collingwood Yards. >> Open House Melbourne is an independent not-for-profit organisation that fosters public appreciation for architecture and public engagement in conversations about the future of our cities. Find out more at openhousemelbourne.org. The Alastair Swayn Foundation advances Australian architecture and design culture. Find out more at alastairswaynfoundation.org Image: Healesville Sanctuary RaptorRehab. Photo: Rhiannon Slatter, courtesy of Harrison and White Pty Ltd © 2024.

    51 min

About

Series Two: Catalyst Conversations Catalyst projects are projects that precipitate or seed change. This new podcast series presents a series of knowledge building activities explore five interconnected, significant Victorian built environment themes and architectural projects that have effects beyond their boundaries connecting people to place through good design. All of the projects are aspirational legacy projects that seek to leverage good design in the provision of public benefit and public value beyond the straightforward delivery of bricks and mortar. This production was made possible with support from the Alastair Swayn Foundation. Find out more at http://alastairswaynfoundation.org. Series One: This is Public This is Public is a series of interviews with the thinkers, doers and advocates who are shaping our city. The first series asks big questions about the future of our city, with a special focus on built and natural environments and the people who shape them. Hosts Emma Telfer and Sally McPhee saw the opportunity to make more public the stories, ideas and issues that are being addressed by Open House Melbourne’s expanded public program. As a city, Melbourne is undergoing radical growth and transformation, but to plan for its full potential, we need to understand its past and realise collective ownership over its future. This is Public responds to Open House Melbourne's mission by making critical city issues more public, providing a thought-provoking resource about the future of our city. Series one was brought to life by the Metro Tunnel Creative Program, a program dedicated to enhancing city life alongside the Metro Tunnel. Episodes are recorded at and supported by The Espy, one of Melbourne’s most cherished and significant public meeting houses.

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