est living | design conversations

Manuel Aires Mateus on doubt, memory and the life of a building. In Lisbon, est living's Editorial Director, Karen McCartney, sits down with Portuguese architect Manuel Aires Mateus to explore the ideas that have shaped one of the most distinctive architectural practices of the past three decades. From restoring an 18th-century convent to creating houses that disappear into the landscape, Manu...

In the first of our international episodes, McCartney visits John Pawson at his Notting Hill home for an edifying conversation on his lifelong commitment to reduction, necessity and simplicity in design. Pawson recalls his upbringing in Yorkshire and early years in Japan, stories of Calvin Klein arriving at his studio to commission the New York City flagship store and monks discovering the same pr...

In this episode, Karen McCartney sits down with Flack Studio founder and principal David Flack. From the designer's designer’s Fitzroy studio, which he calls “a giant 3D business card,” Flack looks back at the inventive material approach he developed early on—one that remains as relevant as when he established the practice more than a decade ago. Now leading a holistic architecture and interio...

In this episode, we revisit Babylon, the home of Fiona Spence and Morris Lyda. Here, Karen McCartney speaks with Casey Brown Architecture founder Rob Brown and Spence about their eight-year collaboration to revive the 1960s house and honour its dramatic sandstone site. Watch our exclusive film on Babylon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAFtFqc9xis Read Karen McCartney's write up on Babylon: https...

Architect and founder of her namesake studio, Clare Cousins, welcomes Karen McCartney into her newly completed Melbourne home, where she explores her affinity for honest materials and integrated garden rooms, while considering architecture’s responsibility to the community, through urban and rural housing, workplace, cultural, and social projects. Learn more about Clare Cousins Architects: https:/...

Richards Stanisich founders and architects Jonathan Richards and Kirsten Stanisich sit down with Karen McCartney in Stanisich’s home to discuss designing emotionally resonant spaces, resisting trends while evolving aesthetically, and the importance of adaptive reuse in their work. Learn more about Richards Stanisich: https://estliving.com/professional/richards-stanisich/ See Kirsten Stanisich’s ow...

Founder of her eponymous interior design studio, Fiona Lynch, invites Karen McCartney into her Melbourne home for our latest podcast episode. The pair reflect on Lynch's impetus for unconventional ideas and flexibility in design, fascination with materials, and the importance of championing local creatives. Learn more about Fiona Lynch Office: https://estliving.com/professional/fiona-lynch/ See mo...

Studio Prineas principal Eva-Marie Prineas reflects on 20 years of building an authentic and sustainable architecture practice focused on relationships, problem-solving, and creating lasting design solutions for everyday life. Learn more about Studio Prineas: https://estliving.com/fishermans-house-studio-prineas/ See Eva-Marie Prineas' Home: https://estliving.com/where-architects-live-eva-marie-pr...

Hecker Guthrie founding principals Paul Hecker and Hamish Guthrie reflect on their contrasting and complementary approaches to interiors, how they emphasise the spatial experience, and design for adaptability and comfort. This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartney Recorded and produced by Jon Tjhia for est living

Recorded while sitting in one of their latest projects, Kennedy Nolan founders and principal architects Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy discuss how buildings can engage the imagination, the impact of colour and memory, and designing homes relevant to today. Learn more about Kennedy Nolan: https://www.estliving.com/10-questions-ask-your-architect-kennedy-nolan/ https://www.estliving.com/profession...

A design dialogue with Arent&Pyke founders and principal designers Juliette Arent & Sarah-Jane Pyke on how they interact with their clients, creating moments of pleasure, inspiring elements and the flow of family life. Learn more about Arent&Pyke: https://www.estliving.com/professional/arent-pyke/ Explore the Queens Park House while you listen:  https://www.estliving.com/queens-park-ho...

A design dialogue with Wardle founder and architect John Wardle in his own home explores his endless curiosity for the rhythms of living, working and learning and how the architect’s passion for finer details transcends all scales of work. Learn more about John Wardle: https://www.estliving.com/professional/wardle-studio/ Explore John's home while you listen: https://wardle.studio/projects/kew...