Anthony Burke's By Design

Gravestones may be stark reminders of our mortality, but they’re also powerful records of history, identity and belief. What can the design of these enduring markers tell us about the people they commemorate — and the eras they lived through? From symbolism and materials to craftsmanship and changing cultural values, we trace how grave markers have evolved over time.

Heritage buildings can be pretty … but are they worth the money? Adaptive reuse advocates argue that reworking existing structures isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about unlocking potential. These projects take longer, cost more, and demand far greater creative problem‑solving, but for designers willing to take them on, the value extends well beyond the balance sheet.

Men expect them in every pair of pants, every jacket, every coat. And yet, for women, pockets have been mysteriously withheld, removed, resized, or declared “unnecessary” for centuries. Why? In this episode, we unpack the surprisingly political, practical, and quietly rebellious history of pockets — from their deliberate disappearance in women’s fashion to the small jolt of joy when a dress actual...

Algorithms are sketching, rendering, optimising, and quietly reshaping who holds creative power. In this episode, we ask the uncomfortable questions: Is AI a tool, a collaborator, or a threat? What happens to expertise when clients can generate designs in seconds? And who really benefits when intelligence is automated? Guests: * Philip Allsopp, Co-Chair, RIBA Expert Advisory Group on AI, Generativ...

Australia’s surfing story has been influenced from far beyond our shores, from ancient Peruvian reed boards to Hawaiian royalty and the design revolutions that shaped the modern surfboard. So how did we get from the earliest surf boards of heavy wooden planks to the sleek, high‑performance boards ridden today?  Guest: Andrew McKinnon, Surf reporter and historian

Batik is a material that is both ancient and modern. In the final stop on our South Asian tour, we explore how small, ingenious design ideas are driving big change, exploring the rich tradition of batik - its royal roots, ceremonial uses, near‑decline, and bold return to contemporary fashion Guest: Josephine Komara, Founder Bin House

Kites aren’t just toys—they’re one of the most influential inventions in the history of science. Sure, they look playful drifting across a windy sky, but the humble kite has quietly powered some of humanity’s biggest breakthroughs. From early experiments to world‑shaping discoveries, this lightweight frame of fabric and string has been a surprising engine of innovation. Guest: John Murray, Preside...

Bamboo is nothing short of extraordinary - growing fast, bending without breaking, and carrying the strength of steel. In Bali, it’s more than a material; it’s a philosophy of design grounded in flexibility, resilience, and imagination. This is the second episode in our three part series Material Cultures, in which we meet designers who don’t just shape their materials, they listen to them. Today...

They’re squishy, often colourful, mobile pieces of furniture that are forever associated with the late 60s and early 70s. Growing up in the 80s you’re sure to have plonked yourself on one of these while you watched Magnum PI. We're talking about beanbags. Who on earth thought that this malleable, ball-filled piece of furniture would become the success story it did? Guest: Berto Pandolfo, Associate...

Just how creative can you get with wood? In the first of this new three part series we meet a master furniture maker in Mumbai giving new life to old timbers, letting the wood speak again. It’s our first stop on a South Asian tour with host Anthony Burke, revisiting some of his favourite conversations from filming Culture By Design across the region. Guest: Siddharth Sirohi, BARO studio Mumbai Wit...

Australia’s swimsuit has a wilder history than you think. In this episode, we dive into the design evolution of our beloved togs, bathers, and budgie smugglers, from the days when inspectors patrolled the beach in search of exposed shoulders to today’s sleek, sun-smart designs. How has culture, modesty, technology and style shaped this iconic piece of Aussie design, and what does our swimwear say...

As women age, many joke about becoming “invisible”, but in Australia’s housing crisis, invisibility has devastating consequences. Women over 55 are now the fastest‑growing group at risk of homelessness, while the housing system fails to provide safe, secure, and dignified options that meet their needs. But there are those working on this problem now who say the solutions are not that hard to find....

Mirrors may show us our reflection today, but for centuries they were thought to reveal far stranger things. Forged through a perilous, mercury‑soaked process, these “everyday” objects hide a mysterious past that’s anything but ordinary. Guest: John Hawkins, antiques dealer

For years, designers pushed the gospel of “more light, more health.” Then LEDs arrived—tiny, efficient, and bright enough to turn night into a permanent noon—and we discovered a plot twist: human eyes (and brains, and hormones) were never built for this much brilliance. And animals? They’re even less impressed. In this episode, we dig into how our light‑soaked world has scrambled natural rhythms f...

They are the silent force that guides us through our days, but how much do you know about the humble traffic light? More than just three colours that tell us when to slow down, stop or go, these machines weave complex movements of people throughout our cities. How do they work, what impact do they have and what is the future for traffic lights in a world of smart cars? Guest: Chris Miller, Spokesp...

Meet the movement reimaging the future, slowly Craft is cool again. Across Australia — and far beyond — traditional design practices long considered “old fashioned” are experiencing a powerful resurgence. From tapestry as contemporary art, to handcrafted chairs, to the ancient weaving traditions of First Nations communities, slow, tactile craftsmanship is being embraced by a generation raised in a...

Humans have been tracking time for millennia — but when did we decide to wear it? In this episode, we trace the evolution of the watch, from clunky ticking contraptions to sleek wrist‑bound supercomputers. How did a simple time‑telling bracelet become the indispensable gadget we can’t stop glancing at? Guest: Tania Edwards,  Co founder of Collectability, a collecting consultancy and Trustee Emerit...

If buildings speak, the White House never whispers — and recent design overhauls have given it a whole new vocabulary. In this episode, we decode the aesthetic signals embedded in its latest transformations: the dramatic palettes, the opulent flourishes, the bigger‑brighter‑bolder touches that reshape how the building presents power. We ask what these stylistic choices reveal about the identity of...

Corduroy is back—and its story is wilder than you think. From its origins in ancient Egypt to royal courts, retro fashion, and now a modern design renaissance, this humble fabric has lived many lives. In this episode, we unravel how corduroy went from utilitarian to iconic, and why designers are embracing it in clothing and furniture today. Guest: Elaine Evans, Senior Teaching Fellow in Fashion De...

Is the open-plan home officially over? How has COVID and the rise of remote work reshaped the way we live; From privacy-friendly layouts to multifunctional spaces, discover why designers are rethinking open-plan living and what the future of home design looks like. Guests: Dr Libby Sander, Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at Bond University Eva-Marie Prineas, Lead Architect and Foun...

Can design save the planet—one soy sauce fish at a time? Meet the innovative minds behind a sustainable alternative to the iconic plastic soy sauce container. Discover how clever design is tackling single-use plastics, reducing waste, and reimagining everyday objects for a greener future Guest: Angus Ware, Co-founder and Director at Heliograf

What happens when architects design for animals instead of humans? In this episode, we explore a bold new frontier where animal behavior—not human comfort—shapes the spaces we build. From wildlife sanctuaries to urban habitats, this surprising trend flips traditional design thinking on its head. How do professionals trained for people reimagine environments for paws, claws, and wings? Guests:  Stu...

Extraordinary Everyday: Backyard Pools Why do Aussies love a backyard pool? In this episode, we dive into its evolution—from retro status symbol to sleek, sustainable showpiece. Discover how pool design trends have shaped our summers, our homes, and our obsession with outdoor living. It’s a deep end of culture, creativity, and cool innovation! Guest: Professor Hannah Lewi, Faculty of Architecture,...

Prefab is back—and it’s changing the game. Once a Federation-era staple, prefabrication is now being hailed as a creative design solution and a practical fix for the housing crisis. Innovative modular techniques are delivering sustainable, stylish homes faster than ever before—but is this the future of construction? Guests: Warren French, Lead Architect Valley Workshop Tasmania and expert in prefa...

From twigs to tech, the toothbrush has had quite the glow-up! In this episode of Extraordinary Everyday, we brush up on the wild history of dental hygiene—from ancient chew sticks to sleek smart brushes—revealing how this humble tool became a design icon in our daily lives. Guest: Scott Swank, Curator at National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore, and an associate professor in the Dental Public Hea...