Buildipedia

In this episode, James Yang takes over as guest host to interview Mat Wilk about the evolution of Buildipedia, from its roots in Mat’s early startup experience at Amazon to its new direction as a marketplace for architects, builders, planners, consultants, and other property professionals. Mat shares how productising architectural services at Ballast Point revealed a bigger opportunity: making the...

In this episode of Buildipedia, Mat sits down with Warren Livesey from Buy Airspace to explore how airspace development could become a smarter, more sustainable alternative to knockdown rebuilds. Warren explains what airspace actually is, how rooftop rights can be unlocked above existing buildings, and why new upzoning changes like LMR and TOD are creating fresh opportunities for strata owners acr...

In this episode of Buildipedia, Mat sits down in person with Melissa Neighbour from Sky Planning to break down Sydney’s Low to Mid-Rise (LMR) planning changes and what they actually mean on the ground, using a proposed Drummoyne development as a real-world case study—one of the early projects testing these new rules in practice; since recording, the proposal has seen community pushback around scal...

In this episode of Buildipedia, Mat sits down with Matt Hayson, Director of CobdenHayson, to unpack what’s really happening in today’s property market. They explore why some homes are flying while others are stuck, how the gap between A-grade and compromised properties is widening, and what buyers are (and aren’t) willing to compromise on right now. The conversation cuts through headlines to deliv...

In this episode of Buildipedia, Mat chats with Melissa Neighbour, Director at Sky Planning, about Sydney’s Fairer Future Plan and what it means for housing, density, and smarter city growth. They explore how evidence-based planning, rezoning, and transport-oriented development can unlock supply while protecting heritage and improving livability. Melissa also shares insights on Propinion, a new col...

In this episode of Buildipedia, Mat talks with building designer and sustainability specialist Gionata Comacchio about his journey from the Dolomites in Italy to launching NININ Studio in Australia. Gionata shares the story behind his practice, his passion for Passivhaus design, and the principles that make homes healthier, more comfortable, and more efficient. He unpacks the differences between B...

In this episode of Buildipedia, Mat talks with acclaimed architect Ian Moore about his path from New Zealand building sites to shaping world-class architecture. Ian recalls how a detour into engineering led to working on Norman Foster’s Hong Kong Shanghai Bank, sparking his resolve to become an architect. He shares lessons from his construction roots, Sydney’s design scene, and his philosophy of c...

Mat chats with structural engineer Andrew Derbidge from AD Consulting Engineers to unpack why the Australian construction industry is slow to adopt new building products and methods—and why some smart innovations don’t stick. They also break down a real-life case where engineering design clashed with build efficiency, diving into the balancing act between cost, quality, and labour on site. Tune in...

In this episode of Buildipedia, Mat sits down with leading Inner West real estate agent Matt Hayson for a timely look at the current property market—covering everything from election impacts and housing shortages to population growth, interest rates, and what buyers and sellers need to know right now. Tune in now! CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! WEBSITE: https://www.buildipedia.au/ LINKEDIN: http...

In this episode of Buildipedia, Mat chats with Andy Shaw from Brickies Network about the changing face of bricklaying in Australia. Once the go-to choice for project homes, brickwork is now a high-end feature rather than the standard. Andy shares insights on why bricklaying has declined, the impact of alternative materials, and whether it’s becoming a lost art like stonemasonry. Is bricklaying bei...

In this episode of Buildipedia, Mat chats with Philip North from PCN Urban—a certified planner, registered architect, and heritage expert. They explore the world of town planning, heritage consulting, and navigating complex NSW regulations. Philip sheds light on the ‘Heritage Mafia,’ the blurred lines in heritage consulting, and what it truly takes to be a planner. Tune in now! CONNECT WITH US ON...

In this episode, Mat chats with Alan Kohler, Editor in Chief at InvestSMART and founder of The Constant Investor, to unpack the housing crisis and explore solutions. With decades of experience in finance and journalism, Alan dives into topics like the impact of rising interest rates, transport-oriented developments, and the challenges of balancing migration with skills shortages. Drawing on insigh...

In this episode, Mat speaks with Dr. James McIntosh, founder of LUTI Consulting, to discuss how transport infrastructure and urban renewal shape property markets and communities. Drawing on 25+ years of experience, Dr. James shares insights from projects like Parramatta Light Rail and Macquarie Park, highlighting the impact of transport-oriented developments on property values and growth. Tune in...

In this episode, Mat connects with developer Jan van der Bergh to explore the current state of the development and construction industry. They dive into key topics such as development costs, rezoning trends, compliance changes, and the ongoing challenges around building costs, labour shortages, and interest rates—and more. Tune in now for an insightful conversation! CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA...

In this episode, Mat talks with ⁠Simon Croft⁠, Chief Executive of Industry & Policy at the ⁠Housing Industry Association (HIA)⁠, about Australia’s current housing challenges. They discuss HIA’s role, the property market slowdown, rising building costs, and the impact of infrastructure projects. Mat and Simon explore factors like affordability, rental pressures, labor shortages, and the debate...

In this episode, Mat speaks with architect Melonie Bayl-Smith LFRAIA AFHEA MAICD of Bijl Architecture together with Andrew Derbidge about the complexities of architectural practice and client relationships. They discuss understanding the project "why," managing budgets, transparent communication, and the need for empathy, collaboration, and sustainable, smaller living spaces in the evolv...

In this episode, we’re joined by Melissa Neighbour from Sky Planning to uncover the reasons behind the differences in council and court DA approvals. Melissa breaks down the key factors that lead to council rejections, why some projects succeed in court, and how you can improve your chances of getting approval. Tune in for expert advice on navigating the often confusing DA process and insights on...

In this episode, we explore alternatives to engineered stone with our guest, Madelina Kalpou from Smartstone. Madelina joins us to discuss Smartstone’s decision to transition away from silica-based products and embrace zero-silica, double-resin solutions. We dive into the benefits of these innovative materials, how they stack up against traditional options, and the future of benchtops and finishes...

In this episode, Mat delves into the challenges and considerations of green roofs, asking the central question: Are green roofs worth it? We're joined by Andrew Derbige, a structural engineer, to explore construction types, structural loads, drainage solutions, waterproofing issues, long-term maintenance, material performance, concrete shrinkage, and regulatory changes. Tune in to uncover the...

In this episode, we are thrilled to have Matt Hayson, a leading property sales agent and director of Cobden Hayson, a highly respected real estate agency. Matt shares his insights on the current state of the real estate market and on where the market will be heading next, discussing local trends, the impact of major infrastructure developments, and more. Tune in now! CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDI...

In this special episode of Buildipedia, we’re thrilled to reintroduce our platform with co-host Mat Wilk, director of Ballast Point Architects + Builders. Joined by professional journalist Angela Saurine, Mat will share the story of Buildipedia, our goals, and his professional journey. Tune in now! CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! WEBSITE: https://www.buildipedia.au/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin...

In this episode, we tackle the essential topic of managing building cost escalation with expert Quantity Surveyor, Matt Saunderson, who specialises in architectural homes. Tune in for valuable insights on optimising your construction project's cost management strategy! KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS 1. Engage a Quantity Surveyor (QS) in your project as early as possible, ensuring they specialise in you...

In our latest episode of Buildipedia, we're thrilled to welcome Anthony Burke, Professor of Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney and host/presenter for Restoration Australia, airing on the ABC /ABC i-view. He is also host of Grand Designs Australia and Co-Host of Grand Designs Transformations as well as Restoration Australia. With Anthony's extensive experience in academia a...

Discover the exciting mix of buildings, technology, and real estate in this Buildipedia episode with David Esber, co-founder of EnvisionVR. Mat and David talked about why being clear and open is so important in today's real estate world. Imagine questioning whether VR is just a short-lived trend – David will share how property pictures and videos have changed over time and why some VR things t...

Join us in this episode of Buildipedia as we discuss the synergy between construction, skills, and migration in Australia with Vaibhav Patel, Director and Registered Migration Agent at Aussizz Group. Explore the demand for skilled labor, the contributions of immigrants in construction, and the challenges faced by skilled workers. Vaibhav's insights unravel the complexities of building Australi...