Design Speaks Weekly

Kevin O’Brien is a Brisbane-based architect of Kaurereg and Meriam heritage and principal at BVN Architecture. Over the past three decades, Kevin has worked across numerous projects and typologies in architecture and the arts, notably the exhibition design for Kith and Kin– Archie Moore’s exhibition for the 2024 Venice Biennale and the first Australian work to win the prestigious Golden Lion. With...

The housing crisis is one of the most important challenges of our time. It is a complex and highly politicised issue, but it is not unique to Australia. Around the world, major cities are grappling with their own affordability crises, and some are finding ways forward. Alexis Kalagas is a strategic advisor to the dean at Monash Art, design and Architecture and a regular commentator on urban strate...

Over the last thirteen years, Studio Bright has garnered numerous national architecture and interior design awards for its residential work. The latest addition to these acknowledgements is the Robin Boyd Award, which Studio Bright’s Hedge and Arbour House won at the 2025 Australian Institute of Architects National Awards. This is the most significant award for a new residential project in Austral...

In the three years since Jared Webb opened his practice, J.AR Office, the studio has won a number of significant national architecture and interior awards. Just last week, J.AR Office-designed Queensland restaurant Norte won Best Restaurant Design at the 2025 Eat Drink Design Awards, adding to the studio’s growing collection of accolades. Jared’s studio has been led with a clear mission – holistic...

Architects have always been advocates for design solutions, but as global challenges grow, so too does pressure on architects to stand up and do more. Jennifer McMaster is a founding director of architectural practice Trias and the recipient of the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2024 National Emerging Architect Prize. Across her work, she consciously advocates for environmentally responsible...

Reducing carbon emissions has long been a global priority. Ross Harding, principal of Finding Infinity – a creative and technical environmental consultancy firm driving the transition to self-sufficient cities – is focused on turning ambition into action. Finding Infinity is best known for initiating “A New Normal”, a $100 billion creative strategy aimed at transforming Melbourne into a model of u...

Australia has a chief medical officer and chief scientist – but no federal government architect. In today’s episode, associate editor of ArchitectureAu Lucia Amies is joined by national president of the Australian Institute of Architects Adam Haddow to discuss the case for introducing such a role. Lucia and Adam unpack what the position might involve, and how it might contribute to better design o...

Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy are founding partners of the award-winning practice Kennedy Nolan. Along with its many accolades and acknowledgments, the practice has amassed one of the largest Instagram followings of any Australian architecture studio, making it arguably one of the most influential studios in the country today. Over the years, Kennedy Nolan’s designs have shaped trends in the in...

In this episode of Design Speaks Weekly, Carroll Go-Sam and Deidre Brown explore the progress of Indigenous recognition and representation in architecture across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Carroll (Dyirbal, Gumbilbara Bama) is a senior lecturer at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Queensland. Deidre  (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu) is a professor of architecture a...

In today’s episode, editor of InteriorsAu Cassie Hansen speaks with interior designer Brahman Perera about mixing styles, textures and price points to craft interiors that are unique, dynamic and accessible. His portfolio includes fitouts for fashion labels such as Christian Kimber and Henne, alongside hospitality venues like Entrecôte, Hopper Joint and Ursula's Paddington. Brahman was a speaker f...

This week marks 25 years since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games – an event that reshaped the city through an ambitious masterplan developed by a team of built environment professionals, including architects Lawrence Nield and Philip Thalis. Lawrence, a founding director of BVN and the 2012 Gold Medallist, has contributed to three Olympic Games: Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008 and London 2012. Philip, found...

In this episode of Design Speaks Weekly, Emily Wong, editor of Landscape Architecture Australia, is joined by landscape architect and creative director of SBLA Studio Simone Bliss to discuss rethinking the design process in the face of the climate crisis. Drawing on Richmond High School by SBLA Studio, Simone reflects on the value of open-ended design – a process that embraces uncertainty and leav...

Timothy Hill is the director of architecture studio Partners Hill. In 2025, he was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal in recognition of his exemplary architectural work, as well as his broader contributions to the profession through education, discourse and advocacy. In this episode of Design Speaks Weekly, Katelin Butler, editorial director at Architecture Media, sits down...

Camilla Block is director of architectural studio Durbach Block Jaggers. In this episode of Design Speaks Weekly, she tackles the state of architecture competitions in Australia, and asks: are they still working as intended? Reflecting on their history, their evolution and their impact on the profession, Camilla considers what an ideal future for the architectural competition system might entail....

August 19 is the national Equal Pay Day for 2025. The date marks the 50 additional days from the end of the financial year that women in Australia need to work, on average, to earn the same annual wage as men.  Leading the fight for gender equity in architecture is Parlour, a research-based advocacy group whose work outlines what built-environment professions can – and should – do to help eradicat...

With a career that spans almost 60 years, Glenn Murcutt AO is no stranger to the changing world of architectural practice. His work, which is ongoing, has won numerous prestigious awards, notably the Australian Institute of Architects’ 1992 Gold Medal, and the 2002 Pritzker Prize. In this episode of Design Speaks Weekly, Glenn joins Architecture Media editorial director Katelin Bulter to discuss p...

In the first episode of the Design Speaks Weekly podcast, architects Stuart Vokes of Vokes and Peters and Dan Burnett of Blok Modular discuss their collaborative journey in modular design and prefabrication. This construction method has myriad advantages, including material and cost control, reduced construction time and high adaptability. It also has the potential to create solutions for two of t...