Original Thinkers Podcast

Designing The Forest, the University of Tasmania’s flagship Hobart campus. This stunning project in the centre of Hobart's CBD, includes a glass forest dome, with over 3,500 plants including mature trees and a disappearing tarn.   Through the reuse of original materials and the use of low-carbon construction methods, including timber and carbon-negative Hempcrete, the Forest is Australia’s fi...

When Daniel Hodge measures a tree, he’s not just collecting data; he’s part of a decades-long commitment to protecting some of the largest living organisms on the planet. As Senior Stewardship Advisor at Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) and manager of Tasmania’s Giant Tree Program, Daniel oversees the identification and protection of giant trees within the state’s production forests. "People...

When Dr Marie Yee arrived in Tasmania over two decades ago, she came with an ambition to contribute to biodiversity conservation through applied science, to make a positive impact from within the industry instead of hurling stones from the outside.  “I realised they were very progressive, the people who put those practices in place were scientists who worked within the industry, within the regulat...

Dean Sheen is the Fire Manager for Sustainable Timber Tasmania, one of Tasmania's three firefighting agencies responsible for fuel reduction burning, and regeneration burns within Tasmania's forests. "We are mimicking nature. Eucalypt forests rely on fire to regenerate. If you see an area that's been burnt by wildfire, you'll see afterwards that the forest comes back. It r...

Michael Lee is a technical expert in Tasmanian Timber. Mick, as he's known within the sector, has over 30 years experience in research, timber production, and systems. He works with builders, designers, and architects to create solutions that benefit the environment, the economy, and the community. "The stadium build for instance, in Hobart, called for 40-metre roof beams. No one in Aust...

Gerard Reinmuth is a Director at Terroir Architects and the inaugural Professor of Practice in the School of Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney, and Philip Oldfield is Head of the Built Environment School in the Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture at the University of New South Wales. They are both co-authors on a paper recently published in Sustainable Cities and Society, ti...

Paolo Aschieri is director at Theca Timber – a firm that is committed to transforming the way we build, by leveraging timber's natural strength and durability to build a low carbon sustainable future. "Every single state, every single nation has a different appetite for timber. If you travel to the Scandinavian countries, their appetite for timber is just outstanding. It blows my mind wh...

Stephen Geason is Director at Cykel Architecture. Stephen has an expertise in designing for people living with dementia. He's a registered architect in Australia and a Churchill fellow, and was heavily involved with presentations for the Built Environment for the Understanding Dementia MOOC at the Wicking Dementia Center at the University of Tasmania. Stephen was the fireside architect for Ko...

Tim McAllister has been a designer for 26 years based in Northern Ireland. He's the creative director of local agency Bennett and the designer behind the multi award-winning original Tasmanian Timber brand. Tim has extensive experience in developing brands for the built environment, from residential developments selling a lifestyle to commercial projects that require way finding and consisten...

The Agent: Nina Schubert is a real estate agent and the Director of Insitu Property. Insitu Property is a dynamic and innovative real estate agency dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and tailored property solutions. Focusing on property management and sales, Insitu Property leverages a deep understanding of local markets to deliver outstanding results for clients. Under Nina'...

The Makers: Dylan Graham is the Project Manager for Construction in Tasmania's North-West for Fairbrother. Fairbrother is a nationally award-winning company specialising in commercial and industrial construction whose expertise spans a wide array of projects, from large-scale infrastructure developments to bespoke commercial buildings. They are known for their commitment to quality, innovatio...

The Makers: Murray Griffiths is a Director of My Build Collective. My Build Collective is a team of passionate designers and builders based in Launceston, specialising in creating unique custom homes. They offer a complete design and build experience, guiding clients from initial consultation through to the final handover. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and transparency, My Build Collecti...

The Makers: Amanda Hardinge is the CEO of Merritt Joinery, a renowned Australian company specialising in high-end architectural joinery. With a commitment to precision craftsmanship and cutting-edge design, Merritt Joinery creates bespoke solutions for kitchens, bathrooms, wardrobes, and custom interiors, transforming spaces with exceptional quality and attention to detail. Under Amanda’s leadersh...

The Makers: Al & Imo Roberts are the creative force behind their eponymous studio, Al & Imo. Based in Freshwater Creek, Victoria, they craft bespoke, handcrafted furniture and objects. Drawing inspiration from their natural surroundings, their pieces showcase a deep respect for materiality, with an emphasis on ethically and sustainably sourced timber. Al & Imo’s work transcends functio...

The Problem Solvers: Greg Nolan is a Professor at the University of Tasmania’s School of Architecture and Design and the Director of the University’s Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW). As an advocate for innovative timber applications, Greg leads CSAW in its mission to be a global leader in sustainable architectural design and building with wood. His work centres on developing p...

The Problem Solvers: Dr. Louise Wallis is a passionate advocate for sustainable construction and the innovative use of wood in architecture. As Deputy Director of the Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW) at the University of Tasmania, she leads research and development initiatives exploring the vast potential of timber in creating environmentally responsible and structurally sound...

The Architects: Scott Flett is the Director of Flett Architecture, an award-winning studio based in Sydney. Driven by a deep appreciation for context, materiality, and the human experience, Flett creates refined, enduring architectural solutions that seamlessly blend functionality and aesthetics. Scott's work is characterised by a thoughtful approach to design, emphasising natural light, hone...

The Architects: Fiona Dunin is the Director of FMD Architects, a renowned Melbourne-based architecture firm known for its innovative and sustainable designs. Merging her interior design and architecture expertise, Fiona brings a holistic approach to her projects, ensuring a seamless and harmonious integration of spaces from the inside out. FMD Architects specialises in crafting residential, commer...

The Timber Processors: Josh Turnbull is the Green Mill Manager at Neville Smith Forest Products. Neville Smith Forest Products is a leading Australian hardwood sawmilling company and a key supplier of high-quality timber products. Operating multiple sawmills nationwide, they specialise in processing a diverse range of hardwood species, catering to various market segments, including structural and...

The Timber Processors: Andrew Morgan is Co-Founder of Hydrowood. Hydrowood is a company driven by innovation and sustainability within the timber industry. As a specialist in timber drying and processing, Hydrowood utilises cutting-edge technology to responsibly source and process submerged and salvaged timber, transforming it into premium quality wood products for various applications. Their comm...

The Timber Processors: Shawn Britton is Managing Director of Britton Timbers. Britton Timbers is a family-owned and operated Tasmanian business with a long and proud history spanning more than 110 years. Specialising in the sustainable harvesting, processing, and marketing of Tasmanian specialty timbers, they cater to both domestic and international markets. With a focus on quality and customer sa...

The Growers: Justin Baily is a Forest Steward and owner of Baileaf. Baileaf offers tailored solutions designed to help private landowners and trusted partners manage their forests and land in a way that promotes biodiversity, builds community, and enhances their vitality and value for future generations. " This is particularly relevant to the architectural space because the architect will be...

The Growers: David White is the Forest Manager for Sustainable Timber Tasmania – a Tasmanian Government Business Enterprise that manages approximately 812,000 hectares of public production forest in sustainable ways. "My old wildlife professor used to say, forestry is not rocket science. It's ten times more complicated. The misconception, once you go and burn it, that's it, the fore...

Marius Myking, Director of Product Design at Snøhetta, is a strategic designer and creative force leading the charge in sustainable design and innovation. With an illustrious career marked by an array of prestigious awards, including the 2021 Dezeen Sustainability Award, Marius leverages his international expertise and strategic insight to connect industry, markets, and technology, creating design...

James Fitzpatrick, the visionary founder of Fitzpatrick and Partners, leads one of Australia's top commercial architectural practices. His award-winning design studio, boasting a talented team of 45 architects, continues to set industry standards through their innovative architectural solutions. "One of the things I'm really keen on is looking at different levels of housing. How do...