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Design Speaks Weekly: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Architecture Media
Design Speaks Weekly brings you the biggest stories in Australian architecture and design. Produced by Architecture Media, each episode explores a key theme shaping the built environment, paired with the latest industry news and analysis. As an extension of the Design Speaks event series, this podcast opens up vital conversations to a wider audience, wherever you are.
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- Today17 min
What makes something architecture? | Marina Tabassum
Marina Tabassum is a world-renowned Bangladesh architect and educator. Her architecture studio, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA), was established in 2005 and has received numerous accolades, including two Aga Khan Awards for Architecture, the first for the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque and the second for a housing solution called Khudi Bari. Marina and her studio also designed the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion. Her projects have significant social impact and are well known for the use of local natural materials and craftsmanship, which creates architecture that is both poetic and purposeful. We sat down with Marina during her recent visit to Australia for Melbourne School of Design's 2026 Dean’s Lecture Series, to speak about the changing perception of what makes something architecture. Further reading Marina Tabassum’s kinetic 2025 Serpentine Pavilion opens https://architectureau.com/articles/Marina-Tabassums-kinetic-2025-Serpentine-Pavilion-opens/ Architect of 2025 Serpentine Pavilion revealed https://architectureau.com/articles/architect-of-2025-Serpentine-pavilion-revealed/ Architecture for Empowerment https://architectureau.com/calendar/exhibitions/architecture-for-empowerment/
- 1 weeks ago20 min
Inside Australia's 2027 Venice Biennale Exhibition | Kerstin Thompson and Lee-Anne Khor
Recently, the exhibition Lived In was announced as Australia’s contribution to the 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale. Building on the Housing Atlas for Australia research project, the exhibition is a collaboration between creative directors Kerstin Thompson of Kerstin Thompson Architects, and Maryam Gusheh, Lee-Anne Khor and Louise Wright of Monash Urban Lab. Lived In will draw on more than a century of Australian multi-residential housing to tell a national story of how we live, through drawings, data, photography, film and residents’ own experiences. In this episode, ArchitectureAu editor Lucia Amies speaks with two of the creative directors Kerstin Thompson and Lee-Anne Khor to learn about the vision behind Lived In and find out what visitors can expect to see in Venice next year. Further reading Creative directors for Australia’s 2027 Venice Biennale exhibition announced https://architectureau.com/articles/Creative-directors-for-Australias-2027-Venice-Biennale-exhibition-announced/
- 2 weeks ago18 min
Can a garden be both controlled and wild? | Rob Champion
Rob Champion is the founder of TARN, a landscape practice that focuses on experimental projects. Alongside his residential work, Rob is currently co-leading the design of the National Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery in Canberra, an ambitious project that is revitalising and expanding an important landscape. In this episode, Emily Wong, editor of Landscape Australia, speaks with Rob about the opportunities of experimentation and imperfection, and how doing less can be more impactful in small-scale landscape design. Further reading Local hero: Robert Champion https://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/local-hero-robert-champion/ Meet the jury for the Landscape Australia Awards https://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/meet-the-jury-2026-landscape-australia-awards/ Testing grounds: Gardens as laboratories https://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/testing-grounds-gardens-as-laboratories/
- 3 weeks ago19 min
Adaptive reuse is a discipline, not a trend | David Welsh and Chris Major
David Welsh and Chris Major founded their practice, Welsh and Major, more than twenty years ago. Since then, they have refined and embraced an adaptive reuse design method, delivering thoughtful and enduring architecture across a diverse range of project types. In this episode, they reflect on the evolution of adaptive reuse in Australia and the value of designing with the unexpected. Further reading Pyrmont Community Centre by Welsh and Major https://architectureau.com/articles/pyrmont-community-centre-by-welsh-and-major/ Greybox by Welsh and Major https://architectureau.com/articles/Greybox-by-Welsh-and-Major/ Comedor by Welsh and Major https://architectureau.com/articles/comedor-by-welsh-and-major/ The Imperial by Welsh and Major https://architectureau.com/articles/imperial-welsh-and-major/ Gathering character: Seagrass House https://architectureau.com/articles/seagrass-house/ Bohemian legacy: The Hat Factory https://architectureau.com/articles/the-hat-factory/ Breathing room: Darling Lane https://architectureau.com/articles/darling-lane/ First House: Hordern Street https://architectureau.com/articles/hordern-first-house-welshandmajor/ Telescopic vision: Annandale House https://architectureau.com/articles/annandale-house-1/ A house with tiles on it https://architectureau.com/articles/a-house-with-tiles-on-it/ Fitzroy Terrace https://architectureau.com/articles/fitzroy-terrace/
- 4 weeks ago20 min
What do we sacrifice for resale value? | Anthony Gill
Since establishing his practice in 2007, Anthony Gill has crafted residential projects that challenge assumptions about contemporary housing. His work often focuses on refining spatial arrangements, resulting in homes that feel generous and functional without relying on excess. In this episode, Alexa Kempton, editor of Houses magazine, speaks with Anthony about how residential architecture that resists resale-driven logic can lead to unconventional, understated, and delightful ways of living. Further reading Four houses of Anthony Gill Architects https://architectureau.com/articles/houses-of-anthony-gill-architects/ Randwick House by Anthony Gill Architects https://architectureau.com/articles/Randwick-House-by-Anthony-Gill-Architects/ Blue Mountains House by Anthony Gill Architects https://architectureau.com/articles/blue-mountains-house/ An outdoor challenge: Waterloo House https://architectureau.com/articles/waterloo-house/ Paddington House https://architectureau.com/articles/paddington-house/ Surry Hills House https://architectureau.com/articles/surry-hills-house-by-anthony-gill-architects/ Potts Point Apartment https://architectureau.com/articles/potts-point-apartment/
- Aug 17, 202619 min
What does good design even mean? | Lee Hillam
Lee Hillam is a seasoned design critic. Her experience as an architect, as a reviewer for national publications such as Architecture Australia, and as chair of the State Design Review Panel for the Government Architect NSW has sharpened her eye for what makes a successful architectural outcome. In this episode, Lee unpacks how we justify a project's merit and explores the tension between subjective and objective evaluation in design. Further reading Lee Hillam on how to improve the competition system https://architectureau.com/articles/lee-hillam-on-how-to-improve-the-competition-system/ Green Square Public School and Community Spaces by BVN https://architectureau.com/articles/arkadia/ Murrin Bridge Preschool Community Hub by CD Studio, Supercontext, GFA2, Fake Industries and University of Technology Sydney https://architectureau.com/articles/murrin-bridge-preschool-community-hub/ The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland https://architectureau.com/articles/the-pavilion-performing-arts-centre-sutherland/ Music, desert and sky: Cobar Sound Chapel https://architectureau.com/articles/cobar-sound-chapel/ Architecture as storytelling: Quay Quarter Lanes https://architectureau.com/articles/quay-quarter-lanes/ An act of civic pride: Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre https://architectureau.com/articles/gunyama-park-aquatic-and-recreation-centre/ Third-gen city-making: 44A Foveaux Street https://architectureau.com/articles/44a-foveaux-street/ The architecture of interdependence: Escarpment House https://architectureau.com/articles/escarpment-house/ Making a community: Arkadia https://architectureau.com/articles/arkadia/ Tall ambitions: Short Lane https://architectureau.com/articles/short-lane/ Cowper Street Housing https://architectureau.com/articles/cowper-street-housing/ Long hours: Go hard or go home! https://architectureau.com/articles/long-hours-go-hard-or-go-home/
- Aug 10, 202617 min
Can we codify inclusive design? | Anthony Clarke
Anthony Clarke is an architect, scholar, writer, and founder of BLOXAS – a practice that focuses on the relationship between architecture and care. In this episode, Lucia Amies, editor of ArchitectureAU, speaks with Anthony about the challenges and opportunities of regulation when it comes to designing inclusive spaces that support users' complex needs. Further Reading Residential design through a lens of care https://architectureau.com/articles/residential-design-through-the-lens-of-care/ Justine Clark on whether inclusive design should move from aspiration to obligation https://architectureau.com/articles/justine-clark-on-whether-inclusive-design-should-move-from-aspiration-to-obligation/ Allen Kong on whether inclusive design should move from aspiration to obligation https://architectureau.com/articles/allen-kong-on-whether-inclusive-design-should-move-from-aspiration-to-obligation/ Pragya Gupta on whether inclusive design should move from aspiration to obligation https://architectureau.com/articles/pragya-gupta-on-whether-inclusive-design-should-move-from-aspiration-to-obligation/ Angelo Candalepas on whether inclusive design should move from aspiration to obligation https://architectureau.com/articles/angelo-candalepas-on-whether-inclusive-design-should-move-from-aspiration-to-obligation/
- Aug 3, 202623 min
What kind of leader does architecture need? | Emma Williamson
Emma Williamson has held leadership roles across both architectural practice and public policy. From her time as a partner at The Fulcrum Agency to her current role as Government Architect for Western Australia, she has been driven to improve the quality of the built environment and the culture of the profession. In this episode, Emma shares her approach to leadership and discusses the behaviours and cultures that lead to designers creating their best work. Further Reading Women in architecture: Leadership https://architectureau.com/articles/women-in-architecture-leadership/ Emma Williamson on how to broadcast the value of architecture to a wider audience https://architectureau.com/articles/emma-williamson-on-how-to-broadcast-the-value-of-architecture-to-a-wider-audience/ Valuing architectural work: The human effects https://architectureau.com/articles/valuing-architectural-work-the-human-effects/ Diversity as a disruptor in construction https://architectureau.com/articles/diversity-as-a-disruptor-in-construction/ Architecture’s untapped opportunities to maximize advantage https://architectureau.com/articles/architectures-untapped-opportunities-to-maximize-advantage/ Carey Lyon: “Everything is a public building” https://architectureau.com/articles/interview-with-carey-lyon/ School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University https://architectureau.com/articles/school-of-design-and-the-built-environment-curtin-university/ Values-driven design: ANZ Breathe https://architectureau.com/articles/anz-breathe/ Narrative and legacy: Bilya Marlee https://architectureau.com/articles/bilya-marlee/ ‘Genuinely inclusive’: Yagan Square https://architectureau.com/articles/yagan-square-lyons/ A space to exhale: Tom Fisher House https://architectureau.com/articles/a-space-to-exhale/
About Design Speaks Weekly
Design Speaks Weekly brings you the biggest stories in Australian architecture and design. Produced by Architecture Media, each episode explores a key theme shaping the built environment, paired with the latest industry news and analysis. As an extension of the Design Speaks event series, this podcast opens up vital conversations to a wider audience, wherever you are.
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