Design Speaks Weekly

Izzie White is an architectural graduate, a leading voice in architectural advocacy on social media and currently acting National Communications Manager at Architectus. Through her TikTok and Instagram channels, where she has built a combined following of almost 50,000 people, she shares videos about architecture that cuts through industry jargon and explains the values and outcomes of design in clear, engaging terms. In recognition of this work, at the 2026 Australian Institute of Architecture’s Victorian Chapter Awards, Izzie received the Advocacy Award in the Bates Smart Media Award category.In this episode, Izzie shares how the profession can play a more active role in educating the public on why architecture matters. Further Reading2026 Victorian Architecture Awardshttps://architectureau.com/articles/2026-victorian-architecture-awards/

There is a long-held notion that architecture is a luxury only available to the few. However, there are many designers finding ways to reclaim architecture’s role in everyday housing. Clare established her practice Clare Cousins Architects in 2005. Since then, her firm has designed and delivered a mix of social housing typologies, as well as cultural, private residential and workplace projects. The studio has found a balance between projects that sustain architectural practice financially and the projects that address broader social needs. In today’s conversation, Clare speaks about how architects can play a meaningful role in shaping an inclusive built environment designed for the 99%. Further Reading Shiel Street North Melbourne, Community Housing Project by Clare Cousins Architectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/shiel-street-north-melbourne-community-housing-project-by-clare-cousins-architects/ The Architecture Symposium: Designing for the 99%https://designspeaks.com.au/events/2026/09/04/the-architecture-symposium-melbourne Courtyard House by Clare Cousins Architectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/Courtyard-House-by-Clare-Cousins-Architects/ Aesop Collins Street by Clare Cousins Architectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/aesop-collins-street-by-clare-cousins-architects/ Aesop Collins Street by Clare Cousins Architectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/nightingale-village/

The design and construction industry generates some of the largest amounts of waste in Australia. Approximately 26.8 megatons were recorded during the 2022–2023 financial year. In response to this excess, Amy Seo and Shahar Cohen created Second Edition to explore new ways of working with materials that would otherwise end up in landfill. By designing their own projects and collaborating with other architects, Amy and Shahar seek to educate and advocate for deconstruction as an alternative to demolition. In today’s conversation, Amy speaks on whether or not there is appetite for this approach on projects across Australia. Further Reading: Emerging profile: Second Editionhttps://architectureau.com/articles/emerging-profile-second-edition/ One to watch: Second Editionhttps://architectureau.com/articles/one-to-watch-second-edition/ Rochester Street Office by Allied Office, Akin Atelier and Second Editionhttps://architectureau.com/articles/rochester-street-office-by-allied-office-akin-atelier-and-second-edition/ Radical acts of repair: Second Editionhttps://architectureau.com/articles/second-edition-1/

Alison Page is a Walbanga and Wadi Wadi woman and a leading design entrepreneur. Her portfolio spans collaborations with Indigenous designers Dillon Kombumerri and Kevin O’Brien from the Merrima Aboriginal Design Unit and eight years as a panellist on ABC’s The New Inventors. She is also the founder of the National Aboriginal Design Agency, and has helped bring First Nations knowledge and culture into contemporary Australian design. Ahead of her upcoming exhibition at Melbourne School of Design, presented as part of Melbourne Design Week, Alison discusses the growing interest in Indigenous design – and the opportunities and complexities it brings. Further Reading Alison Page on artwashing in architecturehttps://architectureau.com/articles/alison-page-on-artwashing-in-architecture/Melbourne Design Week 2026 announcedhttps://architectureau.com/articles/melbourne-design-week-2026-announced/Alison Page: Creative Shape Shifterhttps://designweek.melbourne/event/alison-page-creative-shape-shifter/

Ingrid Richards is a renowned Australian architect who co-founded Richards and Spence with Adrian Spence in 2008, and has since contributed significantly to the civic identity of Brisbane and beyond. The practice is perhaps best known for its instrumental involvement in the development of the James Street Precinct in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley through a series of independent projects – including the Calile Hotel and the Ada Lane Development. In today’s episode, Katelin Butler, editorial director at Architecture Media, asks Ingrid to reflect on the considerations required when designing civic legacy from private commissions and what urban qualities evolve best over time. Further Reading Urbane luxury: The Calile Hotelhttps://architectureau.com/articles/the-calile-hotel/ Incremental civic-ness: James Street Precincthttps://architectureau.com/articles/james-street-precinct/ 2019 Eat Drink Design Awards: Best Hotel Designhttps://architectureau.com/articles/2019-eat-drink-design-awards-best-hotel-design/ Nineteen Jameshttps://architectureau.com/articles/block-works/ Tactical urbanism: Fish Lanehttps://architectureau.com/articles/tactical-urbanism-fish-lane/ 205 North Quay by Hassell, REX and Richards and Spencehttps://architectureau.com/articles/205-north-quay-by-hassell-rex-and-richards-and-spence/ Richards and Spence’s seven favourite hotel designshttps://architectureau.com/articles/richards-and-spence-seven-favourite-hotel-designs/

Mike Hewson is originally from Aotearoa New Zealand and has been based in Sydney for the past decade. He has a background in structural engineering and heavy-civil construction, and he holds a Master of Fine Arts in visual arts from Columbia University. Mike is perhaps best known for his inventive hybrid playground projects, which he describes as part art and part infrastructure. In 2025, Mike opened his first solo presentation, The Key’s Under the Mat, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The exhibition invites visitors to rethink what a playground and public space can be – a recurring agenda throughout Mike’s work. In today’s episode, Emily Wong, editor of Landscape Australia, sits down with Mike to discuss how avoiding overdesigning (or overprescribing) public space can foster moments of unexpected delight, playful risk and multi-generational inclusivity.Further Reading Playful chaos: the art of risky playgroundshttps://architectureau.com/articles/playful-chaos-the-art-of-risky-playgrounds/ Discovery and daring: Rocks on Wheelshttps://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/rocks-on-wheels/ Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mathttps://architectureau.com/calendar/exhibitions/mike-hewson-the-keys-under-the-mat/

Architect Peter McIntyre AO is known for his experimental approach and infectious enthusiasm. He’s received numerous awards, including the 1990 Gold Medal of the Australian Institute of Architects. Peter was still in his early twenties when he established his own practice and began designing major projects that would help shape the city of Melbourne. He counts architects Robin Boyd and Roy Grounds among his early mentors. In this episode, Katelin Butler, editorial director at Architecture Media, speaks with Peter about the increase in risk aversion, and whether it’s narrowing the potential of young architects – and architecture itself.Further Reading 2021 National Enduring Architecture Awardhttps://architectureau.com/articles/2021-national-enduring-architecture-award/ 25 years of Australian residential architecturehttps://architectureau.com/articles/houses-celebrates-100-issues/ Peter McIntyre Beaumaris house heritage listedhttps://architectureau.com/articles/peter-mcintyre-beaumaris-house-heritage-listed/

Commercial viability and creative ambition in architectural practice are a constant balancing act, even more so in this time of economic uncertainty. However, this tension is not unique to one generation. As part of the 2025 Design Speaks Architecture Symposium: What’s next for practice?, Isabelle Toland, who cofounded Aileen Sage Architects in 2013, and Andrew Nimmo, who cofounded Lahznimmo Architects in 1994, spoke about the business of architecture, focusing on fees, procurement and starting their own practices. It was great to understand the similarities and differences that their respective studios experienced as they evolved over the years. It was such an informative conversation that we wanted to share it with our Design Speaks Weekly listeners. This episode beings with Isabelle asking Andrew, “what is it about public projects that interests him?”Further Reading Generation exchange: Fees and procurementhttps://architectureau.com/articles/generation-exchange-fees-and-procurement/ The many pathways to public workhttps://architectureau.com/articles/the-many-pathways-to-public-work/ Contributor: Andrew Nimmohttps://architectureau.com/contributors/Nimmo-Andrew/ Contributor: Isabelle Tolandhttps://architectureau.com/contributors/Toland-Isabelle/

In March 1911, over 1 million people protested across Europe to mark the first ever International Women’s Day, a landmark moment in the long fight for women’s suffrage and labour rights. While IWD remains an important day of protest around the world, many question if its original purpose has been lost. To unpack this, Georgia Birks is joined by Monique Woodward, principal and creative director at WOWOWA Architecture and Interiors. Monique formerly served on the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Gender Equity Diversity Impact Committee, and continues to be a staunch advocate for gender equity in the built environment. Further Reading Espy by Wowowa Architecture and Interiorshttps://architectureau.com/articles/Espy-by-Wowowa-Architecture-and-Interiors/ ‘A feeling of joyful exuberance’: Wowowa Architecturehttps://architectureau.com/articles/wowowa-architecture/ 2015 Dulux Study Tour: Toyo Ito and Associateshttps://architectureau.com/articles/2015-dulux-study-tour-toyo-ito-and-associates/ ‘A gracious and elegant lady doing a man’s job’: Australia’s first woman architecthttps://architectureau.com/articles/a-gracious-and-elegant-lady-doing-a-mans-job-australias-first-woman-architect/ Parlour and gender equity in Australian architecture: Where to from here?https://architectureau.com/articles/parlour-and-gender-equality-in-australian-architecture-where-to-from-here/ New data captures 100 years of architectural registrations, organised by state and genderhttps://architectureau.com/articles/New-data-captures-100-years-of-architectural-registrations-organised-by-state-and-gender/

Angelo Candalepas is one of Australia’s most influential architects working today. Since founding his multi-award-winning practice, Candalepas Associates, in 1999, he has made a significant contribution to the civic fabric of Australian cities, with major cultural projects including Punchbowl Mosque and the forthcoming The Fox: NGV Contemporary. In this episode, Katelin Butler, editorial director at Architecture Media, speaks with Angelo about the delicacies of designing cultural buildings and how architecture can embody the aspirations of a city. Further reading:Punchbowl Mosque by Candalepas Associatesarchitectureau.com/articles/punchbowl-mosque Winning design revealed for NGV Contemporaryarchitectureau.com/articles/winning-design-revealed-for-ngv-contemporary Candalepas’s new addition to Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral precinct approvedarchitectureau.com/articles/candalepass-new-addition-to-sydneys-st-marys-cathedral-precinct-approved Spirit of generosity: Birchgrove Housearchitectureau.com/articles/birchgrove-house The Porter House Hotel and the Castle Residences by Candalepas Associatesarchitectureau.com/articles/the-porter-house-hotel-and-the-castle-residences Angelo Candalepasarchitectureau.com/contributors/Candalepas-Angelo Murcutt, Candalepas-designed central Sydney tower approvedarchitectureau.com/articles/murcutt-candalepas-designed-central-sydney-tower-approved

Simon Pendal is founder of Fremantle-based practice Simon Pendal Architect, and associate professor and co-chair of the Studio Programme at The University of Notre Dame. His work has been widely recognised in publications and awards – most recently winning the 2026 AA Prize for Unbuilt Work in collaboration with Whadjuk Balardong Elder Robyn Collard. The winning project, titled “Walyalup/Fremantle – What If,” introduces town planning incentives to encourage the opening-up of Country via a network of green archipelagos. This project highlights that, when designing to restore environment and culture in cities, there is a need for thinking at both a micro and macro scale – where big ideas require thousands of smaller acts. In our first episode for 2026, we’ve invited Simon to talk to the value of smaller projects and how their collective contribution to city-making changes the way we live. Further reading:In profile: Simon Pendal Architectarchitectureau.com/articles/In-Profile-Simon-Pendal-Architect Architecture as functional sculpture: Beaconsfield Housearchitectureau.com/articles/beaconsfield-house Meet the owners of Beaconsfield Housearchitectureau.com/articles/meet-the-owners-of-beaconsfield-house South Perth House by Simon Pendal Architectarchitectureau.com/articles/South-Perth-House-by-Simon-Pendal-Architect North Perth House by Simon Pendal Architectarchitectureau.com/articles/north-perth-house-by-simon-pendal Carine Housearchitectureau.com/articles/carine-house

Architect Sean Godsell has won numerous local and international awards, including the 2022 Gold Medal of the Australian Institute of Architects.In his 30 years of practising architecture, Sean has garnered a wealth of experience and knowledge – and he is keen to impart some his findings onto the next generation of architects. In this episode, Katelin Butler, editorial director at Architecture Media, asks Sean to reflect on his career, the current state of the profession and what future architects might consider in their own journeys. Further reading: Sean Godsell Architectshttps://architectureau.com/organisations/sean-godsell-architects/ Sean Godsell’s advice to the next generation of designers and architectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/sean-godsells-advice-to-the-next-generation-of-designers-and-architects/ At the coalface: A reflection on practising smallhttps://architectureau.com/articles/at-the-coal-face-a-reflection-on-practising-small/ Sean Godsell: an unrepentant, non-conformist cult figurehttps://architectureau.com/articles/sean-godsell-an-architect-of-the-old-school-for-the-future/ ‘Making something out of nothing’: The architecture of Sean Godsellhttps://architectureau.com/articles/making-something-out-of-nothing-the-architecture-of-sean-godsell/ MPavilion 2023https://architectureau.com/articles/mpavilion-2023/ Architectural poetry: House in the Hillshttps://architectureau.com/articles/house-in-the-hills/ Sean Godsell and the complexity of simplicityhttps://architectureau.com/articles/sean-godsell-and-the-complexity-of-simplicity/ St Andrews Beach House by Sean Godsell Architectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/st-andrews-beach-house-1/ St Andrews Beach House by Sean Godsell Architectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/future-shack/

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 his many accolades and appointments, Kevin has become a mentor for young First Nations graduates and architects, and a leader in Designing with Country approaches. In Australia, we’re witnessing more and more built projects that champion Indigenous collaborations, histories and knowledge. At last week’s Design Speaks symposium, discussions explored the progress of Indigeneity in architecture over the past 30 years. We heard, however, that there is still a long way to go, and education is key to this shift. To continue the conversation, we sat down with Kevin to reflect on the evolution of his work over his storied career and discuss what the growing number of Indigenous architects means for the profession. Further reading:Brisbane South State Secondary College by BVNhttps://architectureau.com/articles/brisbane-south-state-secondary-college/ A space for storytelling: Blak Boxhttps://architectureau.com/articles/blak-box/ Yarrila Place by BVNhttps://architectureau.com/articles/Yarrila-Place-by-BVN/ BVN designs new ATO headquartershttps://architectureau.com/articles/bvn-designs-new-ato-headquarters/ Get comfortable with being uncomfortable: Supporting First Nations practitionershttps://architectureau.com/articles/get-comfortable-with-being-uncomfortable-supporting-first-nations-practitioners/ Obituary: Rewi Thompsonhttps://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/obituary-rewi-thompson/