Design Speaks Weekly

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 Architectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/houses-of-anthony-gill-architects/
Randwick House by Anthony Gill Architectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/Randwick-House-by-Anthony-Gill-Architects/
Blue Mountains House by Anthony Gill Architectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/blue-mountains-house/
An outdoor challenge: Waterloo Househttps://architectureau.com/articles/waterloo-house/
Paddington Househttps://architectureau.com/articles/paddington-house/
Surry Hills Househttps://architectureau.com/articles/surry-hills-house-by-anthony-gill-architects/
Potts Point Apartmenthttps://architectureau.com/articles/potts-point-apartment/
 

Lee Hillam is a seasoned design critic. Her experience as a principal of Dunn Hillam, 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 systemhttps://architectureau.com/articles/lee-hillam-on-how-to-improve-the-competition-system/
Green Square Public School and Community Spaces by BVNhttps://architectureau.com/articles/green-square-public-school-and-community-spaces-by-bvn/
Murrin Bridge Preschool Community Hub by CD Studio, Supercontext, GFA2, Fake Industries and University of Technology Sydneyhttps://architectureau.com/articles/murrin-bridge-preschool-community-hub/
The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherlandhttps://architectureau.com/articles/the-pavilion-performing-arts-centre-sutherland/
Music, desert and sky: Cobar Sound Chapelhttps://architectureau.com/articles/cobar-sound-chapel/
Architecture as storytelling: Quay Quarter Laneshttps://architectureau.com/articles/quay-quarter-lanes/
An act of civic pride: Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centrehttps://architectureau.com/articles/gunyama-park-aquatic-and-recreation-centre/
Third-gen city-making: 44A Foveaux Streethttps://architectureau.com/articles/44a-foveaux-street/
The architecture of interdependence: Escarpment Househttps://architectureau.com/articles/escarpment-house/
Making a community: Arkadiahttps://architectureau.com/articles/arkadia/
Tall ambitions: Short Lanehttps://architectureau.com/articles/short-lane/
Cowper Street Housinghttps://architectureau.com/articles/cowper-street-housing/
Long hours: Go hard or go home!https://architectureau.com/articles/long-hours-go-hard-or-go-home/
 

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 carehttps://architectureau.com/articles/residential-design-through-the-lens-of-care/
Justine Clark on whether inclusive design should move from aspiration to obligationhttps://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 obligationhttps://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 obligationhttps://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 obligationhttps://architectureau.com/articles/angelo-candalepas-on-whether-inclusive-design-should-move-from-aspiration-to-obligation/

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: Leadershiphttps://architectureau.com/articles/women-in-architecture-leadership/
Emma Williamson on how to broadcast the value of architecture to a wider audiencehttps://architectureau.com/articles/emma-williamson-on-how-to-broadcast-the-value-of-architecture-to-a-wider-audience/
Valuing architectural work: The human effectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/valuing-architectural-work-the-human-effects/
Diversity as a disruptor in constructionhttps://architectureau.com/articles/diversity-as-a-disruptor-in-construction/
Architecture’s untapped opportunities to maximize advantagehttps://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 Universityhttps://architectureau.com/articles/school-of-design-and-the-built-environment-curtin-university/
Values-driven design: ANZ Breathehttps://architectureau.com/articles/anz-breathe/
Narrative and legacy: Bilya Marleehttps://architectureau.com/articles/bilya-marlee/
‘Genuinely inclusive’: Yagan Squarehttps://architectureau.com/articles/yagan-square-lyons/
A space to exhale: Tom Fisher Househttps://architectureau.com/articles/a-space-to-exhale/

William Smart is the founder and creative director of Smart Design Studio, a practice that has delivered a wide range of projects, from large-scale masterplans and cultural buildings to private houses and product design.
In conversation with Architecture Media’s editorial director Katelin Butler, William reflects on how the drive towards scalability and standardisation in architecture is redefining creativity, craft and customisation.
 
Further Reading
Parametric pursuit: Stokes 14 https://architectureau.com/articles/stokes-14/
2017 National Architecture Awards: Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecturehttps://architectureau.com/articles/2017-National-Architecture-Awards-Emil-Sodersten-Award-for-Interior-Architecture/
Howatson Company by Those Architects and Smart Design Studiohttps://architectureau.com/articles/howatson-company-by-those-architects-and-smart-design-studio/
Self expression: Smart Design Studio officehttps://architectureau.com/articles/smart-design-studio-office/
Recalling bygone grandeur: Rail Operations Centrehttps://architectureau.com/articles/rail-operations-centre/
First House: 632 Bourkehttps://architectureau.com/articles/first-house-632-bourke/
Celebrating curves: Regenthttps://architectureau.com/articles/celebrating-curves-regent/
Evocative and engaging: Town Hall Househttps://architectureau.com/articles/town-hall-house/
Independent integration: Crown 515https://architectureau.com/articles/crown-515/
Elemental and abstract: Sydney 385https://architectureau.com/articles/sydney-385/
Nip and tuck: Oramahttps://architectureau.com/articles/orama/
Optiquehttps://architectureau.com/articles/optique/

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/

Australian architect Gregory Burgess AM is renowned for his culturally and environmentally responsive approach to architecture. For more than five decades, his work has been shaped by presence, patience, and a pioneering spirit of co-design.
Greg has been honoured with numerous national and international awards, including the 2004 Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal, and appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia. Despite his acclaim, he modestly refrains from the spotlight.
In this episode, Gregory Burgess of Gregory Burgess Architects reflects on the role and responsibilities of an architect, particularly when working with First Nations communities, as well as the values that have guided his remarkable career. 
Further reading: 
Gold medallist 
https://architectureau.com/articles/gold-medallist/
2025 National Award for Enduring Architecture
https://architectureau.com/articles/2025-National-Award-for-Enduring-Architecture/
2023 National Award for Enduring Architecture
https://architectureau.com/articles/2023-National-Award-for-Enduring-Architecture/
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
https://architectureau.com/articles/sidney-myer-music-bowl/

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/

Mark Simpson and Damien Mulvihill, established their multi-disciplinary practice Design Office in 2008. The studio works across a wide range of project scales and typologies, with designs that seek to challenge and explore the qualities that determine a space for hospitality, a space for work or a space for living.
In today’s episode, InteriorsAu editor Cassie Hansen, speaks with Mark and Damien about the unique influence of hospitality design in the workplace.
 
Further reading:
The Commons Richmond by Design Officehttps://architectureau.com/articles/the-commons-richmond-by-designoffice/
2025 Australian Interior Design Awards: Retail Designhttps://architectureau.com/articles/2025-australian-interior-design-awards-retail-design/
Mark Simpson’s advice to the next generation of designers and architectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/mark-simpsons-advice-to-the-next-generation-of-designers-and-architects/
Design Office’s new Melbourne Headquartershttps://architectureau.com/articles/designoffices-new-melbourne-headquarters/
Intimate volume: Higher Groundhttps://architectureau.com/articles/higher-ground/
2017 Australian Interior Design Awards: Hospitality Designhttps://architectureau.com/articles/2017-australian-interior-design-awards-hospitality-design/
My Catwalkhttps://architectureau.com/articles/my-catwalk/
Nishi display suite interiorhttps://architectureau.com/articles/nishi-display-suite-by-designoffice/ 

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/