Design Speaks Weekly

Building as an act, not an object | Níall McLaughlin

Níall McLaughlin founded his London-based practice, Níall McLaughlin Architects, in 1990. Over three decades, the studio has developed a reputation for elegant detailing and thoughtful material exploration. This careful, consistent approach shapes a diverse body of work across a wide range of typologies. Underpinning it all is McLaughlin’s belief that building is “an act, not an object.”
Following the announcement that Níall McLaughlin Architects has been appointed to design a new Catholic cathedral in Sydney, ArchitectureAu editor Lucia Amies speaks with McLaughlin about his studio’s philosophy, process and evolving approach to architecture.
 
Further Reading
Australia’s first new cathedral in over a century planned for Sydneyhttps://architectureau.com/articles/australias-first-new-cathedral-in-over-a-century-planned-for-sydney/
2026 RIBA Gold Medal won by ‘humble visionary’https://architectureau.com/articles/2026-riba-gold-medal-won-by-humble-visionary/

Are we overprotecting play? | Mike Hewson

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/

How to practise what you preach | Sarah Lynn Rees

Sarah Lynn Rees is a Palawa woman descending from the Plangermaireener and Trawlwoolwaypeoples of north-east Lutruwita/Tasmania. In addition to her role as associate principal at national architecture studio Jackson Clements Burrows, Sarah is an academic and writer.
Over the course of her career, Sarah has been a prominent advocate for Indigenising the built environment, leading systemic reform in many ways – most notably by updating The National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA) to require practitioners to demonstrate a level of understanding of culture, Country and Indigenous engagement processes.
In today’s episode, Sarah speaks on how her activism and support for Indigenous agency and leadership in architecture is being realised in project conception, procurement and delivery.
Further Reading
Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity Hub by Jackson Clements Burrows Architectshttps://architectureau.com/articles/atlantic-fellows-for-social-equity-hub-by-jackson-clements-burrows/
Winning design unveiled for WSU Indigenous Centre of Excellencehttps://architectureau.com/articles/winning-design-unveiled-for-wsu-indigenous-centre-of-excellence/
It costs nothing to carehttps://architectureau.com/articles/it-costs-nothing-to-care/
Design competitions: Starting from Countryhttps://architectureau.com/articles/design-competitions-starting-from-country/
Indigenizing practice: Documenting Indigenous projects for publicationhttps://architectureau.com/articles/indigenizing-practice-documenting-indigenous-projects-for-publication/
Indigenizing practice: To award, or not to award?https://architectureau.com/articles/indigenizing-practice-to-award-or-not-to-award/
Blakitecture: Beyond acknowledgement and into actionhttps://architectureau.com/articles/blakitecture-beyond-acknowledgement-and-into-action/
Nexus 2013: a coming together of thingshttps://architectureau.com/articles/nexus-the-coming-together-of-things/

Has architecture lost its nerve? | Peter McIntyre

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/
 

Should architects resist the ‘emerging’ label? | Belqis Youssofzay

Youssofzay Hart is an award-winning architecture and interior design practice based in Sydney. The studio is well acquainted with the "emerging architect" label and all that comes with it. Led by directors Belqis Youssofzay and David Hart, the studio works with leading Australian and international cultural and educational institutions – including Powerhouse, M+ in Hong Kong, and the University of Sydney – to design galleries, exhibitions, installations and interiors.
In this episode, ArchitectureAu editor Lucia Amies speaks with Belqis about whether the "emerging architect" label is a double-edged sword.
Further reading:
Qianyi Lim on whether to resist the ‘emerging architect’ labelhttps://architectureau.com/articles/qianyi-lim-on-whether-to-resist-the-emerging-architect-label/
Nic Brunsdon on whether to resist the ‘emerging architect’ labelhttps://architectureau.com/articles/nic-brunsdon-on-whether-to-resist-the-emerging-architect-label/
Kali Marnane on whether to resist the ‘emerging architect’ labelhttps://architectureau.com/articles/kali-marnane-on-whether-to-resist-the-emerging-architect-label/
David Welsh on whether to resist the ‘emerging architect’ labelhttps://architectureau.com/articles/david-welsh-on-whether-to-resist-the-emerging-architect-label/
Bradley Kerr on whether to resist the ‘emerging architect’ labelhttps://architectureau.com/articles/bradley-kerr-on-whether-to-resist-the-emerging-architect-label/

The economics of practice | Isabelle Toland and Andrew Nimmo

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/

The language of space and time | Olafur Eliasson

Renowned Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson is best known for his large-scale immersive installations that harness ephemeral materials, including light, air and water, to explore topics of time, the natural environment and the effects of climate change. 
For this episode, Landscape Architecture Australia editor Emily Wong sat down with Olafur at the opening of his latest exhibition, Presence, at the Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, which runs until 12 July 2026.
They talk about nature in cities, the tensions between the natural and human-made worlds, and the need to face the trauma of the climate crisis.
Further readingHolding space for the future: Olafur Eliassonarchitectureau.com/articles/holding-space-for-the-future-olafur-eliasson
Olafur Eliasson: Presencearchitectureau.com/calendar/exhibitions/olafur-eliasson-presence

Is International Women’s Day still relevant? | Monique Woodward

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/

Less house, more life | John Ellway

John Ellway is one of Australia’s leading residential architects. Since establishing his practice in 2017, he has received multiple state and national awards, including Australian House of the Year for Three House at the 2021 Houses Awards.
His residential designs prove that living well doesn't require a large footprint: with thoughtful planning and the strategic use of light, views and landscape, smaller homes can be rich in both spatial experience and functionality.  
In this episode, Alexa Kempton, editor of Houses Magazine, talks with John about creating homes that are compact, practical and a delight to live in.
 
 
Further Reading
Breezy lyricism: Three Househttps://architectureau.com/articles/three-house/
Winner: Australian House of the Yearhttps://housesawards.com.au/gallery/2021/australian-house-of-the-year/2P6WIMX7QYX
Full bloom: Terrarium Househttps://architectureau.com/articles/terrarium-house/
Niwa House by John Ellwayhttps://architectureau.com/articles/niwa-house-john-ellway/
Hopscotch House by John Ellway Architecthttps://architectureau.com/articles/hopscotch-john-ellway/
‘A place to picnic’: Cascade Househttps://architectureau.com/articles/cascade-house-john-ellway/
A neighbourly disposition: Twin Houseshttps://architectureau.com/articles/twin-houses/
How a speculative development won Brisbane’s house of the yearhttps://architectureau.com/articles/twin-houses-john-ellway/
2025 Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)https://architectureau.com/articles/2025-Eleanor-Cullis-Hill-Award-for-Residential-Architecture-Houses-Alterations-and-Additions/
2019 Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)https://architectureau.com/articles/2019-national-architecture-awards-eleanor-cullis-hill-award-for-res-alts-adds/

Does architecture shape who we are? | Angelo Candalepas

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