Design Speaks Weekly

Balancing purpose and profit | Clare Cousins

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 Architects https://architectureau.com/articles/shiel-street-north-melbourne-community-housing-project-by-clare-cousins-architects/ [https://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 [https://designspeaks.com.au/events/2026/09/04/the-architecture-symposium-melbourne] Courtyard House by Clare Cousins Architects https://architectureau.com/articles/Courtyard-House-by-Clare-Cousins-Architects/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/Courtyard-House-by-Clare-Cousins-Architects/] Aesop Collins Street by Clare Cousins Architects https://architectureau.com/articles/aesop-collins-street-by-clare-cousins-architects/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/aesop-collins-street-by-clare-cousins-architects/] Aesop Collins Street by Clare Cousins Architects https://architectureau.com/articles/nightingale-village/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/nightingale-village/]

Are cafes the new office? | Mark Simpson and Damien Mulvihill

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 Office https://architectureau.com/articles/the-commons-richmond-by-designoffice/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/the-commons-richmond-by-designoffice/] 2025 Australian Interior Design Awards: Retail Design https://architectureau.com/articles/2025-australian-interior-design-awards-retail-design/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/2025-australian-interior-design-awards-retail-design/] Mark Simpson’s advice to the next generation of designers and architects https://architectureau.com/articles/mark-simpsons-advice-to-the-next-generation-of-designers-and-architects/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/mark-simpsons-advice-to-the-next-generation-of-designers-and-architects/] Design Office’s new Melbourne Headquarters https://architectureau.com/articles/designoffices-new-melbourne-headquarters/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/designoffices-new-melbourne-headquarters/] Intimate volume: Higher Ground https://architectureau.com/articles/higher-ground/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/higher-ground/] 2017 Australian Interior Design Awards: Hospitality Design https://architectureau.com/articles/2017-australian-interior-design-awards-hospitality-design/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/2017-australian-interior-design-awards-hospitality-design/] My Catwalk https://architectureau.com/articles/my-catwalk/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/my-catwalk/] Nishi display suite interior https://architectureau.com/articles/nishi-display-suite-by-designoffice/  [https://architectureau.com/articles/nishi-display-suite-by-designoffice/]

Making waste work | Amy Seo

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 Edition https://architectureau.com/articles/emerging-profile-second-edition/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/emerging-profile-second-edition/]  One to watch: Second Edition https://architectureau.com/articles/one-to-watch-second-edition/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/one-to-watch-second-edition/]  Rochester Street Office by Allied Office, Akin Atelier and Second Edition https://architectureau.com/articles/rochester-street-office-by-allied-office-akin-atelier-and-second-edition/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/rochester-street-office-by-allied-office-akin-atelier-and-second-edition/]  Radical acts of repair: Second Edition https://architectureau.com/articles/second-edition-1/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/second-edition-1/]

Thinking like a fox | Neil Durbach, Camilla Block and David Jaggers

Neil Durbach, Camilla Block and David Jaggers are the recipients of the Australian Institute of Architects 2026 Gold Medal – Australia’s highest architectural honour. Their Sydney-based practice Durbach Block Jaggers Architects is defined by a collaborative, exploratory approach to design that embraces complexity, contradiction and exchange. In celebration of their Gold Medal win, editorial director at Architecture Media Katelin Butler speaks with Neil Durbach, Camilla Block and David Jaggers about collaboration, creative process and the dynamics behind their practice. Further reading: National Prizes Gold Medal https://architectureau.com/articles/2026-national-prizes-gold-medal/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/2026-national-prizes-gold-medal/] Beyond the unexpected https://architectureau.com/articles/beyond-the-unexpected/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/beyond-the-unexpected/] Phoenix Central Park  https://architectureau.com/articles/phoenix-central-park/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/phoenix-central-park/] UTS Science and Health Building  https://architectureau.com/articles/uts-science-and-health-building/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/uts-science-and-health-building/] Newcastle East End Stage 1 https://architectureau.com/articles/newcastle_east_end_stage_one/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/newcastle_east_end_stage_one/] Durbach Block Jaggers' hourglass-shaped Omnia tower completed https://architectureau.com/articles/durbach-block-jaggers-hourglass-shaped-omnia-tower-completed/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/durbach-block-jaggers-hourglass-shaped-omnia-tower-completed/] National Architecture Awards Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture (Houses New) https://architectureau.com/articles/2017-national-architecture-awards-robin-boyd-award-for-residential-architecture-houses-new/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/2017-national-architecture-awards-robin-boyd-award-for-residential-architecture-houses-new/] Heritage revitalisation of Sydney's Powerhouse Museum Ultimo granted approval https://architectureau.com/articles/heritage-revitalisation-of-Sydneys-powerhouse-museum-ultimo-granted-approval/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/heritage-revitalisation-of-Sydneys-powerhouse-museum-ultimo-granted-approval/] Durbach Block Jaggers designs Sydney pencil tower https://architectureau.com/articles/durbach-block-jaggers-designs-sydney-pencil-tower/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/durbach-block-jaggers-designs-sydney-pencil-tower/]

Who benefits from Indigenous design? | Alison Page

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 architecture https://architectureau.com/articles/alison-page-on-artwashing-in-architecture/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/alison-page-on-artwashing-in-architecture/] Melbourne Design Week 2026 announced https://architectureau.com/articles/melbourne-design-week-2026-announced/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/melbourne-design-week-2026-announced/] Alison Page: Creative Shape Shifter https://designweek.melbourne/event/alison-page-creative-shape-shifter/ [https://designweek.melbourne/event/alison-page-creative-shape-shifter/]