Design Speaks Weekly

Where craft meets systems | William Smart

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/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/stokes-14/] 2017 National Architecture Awards: Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture https://architectureau.com/articles/2017-National-Architecture-Awards-Emil-Sodersten-Award-for-Interior-Architecture/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/2017-National-Architecture-Awards-Emil-Sodersten-Award-for-Interior-Architecture/] Howatson Company by Those Architects and Smart Design Studio https://architectureau.com/articles/howatson-company-by-those-architects-and-smart-design-studio/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/howatson-company-by-those-architects-and-smart-design-studio/] Self expression: Smart Design Studio office https://architectureau.com/articles/smart-design-studio-office/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/smart-design-studio-office/] Recalling bygone grandeur: Rail Operations Centre https://architectureau.com/articles/rail-operations-centre/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/rail-operations-centre/] First House: 632 Bourke https://architectureau.com/articles/first-house-632-bourke/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/first-house-632-bourke/] Celebrating curves: Regent https://architectureau.com/articles/celebrating-curves-regent/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/celebrating-curves-regent/] Evocative and engaging: Town Hall House https://architectureau.com/articles/town-hall-house/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/town-hall-house/] Independent integration: Crown 515 https://architectureau.com/articles/crown-515/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/crown-515/] Elemental and abstract: Sydney 385 https://architectureau.com/articles/sydney-385/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/sydney-385/] Nip and tuck: Orama https://architectureau.com/articles/orama/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/orama/] Optique https://architectureau.com/articles/optique/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/optique/]

Making architecture make sense | Izzie White

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 Reading 2026 Victorian Architecture Awards https://architectureau.com/articles/2026-victorian-architecture-awards/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/2026-victorian-architecture-awards/]

Architecture without ego | Gregory Burgess

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/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/gold-medallist/] 2025 National Award for Enduring Architecture https://architectureau.com/articles/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/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/2023-National-Award-for-Enduring-Architecture/] Sidney Myer Music Bowl https://architectureau.com/articles/sidney-myer-music-bowl/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/sidney-myer-music-bowl/]

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/]