Design Speaks Weekly

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/]

Every design project is a research project | Nigel Bertram

Nigel Bertram believes all design projects are research projects.  As director of Melbourne-based practice NMBW Architecture Studio and practice professor of architecture at Monash University, he has established a practice model that maximises the relationship between practice and academia, allowing research to inform and guide his studio’s projects. In this episode, Nigel reflects on the opportunities for innovation through research-led design and speaks to the value of post-occupancy evaluations. Further reading: St Albans Housing by NMBW Architecture Studio and MADA https://architectureau.com/articles/st-albans-housing/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/st-albans-housing/] Revisited: St Albans Housing https://architectureau.com/articles/revisited-st-albans-housing/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/revisited-st-albans-housing/] Sanders Place by NMBW Architecture Studio, Openwork and Finding Infinity https://architectureau.com/articles/sanders-place-by-nmbw-architecture-studio-openwork-and-finding-infinity/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/sanders-place-by-nmbw-architecture-studio-openwork-and-finding-infinity/] University of Melbourne Student Precinct Project by Lyons et al https://architectureau.com/articles/university-of-melbourne-student-precinct-project/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/university-of-melbourne-student-precinct-project/]

Private vision, public value | Ingrid Richards

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 Hotel https://architectureau.com/articles/the-calile-hotel/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/the-calile-hotel/] Incremental civic-ness: James Street Precinct https://architectureau.com/articles/james-street-precinct/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/james-street-precinct/] 2019 Eat Drink Design Awards: Best Hotel Design https://architectureau.com/articles/2019-eat-drink-design-awards-best-hotel-design/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/2019-eat-drink-design-awards-best-hotel-design/] Nineteen James https://architectureau.com/articles/block-works/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/block-works/] Tactical urbanism: Fish Lane https://architectureau.com/articles/tactical-urbanism-fish-lane/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/tactical-urbanism-fish-lane/] 205 North Quay by Hassell, REX and Richards and Spence https://architectureau.com/articles/205-north-quay-by-hassell-rex-and-richards-and-spence/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/205-north-quay-by-hassell-rex-and-richards-and-spence/] Richards and Spence’s seven favourite hotel designs https://architectureau.com/articles/richards-and-spence-seven-favourite-hotel-designs/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/richards-and-spence-seven-favourite-hotel-designs/]

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 Sydney https://architectureau.com/articles/australias-first-new-cathedral-in-over-a-century-planned-for-sydney/ [https://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/ [https://architectureau.com/articles/2026-riba-gold-medal-won-by-humble-visionary/]