But Why? A Design Podcast

008 - Innovate

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by Alex Lotersztain of Derlot. Alex is an engaging creative who is globally recognised for his work across interiors, product, brand and materiality. Our discussion explores the influence of his childhood and travel experiences, and how he transitioned from being a rebel to becoming obsessed with design through channelling his curiosity to create passion and drive. Alex’s journey is one that many entrepreneurs may be able to relate to. At times he has worked many more hours than he has slept and has had to be overtly bold to receive opportunity. We enjoyed his stories on how in the beginning he made his studio appear as a studio of ‘three’ (although all emails were received and responded by him as the only employee) and how he gained an impromptu 3hr walk-up meeting with a design legend. Alex doesn’t describe his journey as hard. This is because he has had fun along the way and loves what he does. Our conversation gives insight to this. Alex says “we are all born designers but it is stripped away from us”. He believes that modern day challenges provide an abundance of visual stimuli and distraction from experimentation and curiosity. This episode also touches on: * The emotional rollercoaster associated with research and development. * Being forced to be creative (and arguably a better designer) through not having the resources of the ‘big guys’. * Physical manifestations of sustainability storytelling. * The importance of understanding the ‘market pulse’ before risking wasted energy. * Innovation is continuous improvements not just market changing inventions. We hope you enjoy. Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why? Keen to Support Us? But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating. If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link: Show Links Derlot [https://www.derlot.com] Marc Newson [https://marc-newson.com] Wombat [https://www.derlot.com/collections/wombat] GK Design [https://www.gk-design.co.jp/en/about/founder/] Produced by us. Music by Jessica Hooks. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com [https://www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

007 - Circularity Can't Be An Afterthought

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by Huia Adkins, Chair of the Steering Committee at Circular Economy Western Australia (CEWA) and Executive Advisor of Sustainability at GHD. Huia shares her journey from environmental protection and waste management into circular economy thinking, describing the moment she encountered circularity as a complete shift in perspective, from managing outputs to redesigning entire systems. Our conversation challenges the idea of circularity sitting as a last-minute bolt-on at the end of a project. We explore how circularity must be embedded from the outset, shaping design decisions, procurement models and stakeholder collaboration. We hope this episode presents as both pragmatic and optimistic. It acknowledges structural, policy and industry gaps, while also highlighting the growing capability and knowledge required to develop a more circular future. The conversation explores: * The limitations of linear systems and why they often need to be rethought entirely. * The role of procurement and RFP processes in either enabling or restricting innovation. * Circularity as a system-wide economic model, not just a materials or waste issue. * The rise of concepts like right to repair and extended producer responsibility. * The challenge of circularity becoming a buzzword without clear understanding or application. We hope you enjoy. Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why? Keen to Support Us? But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating. If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link: Show Links CEWA [https://www.cewa.com.au] GHD [https://www.ghd.com] Kwinana Industrial Council [https://kic.org.au] World Economic Forum [https://www.weforum.org] Produced by us. Music by Jessica Hooks. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com [https://www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

006 - Materials Matter

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by Renae Tapley, Studio Director of Foolscap Perth Studio and founder of Future Materials. Renae shares the thinking behind Future Materials, a self-initiated platform built to promote low-carbon, circular and bio-based materials for the built environment. Our conversation touches on industry’s reliance on newness, questions the value we overlook in what already exists, and highlights the role designers play in influencing supply chains, behaviours and long-term outcomes. This episode is a reminder that specifiers hold power in specification and every decision carries consequences. It also opens up a different way of thinking about buildings - as banks of future value. The conversation explores: * The idea of a ‘materials narrative’ and designing with context, locality and story. * Resource recovery over demolition and reframing ‘waste’ as value. * Barriers to change including cost, risk, regulation and industry inertia. * Tensions between certification systems, storytelling and genuine impact. * Designing for disassembly and the importance of construction methodology. * Buildings as material banks, including material passports and digital twins. * The importance of shifting from extraction to participation with the natural world. We hope you enjoy. Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why? Keen to Support Us? But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating. If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link: Show Links Future Materials [https://futurematerials.co] Foolscap Studio [https://www.foolscap.com.au] Living Building Challenge [https://living-future.org/lbc/] Green Building Council [https://www.gbca.au] Produced by us. Music by Jessica Hooks. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com [https://www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

005 - Designers Enhance Life

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by architect Jimmy Thompson of MJA Studio to explore the idea that design has the power to enhance life. Jimmy shares insights from years of practice working across housing and mixed-use projects, where the challenge is not just creating buildings, but shaping environments that support dignity, wellbeing and everyday experience. The conversation moves beyond form and aesthetics, asking deeper questions about the role architects play in creating places where people spend most of their lives. At the centre of the discussion is a reminder that design decisions carry consequence. From light and air through to spatial planning and material choices, the built environment has the potential to elevate human experience when intention and care are applied. The conversation also touches on a challenge within the design profession itself: designers often struggle to communicate the why behind their decisions. The conversation explores: * Architecture as a tool for enhancing everyday life * The responsibility designers hold toward the people who occupy their buildings * Housing as more than shelter, creating dignity, health and wellbeing * Balancing professional success with humility in design practice We hope you enjoy. Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why? Keen to Support Us? But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. Subscribers get early access to new episodes, behind the mic reflections, design field notes, and thoughtful essays that expand conversations beyond the recordings. Never miss an update! Every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. If you are feeling generous you can make a pledge but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link: Show Links MJA Studio [https://www.mjastudio.net] Produced by us. Music by Jessica Hooks. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com [https://www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

004 - Environmental & Human Experience

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Stirling turns the lens toward Eugene and the origin of platFORMed. What begins as a conversation about naming quickly becomes something deeper - a reflection on purpose, influence, risk, and the uncomfortable moment when success no longer feels aligned. Eugene shares his pursuit of a holistic impact - not just in products or projects, but in systems, people and environments. The discussion explores the tension between security and soul, and the realisation that legacy is shaped not by position, but by influence. The conversation explores: * The decision to leave security in pursuit of purpose * Designing a life, not just a career * Influence as a tool for environmental and human impact * Projects as leverage for systemic change * The tension between comfort, risk and legacy * Waste Watch: repair, responsibility and the ‘underused economy’ We hope you enjoy. Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why? Keen to Support Us? But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. Subscribers get early access to new episodes, behind the mic reflections, design field notes, and thoughtful essays that expand conversations beyond the recordings. Never miss an update! Every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. If you are feeling generous you can make a pledge but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link: Show Links platFORMed [http://platformed.com.au] & / OR Consulting [http://And-or.au] Produced by us. Music by Jessica Hooks. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com [https://www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]