Design Speaks Weekly

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 procurement
https://architectureau.com/articles/generation-exchange-fees-and-procurement/

The many pathways to public work
https://architectureau.com/articles/the-many-pathways-to-public-work/

Contributor: Andrew Nimmo
https://architectureau.com/contributors/Nimmo-Andrew/

Contributor: Isabelle Toland
https://architectureau.com/contributors/Toland-Isabelle/

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 reading
Holding space for the future: Olafur Eliasson
architectureau.com/articles/holding-space-for-the-future-olafur-eliasson

Olafur Eliasson: Presence
architectureau.com/calendar/exhibitions/olafur-eliasson-presence

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 Interiors
https://architectureau.com/articles/Espy-by-Wowowa-Architecture-and-Interiors/

‘A feeling of joyful exuberance’: Wowowa Architecture
https://architectureau.com/articles/wowowa-architecture/

2015 Dulux Study Tour: Toyo Ito and Associates
https://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 architect
https://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 gender
https://architectureau.com/articles/New-data-captures-100-years-of-architectural-registrations-organised-by-state-and-gender/

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 House
https://architectureau.com/articles/three-house/

Winner: Australian House of the Year
https://housesawards.com.au/gallery/2021/australian-house-of-the-year/2P6WIMX7QYX

Full bloom: Terrarium House
https://architectureau.com/articles/terrarium-house/

Niwa House by John Ellway
https://architectureau.com/articles/niwa-house-john-ellway/

Hopscotch House by John Ellway Architect
https://architectureau.com/articles/hopscotch-john-ellway/

‘A place to picnic’: Cascade House
https://architectureau.com/articles/cascade-house-john-ellway/

A neighbourly disposition: Twin Houses
https://architectureau.com/articles/twin-houses/

How a speculative development won Brisbane’s house of the year
https://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/

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 Associates
architectureau.com/articles/punchbowl-mosque

Winning design revealed for NGV Contemporary
architectureau.com/articles/winning-design-revealed-for-ngv-contemporary

Candalepas’s new addition to Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral precinct approved
architectureau.com/articles/candalepass-new-addition-to-sydneys-st-marys-cathedral-precinct-approved

Spirit of generosity: Birchgrove House
architectureau.com/articles/birchgrove-house

The Porter House Hotel and the Castle Residences by Candalepas Associates
architectureau.com/articles/the-porter-house-hotel-and-the-castle-residences

Angelo Candalepas
architectureau.com/contributors/Candalepas-Angelo

Murcutt, Candalepas-designed central Sydney tower approved
architectureau.com/articles/murcutt-candalepas-designed-central-sydney-tower-approved