Why do architects need to be advocates? | Jennifer McMaster
Architects have always been advocates for design solutions, but as global challenges grow, so too does pressure on architects to stand up and do more.
Jennifer McMaster is a founding director of architectural practice Trias and the recipient of the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2024 National Emerging Architect Prize. Across her work, she consciously advocates for environmentally responsible design.
In this episode, Jen shares insight on how she balances advocacy with the realities of practice, and how the industry can collectively create change in a time of global crises.
Further reading:
2024 National Emerging Architect Prize
https://architectureau.com/articles/2024-National-Emerging-Architect-Prize/
Jennifer McMaster on how to broadcast the value of architecture to a wider audience
https://architectureau.com/articles/jennifer-mcmaster-on-how-to-broadcast-the-value-of-architecture-to-a-wider-audience/
Draped House by Trias
https://architectureau.com/articles/draped-house-by-trias/
Paddington House by Trias
https://architectureau.com/articles/paddington-house-by-trias/
2025 Houses Awards: House Alteration and Addition over 200 square metres
https://architectureau.com/articles/2025-Houses-Awards-House-Alteration-and-Addition-over-200-square-metres/
2025 Houses Awards shortlist: Sustainability
https://architectureau.com/articles/2025-houses-awards-shortlist-sustainability/
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Can design save the planet? | Ross Harding
Reducing carbon emissions has long been a global priority. Ross Harding, principal of Finding Infinity – a creative and technical environmental consultancy firm driving the transition to self-sufficient cities – is focused on turning ambition into action.
Finding Infinity is best known for initiating “A New Normal”, a $100 billion creative strategy aimed at transforming Melbourne into a model of urban self-sufficiency through architectural collaboration. The initiative has since expanded nationally, with built projects delivered and underway across Australia.
In this special live episode from SXSW Sydney 2025, Ross explores why understanding and communicating net-zero opportunities is key to creating regenerative cities.
Further reading:
A New Normal, Melbourne
https://www.findinginfinity.com/projects/a-new-normal-melbourne/
Language matters: Our language, much like our architecture, requires specificity
https://architectureau.com/articles/language-matters/
Ross Harding on how to accelerate Australia’s circular economy
https://architectureau.com/articles/ross-harding-on-how-to-accelerate-australias-circular-economy/
A New Normal Sydney
https://architectureau.com/calendar/exhibitions/a-new-normal/
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Does Australia need a federal government architect? | Adam Haddow
Australia has a chief medical officer and chief scientist – but no federal government architect. In today’s episode, associate editor of ArchitectureAu Lucia Amies is joined by national president of the Australian Institute of Architects Adam Haddow to discuss the case for introducing such a role.
Lucia and Adam unpack what the position might involve, and how it might contribute to better design outcomes and improved living standards.
Further reading:
Institute calls for federal government architect in lead-up to national election
https://architectureau.com/articles/The-institute-calls-for-a-federal-government-architect-in-lead-up-to-national-election/
Roundtable: Government architects in Australia
https://architectureau.com/articles/roundtable-government-architects-in-australia/
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Is “trend” a dirty word? | Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy
Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy are founding partners of the award-winning practice Kennedy Nolan. Along with its many accolades and acknowledgments, the practice has amassed one of the largest Instagram followings of any Australian architecture studio, making it arguably one of the most influential studios in the country today.
Over the years, Kennedy Nolan’s designs have shaped trends in the industry rather, than followed them. But being a so-called “trendsetter” comes with responsibilities.
In today’s episode, we learn about Rachel and Patrick’s approach to staying ahead of the game, how they really feel about imitation and the importance of being mindful of social media’s impact.
Further reading:
First House: Kennedy Nolan Architects
https://architectureau.com/articles/james-street-house-by-kennedy-nolan-architects/
Balam Balam Place by Kennedy Nolan, Openwork and Finding Infinity
https://architectureau.com/articles/balam-balam-place-by-kennedy-nolan-openwork-and-finding-infinity/
Melbourne Place by Kennedy Nolan
https://architectureau.com/articles/melbourne-place/
The developer’s perspective: Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit by Kennedy Nolan with Finding Infinity
https://architectureau.com/articles/the-developers-perspective-wilam-ngarrang-retrofit-by-kennedy-nolan-with-finding-infinity/
Six Ways House by Kennedy Nolan
https://architectureau.com/articles/Six-Ways-House-by-Kennedy-Nolan/
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Who, or what, defines Indigenous architecture today? | Carroll Go-Sam and Deidre Brown
In this episode of Design Speaks Weekly, Carroll Go-Sam and Deidre Brown explore the progress of Indigenous recognition and representation in architecture across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Carroll (Dyirbal, Gumbilbara Bama) is a senior lecturer at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Queensland. Deidre (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu) is a professor of architecture at the University of Auckland and the recipient of the 2023 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal.
During Deidre’s 2024 Australian tour of her gold medal address, host Georgia Birks sat down with the pair to ask them to reflect on how Indigeneity in architecture and education has shifted over time.
You can read the full interview in the 2025 Jan/Feb issue of Architecture Australia or on ArchitectureAu.com.
Further reading:
Creating space: The rise of Indigenous recognition and representation in architecture
https://architectureau.com/articles/Creating-space-the-rise-of-Indigenous-recognition-and-representation-in-architecture/
Carroll Go-Sam
https://architectureau.com/contributors/Go-Sam-Carroll/
New Zealand Institute of Architects 2023 Gold Medal: Professor Deidre Brown
https://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/gold-medal/2023-gold-medal-professor-deidre-brown/
Design Speaks Weekly brings you the biggest stories in Australian architecture and design. Produced by Architecture Media, each episode explores a key theme shaping the built environment, paired with the latest industry news and analysis. As an extension of the Design Speaks event series, this podcast opens up vital conversations to a wider audience, wherever you are.
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