Design Speaks Weekly

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/

Incremental civic-ness: 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/

Nineteen James
https://architectureau.com/articles/block-works/

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/

Richards and Spence’s seven favourite hotel designs
https://architectureau.com/articles/richards-and-spence-seven-favourite-hotel-designs/

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/

2026 RIBA Gold Medal won by ‘humble visionary’
https://architectureau.com/articles/2026-riba-gold-medal-won-by-humble-visionary/

Mike Hewson is originally from Aotearoa New Zealand and has been based in Sydney for the past decade. He has a background in structural engineering and heavy-civil construction, and he holds a Master of Fine Arts in visual arts from Columbia University.

Mike is perhaps best known for his inventive hybrid playground projects, which he describes as part art and part infrastructure. In 2025, Mike opened his first solo presentation, The Key’s Under the Mat, at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The exhibition invites visitors to rethink what a playground and public space can be – a recurring agenda throughout Mike’s work.

In today’s episode, Emily Wong, editor of Landscape Australia, sits down with Mike to discuss how avoiding overdesigning (or overprescribing) public space can foster moments of unexpected delight, playful risk and multi-generational inclusivity.

Further Reading

Playful chaos: the art of risky playgrounds
https://architectureau.com/articles/playful-chaos-the-art-of-risky-playgrounds/

Discovery and daring: Rocks on Wheels
https://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/rocks-on-wheels/

Mike Hewson: The Key’s Under the Mat
https://architectureau.com/calendar/exhibitions/mike-hewson-the-keys-under-the-mat/

Sarah Lynn Rees is a Palawa woman descending from the Plangermaireener and Trawlwoolwaypeoples of north-east Lutruwita/Tasmania. In addition to her role as associate principal at national architecture studio Jackson Clements Burrows, Sarah is an academic and writer.

Over the course of her career, Sarah has been a prominent advocate for Indigenising the built environment, leading systemic reform in many ways – most notably by updating The National Standard of Competency for Architects (NSCA) to require practitioners to demonstrate a level of understanding of culture, Country and Indigenous engagement processes.

In today’s episode, Sarah speaks on how her activism and support for Indigenous agency and leadership in architecture is being realised in project conception, procurement and delivery.

Further Reading

Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity Hub by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects
https://architectureau.com/articles/atlantic-fellows-for-social-equity-hub-by-jackson-clements-burrows/

Winning design unveiled for WSU Indigenous Centre of Excellence
https://architectureau.com/articles/winning-design-unveiled-for-wsu-indigenous-centre-of-excellence/

It costs nothing to care
https://architectureau.com/articles/it-costs-nothing-to-care/

Design competitions: Starting from Country
https://architectureau.com/articles/design-competitions-starting-from-country/

Indigenizing practice: Documenting Indigenous projects for publication
https://architectureau.com/articles/indigenizing-practice-documenting-indigenous-projects-for-publication/

Indigenizing practice: To award, or not to award?
https://architectureau.com/articles/indigenizing-practice-to-award-or-not-to-award/

Blakitecture: Beyond acknowledgement and into action
https://architectureau.com/articles/blakitecture-beyond-acknowledgement-and-into-action/

Nexus 2013: a coming together of things
https://architectureau.com/articles/nexus-the-coming-together-of-things/

Architect Peter McIntyre AO is known for his experimental approach and infectious enthusiasm. He’s received numerous awards, including the 1990 Gold Medal of the Australian Institute of Architects.

Peter was still in his early twenties when he established his own practice and began designing major projects that would help shape the city of Melbourne. He counts architects Robin Boyd and Roy Grounds among his early mentors.

In this episode, Katelin Butler, editorial director at Architecture Media, speaks with Peter about the increase in risk aversion, and whether it’s narrowing the potential of young architects – and architecture itself.

Further Reading

2021 National Enduring Architecture Award
https://architectureau.com/articles/2021-national-enduring-architecture-award/

25 years of Australian residential architecture
https://architectureau.com/articles/houses-celebrates-100-issues/

Peter McIntyre Beaumaris house heritage listed
https://architectureau.com/articles/peter-mcintyre-beaumaris-house-heritage-listed/