Episode 265: Samantha Peart, Hassell’s Global Head of Sustainability & Prue Pascoe, Associate Interior Designer at Hassell on Closing the Loop
Samantha Peart has worked across 20 different countries, involving sustainability strategies and multidisciplinary project delivery for commercial and residential buildings, healthcare facilities, retail developments, university campuses, large-scale infrastructure projects and organisations. In her role as Hassell’s Global Head of Sustainability, Peart is leading the drive for innovation in sustainable design, helping to steer Hassell’s mission to become a more sustainable and forward-thinking practice. Prue Pascoe, Associate Interior Designer at Hassell has played a key role in the design of the Design Wall 2023. The Design Wall is part of the Melbourne Now exhibition and showcases innovative product design from Melbourne at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).In this interveiw Samanatha and Prue discuss teh drive towards Closing the Loop and in what ways are smart technologies (IoT, AI, data analytics) driving sustainability in building operations and infrastructure management.This podcast is brought to you in association with Autex Acoustics, proud sponsors of our 2025 Sustainability series of podcasts.
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Episode 264: Metricon National Design Director Adrian Popple on why houses are not designed like cars
Adrian Popple has over 35 years’ experience in residential design and under his guidance seen Metricon countless times recognised and awarded by Australia's peak building bodies for its innovative and industry leading designs.Joining Metricon in 1987, Adrian Popple swiftly ascended the ranks navigating diverse roles-from drafting cadet to design and display management, and a stint in business development, culminating in his now 15-year tenure as National Design Director.Over three decades, Adrian has meticulously crafted Metricon's design DNA, establishing an envious industry presence.He joins us to try and answer the burning question of this week: “If Your House Were a Car, It Would Be a 1990 Sedan. How can we Fix That?".This podcast is brought to you in association with AWS, proud sponsors of our 2025 Residential series of podcasts.
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Episode 263: Phillip Rossington and Richard Francis-Jones on the the design philosophy, challenges, and vision that shaped Sydney House
This is the story of Sydney House, a transformative mixed-use development that redefines luxury living while honouring over 130 years of built legacy. Rising above the historic facades of the former City Tattersalls Club, this elegant composition is more than just a building—it’s a conversation between past and present. From the scalloped rhythms of the tower to the carefully restored Victorian and Art Deco details, Sydney House embodies sensitive addition and contemporary expression. In this podcast, Phillip Rossington, Principal of BVN and Richard Francis-Jones, Design Director of FJC Studio, share some of the key creative forces behind the project and unpack the design philosophy, challenges, and vision that shaped one of Sydney’s most refined architectural ensembles.
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Episode 262: Designing for Hope with Design Psychologist Kylie Sandland
In this episode of Talking Architecture & Design, we speak with Kylie Sandland, Design Psychologist and Co-Founder of Design for Hope, a social enterprise creating trauma-informed spaces for recovery and well-being. With three decades of experience in psychology and organisational consulting, Sandland brings a unique, evidence-based approach to the way environments affect our mental health. From domestic violence shelters to rehabilitation centres, her work focuses on designing spaces that foster safety, dignity, and emotional healing. Sandland shares the personal story that inspired her career shift into design and introduces her Hope Hierarchy, a framework that translates psychological needs into practical design strategies. She explains how elements like lighting, layout, and colour can support trauma recovery, and why staff well-being must also be a design priority. Projects like Erin’s Place and Jarrah House illustrate how thoughtful design choices can change lives, not through luxury, but through care and intention. As Sandland says, “spaces can either trigger trauma or help people heal.” Listen to learn how trauma-informed design is reshaping not only crisis care environments but also workplaces, schools, and community spaces.
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Episode 261: New designs, cladding & facade trends and the value of Stratco's local manufacturing base with Eric Lien and Andrew Steele
In this episode, we’re taking a deep dive into Stratco, an Australian company with over 75 years of experience providing building solutions for both professionals and homeowners. Stratco offers a wide range of products, including patios, carports, verandahs, garages, sheds, and outdoor living products such as NINELINE, SUPERDEK & PRODEK.Critically for Australian architects and builders, Stratco has manufacturing facilities in all mainland states of Australia and also in New Zealand.To explain all about Stratco’s full range of capabilities, we talk with Eric Lien, National Architectural and Specifications Manager, and Andrew Steele, architect and managing director of South Australian design firm Studio Nine Architects.This episode was sponsored by Stratco.
Now celebrating its 8th year (Season 9), Talking Architecture & Design is Australia’s first B2B architecture podcast that regularly talks about a range of issues that affect Australia’s architects, building designers and built environment professionals. Run by Australia’s most popular architecture magazine, Architecture & Design, the Talking Architecture & Design podcast gives a regular bite-sized dose of what is important and sometimes what is just plain old interesting to anyone and everyone in the business of building design.
Australia