Dan Martin - Designing and Planning for Biodiversity
In this episode, Aileen Chew and Daniel Moore speak with Dan Martin, an environmental planner, designer, and academic whose career bridges architecture, geography, and environmental policy. Based in the south-west of Western Australia, Dan co-leads the practice Super Natural while lecturing in landscape architecture at the University of Western Australia. His work reflects a deep commitment to biodiversity, design equity, and the future of sustainable urban growth. Our conversation explores Dan’s research into the unique biodiversity hotspot of south-west Australia, where ecological richness collides with the pressures of urban sprawl. He shares insights into how planning and design can foster “better infill,” weaving living infrastructure and density models that both respond to climate realities and enhance community wellbeing. Dan also reflects on the power of mapping as a process—more than a technical tool, it’s a way of storytelling and envisioning possibilities for landscapes, ecologies, and urban futures. From rethinking Perth’s growth patterns to reimagining how data, illustration, and design can communicate complex ecological systems, Dan brings a rare and holistic perspective. His insights remind us that architecture and planning are not only about shaping built form, but about protecting life systems and revaluing the landscapes we depend upon. Our sponsor Brickworks also produces architecture podcasts hosted by Tim Ross. You can find ‘The Art of Living’, ‘Architects Abroad, and ‘The Power of Two’, at brickworks.com.au or your favourite podcast platform. If you’d like to show your support please rate, review, and subscribe to Hearing Architecture in your favourite podcast app. If you want to know more about what the Australian Institute of Architects is doing to support architects and the community please visit architecture.com.au This is a production by the Australian Institute of Architects Emerging Architects and Graduates Network, in collaboration with Open Creative Studio. The Institute production team was Katie Katos, Claudia McCarthy, and Mark Broadhead, and the EmAGN production team was Aileen Chew and Daniel Moore. This content is brought to you by the Australian Institute of Architects Emerging Architects and Graduates Network, in collaboration with Open Creative Studio. This content does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. This content does not constitute legal, financial, insurance, or other types of advice. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in circumstances where loss or damage may result. The Institute endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or will become inaccurate over time. We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia where this podcast was produced, as the first storytellers, the first communities and the first creators of Australian culture. I extend that respect to the Traditional Custodians of country throughout the multiple places abroad where this podcast was recorded. We thank Traditional Custodians for caring for Country for thousands of generations. and recognise their profound connection to land, water, and skies.