Hearing Architecture

In this episode of Hearing Architecture, we're joined by Nikos Kalogeropoulos and Nectar Efkarpidis of Molonglo, in a conversation co-hosted by Dr Sally Farrah.
Nikos and Nectar are not registered architects, but Molonglo's work has had a profound influence on the way people think about development, culture and place, particularly in Canberra, where projects such as NewActon and Dairy Road have shown how architecture can move beyond individual buildings to shape whole precincts, communities and ways of living.
This conversation explores the values, risks and long-term thinking behind that work. We discuss what it means to create places that are generous, layered and culturally alive, how architecture can be supported through unconventional models of development, and why the quality of the built environment depends not only on architects, but on clients, collaborators and the systems that allow good ideas to survive.
It's a conversation about stewardship, ambition, design culture and the difficult art of making places that feel as though they could only belong where they are.
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 Dr Sally Farrah 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.

In this episode, hosts Nicole Eadie and Daniel Moore speak with award-winning architect Anna Maskiell, co-founder of Public Realm Lab, a Melbourne-based practice dedicated to creating places that foster culture, community, and connection. Anna's career has taken her from Brisbane to China and now Melbourne, where her fascination with human behaviour and patterns of occupation has shaped a practice that translates strategy and culture into built form.
Anna reflects on the experiences that led her to establish Public Realm Lab, including her time in large practices, her years in China's dense urban environments, and the impact of prestigious grants such as the Dulux Study Tour and the Marten Bequest Scholarship. She shares how these opportunities sharpened her focus on strategic planning and the social role of architecture, culminating in a practice that balances rigorous research with human-centred design.
The conversation explores the studio's landmark project Powerhouse Place in Mildura, the most-awarded project at the 2024 Victorian Architecture Awards, and how strategic thinking, grant funding, and deep community engagement helped transform a modestly funded tender into a celebrated civic space. Anna also unpacks how Public Realm Lab's unique approach to strategic planning extends architecture beyond traditional project phases, offering lessons in adaptability and advocacy for anyone seeking to design places that genuinely value the people who use them.
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 Nicole Eadie 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.

In this episode, we speak with Dr Shannon Foster, D'harawal Eora Knowledge Keeper and Co-Director of Bangawarra, a practice dedicated to embedding Aboriginal knowledge, language, and culture into contemporary spatial design. Shannon shares how Bangawarra works at the powerful intersection of ancient wisdom and modern architecture, challenging colonial legacies while guiding projects that honour the stories and enduring spirit of Country.
Through her work, Shannon reveals how connecting with Country is far more than a design philosophy, it is a transformative process that shapes landscapes, buildings, and communities. She discusses Bangawarra's approach to site-specific insights, public art, and cultural heritage consultancy, highlighting how Aboriginal knowledge systems can inform planning, sustainable practice, and the creation of places that are culturally rich and environmentally resilient.
From design reviews to public projects, Shannon explains how she and her team translate Ancestral knowledge into meaningful strategies for architects, planners, and clients, ensuring that spaces resonate with history while serving future generations. This conversation is an inspiring exploration of how Indigenous perspectives can lead to more ethical, inclusive, and enduring outcomes in the built environment, offering lessons for anyone seeking to work in true partnership with Country.
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 Sally Hsu 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.

In this episode, Nick Carfora and Daniel Moore speak with interior designer Nancy Beka (not a registered architect), Co-Director of Studio Edwards, about carving a unique path into Melbourne's design scene and redefining sustainable practice. Originally from Adelaide, Nancy's journey began with the challenge of breaking into a competitive industry. After relocating to Melbourne, she quickly made her mark by creating initiatives during the pandemic to keep the design community connected remotely. These projects became a platform for exploring innovative materials, zero-waste strategies, and new ways of thinking about construction.
Nancy shares how founding Alt Material, a collaborative forum for experimental and sustainable design, opened opportunities to work with like-minded creatives and expand her understanding of material life cycles. Her commitment to circular design thinking shines through in projects like Today Studio, a workplace fit-out that champions adaptive reuse, material passports, and honest, low-waste detailing, earning recognition in the Australian Interior Design Awards.
Named to the Australian Design Review 30 Under 30, Nancy reflects on the value of mentorship, community, and storytelling in building a resilient practice. Her experience shows how curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability can transform challenges into opportunities and reshape the way we design, build, and connect.
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 Nick Carfora 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.

In this episode, Anjalee Patel and Daniel Moore sit down with Matt McGivern and Seb Robinson from The Flaming Collective, a group of emerging designers and researchers whose work is redefining how we think about space through a queer lens. Formed out of shared conversations on heritage, history, and lived experience, the Collective brings together diverse research interests, from mapping historic queer spaces and reimagining residential living models, to exploring multi-residential inclusivity and the politics of heritage policies.
Their collaborative research has produced the Queer Design Toolkit and The Gay Agenda, frameworks developed to help designers think beyond their own experience and create spaces that prioritise safety, comfort, and inclusion. After presenting their work at the Australian Institute of Architects National Conference, and expanding it further during Perth Design Week, the group has continued to push their ideas into practice, consulting on competitions, tackling questions of public amenity, and addressing the very real challenges of resistance and bureaucracy in the built environment.
Our discussion explores how queer theory can shape design practice, the importance of trauma-informed design, and the tools available to architects who want to create more equitable spaces. By sharing stories, methods, and lived experience, The Flaming Collective challenges the profession to imagine new ways of designing cultural and community spaces that reflect and respect diverse identities.
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 Anjalee Patel 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.