But Why? A Design Podcast

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by Tenille Teakle, Founder of GriTT Studio for a discussion on Why design needs a narrative?

Having worked on complex commercial projects throughout her career, Tenille’s transition into residential design was shaped by the experience of designing and building her own family home, Karijini House. Inspired by time spent in Western Australia’s spectacular Karijini National Park, the home demonstrates how a personal experience can become a powerful design narrative, influencing everything from spatial planning and material choices to how a place ultimately makes people feel.

Our conversation explores the importance of storytelling as a tool for creating authentic, meaningful and enduring design outcomes. Tenille explains how a strong narrative can provide clarity throughout the design process, acting as a guiding reference point when navigating competing priorities and expectations. We also challenge whether narratives can become too literal or disconnected from function, and consider how storytelling might help people develop stronger connections to the places and objects around them.

This episode touches on:

* Karijini House and how the landscape, textures, shadows and sense of isolation influenced its design.

* The importance of originality and authenticity as artificial intelligence increasingly influences the design process.

* How stewardship needs stories made simple, relatable and easy to communicate beyond the design profession.

* The influence of a ‘North Star’ in complex projects, where multiple stakeholders and competing requirements might converge.

* The idea of design ‘easter eggs’, subtle references and stories embedded within a project that reward curiosity.

* Why investing more time in design thinking can reduce unnecessary changes, resource consumption and waste.

We hope you enjoy.

Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why?

Keen to Support Us?

But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating.

If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link:

Show Links

* Tenille Teakle

* Karijini House

* Karajini National Park

* Tim Ross

* Sydney Opera House

Produced by us.

Music by Jessica Hooks.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by Pippa Hurst. Pippa is the Founder and Creative Director of DesignFreo and Fremantle Design Week - initiatives created to build design culture in Western Australia and help make design more visible, accessible and relevant to the broader community.

In this episode, we explore Pippa’s journey into design and the origins of Fremantle Design Week, from recognising the gap between Western Australia’s strong creative community and its broader design culture, to building a festival that brings designers, industry and the public together.

We also dive into this year’s FDW program, which brings together more than 60 events, exhibitions and collaborations across Fremantle.

With this year’s theme, Imagine, our conversation looks beyond the festival itself to the role imagination plays in shaping better futures. We discuss why design needs to extend beyond professional circles, how people can develop the language to advocate for better design, and why exposure to new ideas can fundamentally change the way we see the everyday world around us.

This episode touches on:

* Why Fremantle Design Week was established and the challenge of building a stronger design culture in Western Australia.

* Fremantle’s unique creative community and why concentrating the festival within a walkable city creates energy and connection.

* The importance of making design accessible beyond designers, academics and industry.

* Why understanding good design gives people the ability to advocate for better places, products and experiences.

* This year’s theme, Imagine, and why imagination is increasingly important when business as usual is no longer enough.

* Why design festivals can expose us to ideas and issues we may otherwise never encounter.

We hope you enjoy.

Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why?

Keen to Support Us?

But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating.

If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link:

Show Links

* Fremantle Design Week

* Pippa Hurst

* One Designer Two Designer

* A Tomb With A View

Produced by us.

Music by Jessica Hooks.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by Justin Millar, Director of Property Solve, to explore the relationship between design and project management, and ask: Why Manage Design?

Justin brings an interesting perspective to the conversation. Trained as an industrial designer, his career has taken him from superyachts and high-end interiors to workplace design, construction and ultimately client-side project management. It means he understands both the creative process and the practical realities of getting a project delivered.

Our conversation explores the tension between creativity and constraint, and whether managing design limits creativity or actually creates the conditions for better outcomes. We discuss the role of time, budget and function, the difference between cost and value, and why sometimes the most valuable contribution to a design is simply asking……what is the point?

This episode touches on:

* The relationship between design and project management, and whether management has always been an inherent part of designing.

* Why design needs a clear outcome, and what happens when the creative process is allowed to continue without boundaries.

* How constraints around time, budget and function can improve rather than compromise a design outcome.

* The importance of project managers needing to understand the competing interests of clients, designers, contractors and other stakeholders without automatically favouring one.

* The difference between cutting cost and genuinely engineering value.

* The importance in giving consultants the opportunity to explain and justify their thinking rather than defaulting to the cheapest option.

* The value of independence in design review, particularly when designers become emotionally connected to their own work.

* Why managing design ultimately isn't about controlling creativity, but helping turn an idea into an outcome.

We hope you enjoy.

Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why?

Keen to Support Us?

But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating.

If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link:

Show Links

* Justin Millar LinkedIn

* Property Solve

* Woods Bagot

Produced by us.

Music by Jessica Hooks.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by Gavin Campbell, a designer and design advocate with more than 40 years of experience across interior design, architecture, project leadership, branding and the broader design profession.

Gavin’s career has included major commercial, healthcare and infrastructure projects, alongside longstanding involvement with the Design Institute of Australia (DIA), including as National President. Throughout that time, he has maintained a strong interest in what defines good design, the responsibility designers carry, and how the profession recognises and promotes quality.

Together, we explore the topics of Why do we need design awards?

Our conversation examines what design awards should be recognising and whether some have become more focused on aesthetics, marketing and commercial opportunity than good design. Gavin challenges awards programs to look beyond the ‘beauty pageant’, arguing for greater honesty, stronger criteria and a deeper interrogation of the design process - including the constraints, compromises and decisions that shaped the final outcome.

This episode touches on:

* The construct of putting the word “designer” in front of a product doesn’t automatically make it good design.

* The idea of ‘award washing’ and whether the term ‘award-winning’ has become devalued.

* The importance of clear criteria, rigorous judging and understanding what an awards program actually stands for.

* Potential conflict between sponsorship, entry fees and maintaining the independence and integrity of awards.

* Why social, cultural and environmental responsibility should be embedded within good design rather than treated as separate award categories.

* The value of asking designers what didn’t work and unresolved challenges.

* How awards programs offer opportunity for design teams to stop, reflect and understand the value they created.

We hope you enjoy.

Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why?

Keen to Support Us?

But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating.

If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link:

Show Links

* Hungry Puffs

* Design Institute of Australia

* Dieter Rams – Ten Principles for Good Design

* Victor Papanek – Design for the Real World

Produced by us.

Music by Jessica Hooks.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by Emily Wills, designer, design educator and interdisciplinary researcher whose work explores the intersection of clothing, textiles, culture and sustainability.

Emily has spent more than two decades working across design practice and education, challenging many of the assumptions surrounding the clothing industry. Rather than viewing clothing through the lens of fashion, she advocates for a broader conversation about design responsibility, material value, human labour and environmental impact.

Together, we explore the provocative idea behind this episode’s title: Fashion Can’t Be Sustainable.

Emily believes that fashion depends on continual novelty and consumption, it cannot genuinely be sustained. Instead, she proposes we stop thinking about fashion altogether and start thinking about clothing as a responsible design discipline focused on longevity, repair, quality and genuine human need.

This episode touches on:

* Why the word fashion has become incompatible with sustainability.

* How trends and the pursuit of constant newness drive overconsumption.

* The hidden environmental and social costs behind inexpensive clothing.

* Why responsible clothing extends beyond environmental impacts to include fair labour and human wellbeing.

* How the true value of clothing is disconnected from the price consumers pay.

* Why quality, durability and longevity should replace quantity and convenience.

* The challenges of recycled materials, microplastics and the complexity of choosing ‘better’ materials.

* Why slowing consumption may ultimately be more important than improving recycling.

* The role government policy, education and consumer behaviour can play in reshaping the future of clothing.

We hope you enjoy.

Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why?

Keen to Support Us?

But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating.

If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link:

Show Links

* Emily Wills LinkedIn

* Curtin University School of Design & Built Environment

* The True Cost documentary

* Terry Pratchett’s Boot Theory of Socioeconomic Unfairness

Produced by us.

Music by Jessica Hooks.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by Jonathan Lake, Director of GA Architecture, member of Curtin University’s School of Design Advisory Board, and Adjunct Fellow at the University of Notre Dame Australia.

Jonathan has spent many years designing outcomes that place people at the centre of the built environment, through private residences, public spaces, social housing, community buildings and commercial workplace projects. Throughout his career he has challenged the traditional separation between architecture and interior design, believing that great buildings are ultimately judged by how they make people feel and function, not simply by how they look.

Together, we explore the topic of: Why does architecture need interior design?

Our conversation explores the relationship between architecture and interiors, why these disciplines have become increasingly siloed, and how reconnecting them can lead to more meaningful, adaptable and human-centred places. Jonathan shares why designing for experience should begin long before finishes are selected, and why empathy, collaboration and curiosity remain some of the most powerful design tools available.

This episode touches on:

* Why people experience buildings primarily from the inside, making interior thinking fundamental to great architecture.

* How architecture and interior design have become increasingly separated through education, procurement and industry structures.

* Why designing for human experience should begin during the earliest stages of briefing and concept development, not after development approval.

* The importance of designing for everyday life rather than simply creating iconic buildings.

* How collaboration between architects, interior designers and other specialists creates stronger long-term project outcomes.

* Why adaptability allows buildings to remain relevant as users, technology and communities evolve.

* The role empathy, listening and stakeholder engagement play in creating spaces that genuinely improve people’s lives.

* Lessons from projects ranging from social housing and community facilities through to commercial workplaces and cultural buildings.

* Why great design isn’t about protecting professional boundaries, but about solving problems together.

We hope you enjoy.

Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why?

Keen to Support Us?

But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating.

If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link:

Show Links

GA Architecture

Jonathan Lake LinkedIn

Curtin University School of Design & Built Environment

University of Notre Dame Australia

Alvar Aalto

Jørn Utzon

Produced by us.

Music by Jessica Hooks.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com

For the eleventh episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, we are joined in studio by Gordon Bateup. Gordon leads a Perth-based Project Management business and is the founder of Green Chair - a social enterprise established to connect physical items of value with people in need.

Gordon spent a good chunk of his career as a quantity surveyor which he describes as ‘an accountant of the construction industry’ before establishing himself as a hands on and inquisitive Project Manager. In 2020, after witnessing years of nonsensicle waste as a by-product of the commercial property industry he took action and established Green Chair which has since helped a number of non-profit and other worthy organisations receive over 65,000 units of quality furniture, white goods, technology and other items.

We loved being candid in this conversation with Gordon, while also sitting in admiration for the impact he has had in taking action over the past six years. This is someone who cares enough to be motivated to influence better outcomes for what would traditionally end up in landfill.

In this conversation we explore:

* What motivated the establishment of a social enterprise.

* The ‘ghost economy’ and some of the structures that enable it.

* Short term cost uplift vs long term value retention.

* Ensuring those less equipped to deal with trash don’t become a pseudo landfill.

* Who is, and shouldn’t be, scared of second-life product being normalised.

* The unexpected benefits for people involved in the process.

* What interior designers and manufacturers could do to minimise what Green Chair struggles to re-home.

We hope you enjoy.

*please note that during this episode we mention the late Adam Paikos-Coe who was an absolute champion of a designer who passed away too soon. We apologise in advance if this surfaces undesired emotions for our listeners. We felt it was important that the content remained as Adam was an instigator and convener of impactful design decisions that have informed and inspired the approach of many (including us) since.

Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why?

Keen to Support Us?

But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating.

If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link:

Show Links

Bateup Consulting

Green Chair

Produced by us.

Music by Jessica Hooks.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com

We have hit double digits in But Why? A Design Podcast episode releases! In this mini-milestone episode Eugene and Stirling are joined by husband and wife duo Rhys and Zenifa Bowring of Rezen Studio.

Rezen Studio is based in East Fremantle and delivers architecture and interiors work across residential, commercial and hospitality. This creative duo and their team are responsible for plenty of outcomes our readership may be familiar with such as the coveted Gibney restaurant in Cottesloe, Vin Populi in Fremantle and Alchemy Saunas across Perth, Western Australia.

We loved this conversation with Zen & Rhys! We discuss the challenges, complexities and pleasures that exist in running a practice while also raising a family together. They are both incredibly humble and highly intelligent individuals that don’t enjoy leaning in to any self-promotion - so we are glad to have been able to get them both behind a mic and share some of their magic.

This conversation touches on:

* The inevitability of establishing their own studio and how it happened at the right time.

* Allowing space for others and being comfortable with being part of conversations without needing to dominate them.

* Legacies, leaning in to influences and the importance of maturity over time.

* Creative richness gained through perspectives.

* Beauty as a result of systems and a level of order.

* Obsessions applied to projects that will never be known.

* Designing together meaning more than just themselves and their studio.

We hope you enjoy.

Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why?

Keen to Support Us?

But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating.

If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link:

Show Links

Rezen Studio

Alchemy Saunas

Vin Populi

Gibney Cottesloe

Kerry Hill

Produced by us.

Music by Jessica Hooks.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by Louise Zawada, an executive coach and transformation consultant.

Lou has 20 years of broad sector experience and has helped organisations humanise the complexities of transformations through mergers & acquisitions, divestments and major property events. Transformation A.K.A Change is something that we all will face at some time in our lives - personally & professionally - intentionally embarked upon and, at times, thrust upon us without notice. We were excited to have Lou in the studio to explore the topic of Why Change?

Our conversation discusses the often overlooked challenges that arise with change, the various human responses, and the benefits of external perspectives. Lou highlights our natural tendency to stay where we feel comfortable, what it takes to help move someone, or an organisation, from point A to point Z, and the risk of limited leadership bandwidth when making change.

Lou is known for being the ‘calm in the chaos’ and we believe this is because she has a core belief that change happens at the speed of trust. “If trust is prioritised in every interaction, then the way people feel and see change will be more positive”.

This episode touches on:

* Change can be chaotic and messy, but the importance for the process always being human-centred.

* Why time needs to be spent on the hard-to-define ‘end-game’ and application of fairness in setting standards and expectations stakeholder wide.

* How the human brain looks for threat and reward, and what may seem practical and obvious to some is foreign to others.

* How transformation resistance can be from a positive place of care and deep interest.

* Not everything needing to change, and how we need should get clear on the things that are wonderful and need preserving.

* The ‘unseen’ work that hides behind transformation that makes it ‘just work’

* Why and when a change specialist or coach may be needed for diagnosis, value creation and support.

We hope you enjoy.

Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why?

Keen to Support Us?

But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating.

If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link:

Show Links

Louise Zawada

David Rock

Produced by us.

Music by Jessica Hooks.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com

In this episode of But Why? A Design Podcast, Eugene and Stirling are joined by Alex Lotersztain of Derlot.

Alex is an engaging creative who is globally recognised for his work across interiors, product, brand and materiality. Our discussion explores the influence of his childhood and travel experiences, and how he transitioned from being a rebel to becoming obsessed with design through channelling his curiosity to create passion and drive.

Alex’s journey is one that many entrepreneurs may be able to relate to. At times he has worked many more hours than he has slept and has had to be overtly bold to receive opportunity. We enjoyed his stories on how in the beginning he made his studio appear as a studio of ‘three’ (although all emails were received and responded by him as the only employee) and how he gained an impromptu 3hr walk-up meeting with a design legend.

Alex doesn’t describe his journey as hard. This is because he has had fun along the way and loves what he does. Our conversation gives insight to this.

Alex says “we are all born designers but it is stripped away from us”. He believes that modern day challenges provide an abundance of visual stimuli and distraction from experimentation and curiosity.

This episode also touches on:

* The emotional rollercoaster associated with research and development.

* Being forced to be creative (and arguably a better designer) through not having the resources of the ‘big guys’.

* Physical manifestations of sustainability storytelling.

* The importance of understanding the ‘market pulse’ before risking wasted energy.

* Innovation is continuous improvements not just market changing inventions.

We hope you enjoy.

Keep questioning, keep exploring, and most importantly… keep asking, But Why?

Keen to Support Us?

But Why? A Design Podcast is proudly an independent self-funded publication. By subscribing, you signify our content is valuable and it gives us reason to keep creating.

If you are feeling generous, you can make a pledge, but if you would rather just buy us a coffee, we would love that too! Shout us a coffee through the below link:

Show Links

Derlot

Marc Newson

Wombat

GK Design

Produced by us.

Music by Jessica Hooks.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.butwhyadesignpodcast.com