Hearing Architecture

Our guest in this episode is Philip Vivian from Bates Smart Architects. Philip is a registered architect and director of Bates Smart at their New South Wales office who has worked on some of the practice's largest urban growth projects. In this episode, Philip shares the different types of unbuilt work that Bates Smart take on, why the practice has taken on some of these projects as pro bono projects, and how projects focused on a vision of the future can help inspire governments to make our built environment better. This interview is conducted by Sally Hsu who is an EmAGN representative based in New South Wales.

Our guest in this episode is Meaghan White. Meaghan is a registered architect and director of Meaghan White Architects based in Western Australia. Meaghan shares some of her difficult experiences as a young female architect developing her skills in large practices, how having children changed her approach to residential architecture, and how specialising in architecture can be freeing when you know what you want. This interview is conducted by Aileen Chew and Ryan Berut who are EmAGN representatives based in Western Australia.

Our guest in this episode is Brian Clohessy from BVN Architects in New South Wales. Brian is a registered architect and head of people and character at BVN leading the development of the practice's vision, strategy and structure for all things people-related. Brian shares how BVN approach the issues of gender equity within their practice, how leaders and staff should talk about their capabilities, competencies and skills, and how mental health can be affected by career progression. This interview is conducted by Sally Hsu who is an EmAGN representative based in New South Wales.

Our guest in this episode is Doctor Jess Murphy who is the convenor of the Champions of Change architecture group, which was formed in 2015 to address the acute underrepresentation of women in the senior levels of the architecture profession at the time. The Architecture Group now has 14 practices actively participating to increase the representation and influence of women at the highest levels of the profession. Jess shares how important it is for practices to be transparent about what's happening with regards to gender equity, the change that can come from formal and informal leadership, and the effect that the systems inherent in architecture have on people that lead to so many people leaving the profession. The interview is conducted by Sally Hsu who is an EmAGN representative based in New South Wales.

Our guest in this episode is Ellen Buttrose who is a registered architect and associate with People Oriented Design in Cairns, working across the diverse climate and cultures of Queensland and the Torres Strait. In 2020, Ellen was the recipient of the Emerging Architect State prize in Queensland for her work that brings a local lens to global issues including climate change, indigenous empowerment and housing affordability. Ellen shares what informed her choice to become an architect, rising to the occasion as a woman in architecture, and how the progression of women in architecture has highlighted the issues of work/life balance. This interview is conducted by Bridie O'Toole who is an EmAGN representative based in Queensland.

Our guest in this episode is an architectural academic, critic, and advocate Naomi Stead. At the time of recording, Naomi was the Director of the Design and Creative Practice Enabling Capability Platform at RMIT in Melbourne. Naomi was also a founding member of Parlour, one of the most successful research-led community groups that focus on the active exchange on women, equity, and architecture in Australia. Naomi shares the origins of Parlour, mental wellbeing in the architecture profession, the issues facing architecture education and making sure architecture graduates are prepared for practice. This interview is conducted by Kimberley Hui who is an EmAGN representative based in Victoria.

Our guest in this episode is Keith Westbrook who is a registered architect and director of Cumulus Studio which have their Head Quarters based in Tasmania. We caught up with Keith just after he arrived back from the 2022 Dulux Study Tour where he spent two weeks travelling around Australia visiting some of the country's best projects and successful practices. Keith shares his experience of working with repeat clients, developing a shared understanding with a client when they return, and growing a client's confidence after proving that an architect can successfully deliver bold architectural choices.

Our guest in this episode is Rossi Kourounis who is a registered architect, principal at Rossi Architects and at the time of recording was the President of the Australian Institute of Architects Northern Territory Chapter. Rossi shares his experience of working on the Darwin Middle School Multipurpose Hall where he developed strong working relationships with basically everyone who formed the project team. You'll hear how we worked with all the teachers before they started designing, the consultant team who helped create a complex architectonic expression, and especially the school's principal who became an advocate for the project and helped everyone achieve the high goals they'd set for themselves.

Our guest in this episode is architect Heather Wasley who is a registered architect and associate at Grieve Gillett Andersen in Adelaide. Heather started her role at GGA in December 2021 and most of the experience she talks about in this interview is from her time at Tectvs, where she worked for many years on a range of projects. Tectvs provided Heather with many opportunities to develop good working relationships with clients, something she strives to continue in her new role at Grieve Gillett Andersen. Heather shares her belief that the best architectural outcomes occur when an Architect is focused on understanding their clients and representing the best interests of a project, and that the client, the end-user and the wider public can all benefit from a productive relationship between a client and an Architect. This interview is conducted by Renata Gebara who is an EmAGN representative based in South Australia.

Our guest in this episode is architect Anna Gilby from Gilby and Brewin Architecture and Urban Design based in Tasmania and Victoria. Anna shares with us some insight into a deeply personal project where she designed a house extension for her parents who have physical mobility limitations. This interview was conducted by Hilary Duff who is an EmAGN representative based in Victoria.