Hearing Architecture

Dr Shannon Foster - Connecting with Country

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.

Nancy Beka - Circular materials for better design outcomes

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.

Matt McGivern and Seb Robinson - Flaming Collective and Queer Space

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.

Libby Ba-Pe - Flood resilient design

In this episode, Abigail Lee and Daniel Moore speak with Libby Ba-Pe, architect at JDA Co, about her work leading conversations and projects in flood-resilient design. With growing climate risks and repeated flood events across Australia, Libby shares how architects can contribute practical and innovative approaches to designing safer, more adaptable homes. Libby reflects on the Flood Resilient Homes program, which provides homeowners with tools and strategies to retrofit existing dwellings and design new housing to withstand future flooding events. She explains how JDA Co has worked closely with local councils, government agencies, and communities to embed resilience at both the building and neighbourhood scale. Our discussion highlights the technical strategies behind flood-resilient design – from material choices and elevated structures to planning decisions that improve recovery times and reduce long-term vulnerability. But just as importantly, Libby emphasises the human dimension, sharing stories of working directly with families whose lives have been profoundly affected by floods and how design can help restore security and dignity. This conversation shines a light on the crucial role architects play in climate adaptation, demonstrating that resilience is not just about protecting property, but about designing homes and communities that can thrive in the face of uncertainty. 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 Abigail Lee 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.

Claire Scorpo - Designing for Equity and Community

In this episode, Olivia McKim and Daniel Moore speak with Claire Scorpo, an award-winning architect whose work bridges rigorous design thinking with deep social and community engagement. Claire’s practice began with finely crafted residential projects that champion material sensitivity and passive design, and has since expanded to ambitious commercial and community-led developments. Her recent project, BVIA on Bank, is a groundbreaking female-led commercial development designed to promote gender equity and strengthen the role of women in the built environment. Our conversation explores Claire’s belief in architecture as both a design discipline and a social catalyst. She reflects on her teaching, where students have worked alongside regional Victorian communities to address issues such as affordable housing, Indigenous engagement, mental health, and declining populations—revealing how architectural processes can forge meaningful civic relationships. Claire also discusses her longstanding advocacy through the Australian Institute of Architects, where her contributions to EmAGN, the Small Practice Forum, and juries led to her recognition as the 2023 Emerging Architect Prize winner for Victoria. Claire’s story is one of thoughtful practice, consistent advocacy, and community-building. Her insights remind us that architecture is not only about producing buildings, but also about shaping equitable futures, strengthening communities, and amplifying diverse voices across the profession. 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 Olivia McKim 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.