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.