Mel Bright is the director of Studio Bright, a Melbourne-based practice known for creating enduring and responsive architecture for people and place.

In this episode, Mel and Dave discussed:

• How she has translated her background in civic projects into the studio’s residential work, and the importance of investing in big ideas, even for small projects.
• The small steps she has taken toward different project typologies, such as social housing, and how she strategically over-invests in projects that have the most potential to lead to similar projects.
• The importance of creating a healthy and strong workplace environment and the positive impact that has had on staff retention, morale and culture within the practice.
• The evolution of her Instagram account, from the early days of posting more personal photographs, to her thinking around sticking with one architectural photographer.
• What work-life balance means to her, and how it has changed as her children have grown up and the fulcrum has shifted.

If you'd like to learn more about her studio, you can visit studiobright.com.au or follow the studio on Instagram at @studio__bright.

Office Talk is hosted by Dave Sharp of Office D.SHARP, a strategic marketing and brand definition practice for architecture. We work collaboratively with clients across the globe. To learn more about our process and book a consultation, simply visit officedavesharp.com.

Today's episode of Office Talk was edited and engineered by Anthony Richardson of Simple Dwelling Studio.

Anita Panov and Andrew Scott are the directors of Panov Scott, a Sydney-based practice known for their approach to ethical, sustainable and innovative architecture.

In this episode, Anita, Andrew and Dave discussed:

• How crafting personalised books about each of their projects has allowed them to form deeper relationships with their clients, better communicate ideas and articulate their values.
• How being quiet on Instagram doesn’t translate to a quiet practice, and how they have spent the time off social media designing their business to suit their desired lifestyle.
• The importance of ensuring that the perception of the practice, and how you communicate and engage with the community, is authentic to the personality of the people within the practice.
• The evolution of architectural photography over their careers, and the photography trends from the early years of their practice they see re-appearing today.

If you'd like to learn more about their studio, you can visit panovscott.com.au or follow them on Instagram at @panovscott.

Office Talk is hosted by Dave Sharp of Office D.SHARP, a strategic marketing and brand definition practice for architecture. We work collaboratively with clients across the globe. To learn more about our process and book a consultation, simply visit officedavesharp.com.

Today's episode of Office Talk was edited and engineered by Anthony Richardson of Simple Dwelling Studio.

Patrick Kennedy and Rachel Nolan are the directors of Kennedy Nolan, a Melbourne-based practice known for their approach to built form, contextual response and a close relationship with landscape.

In this episode, Patrick, Rachel and Dave discussed:

• How they reject the negative associations around following design trends, and instead embrace the idea that their projects are reflective of their time and place, and will eventually date as tastes change.
• How having a strong workplace culture that encourages having a life outside of architecture gives them the energy and inspiration to come up with new ideas.
• The important considerations they make about the best way to photograph a project to enter into awards and media, and how to create images that will better communicate ideas to clients.
• How the strength of their brand has helped them move into larger scale projects such as Nightingale Leftfield and a 16-storey hotel building currently under construction.
• Why blurring the lines between architecture and interior design has helped their projects to feel more emotionally engaging, both in person and in images.
• The value of being an active participant in award programs from the very start, and the positive impact winning an award for their first project had on their practice.

If you'd like to learn more about their studio, you can visit kennedynolan.com.au or follow them on Instagram at @kennedy_nolan.

Office Talk is hosted by Dave Sharp of Office D.SHARP, a strategic marketing and brand definition practice for architecture. Our practice works collaboratively with clients across the globe. To learn more about our process and book a consultation to discuss your practice, simply visit officedavesharp.com.

Today's episode of Office Talk was edited and engineered by Anthony Richardson of Simple Dwelling Studio.