Design Speaks Weekly

Marina Tabassum is a world-renowned Bangladesh architect and educator. Her architecture studio, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA), was established in 2005 and has received numerous accolades, including two Aga Khan Awards for Architecture, the first for the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque and the second for a housing solution called Khudi Bari. Marina and her studio also designed the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion. Her projects have significant social impact and are well known for the use of local natural materials and craftsmanship, which creates architecture that is both poetic and purposeful. We sat down with Marina during her recent visit to Australia for Melbourne School of Design's 2026 Dean’s Lecture Series, to speak about the changing perception of what makes something architecture.   Further reading Marina Tabassum’s kinetic 2025 Serpentine Pavilion opens https://architectureau.com/articles/Marina-Tabassums-kinetic-2025-Serpentine-Pavilion-opens/ Architect of 2025 Serpentine Pavilion revealed https://architectureau.com/articles/architect-of-2025-Serpentine-pavilion-revealed/ Architecture for Empowerment https://architectureau.com/calendar/exhibitions/architecture-for-empowerment/

Recently, the exhibition Lived In was announced as Australia’s contribution to the 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale. Building on the Housing Atlas for Australia research project, the exhibition is a collaboration between creative directors Kerstin Thompson of Kerstin Thompson Architects, and Maryam Gusheh, Lee-Anne Khor and Louise Wright of Monash Urban Lab. Lived In will draw on more than a century of Australian multi-residential housing to tell a national story of how we live, through drawings, data, photography, film and residents’ own experiences. In this episode, ArchitectureAu editor Lucia Amies speaks with two of the creative directors Kerstin Thompson and Lee-Anne Khor to learn about the vision behind Lived In and find out what visitors can expect to see in Venice next year.   Further reading Creative directors for Australia’s 2027 Venice Biennale exhibition announced https://architectureau.com/articles/Creative-directors-for-Australias-2027-Venice-Biennale-exhibition-announced/

Rob Champion is the founder of TARN, a landscape practice that focuses on experimental projects. Alongside his residential work, Rob is currently co-leading the design of the National Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery in Canberra, an ambitious project that is revitalising and expanding an important landscape. In this episode, Emily Wong, editor of Landscape Australia, speaks with Rob about the opportunities of experimentation and imperfection, and how doing less can be more impactful in small-scale landscape design.   Further reading Local hero: Robert Champion https://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/local-hero-robert-champion/ Meet the jury for the Landscape Australia Awards https://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/meet-the-jury-2026-landscape-australia-awards/ Testing grounds: Gardens as laboratories https://landscapeaustralia.com/articles/testing-grounds-gardens-as-laboratories/  

David Welsh and Chris Major founded their practice, Welsh and Major, more than twenty years ago. Since then, they have refined and embraced an adaptive reuse design method, delivering thoughtful and enduring architecture across a diverse range of project types. In this episode, they reflect on the evolution of adaptive reuse in Australia and the value of designing with the unexpected.   Further reading Pyrmont Community Centre by Welsh and Major https://architectureau.com/articles/pyrmont-community-centre-by-welsh-and-major/ Greybox by Welsh and Major https://architectureau.com/articles/Greybox-by-Welsh-and-Major/ Comedor by Welsh and Major https://architectureau.com/articles/comedor-by-welsh-and-major/ The Imperial by Welsh and Major https://architectureau.com/articles/imperial-welsh-and-major/ Gathering character: Seagrass House https://architectureau.com/articles/seagrass-house/ Bohemian legacy: The Hat Factory https://architectureau.com/articles/the-hat-factory/ Breathing room: Darling Lane https://architectureau.com/articles/darling-lane/ First House: Hordern Street https://architectureau.com/articles/hordern-first-house-welshandmajor/ Telescopic vision: Annandale House https://architectureau.com/articles/annandale-house-1/ A house with tiles on it https://architectureau.com/articles/a-house-with-tiles-on-it/ Fitzroy Terrace https://architectureau.com/articles/fitzroy-terrace/

Since establishing his practice in 2007, Anthony Gill has crafted residential projects that challenge assumptions about contemporary housing. His work often focuses on refining spatial arrangements, resulting in homes that feel generous and functional without relying on excess. In this episode, Alexa Kempton, editor of Houses magazine, speaks with Anthony about how residential architecture that resists resale-driven logic can lead to unconventional, understated, and delightful ways of living.   Further reading Four houses of Anthony Gill Architects https://architectureau.com/articles/houses-of-anthony-gill-architects/ Randwick House by Anthony Gill Architects https://architectureau.com/articles/Randwick-House-by-Anthony-Gill-Architects/ Blue Mountains House by Anthony Gill Architects https://architectureau.com/articles/blue-mountains-house/ An outdoor challenge: Waterloo House https://architectureau.com/articles/waterloo-house/ Paddington House https://architectureau.com/articles/paddington-house/ Surry Hills House https://architectureau.com/articles/surry-hills-house-by-anthony-gill-architects/ Potts Point Apartment https://architectureau.com/articles/potts-point-apartment/