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.

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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.