Episode 151: Laura Hamilton-O’Hara, CEO of Living Future Institute of Australia talks about biophilia, fractals & sustainability

Laura Hamilton-O’Hara – CEO, the Living Future Institute of Australia

Laura has a Master’s Degree in Social Ecology and two decades of industry experience working in environmental sustainability and social justice in Australia and South Africa. 

After several years in strategic roles at Taronga Zoo, Macquarie University and the Centre for Sustainability Leadership, Laura is currently the CEO of the Living Future Institute of Australia (LFIA). LFIA harnesses the built environment as a powerful vehicle to create a world that is socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative.

She talks with us about the importance of biophilia, fractals and why the Living Building Challenge is important to the built environment.

This podcast is brought to you in association with GH Commercial proud sponsors of our 2023 Commercial series of podcasts. 

Episode 149: Dr Sarah Hill, CEO of the Western Parkland City Authority & her vision of the future of western Sydney

Dr Sarah Hill, the CEO of the Western Parkland City Authority, talks about delivering her vision for ‘a metropolis of three cities’’, a vision she co-created as the inaugural CEO of the Greater Sydney Commission, to fundamentally change the way we think and plan for Greater Sydney.

Sarah talks about leading the Commission to develop new ways of engaging with citizens, to measure and monitor key planning outcomes and to better align growth with infrastructure through new methods such as Australia’s first Place-Based Infrastructure Compact.

Episode 148: Joel Williamson from GH Commercial talks about why flooring and biophilic design go hand in hand

Joel Williamson is the National Sales Manager of GH Commercial.

In the wide-ranging interview, Joel talks about the major shift in how people use offices or in other words, hotelisation of office design, where the products being used are often driven by softer and warmer colours and products and these spaces are being designed to deliver a better environment for community to develop.

Joel also talks about a range of issues that affect the flooring sector, including sustainability and supply chain issues as well as his journey in merging Australia’s largest carpet manufacturer into the world’s largest flooring company.

This podcast is brought to you in association with GH Commercial proud sponsors of our 2023 Commercial series of podcasts.

Episode 147: Where is outdoor furniture design going & why sustainability matters in its design

Terry Lin, Outer’s Co-Founder and Chief Design Officer of Outer shares his thoughts on Outer’s story, as well as furniture design predictions such as the impact of inflation and economic contraction on our furniture choices, to the backyard design trends we’ll be loving this year as well as giving us a how-to guide on making sustainable furniture choices and how to find and understand more eco-friendly materials.

Episode 146: Troy Creighton and the new bathroom design trends taking the hospitality sector by storm

Troy Creighton has been the Managing Director of Stormtech since 2003.

In this episode, Troy talks about the many new and exciting  ideas, solutions and technologies that we are now seeing in the bathrooms of clubs, pubs, hotels, bars and restaurants.

With a wealth of industry knowledge, experience and an eye for the latest ideas in water sustainability, Troy explains how the hospitality sector is taking the lead in ensuring we not only have a better carbon footprint, but also where there is a much- improved customer experience.

This podcast is brought to you in association with Stormtech  proud sponsors of our 2023 Hospitality & Retail series of podcasts.

Episode 145: Tim Phillips, MD of Tilt Industrial Design on the link between sustainability and industrial design

Tim Phillips is a highly regarded Industrial Designer specialising in design for Architects, Creatives and the construction Industry. He has extensive experience in architectural projects, with a passion for using the latest technologies, materials and manufacturing techniques to bring the creative ideas of his clients to life without the constraints of traditional construction methods. 

As the owner of Tilt Industrial Design, Tim explains how  industrial design not only has become an important component of modern architecture,  but also how it influences sustainability across the entire built environment.

Episode 144: Hamish Lyon from NH Architecture talks about his CENTREPIECE

Hamish Lyon is Director of Architecture and Design at NH Architecture and leads the firm’s design thinking and direction. He is involved in projects of all scales and typologies, and is responsible for coordinating the design continuity of the NH studio. 

Hamish began his architectural career with the national Robin Boyd Medal, awarded under the chairmanship of pre-eminent Australian architect Glenn Murcutt. 

As a founder of NH Architecture, he has been involved in a wide range of architectural projects, urban initiatives and masterplans, beginning with the groundbreaking QV development in central Melbourne.

Some of his most recent world was the design of CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park, a new dedicated event centre in the heart of the Melbourne & Olympic Parks sporting and entertainment precinct. 

Episode 143: Richard Francis-Jones and his controversial new book, Truth and Lies in Architecture

Richard Francis-Jones was born in 1960 in Hertfordshire, England and is a highly awarded Australian architect. He is the design director of the Multidisciplinary design practice Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT). 

He is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects, an honorary fellow of the American Institute of Architects and a Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

His first book, Truth and Lies in Architecture is a collection of provocative essays that journey into the vexed circumstance of contemporary architectural practice.

The book looks at the nature of the great cultural, social, political, environmental, and consumerist challenges facing the contemporary architect are explored, interpreted, and questioned, while drawing connections from architecture theory, philosophy, science, literature, and film sources in an attempt to negotiate the territory between the truth and lies found in architecture.

It is both controversial and educational and a book well worth reading.

If you only read 1 book on architecture this year, let it be Truth and Lies in Architecture by Richard Francis-Jones .

Episode 142: Hector Abrahams talks about Stephenson’s Mill, his highly commended entry for the 2022 Sustainability Awards

Hector Abrahams Architects is a local, innovative firm that has been shaped by the experiences of its Founder, Hector Abrahams.

In this episode of Talking Architecture & Design, Jarrod Reedie and Abrahams talk about the practice’s highly commended entry for the Sustainability Awards’ Adaptive Reuse category, Sue Hutton’s Stephensons Mill. 

The discussion ranges from the heritage and history of the building, the unique zoning rules which Abrahams used to his advantage, and the overall sense of completion felt once the project was delivered.

Interview by Jarrod Reedie.