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...

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...

Karen Alcock and Rachael McNally are from MA+Co, a 12-person Melbourne-based practice working on a mix of residential, multi-res and commercial projects. In this episode, Karen, Rachael and I discussed: How the studio has fostered strong long-term relationships with developers, and their insights on ways architects can play a bigger and more impactful role in the development team.Their approach to finding the balance between development budgets and the enjoyment of future occupants by...

Scott Eldridge and Jeremy Anderson are the directors of of Eldridge Anderson Architects, a 4-person residential practice based on Victoria's Surf Coast. In this episode, Scott, Jeremy and Dave discussed: Why they front-load so much effort into the sketch design stage of the design process, resolving much of the project details at this early stage and presenting a single, fully fleshed-out design idea to their clients. The benefits of slower, more mindful ways of practice like hand-drawing...

Jemima Retallack and Mitchell Thompson are the directors of Retallack Thompson, a Sydney-based architecture practice seeking to create timeless and enduring architecture, interior and landscape design.  In this episode, Jemima, Mitchell and Dave discussed: How to make the most of every project opportunity in the early years of practice, from realising that briefs and budgets will often expand and change from what clients present during the first meeting, to taking on smaller projects as a...

Katelin Butler is the Editorial Director of Architecture Media, Australia's leading publisher for the built environment and the home of well-known titles such as Architecture Australia, Houses Magazine, Artichoke and architectureau.com. Before taking on the role of Editorial Director, Katelin was the Editor of Houses Magazine from 2011 to 2019, and established the highly successful Houses Awards program. In this episode, Katelin and I discussed: How the Architecture Media editors decide...

Jonathan Richards and Kirsten Stanisich are the directors of Richards Stanisich, a 20-person interior design and architecture practice based in Sydney. In this episode, Jonathan, Kirsten and Dave discussed: The journey of establishing the new Richards Stanisich brand after 15 years operating as SJB Interiors Sydney. The strategic challenge of designing a new brand that could convey a sense of experience, stability, maturity, and knowledge. The importance of a consistent and creative approach...

Liam Eastop is the director of Eastop Architects, an architecture and interiors practice based in Melbourne. Eastop Architects was founded by Liam Eastop in 2017 following his extensive practice experience working on award winning residential, commercial & urban design projects. Liam graduated with a Master of Architecture from Monash University, receiving the ‘Roderick Macdonald Scholarship’ for design excellence and has since spent several years teaching and presenting lectures at both...

Lauren Li is the director of Sisällä, a Melbourne-based interior design practice known for their colourful, playful and liveable approach to residential interiors. Lauren is also a design educator, running workshops, courses and an online community geared towards emerging interior designers. Lauren writes a monthly column for The Design Files, and has just released her first book, The New French Look, with Thames & Hudson. In this episode, Lauren and I discussed: Why Lauren believes...

Huw Wellard is the director of Wellard Architects, a 4-person Melbourne-based practice best known for their award-winning homes, beach houses and holiday houses. In this episode, Huw and I discussed: How Wellard's recent rebranding journey has helped them transition from working on a high volume of tight inner-city terraces towards fewer but more substantial new builds, resulting in simpler project management, more time for the client relationship, and better quality enquiries. The strong...

Nick James and Michael Roper are the directors of Architecture Architecture, a 9-person Melbourne-based practice working on a mix of residential, education and social housing projects.  In this episode, Nick, Michael and Dave discussed: How the studio transitioned from the early days of word-of-mouth enquiries, where building trust and confidence was key, to attracting clients through their built work and how that has allowed them to concentrate their messaging on themes of physical and...

Shaun Lockyer is the director of Shaun Lockyer Architects, a Brisbane-based practice focused exclusively on high-end residential work. Founded in 2009, the studio has grown to over 20 employees, and has been published in every major Australian architecture publication. In this episode, Sean and I discussed: The difficult and often uncomfortable relationship architects have with wealth, status and commercial success. The psychology of high net worth residential clients, from their typical...

Hannah Tribe is the director of Tribe Studio Architects, a 20-year-old Sydney-based practice known for their playful and expressive approach to residential and community projects. In this episode, Hannah and I discussed: How she has designed her business to run efficiently and profitably, from a focus on gradual and sustainable growth to succession planning and delegation, and the hires she has made to help her focus her time on the studio's projects rather than administration. Hannah's...

Dominic Pandolfini is the director of Pandolfini Architects, an 11-year-old Melbourne-based practice known for residential and commercial projects that are strong in form and unsparingly detailed. In this episode, Dominic and I discussed: The importance of making careful choices about photography, branding, and the kind of projects you put out into the world during the early years of the practice when marketing resources are scarce. Why Dom believes that short term marketing activities...

On this special Q&A episode, Dave answers architecture marketing and brand questions submitted by Office Talk listeners. Dave shares his point of view on questions like: What’s the best way an architecture practice or publication communicate what they stand for? What is the best startup marketing strategy? Are there any AI tools that architects should be aware of, or that would assist with marketing and social media? How long does a practice need to market before a consistent number of...

David Neustein is a co-director of Other Architects, a small research-driven practice he and his partner Grace Mortlock founded in 2012. Other Architects received the 2021 Houses Award for Emerging Architecture Practice, the 2018 INDE Prodigy award for most promising design practice in the Asia-Pacific region, and their work has been exhibited around the world. In this episode, David and I discussed: How the studio has used speculative or unsolicited projects to establish themselves as...

Miriam Fanning is the director of Mim Design, one of Melbourne’s leading architecture and interior design practices. In this episode, Mim and I discussed: Her process for interviewing new clients during the briefing stage to learn as much as possible about their likes, dislikes, and daily rituals; and why she believes these discoveries help the studio to develop more authentic design concepts. How the studio has developed new offerings in furniture selection and art curation, looking at the...

Derek Swalwell is one of Australia’s most respected and widely published architectural photographers. In this episode, Derek and I discussed: His analysis of the different trends and fashions he’s seen come and go in architectural photography and the design media during his career, and his insight into the direction the industry might be heading today. The common mistakes architects make when it comes to photoshoots; and what practices can do to ensure their shoots runs smoothly and they get...

Lachlan Nielsen and Morgan Jenkins are the directors of Nielsen Jenkins, a multi-award winning architecture practice from Brisbane, Australia. In this episode, Lachlan, Morgan and I discussed: How the two directors combined their backgrounds in architecture and construction to create a practice with an emphasis on buildability, assembly, and doing things efficiently. How the studio has developed a broad range of interdisciplinary service offerings that help their clients to achieve more...

Nick Travers is a founding director at Technē, a 33-person architecture and interiors practice based in Melbourne, Australia. In this episode, Nick and I discussed: His insight into the approach and motivations of large scale hospitality clients, from their attitude to risk, their drive to find a unique point of difference for their venue, and how the studio manages healthy client relationships over the long term. How the studio has made a strategic choice to avoid being pigeonholed in a...

Eva-Marie Prineas is the director of Studio Prineas, a 6-person residential architecture and interiors practice based in Sydney, Australia. In this episode, Eva-Marie and I discussed: How the studio attracts like-minded clients through a mix of clear and focused messaging, transparent values, repeat business and in-person events. The strategy Eva-Marie has taken to selecting architectural photographers, and why she believes images with emotion, as well as a bit of mess and realism, make...

Gilad Ritz and Jean-Paul Ghougassian are the directors of Ritz & Ghougassian, a 6-person architecture and interiors studio from Melbourne, best-known for their restrained and considered approach to hospitality, retail, and residential spaces. In this episode, Jean-Paul, Gilad and I discussed: How the studio deals with the marketing challenges of working on a limited number of projects each year with long gaps between finished work. How the studio has found that a traditional approach to...

Iva Foschia is the director of IF Architecture, a 4-person architecture and interiors studio behind many well known Melbourne retail and hospitality spaces including Marion, Cutler & Co, Jardan, Baker Bleu, Attica and The Prince redevelopment in St Kilda. In this episode, Iva and I discussed: The importance of setting and communicating clear boundaries for your clients, and why Iva believes it’s essential for architects to protect the value of their work and carefully track and charge...

Stuart Vokes and Aaron Peters are the Directors of Vokes and Peters, a Brisbane-based practice founded in 2015 that has produced a significant body of award-winning projects across Australia. In this episode, Stuart, Aaron and I discussed: Why the studio believes engaging with the profession, and immersing themselves in their passion for architecture through books, travel and teaching, have contributed to a more sustainable and quality design practice. How Aaron and Stuart value the role of...