William Smart has made a reputation since establishing his practice in 1997. From modest beginnings, he has received numerous awards for projects, including his own studio and apartment in Alexandria, Sydney. Sculptural and poetic, Smart fashions bricks like they were clay in his hands.

Talking Design

William Smart, Founder & Creative Director of Smart Design Studio

Textile designer Frances Burke is the subject of this book, which is co authored by Nanette Carter and Robyn Oswald-Jacobs. Titled Frances Burke: Designer of Modern Textiles, the book beautifully covers Burke’s illustrious career from the 1930s until she closed her business in 1970. As well as the insightful story of Burke’s life, the book, produced by The Miegunyah Press, features extensive photos, many in Melbourne, showing how her wonderful fabrics were used by leading architects of the time.

Nanette Carter & Robyn Oswald-Jacobs, Authors of Frances Burke: Designer of Modern Textiles

Interior designer Paul Hecker was raised and studied in Adelaide before moving to Melbourne in the 1980s. Initially working with architect Daryl Jackson, Hecker worked for a number of practices before establishing his own, Hecker Guthrie, with interior designer Hamish Guthrie. From bespoke homes to multi-res and commercial projects, the award-winning practice works across a number of sectors.

Paul Hecker, Interior Designer & Director of Hecker Guthrie

Peter Williams, Director of Williams Boag Architects, is known for his contemporary style. His practice has created a presence in the heritage world, receiving numerous architecture awards. The recent restoration of the Fomeer Mining Exchange in Bendigo took at the prestigious John George Knight Award in 2021 from the AIA (Victorian Chapter).

Peter Williams, Director of Williams Boag Architects

Since starting his practice a few years ago, Liam Eastop has made a quiet but impressive entrance on the architectural scene in Melbourne. Receiving awards and accolades for his bespoke work, Eastop thinks about spaces rather than simply styles, a talent to watch out for!

Liam Eastop, Principle Architect at Eastop Architects

Sue Car has just received on Order of Australia Medal. The award-winning designer, who studied at RMIT in the late 1960s, established her practice in 1971 (50 years ago)! An extraordinary achievement. Carr Design has become an important part of our cities, including residential, apartments, bespoke hotels and numerous other commercial projects.

Sue Carr, Founding Principal at Carr Architecture and Interior Design

Contemporary Jeweller Blanche Tilden is having a survey exhibition at Geelong Gallery until 1 August before it travels to a number of galleries including Sydney, Wagga and Canberra. Showcasing 25 years of work, Tilden’s glass jewellery was noticed even before she graduated from the Canberra School of Art in 1995, with a graduate piece purchased by the National Gallery of Australia. An exhibition not to be missed!

Blanche Tilden, Contemporary Jeweller

Architect Bruce Trethowan has just past the 20 year milestone at the helm of Trethowan Architects. A leading heritage architect, Trethowan understands the importance of historic buildings, from Melbourne’s years of settlement to the more recent past. Trethowan explains some of the approaches to heritage architecture and the importance it plays in the city’s history.

Bruce Trethowan, Principal at Trethowan Architects

Technē Architecture + Interior Design has established a reputation in Melbourne’s hospitality scene. From the slightly gritty and urbane interiors found at The Espy to the more sleek and refined at Brunetti, it’s about creating an ambience to speaks to the audience. And as with the consumer, each venue has its own identity. Stephen Crafti caught up with architect Nick Travers, one of three directors at Technē.

Nick Tavers, Director at Technē Architecture + Interior Design

Tim Reeves has just released the book 'Winning Homes: 75 Australian House Design Competitions', published by Halstead Press. The book is a testimony to some of the great Australian architects over the last 150 years and the value competition made to their practice as well as the community-at-large. With plans and elevations included, it makes one think as to what really makes a great home.

Tim Reeves, Architecture Writer

Make sure you check out the exhibition 'Mary Quant: Fashion Revolutionary' at the Bendigo Art Gallery (closes 21 July 2021). Showcasing garments from 1955 to 1975, the 110 garments on display are an important reminder of the swinging 1960s. Emma Busowsky Cox, curator of this exhibition, talks about some of the highlights and this period of fashion.

Emma Busowsky Cox, Curator at Bendigo Art Gallery

Geoffrey Hatty, Director of Applied Arts in Melbourne, has been at the forefront of designer furniture and objects since the mid-1980s. One impetus was seeing the Joseph Hoffmann collection of furniture, with each room of the Gallia apartment from Vienna on exhibition. Hatty has found beauty in everything, from the 1980s Memphis period through to the 1890s arts and crafts movement and even a handmade hammer recently discovered in a junk shop!

Geoffrey Hatty, Director of Applied Arts

NTF Architecture has established a reputation for their townhouses, with its Blackburn development receiving an AIA Victorian Chapter Award last year in the category of multi-res. This project showed that the past (in this case 1960s units) can be transformed into abodes for contemporary living. Their latest project is a large heritage-listed bluestone house that fuses the past and present, celebrating both periods in the process.

Brett Nixon, Director at NTF Architecture

Coinciding with her new book, Kerstin Thompson Architects: Encompassing People & Place, published by RMIT in conjunction with Thames & Hudson, this interview traces some of the landmark projects in KTA’s practice since the early 1990s. Thompson, who graduated from RMIT, regularly receives awards for everything, from her understated homes to even simple amenities, such as a toilet block adjacent to a freeway. Often driven by this history of a building, there’s a strong thread of ideas running through every project.

Kerstin Thompson, Principal of Kerstin Thompson Architects

Balarinji is one of Australia’s most high profiled design practices. From graphics for Quantas airlines in the mid-1990s, it has gone on to make an important indigenous mark in Australia and abroad. Established by Ros and John Moriarty 40 years ago, Balarinji has made its mark on everything from textiles to art installations. The Moriarty Foundation, established in 2011 enables Aboriginal families and communities in the Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW to unlock the potential of their children through a number of programs from football to early learning.

Ros Moriarty, Director & Co-Founder of Balarinji

Talking Design is a fortnightly podcast review of design in all its facets - from architecture to industrial design, from fashion to automotive design. It features interviews with prominent designers and expert analysis from RMIT University academics. Talking Design is produced by experienced journalist Stephen Crafti and sponsored by RMIT.

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Talking Design

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