Episode 241: Tackling urban density, rediscovering the beauty of 1960s walk-up unit blocks & remembering Mulholland Drive with Tone Wheeler

Talking Architecture & Design

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26:18

How do you know when it’s time to make your next big career move? With International Women’s Day around the corner, we are excited to feature Avni Patel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Milo. Avni is building technology that directly supports the often overlooked emotional and logistical labor that falls on parents—especially women. Milo is an AI assistant designed to help families manage that invisible load more efficiently. In this episode, Avni shares her journey from studying chemistry to holding leadership roles at global brands like Adidas and Starbucks, to launching her own ventures. She discusses how she approaches career transitions, the importance of unpleasant experiences, and why she’s focused on making everyday life easier for parents. [01:26] Avni's University Days and Early Career [04:36] Non-Linear Career Paths [05:16] Pursuing Steep Learning Curves [11:51] Entrepreneurship and Safety Nets [15:22] Lived Experiences and Milo [19:55] Avni’s In Her Ellement Moment [20:03] Reflections Links: Avni Patel Thompson on LinkedIn Suchi Srinivasan on LinkedIn Kamila Rakhimova on LinkedIn Ipsos report on the future of parenting About In Her Ellement: In Her Ellement highlights the women and allies leading the charge in digital, business, and technology innovation. Through engaging conversations, the podcast explores their journeys—celebrating successes and acknowledging the balance between work and family. Most importantly, it asks: when was the moment you realized you hadn’t just arrived—you were truly in your element? About The Hosts: Suchi Srinivasan is an expert in AI and digital transformation. Originally from India, her career includes roles at trailblazing organizations like Bell Labs and Microsoft. In 2011, she co-founded the Cleanweb Hackathon, a global initiative driving IT-powered climate solutions with over 10,000 members across 25+ countries. She also advises Women in Cloud, aiming to create $1B in economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs by 2030. Kamila Rakhimova is a fintech leader whose journey took her from Tajikistan to the U.S., where she built a career on her own terms. Leveraging her English proficiency and international relations expertise, she discovered the power of microfinance and moved to the U.S., eventually leading Amazon's Alexa Fund to support underrepresented founders. Subscribe to In Her Ellement on your podcast app of choice to hear meaningful conversations with women in digital, business, and technology.…

13 days ago 43:53

MP3•Episode home

On our 7th anniversary, in this episode of Talking Architecture & Design, we explore the evolving landscape of our cities and the ideas shaping how we live. Today, we’re tackling urban density and taking a fresh look at an often-overlooked housing model—the humble 1960s walk-up unit block.

Architect, author, lecturer and urban thinker Tone Wheeler joins us to discuss why these mid-century apartments still hold so much potential in today’s housing crisis.

From their efficient design and human-scale living to their adaptability for modern sustainability, we’ll explore how these buildings can offer a viable alternative to high-rise developments.

Are these walk-ups a relic of the past or a blueprint for the future? Let’s find out.

239 episodes

Talking Architecture & Design

Episode 241: Tackling urban density, rediscovering the beauty of 1960s walk-up unit blocks & remembering Mulholland Drive with Tone Wheeler

Talking Architecture & Design

21 subscribers

published 13 days ago

MP3•Episode home

Architect, author, lecturer and urban thinker Tone Wheeler joins us to discuss why these mid-century apartments still hold so much potential in today’s housing crisis.

From their efficient design and human-scale living to their adaptability for modern sustainability, we’ll explore how these buildings can offer a viable alternative to high-rise developments.

Are these walk-ups a relic of the past or a blueprint for the future? Let’s find out.

239 episodes

#Arts #Graphic Design #Architecture Design #Architecture #Design #Building #Construction #Productivity #Building Products #Supply #Furniture #Fitness

All episodes

Talking Architecture & Design

1
Episode 242: Davina Rooney, GBCA CEO explains why we have falling circular economy rates, the value of sustainability and TRANSFORM 2025 15:02

6 days ago15:02

15:02

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) represents 650+ members including individual companies with a collective annual turnover of more than $60 billion. CEO Davina Rooney, after 6 years at the helm, looks at what has been happening in the built environment in areas such as sustainability, circular economy and the role of the GBCA in the wider business sector. This exclusive interview was recore on-site at GBCAs TRANSFORM 2025 conference that was recently held in Sydney.…

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 241: Tackling urban density, rediscovering the beauty of 1960s walk-up unit blocks & remembering Mulholland Drive with Tone Wheeler 43:53

13 days ago43:53

43:53

On our 7th anniversary, in this episode of Talking Architecture & Design , we explore the evolving landscape of our cities and the ideas shaping how we live. Today, we’re tackling urban density and taking a fresh look at an often-overlooked housing model—the humble 1960s walk-up unit block. Architect, author, lecturer and urban thinker Tone Wheeler joins us to discuss why these mid-century apartments still hold so much potential in today’s housing crisis. From their efficient design and human-scale living to their adaptability for modern sustainability, we’ll explore how these buildings can offer a viable alternative to high-rise developments. Are these walk-ups a relic of the past or a blueprint for the future? Let’s find out.…

Talking Architecture & Design

1
Episode 240: Gerald Matthews on modern education design, heritage-rage and why doughnut-shaped planets can't exist 41:54

20 days ago41:54

41:54

Gerald Mathews, the managing director of Matthews Architects, a practice which was founded by his father way back in 1975 in North Adelaide, South Australia. In this podcast, he talks about modern education design, heritage hysteria and why doughnut-shaped planets have no gravity in their centres..

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 239: Breaking barriers - Gray Puksand’s Maria Correia on women in architecture and leadership 23:26

27 days ago23:26

23:26

In this special episode ahead of International Women's Day this March 8 and for her debut podcast for Talking Architecture & Design , our Digital Editor Clémence Carayol talks to Gray Puksand Lead Partner Maria Correia to discuss her journey as a woman in architecture, the challenges she faced, and the progress being made toward greater gender equality in the industry. At Gray Puksand, Maria Correia’s primary responsibility is to deliver relevant, innovative and intelligent design solutions that deliver results and exceed expectations. She has over 20 years’ experience working on interior design, retail design to brand and customer experience projects. Correia has worked in leading international brand and retail agencies from luxury, fashion, leisure, workspace, beauty, financial services and technology. As a strategic, creative thinker, she can move from strategy to creative solutions via insights, research and brainstorms to uncover the ‘big idea’. As a creative leader, she inspires teams of varying disciplines to distil the brand essence in order to deliver creative solutions that deliver results for clients. Download this inspiring conversation on leadership, design, and the evolving role of women in shaping our cities.…

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 238: NSW Minister Rose Jackson and her plans to help our most vulnerable citizens with housing affordability 14:55

5 weeks ago14:55

14:55

Rose Jackson is a Labor Member of the NSW Legislative Council and NSW Minister for Mental Health, Housing, Homelessness, Youth, Water, and the North Coast. Rose was elected to the Legislative Council in May 2019 and has been fighting for real action on climate change and tackling homelessness and housing affordability. Jackson has held a variety of roles within the labour and union movements including Assistant Secretary of NSW Labor and as an official for United Voice (formerly LHMU.) She recently took time out of her busy schedule to talk with us about what are the state government's upcoming plans for building new housing for some of our most vulnerable citizens.…

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 237: US architect Jessica Saravia on design trends, sustainability, fireproofing homes and AI in the Trump era 25:34

6 weeks ago25:34

25:34

Jessica Saravia is the technical director of DMAC Architecture & Interiors based in Chicago Illinois in the US. With over 20 years of experience, Jessica brings extensive technical expertise in design, construction and administration, assuring high performance results on every DMAC project. Jessica currently sits on the AIA National Building Performance Knowledge Community Leadership Group and is Vice-Chair of the Chicago Building Enclosure Council. She joins us from the US to talk design bushfires, sustainability and asks will the Trump presidency influence her profession?…

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 236: ASA founder Alex Symes on sustainability, winning awards and how design can help alleviate our housing woes 31:21

7 weeks ago31:21

31:21

Alex Symes, the founder of ASA picked up the Commercial Architecture - Small with Coconut Crab as well as the Single Dwelling -Alteration award at the 2024 Sustainability Awards with his Fun Haus adaptive Passive House reuse. He also delivered the keynote speech at last year’s sustainability summit that was held on the same day. Away from those wins, Alex Symes founded his practice in 2014 with a mission to advance sustainable architecture. Alex combines a deep understanding and interest in building physics and sustainability best-practices to create buildings that are not only beautiful but contribute to stronger environmental outcomes overall. So, what will be driving residential design in 2025?…

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 235: Tina Tziallas on energy-efficient building design, sustainable materials and promoting behavioural change to promote sustainability 41:55

8 weeks ago41:55

41:55

Recently elevated to Fellow by the Institute of Architects, Tina Tziallas graduated from Sydney University in 2003 and underwent registration with the NSW Architects Registration Board soon after. In 2013, she launched her own practice, Tziallas Architects in the Southern Highlands of NSW and has never looked back. Tina has worked on a variety of projects, including high-end and sustainable residential, multi-unit, commercial, equine, religious, and landscape projects, as well as a variety of masterplans & feasibility studies. Tina has a passion for heritage/ adaptive re-use work as well as designing contemporary, sustainable dwellings. That passion and flair for beautiful design was just one reason Tina was recently elevated to a Fellow by the Institute of Architects? Fellowship, of course is awarded to those who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the architecture profession beyond architecture practice, so this is quite an honour. In this podcast, Tina talks about some of those passions, design ideas, concepts to do with sustainability and a whole lot more. This podcast is brought to you in association with AWS , proud sponsors of our 2025 Residential series of podcasts.…

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 234: The advantages of using metal ceilings in transport infrastructure hubs 59:55

9 weeks ago59:55

59:55

Transport infrastructure projects, such as airports and railway stations, are complex buildings with demanding requirements for functionality, longevity, and durability. Most transport hubs operate around the clock and are expected to last for decades while also being subject to heavy foot and equipment traffic. Airports and railway stations are architecturally complex structures, placing high demands on functionality, aesthetics, and performance. As a ceiling material, metal offers design flexibility as well as aesthetic and performance benefits. Taking a variety of forms – from planks and panels to curved beams and perforated options – metal can transform a space into a striking piece of modern architecture. So how do metal ceilings fulfil vital functions, providing light, managing interior acoustics, while concealing and interfacing with electrical and mechanical services, while delivering a functional environment that people are comfortable in? So, to explain all this, we have with us: Paul Sheehan Ceiling Division Manager at Network Architectural and Steven Fraser Ceiling Systems Manager at Network Architectural . This podcast was proudly sponsored by Network Architectural, which specialises in high-quality architectural façade and ceiling solutions to architects and specifiers across Australia and New Zealand.…

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 233: Australia's Jansen Che, winner of a competition to help redesign Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city 16:13

11 weeks ago16:13

16:13

As part of the new concept masterplan being developed for Ukraine’s 2nd largest city, Kharkiv, whoch is home to some 1.4 million people. The Norman Foster Foundation along with the City Council, UNECE and Arup launched an international competition to create a new landmark for the city, which was requested by the Mayor in April 2022. Jansen Che is a Sydney-based architect with over 10 years of experience having worked on a wide range of projects, from home renovations to high-rise towers. In addition, he currently teaches at the University of New South Wales and contributes as an assessor for the Architects Registration Board. Jansen has received multiple accolades for the design of an ULTRA minimalist watch. Awards: The Red Dot Design Award, IDA Design Award and Good Design Award. During his time at JPW, he contributed to significant heritage projects such as the revitalisation of Sydney’s first skyscraper, 33 Alfred St at Circular Quay and the Overseas Passenger Terminal and major urban precinct developments such as Parramatta Square. Last week, Jansen Che was announced as the winner of The Norman Foster, Kharkiv Freedom Square Revival design competition.…

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 232: Sam Morris on mass timber design and why Architectus' Barker College Maths Hub won the Editors Choice Award at the 2024 Sustainability Awards 27:32

15 weeks ago27:32

27:32

Sam Morris, a multi-award-winning architect and Senior Associate and Public Sector Sustainability Lead at Architectus drives sustainable design solutions and is uniquely positioned to understand the social and environmental challenges facing the architectural profession. An expert in mass timber construction, Sam has led innovative projects such as the Macquarie University Ainsworth Building - winner of the 2021 Sustainability Awards. In our last podcast interview for 2024, Sam explains why the Barker College Maths Hub was a recent winner of the prestigious AIA NSW Milo Dunphy Award for Sustainable Architecture and the Editors Choice winner at the 2024 Sustainability Awards. The 2024 Editor’s Choice award was sponsored By Sika Australia .…

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 231: Nuanu Creative City - a mirage in the jungle or a vision of the future? 33:20

16 weeks ago33:20

33:20

Nuanu Creative City is a city spanning 44 hectares set on a lush tropical site in Bali, Indonesia. Designed as an integrated ecosystem, the city features dedicated spaces for education, art & culture, wellness, experience, and nature-inspired living, envisioning a future where these elements seamlessly intertwine. And Lev Kroll is the CEO of Nuanu Creative City . Lev’s entrepreneurial ventures span creative agencies, SaaS companies and global projects. In addition to his role at Nuanu, Lev mentors start-up companies, serves on the board and supports technological innovation. Lev reveals the process in coming up with the idea of a 'creative city' and also how the vision behind this concept that makes Nuanu so unique came to fruition.…

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 230: Jimmy Walker from JCB Architects reflects on the practice's big wins at the 2024 Sustainability Awards 20:33

17 weeks ago20:33

20:33

T3 Collingwood won the Commercial Architecture – Large category and the Best of the Best category at the recently-held Sustainability Awards , that were hosted in Sydney by Architecture and Design . According to the architects behind this project, T3 Collingwood is the firm’s first project in Asia Pacific to adopt the T3 strategy - Timber, Transit and Technology. Senior Associate at Jackson Clements Burrows Architects Jimmy Walker has worked in leading design practices in both Melbourne and Darwin, across multi-residential, healthcare, education, residential, social housing, infrastructure, tropical design and remote community work. Jimmy also led JCB’s T3 Collingwood project, a 15-level mixed-use office tower and Victoria's tallest mass timber building. So to take us through this amazing design and the Sustainability Awards win, we spoke with Jimmy Walker.…

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 229: Improving the thermal performance and reducing heat loss risk of roofs 54:03

18 weeks ago54:03

54:03

Jeremy Robb is the National BDM for Kingspan Insulation. He has over 15 years' experience in Business Development within the Construction Industry, specialising in solutions focused roles liaising with a range of stakeholders including Architects, Engineers, Builders and Contractors. Ashley Bowen is a National Specification Manager for Fatra Australia with over 15 years of experience in waterproofing and surface coatings. Ashley has successfully contributed to Fatra Australia becoming the industry leader in single ply membrane systems here in Australia and playing a key role in projects such as the iconic Sydney Fish Markets roof waterproofing design. In this episode, Jeremy and Ashley explain how cold, and warm roofs and insulation materials can improve the thermal performance and reduce the heat loss of a building. This episode was sponsored by Kingspan Insulation .…

Talking Architecture & Design

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Episode 228: Water, so fundamental to life, yet so complex 1:26:25

20 weeks ago1:26:25