cities
Events
We talk to Anupama Kundoo ahead of Living Cities Forum 2026
As the Living Cities Forum returns to Sydney and Melbourne this August, Kundoo — appearing alongside international speakers such as Finn Williams and Ludwig Engel — tells us about time, abundance and care in her work.
Events
“Cities Made With Care’: Living Cities Forum returns with international speakers
Anupama Kundoo, Finn Williams and Ludwig Engel will be keynote speakers as Living Cities Forum comes to Melbourne and Sydney in August 2026.
Events
Sydney Open gears up for some Home Truths
What does home mean to us and how does it shape the way we live? These questions and more will be the focus for the second Sydney Open Symposium on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May, 2026.
Ideas
SyLon Report: Housing as infrastructure, housing in crisis
AFK Studios’ Earle Arney joined STORIESINDESIGN podcast last year to speak about SyLon. Here, we reproduce a summary on a recent report with NLA that builds on research into housing as infrastructure amidst a landscape of housing crisis.
Project
Student housing moves into the city
With projects such as Scape Kensington by Plus Studio, student accommodation in Sydney is shifting from isolated housing towards integrated urban infrastructure.
Ideas
Architecture, democracy and feeling at home in our cities
The built environment is all around us; would the average citizen feel less alienated if the education system engaged more explicitly with it?
Events
A live audience interview with Anthony Burke
Professor of architecture, academic, television presenter and much else besides, Anthony Burke joins Timothy Alouani-Roby in Sydney for a live audience discussion about housing and his globetrotting story in architecture.
Project
“I don’t think we ever imagined it would be as successful as it is”: Ivan Harbour returns to Barangaroo
The Senior Design Director at RSHP reflects on Barangaroo South Masterplan during a visit to Sydney marking ten years since the completion of the first phase.
Events
Between Sydney and London: Earle Arney on Stories Indesign
The London-based architect was recently in Australia for SyLon, an event broadcast simultaneously in Sydney and London to explore housing solutions across both cities.
Events
Four architects discuss the NSW Housing Pattern Book
In this episode of Stories Indesign, architects from Studio Johnston, Sam Crawford Architects, SAHA and Carter Williamson discuss their involvement in the recently launched NSW Pattern Book.
Ideas
‘City Living: Neometro residents and works’
This new book tells resident stories about how good design creates liveable, high-density homes with socially led developer Neometro.
Events
Grimshaw in Venice
The 19th International Architecture Biennale has been on in Venice and Grimshaw’s latest installation explores the civic role of digital infrastructure in our cities.
Events
UNSW housing analytics lab launches in Sydney
A new analytics lab led by UNSW researchers will draw on generative AI in an attempt to tackle Australia’s housing crisis, and has opened with an event attended by the NSW Premier in Eveleigh.
Ideas
ArtMade Architects’ Director weighs in on NSW Housing Policy
With more NSW Housing Policy rolled out early this year, ArtMade Architects’ Sherif Saad comments on the importance of good design to its success.
Ideas
“Density used to sound like a betrayal of the Australian dream”: Matthews Architects Q&A
Gerald Matthews of Matthews Architects provides insight on South Australia’s 2024 Future Living code amendment, focusing on co-located living.
Workplace
Repurpose with purpose: FK at 500 Bourke Street
The $160 million transformation of 500 Bourke Street in Melbourne’s CBD has revitalised a 1970s Brutalist icon, originally designed by Godfrey & Spowers.
Ideas
Don’t demolish Flemington Estate, says OFFICE – ‘Retain, Repair, Reinvest’
Australia’s only not-for-profit architectural practice, OFFICE, is supporting the residents of Victoria’s housing estates in their fight to save their homes and communities.
Ideas
New Danish book tells stories of spatial justice in architecture
Aarhus, Denmark is the backdrop for a thought-provoking new book that challenges the architectural discipline to confront issues of diversity, discrimination and inclusion.
Ideas
Comment: Designing for community harmony in mixed-use urban renewal
“The primary objective is to mitigate noise at the source” – this comment piece by Daniele Albanese, Head of Acoustics APAC, Cundall delves into how this pre-emptive solution can be soundly integrated.
Workplace
Gensler forecasts the trends of 2025
Let’s find out what’s in store for design in 2025 from Gensler.
Events
The human story behind Australia’s modernist history
At a glittering event at the DKO studio in Melbourne, the launch of a new book was celebrated with champagne and cheers.
Ideas
Stories Indesign: MP Max Chandler-Mather on housing crises and the politics of architecture
In this episode of Stories Indesign podcast, Timothy Alouani-Roby speaks to Greens MP and spokesperson for housing and homelessness, Max Chandler-Mather.
Events
“Architecture is the silent scaffolding that enables the making and breaking of worlds”: Kabage Karanja Q&A
We caught up with Kabage Karanja, co-founder and co-director of Cave_bureau, ahead of the Living Cities Forum in Sydney and Melbourne.
Events
Living Cities Forum rolls into Sydney and Melbourne
The 2024 Living Cities Forum hits Australia in September, with a range of international speakers standing out amidst an expanded program.
Events
Learning from the Global South with Tosin Oshinowo
The Nigerian architect was recently in Australia for Melbourne Design Week. We spoke to her about the power of design in cities such as Lagos.
Events
New crises, normal solutions: Innovative design prototypes on show at Powerhouse
Building on its beginnings in Melbourne Design Week, A New Normal is a new exhibition presented by Vivid Ideas Sydney at Powerhouse Ultimo.
Ideas
Bradfield City Centre, the climate-responsive masterplan aiming to green Western Sydney
Designed by TURNER, Hatch Roberts Day and Turf Design Studio, the Bradfield City Centre masterplan is the blueprint for a new CBD taking shape in Sydney’s west.
Ideas
AD-APT: Deep floorplates and adaptive reuse with Woods Bagot
Matt Stephenson, Principal at Woods Bagot New York, discusses a number of adaptive reuse approaches for deep floorplates.
Project
8 thought-provoking stories about housing and its multiple crises
From housing affordability to questions of density, multi-residential design and the future of cities, here are eight varied stories from our archives.
Events
Parliament unites to champion urban design excellence in Australia
Designed to drive positive change, promote sustainable practices and cultivate inclusive communities, the recent launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Design will champion the role of urban design in shaping the nation’s identity.
Ideas
Three Canberra architects on lessons from history for a planned city
We spoke with three architects currently practising in Canberra to investigate the city’s planned history and what it means to work in that shadow.
Ideas
Radical logics of connectedness and circular economy with Chris Fox
We sat down with Chris Fox to speculate on the future of regenerative architecture, circular economy and experimenting with vegetation in and on buildings.
Events
Hassell’s Perth BTR housing gets thumbs up from the Prime Minister
195 Pier Street is a build-to-rent (BTR) housing project in Perth and Hassell’s design just received some approving words from Anthony Albanese, no less!
Ideas
Buddhist meditation and bamboo with Vo Trong Nghia
The Vietnamese architect discusses insatiable construction markets and dwindling urban ecologies. For the latter, he recommends bamboo; for the former, meditation.
Ideas
Woods Bagot’s Russell Fortmeyer: Whose climate is it anyway?
In this comment piece republished from INDESIGN #90, Woods Bagot’s Global Sustainability Leader in Los Angeles brings questions of equality to design in the climate crisis.
Events
WY-TO on well-being for all in tropical cities of the future
In a time of climate emergency, how can cities support and balance the needs of their people and the planet, while ensuring their prosperity?
Events
AI, Tokyo Metabolism and the city of the future
From INDESIGN #90, the ‘Future Cities’ issue, we consider a precedent from mid-century Japan in terms of confronting crises and rapid technological change.
Ideas
HDR outlines six megatrends for 2024
In a climate of innovation, HDR’s architecture practice has forecasted six trajectories of change that will have a transformative impact over the coming year and redefine city-shaping for the foreseeable future.
Ideas
Robert Puksand comment: Have you ever wondered why you design the way you do?
In this opinion piece, the founder of Gray Puksand reflects on past influences as well as the trends and technologies influencing today’s designers.
Ideas
Six things we learned in London
To start the new year, our editor was on the ground in the UK to meet some of London’s leading architects. What are the relevant insights for Australia and the Asia-Pacific?
Ideas
Hatch comment: The future of urban regeneration is here
In this comment piece, Mike Day, partner at Hatch, draws on his three decades as an urban design leader to offer insights into how Australian cities could become fit for the future.
Project
SJB comment: The value differentiator in build-to-rent
In this comment piece, SJB director Nigel Morris discusses a test case for amenity-driven living in the build-to-rent sector.
Ideas
T.C.L comment: Unlocking the potential of Brisbane’s creek catchments
Deb Robbins, T.C.L Brisbane Studio principal, shares her vision for a series of catchment ‘corridors’ to unify the city.
Ideas
Meet Dikshu Kukreja, a man of vision
Dikshu Kukreja is a man of stature. Not only is he a leader in architecture and design, he conceives projects and speaks of change that looks to a future of more thoughtful, sustainable urbanism.
Project
Q&A: Hassell and Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel Project at WAF
Hassell recently presented its gigantic Metro Tunnel Project at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) alongside collaborators Weston Williamson and RSHP. We spoke to Hassell principal Ingrid Bakker about the scale of the work and what’s driving the design.
Events
Towards a golden age of Australian architecture?
On the eve of 2024, our new editor, Timothy Alouani-Roby, addresses an exciting yet provocative open letter to the Australian architecture community on the opportunities of an era.
Ideas
Rory Hunter: One man’s MODEL for build-to-rent
As he creates a template for the future, Rory Hunter envisages a type of build-to-rent that will deliver better lives for residents on every level.
Events
Buildings Breakthrough at COP28: Q&A with David Ness
UniSA Professor David Ness played a key role in a UN report on CO2 emissions relating to buildings, construction and urban growth which underpins the Buildings Breakthrough official launch at COP28 in Dubai.
Events
‘Creating a Better Tomorrow’: Gensler in Tokyo
A Gensler celebration in Tokyo celebrates the practice and looks to the future of design.
Ideas
‘Sticky tenants’ with Make Architects: UK learnings for Australian build-to-rent
What can Australian build-to-rent (BTR) developers learn from the experienced UK market and how can these lessons be applied locally? Frank Filskow shares valuable insights from Make’s work and research in the UK and Australia.
Workplace
From tired office to luxury aged care: Adaptive reuse with Fender Katsalidis
The Alba is a transformative adaptive reuse project in Melbourne, transforming a dilapidated office building into a refined aged care residence.
Ideas
What can we learn from the ‘Blue Zones’ as we strive to live longer and age well?
A specialist in senior living, Dr YE Ng of Architectus Conrad Gargett draws on research into the ‘Blue Zones’ – regions worldwide where people have the longest lifespans – to offer insights into the key ingredients to create places for ageing well.
Project
The awards keep coming for Quay Quarter Tower
This time, it’s the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) which has recognised the Sydney building as Best Tall Building Worldwide.
Workplace
Gray Puksand comment: Brand your building!
In this opinion piece, Francesca Moccia, senior associate at Gray Puksand, makes the case for understanding buildings as commodities.
Project
Five of the best landscape architecture practices
Landscape architecture is enjoying a rise in prominence. Today, it’s taking a seat at the design table from the very beginning of a project, so we bring you some of the leading practices.
Project
Koichi Takada on nature, luxury and his latest collaboration with Lexus
As LANDMARK by Lexus returns for its sixth iteration, Sydney-based Japanese architect Koichi Takada is reflecting on the place of nature in design.
Ideas
Kristen Whittle and the quest for soulful density
Building on a profound depth of experience, Kristen Whittle is orchestrating his very own studio with a humanistic design philosophy based on care.
Project
What’s behind the translucent veil at this Chinese church?
Creating a clear and legible space of spiritual purity, Wutopia Lab’s Fengxian Qixian Jesus Church, south of Shanghai, posits the sublime calm of faith within a vast metropolis.
Events
“Truth, beauty and justice”: On architecture and politics with Elizabeth Farrelly
Timothy Alouani-Roby spoke to the prominent Sydney-based author and architecture commentator about her experiences running for office and the place of architects in politics.
Ideas
“No longer business as usual”: A periscopic view of our cities’ futures
INDESIGN Magazine’s 90th edition, The ‘City Futures’ Issue, is almost here! We speak with Tim Williams, cities practice lead at Grimshaw about the complex tensions our cities face in this post-pandemic, climate-critical era of globalised living.
Ideas
Plus Architecture comment: What inspired us about the Scandinavian housing model?
Plus Architecture’s Patric Przeradzki offers four key takeaways from the Scandinavian housing model. Przeradzki argues they can be applied in Australia to work towards healthier, safer and more cohesive residential communities.
Ideas
‘I want to allow nature to design the building’: Interview with Tokyo-based Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP
Hiroshi Nakamura is doing some of the most interesting work on the contemporary Japanese architectural scene. From residential to retail and urban to rural, his practice is one to keep an eye on for observers in Australia and elsewhere. Timothy Alouani-Roby visited the Tokyo studio to find out more.
Events
Sustainable, livable and naturally urban: Sydney’s future at the VIVID Collectivity Talks
While Sydney’s VIVID celebration is typically associated with stunning visuals and light shows, it is also a place to ponder the futures of the harbour city.
Events
CIRCA, the university journal reinvigorating architectural discourse
Students at the University of Sydney launched CIRCA last year with the aim of creating a platform for architectural discourse for students and professionals alike. After a series of successful events, the second issue is under construction.
Project
Tackling housing density on the Victorian Architecture Awards shortlist
The shortlist for the Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Architecture Awards has been published. Nightingale Village is one of the projects in the mix and we spoke to Austin Maynard Architects about their part in it.
Ideas
Changing How We Think About Energy For Our Urban Future
Our constant need for more and more energy is one of the most basic dilemmas of modern life. Vincent Petit from Schneider Electric discusses how the challenge can become an opportunity.