housing
Events
What does a city made with care actually look like?
At Living Cities Forum 2026, Finn Williams, Ludwig Engel and Anupama Kundoo approached the future of cities through governance, adaptive reuse and material practice.
Events
Indesign Social Club kicks on in Melbourne with Reece
Born out of Saturday Indesign research, our new Social Club is a space for younger, junior designers to meet and discuss the issues of the day — and it just hit Melbourne for the first time.
Project
A new mixed-use precinct for West London
TURNER’s first major UK project brings together more than 400 apartments, retail and communal spaces in a Brentford precinct shaped by view corridors and infrastructure.
Project
Indi Footscray reimagines build-to-rent as urban repair
SJB transforms former railway land into a 702-home build-to-rent community, using housing, public space and shared amenities to reconnect one of Melbourne’s busiest transport precincts.
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.
Project
“Density can be done well”: JPW project increases social housing offering by 300%
As a significant renewal of an established social housing project, JPW’s recently completed Cowper Street Housing in Glebe, Sydney aims to bring sustainable and community-focused density to an inner city suburb.
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.
Project
Recasting density in the suburban garden
In Melbourne, Justin Mallia Architecture reshapes a compromised heritage site into a flexible, multi-residential home — balancing density, landscape and long-term adaptability through a careful reworking of form, light and ground.
Events
Designing density with character in our inner suburbs
Kerstin Thompson of KTA and Neometro Director Lochlan Sinclair discuss density, character and the inner city during a recent gathering in St Kilda East.
Ideas
Phillip Mathieson discusses his career, influences and design approach on the podcast
In this STORIESINDESIGN conversation, architect Phillip Mathieson discusses his formative personal experiences and his residentially focused work out of Sydney.
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?
Ideas
The future of urban liveability
At Melbourne Design Week, Plus Studio brought together planners, designers and local government voices to unpack the realities of urban densification.
Ideas
Eco Outdoor hosts Sydney panel on design, carbon and long-term value
Eco Outdoor recently brought together developers, sustainability experts and local architects such as Adam Haddow to discuss design fundamentals, carbon targets and long-term thinking.
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.
Ideas
Landscape architecture under the microscope
Phillip Withers joins the podcast to discuss landscape design in relation to Country, place and European notions of control, as well as his part on the Habitus House of the Year 2025 Jury.
Events
What is the role of design in a world in crisis?
At the World Design Congress in London, a simple idea threaded through two dense days: design is not an island. It moves inside wider systems of economics, policy, finance and ecology.
Ideas
Comment: To reach net-zero, we must tackle the ‘too hard’ basket
In this comment piece by Dr Matthias Irger – Head of Sustainability at COX Architecture – he argues for an approach to design that prioritises retrofitting, renovation and reuse.
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.
Events
NSW launches landmark Housing Pattern Book (and it’s only $1 for now!)
Featuring designs by Studio Johnston, Sam Crawford Architects, SAHA and others, the NSW Pattern Book for low-rise homes is a milestone in housing design.
Events
Open House Melbourne 2025: The packed program is upon us!
This year’s Open House Melbourne Weekend program has been unveiled, with almost 200 buildings, places and experiences set to open to the public in July.
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
QIP event centres landmark research on LGBTQIA+ housing needs in Sydney
Queers in Property (QIP) NSW hosted a Pride Month event, Home Truths: Sydney’s Housing Crisis and the LGBTQIA+ Community, on Thursday 5th June 2025.
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.
Events
Vinu Daniel, Timothy Hill and more at Australian Architecture Conference
The 2025 Australian Architecture Conference has just taken place over two days at the Sydney Opera House and Seymour Centre, with a plethora of international and local speakers.
Ideas
Behind the Brand on the eve of Sustainable House Day with Helen Oakey
Helen Oakey is CEO of Renew and, with Sustainable House Day 2025 upon us, she talks to us about the climate crisis and what people can do at the scale of the home.
Project
How can architecture be a good neighbour?
As an entry to The Multi-Residential Building category at the 2024 INDE.Awards, NH Architecture and Bird de la Coeur Architects have achieved an exemplary outcome with a project that addresses the challenges of social and affordable housing.
Events
Eight modern home styles forecast for 2025
The James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast, now in its second year, has been unveiled by design expert Neale Whitaker, highlighting eight key home styles that will shape the future of Australian architecture.
Project
All in one at Fellowship Kew
Fellowship Kew LIFE Architecture and Urban Design with SORA and Jack Merlo is multi-residential living at its best, where an apartment meets all the needs for an exclusive clientele.
Project
Built to rent, led by design
Fitzroy & Co is a case study in how thoughtful design can reinvigorate urban rental housing, with an authenticity that defies the ephemeral trends of the market.
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.
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
BVN Associate in the vanguard of Aboriginal women architects
With her recent registration, Tiana Furner is among the first cohort of Indigenous women registered as architects in Queensland and indeed Australia.
Ideas
Newly released toolkit gives architects key strategies for climate-resilient design
Drawing on years of experience, Marra+Yeh Architects has made a new toolkit available online for everyone.
Project
A win for high-quality housing with EM BE CE
EM BE CE’s competition-winning design for an inner-city affordable housing development achieves efficiency and durability without sacrificing elegant design.
Project
Home Truth at NGV: Breathe confronts the elephant in the oversized room
Melbourne-based architects Breathe have constructed an unfinished house at the NGV that puts the question of house sizes in Australia on the agenda.
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
Sustainability Summit #9 – Data-driven design: Leveraging technology for sustainable housing
This upcoming panel will examine the role of digitalisation in sustainable architecture with a focus on housing.
Events
Sustainability Summit #7 – Are we truly ready to pivot to transport-oriented development?
This upcoming panel discussion will examine the housing manifesto recently introduced by the NSW government.
Events
Hassell and One Heart take 3D-printed earth to Tanzania
Hassell has revealed the design for a groundbreaking community building in Tanzania, a project in collaboration with the Australian-based charity, One Heart Foundation.
Ideas
Richard Francis-Jones: Whose city is it anyway?
Richard Francis-Jones, Design Director at fjcstudio, writes about the search for public space between the consumerism of commercial self-interest and the bureaucratic authoritarianism of the state.
Ideas
Today’s students expect more: Q&A with Architectus
We spoke to Architectus Principals, Marina Carroll and Diana Rosenthal, about meeting the needs of students today and the evolution of tertiary institutions.
Events
Global crises and the architect’s social responsibilities under discussion at AIA Conference
Kate Goodwin, curator and Adjunct Professor (Architecture) at the University of Sydney, reports back from the AIA Conference in Melbourne.
Ideas
Hassell and GBCA on social value in the built environment
Building on a recent research paper, Helen Bell and Dr Brett Pollard discuss how social value is defined, its potential pitfalls, and why it matters.
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.
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!
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.
News
Architectus’ Design Charrette “raises the consciousness of the whole studio”
We dive into the Architecture Design Charrette, in which Adelaide’s Thebarton and Brisbane’s Roma Street Precinct have provided recent focuses.
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
TURNER’s award-winning worker housing
Sydney architecture firm TURNER received a Good Design Award for its Meridian Miranda project, focusing on design elements that cater to essential workers.
Project
Getting to know emerging architects SAHA
SAHA is an architectural studio redefining urban living, where constraints such as small sites and multigenerational living are challenges executed through design problem-solving.
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.
News
Warren and Mahoney craft an urban village in Melbourne’s Docklands
Designed by Warren and Mahoney, ‘District Living’ is a build-to-rent project set to significantly expand and enhance accommodation options at Melbourne’s inner-city Docklands precinct.
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
Adam Haddow comments on new NSW housing manifesto
The AIA NSW Chapter President reacts to a recent announcement by the Minns state government aimed at tackling the housing crisis.
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.
Ideas
Comment: Susanne Pini on build-to-rent, the new place activator
In this comment piece, Rothelowman principal, Susanne Pini, argues that the build-to-rent model makes for a much richer mix of spaces in our cities.
Project
This zero-gas, urban residential precinct presents a Best-of-the-Best case scenario for modern living
Providing people with a better template for living is the Nightingale Village in Melbourne, which was celebrated as the Best of the Best project and entry for INDE.Awards 2023. This is no small feat when you are competing against a region’s worth of outstanding architecture and design.
Project
The magic of Nightingale – the multi-res building that just keeps giving
It’s a monumental project in sustainability initiatives and Nightingale Village keeps bringing home the awards. We unwrap the magic that is Nightingale.
Events
Pritzker Prize-winning architects Lacaton & Vassal launch Sydney exhibition
Curated by France-based architects Lacaton & Vassal, ‘Living in the City’ runs at the Tin Sheds Gallery within the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning until September 23.
Events
From housing and sustainability to hybrid workplaces, the future is here at the 2023 INDE.Summit
The INDE.Awards are coming soon, and so is the INDE.Summit. The latter brings together a stellar line-up of industry leaders and experts around this year’s theme – The Future is Here.
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.
Events
Three essential changes: NSW AIA criticises the state’s Affordable Housing Strategy
The NSW Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, led by president Adam Haddow, voices concerns about the NSW Affordable Housing Strategy, citing a risk of abuse for financial gain. The Institute advocates for permanent affordable housing, management by registered non-profits and a restriction on development approval times to deter land banking.
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
“Collector of stories”: Tim Ross is designing another legacy on television
The first series of Designing a Legacy aired in 2020 and self-proclaimed design nerd, Tim Ross, is back with a two-part series on ABC. It’s a chance to bring important architectural issues to a national broadcasting audience.
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
Comment: Why is it important to communicate the value of architecture?
In this comment piece, Lindy Johnson, director of Lindy Johnson Creative, urges architecture to communicate its value. Johnson says that architects are needed more than ever but their value is highly underrated — and that we’re all the poorer for it.
VIC
Bates Smart and the build-to-rent model for city living
That’s it. It’s a no-brainer. Move to central Melbourne and rent at LIV Munro where the apartments are beautifully conceived and the amenities are beyond outstanding. Build-to-rent is making waves and, through excellent design, the lifestyle of this new way of living is elevated to another dimension.
News
“The missing middle”: Contemporary terraces and the future of urban density
SJB is well versed in designing residential architecture and, while Ashbury Terraces might be a relatively small project in relation to Sydney as a whole, it provokes some fundamental questions about the future of Australian cities.
News
NT Government’s request for tend, Key Worker Accommodation
Looking for a project where architecture can make a difference? The Northern Territory Government is taking tenders for Key Worker Accommodation in Alice Springs and Katherine.
Project
Can social and market rental housing co-exist?
SJB’s Brighton Social Housing Development is a one-of-a-kind project demonstrating that social and market rental housing can co-exist.