Design Principles Pod
Architecture. A hot topic, a buzz word, a realm for the rich and famous, or the thing that your step uncle does? We will be unpacking the good, the bad and the downright reality of the architectural and construction industry. With insights from industry professionals and personal anecdotes from our three hosts Ben, Gerard and Sam, you will be given a look behind the closed pages of those fancy looking moleskins. Tune in and redline out.
Episodes
The seemingly effortless elegance of minimalist architecture masks the extraordinary attention to detail required to achieve it. Tom Seear-Budd and James Ross, founders of Wellington-based Seear-Budd Ross Architects, pull back the curtain on this process, revealing the meticulous thought behind their refined residential designs.
Having established their practice nearly six years ago after departing larger com...
What happens when steel becomes soft? When industrial materials take on organic forms? In Gerard Dombrowski's debut solo exhibition "Inflation" at Season Aotearoa Gallery, steel transforms into something unexpectedly fluid and inviting.
We turn the microphone on our own Gerard Dombrowski as he shares the journey behind creating "Inflation"—a collection of hydroformed steel objects tha...
Ever wondered what architects mean when they talk about "programme"? In our latest deep dive, we crack open this fundamental concept that shapes everything from the tiniest apartments to sprawling civic buildings.
This episode begins with a seemingly simple question: what exactly is program in architecture? We explore how program operates simultaneously at multiple scales—a house within a street, a ...
What happens when award-winning architects and builders challenge the notion that sustainable, high-performance buildings must sacrifice aesthetics? This thought-provoking conversation brings together Passive House experts who are transforming New Zealand's built environment through buildings that are both beautiful and functional.
Architect Rafe Maclean shares how client feedback about a poorly-performi...
What happens when architecture becomes more accessible through images than through physical experience? This question forms the backbone of our conversation with Nina Boyd, a New Zealand architect currently working in Paris.
The traditional architectural pilgrimage—traveling to see important buildings firsthand—has fundamentally changed. Where Alvar Aalto's visit to Italy completely transformed his desig...
The conversation with Raimana Jones from Atelier Jones Design delves deep into the heart of what makes good design truly exceptional—craftsmanship. Drawing inspiration from architectural legends like Alvar Aalto and Walter Gropius, we explore how the most revered designers extended their vision beyond buildings to encompass furniture, lighting, and complete environments.
Raimana shares his journey through fab...
What happened to the architectural manifesto? This fascinating question from a listener propels us into an exploration of how architects have historically proclaimed their design philosophies—and why such bold declarations seem increasingly rare in contemporary practice.
The architectural landscape was once dramatically shaped by manifestos: Le Corbusier's "Towards New Architecture," Adolf Loos...
What happens when the people who shape our cities, schools, and homes are missing from the public conversation about our built environment? Award-winning architect Lisa Webb joins us to unpack architecture's growing crisis of relevance in New Zealand.
Following her thought-provoking piece in the NZIA Bulletin, Lisa shares her concerns about architects becoming increasingly sidelined in discussions about ...
A revolution is brewing in the housing industry, and it's coming from an unexpected source – Zuru, the New Zealand toy company that's now setting its sights on disrupting how we build homes. Their ambitious AI platform called "Dreamcatcher" promises to deliver fully customizable houses for as little as $500 per square meter, a fraction of current construction costs.
What makes this potenti...
Step into the new year with us as we reopen the doors to our podcast, diving deep into the vibrant world of architecture and design. We'll share our personal highlights from the recent Dezeen Awards, a celebration of exceptional creativity, and inspire listeners with the remarkable projects that put New Zealand on the global design map. Throughout the episode, we unpack the differences between local awards and th...
What happens when you build an entire house from just one material? We explore the revolutionary "everything house" concept, inspired by architectural visionaries like Robert Bruno, Tadao Ando, and Tom Kundig. This episode takes you on an imaginative journey through the possibilities and challenges of constructing homes from singular materials like wood and concrete. We question the marriage of aesthetics an...
Pamela Bell, a trailblazer in New Zealand's architecture and construction scene, shares her inspiring journey from studying architecture to embracing prefabrication and entrepreneurial ventures. Pamela's story is not just about personal triumphs but also about innovating at the crossroads of design and business. Her narrative is a testament to the transformative power of networking and building meaningful co...
Ever wondered how architecture can be more than just buildings? Join us as we chat with Kevin Hui of Archimarathon, an architecture tour curator, educator, YouTuber and social media savant. Kevin shares his inspiring journey from creating architecture running tours to collaborating with Andrew Maynard on a YouTube channel, especially during the pandemic. Get ready to explore the critical issue of Melbourne's decl...
Wondering how you can stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of sustainable architecture? Join us as we sit down with Matthew Cutler-Walsh, a leading expert in green building practices, for a deep dive into the rapidly changing landscape of sustainable building in New Zealand. Matthew sheds light on the recent H1 regulation updates, the enthusiastic support from industry professionals like Ben Nansett of MPB Builders, ...
How do you navigate the maze of fluctuating construction costs and avoid the pitfall of overcapitalization? Join us as we tackle these pressing questions and uncover practical solutions to manage building expenses effectively. We’ll break down the frustrations professionals face when clients are vague about budgets and how quantity surveyors can play a crucial role in stabilizing these uncertainties. You'll learn...
Join us for an invigorating conversation with the multifaceted Matt Liggins (Ngati Ruanui) as he shares his remarkable journey through the realms of architecture, art, and design. Matt dives into the exhilarating process of preparing for his TEDx presentation and the profound impact of forging relationships within New Zealand's art scene. We discuss the essential balance of isolation and interaction in the creati...
Can AI transform the architecture industry? Join us on this episode of the Design Principles Podcast as we unravel the dynamic interplay between artificial intelligence (AI) and architectural design. We’ll kick off by breaking down AI into digestible bits, distinguishing it from machine learning and discussing the elusive concept of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Discover how tools like ChatGPT are not just bo...
Discover the secrets behind the harmonious marriage of digital and analog design with acclaimed architect and Grand Designs New Zealand host, Chris Moller. Chris shares his unique perspective on the vital importance of tactile, sensory engagement in the creative process, reflecting on how traditional tools like pencils and legos can foster innovation. He also revisits a historical chat between Kevin Kelly and Brian En...
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