Suburban utopia, the power of mentors, roadtesting different roles in the built environment and the exploration of Indigenous knowledge in architectural education and practice. Listen to this generous, thought-provoking conversation between Emma Healy and Annaliese McCarthy.
Our conversationalists for this session are Brisbane-based Emma Healy and Annaliese McCarthy. Emma is a co-founder of Landings Studio and Principal Architect at the City of Moreton Bay Council. Annaliese is an architectural graduate at BVN.
Emma dubs herself a “suburban Utopian”, living and working in a fibro shack in a semi-rural suburb. Annaliese has worked and travelled throughout her student years, testing different roles and fields, from architecture to construction management and property management. A proud Gadigal woman, Annaliese details the “weird power dynamic” and pressures associated with being a young Indigenous designer, constantly sought for her expertise despite being in a junior role. Our speakers reflect on different approaches to Indigenous-led design projects, the importance of truth-telling, meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities (including involvement in decision-making processes) and respecting cultural practices.
Research in practice is a shared interest, with Annaliese discussing her work with mentor Kevin O’Brien at BVN; and Emma highlighting that unpaid volunteer work and real-world community connections are also “research in practice”. From powerful mentors to food sovereignty, finding your blindspots and questioning whether architecture will ever attain self-awareness, this entertaining conversation is well worth a listen.
This episode of Parlour POD was produced with the assistance of the Alastair Swayn Foundation through a Design Audio Grant. Thanks!
This episode was recorded live on Yuggerah and Turrbal Country at the 2022 Spring Salon. Held at the Brickworks Design Studio on 13 September 2022, it was convened by Kelly Greenop and Justine Clark. Photos: Alanna McTiernan.
