Talking Architecture & Design

In this episode, we’re joined by award-winning architect Sarah Lebner, Director of Cooee Architecture. 
Sarah recently took out the Hospitality & Tourism Award at the 2025 Sustainability Awards for her remarkable transformation of an old grain silo into The Silos Accommodation — a sustainable, off-grid farm stay that celebrates adaptive reuse, environmental performance, and regional experience.
In this interview, we talk about the challenges and opportunities behind that project, hear about her broader vision for sustainable design in Australia, and unpack what’s next for environmentally meaningful architecture.

Gabriel Solorzano Torres is the Executive Director of Commercial, Sustainability and Infrastructure at Melbourne Polytechnic. 
He brings deep strategic and operational experience in infrastructure and industry development — and is at the forefront of the new Future of Housing Construction Centre of Excellence, a national initiative aimed at scaling Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) skills and innovation across the sector.
In this episode, we unpack what MMC really means for architects and designers, how education and training need to evolve, and the role design thinking has in creating the homes Australia needs now.

Ingrid Bakker is a Principal architect, a board director for Hassell and a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.
Craig Guthrie is a specialist in Landscape Architecture and Urban Design with over 25 years of experience
As Hassell Studio Principals Ingrid Bakker and Craig Guthrie talk about the legacy for Melbourne and how the newly-built Metro Tunnel uses design to increase the city’s liveability.

Daniel Jarosch, Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Fish Market has lead the organisation through a once-in-a-generation relocation and reopening that has attracted millions of visitors and redefined this iconic waterfront for the future.
He explains how the new Sydney Fish Market is a game changer in terms of designing for place and the future of retail and hospitality design in busy and growing cities like Sydney.

Lisa Munao, Managing Director and Principal of Gensler’s Sydney office leads the strategic growth and operations of the firm across Australia and New Zealand. 
 With over 25 years of experience in the design industry, Lisa has guided major interior and workplace projects for global and local organisations and brings a passion for creative thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and sustainable design to everything she does. 
In this conversation she describes how design thinking shapes the future of work, community, and the built environment.