PODCAST CORNER

Talking Architecture & Design

Residential: Looking at the issues affecting the design and rebuild of our residential structures and all that is needed to design the most liveable and sustainable homes possible.

Launched in 2017 as part of the Architecture & Design publishing and news network, Talking Architecture & Design podcast interviews industry leaders, innovators, personalities and a range of industry movers and shakers. With no subject that is off-limits, we talk to those that not only make change happen, but also those that turn that change into industry norms and trends. In this issue we are featuring our Residential podcast series, proudly partnered by Caroma.

EPISODE 98: CAROMA INDUSTRIAL DESIGNERS LUKE DI MICHIEL & ANDY GRIGOR TALK TOILET DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY, WATER SAVINGS AND SUSTAINABILITY EPISODE 96: HAROLD PERKS ON THE SHIFT TO BUILD-TO-RENT MODELS OF RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

Caroma Senior Industrial Designer Luke di Michiel (Left) is at the forefront of product design and innovation, contributing to numerous award-winning products for GWA Bathrooms and Kitchens and their leading Caroma brand.

Andy Grigor, (Right), the Head of Design and Innovation at GWA for the Caroma, Methven, Clark and Dorf brands has lead the design and innovation team for Methven since 2016 and GWA/Caroma design team since 2020, bringing with him a wealth of design and product development experience. As a registered Architect for over 18 years, he has experience in mixed-use master planning, commercial, retail, high-end residential design, warehouse and hospitality architecture.

His passion for carefully considered urban fabric regularly sees him working at the complex intersection between urban design and architecture.

In this episode, Perks talks about the move to build-to-rent models of residential design and how the pandemic and home affordability are combining to facilitate this shift in urban development. EPISODE 95: HARVEY MALE, BUCHAN’S LIVING SECTOR LEADER TALKS ABOUT THE SECRETS BEHIND BUILD-TO-RENT

In this episode, Male talks about how buildings work and how to balance commercial viability while also delivering environmental and community benefits.

Harvey Male’s expertise lies in architectural and masterplan design and project coordination of cultural and civic projects, medium to large scale residential, hotel, commercial, bespoke mixed-use and retail projects, and uses this vast experience to explain the secrets behind successful build-to-rent strategies.

bit.ly/TAD_E098 bit.ly/TAD_E096 bit.ly/TAD_E095

Proudly sponsored by

RESIDENTIAL SERIES PARTNER

EPISODE 94: DR SHANE GEHA ON WHAT IS REALLY DRIVING THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT

Dr Geha is one of the leading rezoning experts in New South Wales.

His focus is working closely with clients on property uplift strategy and implementation and has worked on multiple rezoning projects including some of the largest land use changes in both size and value in Sydney and New South Wales.

In this exclusive interview, he explains what is really driving our unprecedented real estate boom and what we can do about our ever-growing housing affordability crisis. EPISODE 90: ROBERT PUKSAND ON POST-PANDEMIC DESIGN, THE CHANGING NATURE OF THE PROFESSION & WHAT KIND OF DESIGN LEGACY HE WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE

Robert Puksand is the founding Partner of national architectural firm Gray Puksand who works across a variety of project types including masterplanning, commercial and retail projects.

In each case, he brings a deep philosophy and understanding of architecture. This preoccupation with strategy in design allows him to deliver an outcome highly sought by clients.

In this wide-ranging interview, he talks about trauma induced design, post-pandemic and what kind of design legacy he would like to leave his children.

bit.ly/TAD_E094 bit.ly/TAD_E090

Top Episodes (All time)

EPISODE 1: Talking with Robin Mellon, CEO of Australia’s Supply Chain Sustainability School - 4,821

EPISODE 52: Koichi Takada talks about sustainable design and how COVID-19 has forever changed how we work, live and design our buildings - 2,330

EPISODE 2: Talking with Helen Lochhead, president-elect of the Australian Institute of Architects - 1,869

EPISODE 62: Dr. Steve Cummings from Caroma talks about the importance of designing for dignity in aged-care - 1,860

EPISODE 63: Chris McCue from Carr on New Brutalism, Biophilic design and his new project at Brunswick Yard - 1,789

Top Apps (Last 5 Episodes)

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For more information on our podcasts, go to: podcast.architectureanddesign.com.au

RESIDENTIAL SERIES PARTNER

Toilet Talk with Luke di Michiel and Andy Grigor from Caroma

Modern bathrooms serve myriad purposes in our residences. From addressing our physical needs to supporting our mental health hygiene and contributing to our emotional wellbeing, they offer an invaluable place of respite from the rest of our busy dwellings and the outside world. And as the role of the bathroom evolves, so do the spatial solutions within it, bringing to life the results of significant research, ever-changing insights and technological advancements. Luke di Michiel and Andy Grigor are Industrial Designers for Caroma and with a combined wealth of experience spanning product design, innovation, and research and development, they sit at the forefront of pioneering design where the multifaceted bathroom space is concerned.

“I think it highlights that for us as a society the role and value of the house and that space does extend beyond what previously was a few essential rooms,” says Luke. “People have higher expectations now, and that includes places like the bathrooms, laundries and butler’s kitchens. They want their vision to be realised right throughout the house. No room gets left out when we talk about the expectations across the interior design, bathroom, and product selection throughout the house.”

So what are some of the key trends that are defining the present and informing the future of bathroom design? “Ageing in place and being able to get older with dignity are certainly key aspects that shape bathroom design, as we move forward with an ageing population,” says Luke. “As they age, people are reluctant to settle for the products that have been available in the past and it’s a really exciting opportunity for us, at Caroma, in terms of presenting products that have all those functional characteristics, but also deliver on contemporary trends and styles of bathroom design and products. We’ve been able to pioneer modern grab rails and assistive supports that look very contemporary, but offer those valuable qualities that people will need as they age. So I think we’re really shifting that approach from being considered purely as a product to looking at it as universal design.”

Another big one - and one Caroma have firmly in their sights - is toilet technology. In Australia smart and tech-enabled toilets are yet to take off in the way they have in other places, like Japan. “But the tech is there,” says Andy. “And there are two ends of the development spectrum. On one side is the full biometric, wellness toilet, and on the other is the one that solves a genuine problem, like cleaning and smell, for example - and cleaning is obviously one of those ones that’s high on our agenda,” he says. “But in terms of high-tech, there are now toilets containing multiple sensors that claim to track mental and physical status and then provide recommendations about your health. And we can’t ignore that. But if we look at that spectrum of development, for now we’re taking a very pragmatic approach to solve genuine problems. But watch this space!”

And as Caroma continues towards this bright, tech-and-design-focused future, they’re well placed to keep pushing the envelope in bringing trail-blazing and useful solutions to market. “Caroma has always had a really hands-on approach from a design perspective, and we have incredible design and prototyping capabilities in-house,” says Luke. “That allows us to open up that conversation; we can take the product and engage with key industry partners for feedback and iterate based on their responses. We’ve always had the approach of ‘how could this be improved?’ and I think it’s that method, combined with our technical abilities, that allow us to really uncover the points where that true innovation can be found.”

IMAGES Luke di Michiel (Left) and Andy Gigor (Right).

LISTEN TO PODCAST EPISODE 98 bit.ly/Caroma_Podcast98

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