In an age of algorithms, personal brands and endless scrolling, what truly shapes the way designers think?

The Architecture Symposium: Influences, Not Influencers invites a diverse group of Australian architects (including TFA’s Kieran Wong) and other creatives to step away from their portfolios and share the books, music, art, films, places, people, and experiences that have left an immeasurable mark on their thinking and practice. How do these influences find expression in the ideas, values and decisions that underpin the buildings, places and cultural contributions we create?

We’re not sure what Kieran will talk about yet; maybe something about the extraordinary people and places we experience as part of our work. Maybe something about the joy and inspiration that comes from exploring this incredible land. If you’re in Sydney, we hope to see you there! Book your spot here: https://designspeaks.com.au/events/2026/11/20/the-architecture-symposium-sydney#details

We were pleased to be one of two case studies featured in ArchitectureAU’s ‘spotlight on’ remote housing. Architect, anthropologist and academic Paul Memmott has written a concise overview of the Groote Archipelago Housing Project, which we developed over many years in close collaboration with the Anindilyakwa Housing Aboriginal Corporation. We always enjoy revisiting this project, and if you’d like to, you can learn more about it here.

Another beautiful piece of writing by Andrew Broffman, this time a review of Neeson Murcutt Neille’s Kamay Botany Bay National Park Visitor Centre for ArchitectureAu.⁠ ⁠

It was hard to pick the perfect line to share. This was a strong contender: ‘…the now prophetic warning by the Gweagal people, “warra warra wai” – “they are all dead” – foretold the spectre of the colonial project and the wounds still made raw by Australia’s persistent refusal to grasp the open hand so often proffered by First Nations peoples.’⁠ ⁠

We encourage you to read the full review here. There’s much to learn from this building.

On 21 June, we will be combining our love of hiking with our fury at Alcoa Australia over their proposed new mine site.⁠
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We’ll hike from dawn to dusk through the Northern Jarrah Forest, along the edge of Alcoa’s proposed new mine site, to raise funds for a community campaign to stop bauxite mining expanding further into one of the world’s most irreplaceable ecosystems. Can you sponsor us?⁠
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This is why we’re doing this: ⁠
+ The only jarrah forest on earth is in danger of collapse, and bauxite mining is its biggest threat. Not one hectare has been successfully rehabilitated in 60 years. Once the bauxite is removed, a healthy forest cannot grow back.⁠
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+ The Water Corp has warned that continued mining is certain to contaminate Perth’s drinking water supply – with restoration costs billed to WA taxpayers.⁠
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+ Alcoa is an American company paying just 1.65% in alumina royalties, exporting 85% of Australian ore overseas and sending the profits to the USA. In 2025, Australia’s advertising watchdog ruled their environmental claims were false.⁠
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+ They employ just 4,300 West Australians (half the number working at McDonald’s) yet rank as WA’s 4th biggest carbon polluter.⁠
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We could go on, and we probably will at some point. In the meantime, if you can, please consider donating via this link: https://lnkd.in/gwEn3F7H

This year marks our fifth year supporting a First Nations performance at The Blue Room Theatre, a partnership with our friends at Block Branding that we hold with great pride. ⁠
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This year, we’re supporting CORE, a ‘theatrical collage exploring what it means to be an Indigenous person in modern Australia, navigating life and identity across two worlds: Country and colony’.⁠
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The show opens tomorrow night and runs until 6 June. We’re not seeing it until Tuesday, so no spoilers please! Tickets are available via this link: https://lnkd.in/gAgtrumm

A while ago, we shared that our Sydney-based Principal, Andrew Broffman, had been awarded a State Library of New South Wales Summer Fellowship to examine the link between social housing and design in Sydney.

A couple of weeks ago, he snuck in an interview for Sydney breakfast radio and thought we wouldn’t notice. In a short chat with journalist Dominic Knight, Andrew discusses two seminal social housing projects from the 60’s – Harry Seidler’s Stephen Street building in Paddington and Maloney Street in Rosebery.

Andrew reflects on the joy of trawling through newspaper clippings at the library, the potential of architecture to improve lives through simple, considered design moves, and the responsibility of government to defend and fund quality housing for all.

Listen here.

Kieran Wong, Director at TFA and Wurankuwu Traditional Owner, Ron Poantimilui, will present our work developing a comprehensive Master Plan for the Wurankuwu (Ranku) community on Tiwi Island.

Ranku stands at a pivotal moment in its history, preparing to transition from a homeland to a recognised Remote Community under the leadership of its Traditional Owners. The community envisions Ranku as a thriving place, welcoming all Tiwi people, where culture, livelihoods, and economic opportunities flourish. This presentation will examine the steps the community took to prepare and justify their position as a legitimate Remote Community, including developing a comprehensive Master Plan. The presentation will offer insights for other communities considering similar transitions. We hope to see you there.

When: Thursday 21 May, 1.45pm – 2.15pm

Where: Grand Ballroom at DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin

Register for tickets here!

All That Country Holds is showing now at PICA, Boorloo/Perth. Curated by Zali Morgan, the exhibition brings together works by ten Kimberley-based Aboriginal artists – Miriam Baadjo, Angelina Guluwulla Karadada Boona, Jan Baljagil Griffiths, Ben Galmirr Ward, Evelyn Malgil, Mary Lou Oliyarli Divilli, Leah Rinjeewala Umbagai, Mervyn Street, Pauline Sunfly and John Prince Siddon.

We’re proud to have supported this exhibition through The Fulcrum Fund, which last year travelled as far as the Australian Embassy in Washington. Go see it, and while you’re there, swing in to Revealed, one of our favourite annual events and an opportunity to enjoy artworks from new and emerging WA Aboriginal artists.

Image: Evelyn Malgil, ‘Winuba’ 2024.