What does good design even mean? | Lee Hillam episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 17, 2026 · 19 MIN

What does good design even mean? | Lee Hillam

from Design Speaks Weekly · host Architecture Media

Lee Hillam is a seasoned design critic. Her experience as a principal of Dunn Hillam, as a reviewer for national publications such as Architecture Australia, and as chair of the State Design Review Panel for the Government Architect NSW has sharpened her eye for what makes a successful architectural outcome. In this episode, Lee unpacks how we justify a project's merit and explores the tension between subjective and objective evaluation in design.   Further reading Lee Hillam on how to improve the competition system https://architectureau.com/articles/lee-hillam-on-how-to-improve-the-competition-system/ Green Square Public School and Community Spaces by BVN https://architectureau.com/articles/green-square-public-school-and-community-spaces-by-bvn/ Murrin Bridge Preschool Community Hub by CD Studio, Supercontext, GFA2, Fake Industries and University of Technology Sydney https://architectureau.com/articles/murrin-bridge-preschool-community-hub/ The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland https://architectureau.com/articles/the-pavilion-performing-arts-centre-sutherland/ Music, desert and sky: Cobar Sound Chapel https://architectureau.com/articles/cobar-sound-chapel/ Architecture as storytelling: Quay Quarter Lanes https://architectureau.com/articles/quay-quarter-lanes/ An act of civic pride: Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre https://architectureau.com/articles/gunyama-park-aquatic-and-recreation-centre/ Third-gen city-making: 44A Foveaux Street https://architectureau.com/articles/44a-foveaux-street/ The architecture of interdependence: Escarpment House https://architectureau.com/articles/escarpment-house/ Making a community: Arkadia https://architectureau.com/articles/arkadia/ Tall ambitions: Short Lane https://architectureau.com/articles/short-lane/ Cowper Street Housing https://architectureau.com/articles/cowper-street-housing/ Long hours: Go hard or go home! https://architectureau.com/articles/long-hours-go-hard-or-go-home/  

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 17, 2026

Embed this episode

Ready to play

What does good design even mean? | Lee Hillam

0:00 19:44

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Design Speaks Weekly?

This episode is 19 minutes long.

When was this Design Speaks Weekly episode published?

This episode was published on August 17, 2026.

Can I download this Design Speaks Weekly episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!