Anthony Burke's By Design

Episodes

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  How the men's tie became a symbol of masculinity 12.11.2026 14m

  It's one of the most recognisable symbols of masculinity in modern fashion, yet it's also one of the strangest. We trace the surprising history of the men's tie, from its military origins to its role as a global symbol of status, style and identity.
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  Why our buildings don't work for every brain 10.11.2026 24m

  From harsh lighting to overwhelming noise, many everyday spaces can be difficult to navigate for neurodivergent people. We explore how neuro-inclusive design challenges assumptions about the built environment and why designing for different minds could make spaces better for everyone.
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  How the stand mixer changed Australian kitchens 05.11.2026 14m

  Before the stand mixer, baking meant hard work and sore arms. How did the Mixmaster come to Australia, reshape home cooking and become one of the most recognisable objects on the kitchen bench?
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  Can good design save a house from fire? 03.11.2026 25m

  With bushfire season almost upon us, would your home survive a fire? From the most appropriate exterior cladding to structural tweaks, we explore the best ways to build and retrofit fire-resilient homes.
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  How sneakers became the world’s favourite shoe 29.10.2026 12m

  From the running track to the runway, sneakers have become the world's most popular shoes. We explore the history of the sneaker, from its earliest designs to the styles worn by millions today.
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  What if Australia built like it belonged here? 27.10.2026 27m

  We've been building houses for over 200 years, but do our buildings truly belong in their landscape? Designing with Country is a First Nations framework for understanding and shaping place, but when applied to the built environment it opens up a new way of thinking about design and what it can bring to communities.
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  How spectacles changed the way we see the world 22.10.2026 16m

  The most powerful technology on your face isn’t a smartphone. From the earliest magnifying lenses to pince-nez and today’s designer frames, spectacles have transformed the lives of billions. Once reserved for monks, scholars and the wealthy, glasses gradually became one of the world’s most accessible and empowering technologies. We trace the fascinating design evolution of eyewear and discover how a tool for correcting vision became a global fashion statement.
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  Can contaminated land help solve Australia's housing crisis? 20.10.2026 24m

  Can we build homes on toxic land? There are an estimated 200,000 contaminated sites across Australia, most of them within city limits. As the housing crisis deepens, could cleaning up former industrial land unlock space for new homes?  And how do you even do it?
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  The secret symbolism of chopsticks 15.10.2026 15m

  There is evidence that chopsticks existed in the Neolithic period. That's around 10,000 years of evolution in design. From a cooking tool to a symbol of status, identity and social customs, the chopstick has remained a tried-and-tested utensil, but what do its various evolutions say about the people who used it and the times they lived in?
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  Designing homes for a robotic future 13.10.2026 23m

  Robots are moving beyond the factory and into the home. From vacuum cleaners to companion robots, how might domestic robots reshape housing design, and are our homes ready for what's next?
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  How sunscreen went from niche remedy to public health essential 08.10.2026 18m

  Protecting our skin from the sun is a design challenge that spans centuries. From glacier cream to Slip! Slop! Slap!, how has sunscreen evolved to meet changing lifestyles, technologies and health concerns?
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  Designing recovery: What comes next for Nepal? 06.10.2026 23m

  The decisions made after a disaster can shape a community for generations. A month after devastating floods tore through Nepal, more than 5,000 people are still missing. As Nepal moves from emergency relief to long-term recovery, what role can architecture play in rebuilding communities and reducing future risk?
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  What did babies wear before nappies? 01.10.2026 13m

  Cradles with holes in them, moss and safety pins: all of these items played a part in keeping babies dry and clean across different cultures and centuries. Modern nappies rely on sophisticated absorbent technology, but how did our ancestors keep their babies dry? And could any of their methods work today?
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  How your home is silently affecting your health 29.09.2026 25m

  Is the air you breathe at home safe? Mould, ventilation and temperature all have a significant impact on our health, and our homes control the quality of the air we breathe. So how can design make our homes healthier and safer?
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  Inside our love affair with photo booths 24.09.2026 13m

  It’s a human-sized booth that creates long-lasting memories. The photo booth was first invented in the late 1800s, but it’s gone on to record thousands of moments: from friendships to lovers and even as tickets to adventures overseas. But in a digital age, why are they enjoying a resurgence?
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  Not just for presidents: bunkers designed for entire populations 22.09.2026 27m

  Bunkers aren't just for leaders. Long before the White House expansion, some nations were building underground shelters for civilians. How do they function, how long could people survive in them, and does Australia have any shelters capable of protecting us in a crisis?
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  Before fridges: How hessian sacks kept food cool 17.09.2026 19m

  Before electric refrigeration, how did we keep our food from spoiling? Most Australians didn’t have access to a fridge until the 1950s, so how did people battle the heat and insects before then? From the Coolgardie safe to the smart fridges of today, the evolution of refrigeration in Australia is a fascinating story.  
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  What wealthy nations can learn from doing more with less 15.09.2026 40m

  Necessity drives innovation. As conflict and climate pressures displace millions creating safe, dignified places to live has become an urgent global challenge. What can wealthy nations learn from architects working with fewer resources? The Aga Khan Award for Architecture seeks out design projects that improve lives, through creative, human-centred architecture. 
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  Why books are humanity’s most enduring technology 10.09.2026 13m

  Despite the invention of many new technologies, the book still thrives. From ancient codecs to today’s lightweight paperbacks the written word has found its way into many hands, thanks to the evolution of its design. And even while e-books and audio books flood the market, the hard copy remains a popular option for many.
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  How the digital revolution has reimagined libraries 08.09.2026 24m

  With information at our fingertips today, why do we still have libraries? While the internet and personal computers mean we can access pretty much what we want, when we want it – technology can’t give us what we truly crave: connection and community. Libraries today have to work much harder to create a space that serves diverse community needs – but with innovative design these spaces are being reimagined into something much more than repositories for books.