Sounds Like Design

Have you read Sonia Sarangi’s latest article, on Parlour?

Sonia outlines the systemic inequities that persist in architecture, and how Culturally and Racially Marginalised (CARM) practitioners bear the brunt of systemic inequity.

I applaud Sonia for her courage in speaking up - and for inspiring us to take action - by writing this story.

I’ll include a link to Sonia’s article on Parlour in my Stories.

How does winning an architecture award change the narrative around good design?

One of our long-standing clients - Matt Delroy-Carr of MDCA Architects - recently won a named award at the 2026 WA Architecture Awards.

Despite stiff competition in the Sustainability category, this relatively restrained and modest project – in terms of its overall size and the materials used - won the top prize.

This recognition proves that well-designed, comfortable, sustainable and affordable homes are within the reach of young families.

It also helps to shift the narrative around what architecture is, and who should benefit from good design.

I have loved working with Matt over the past 5 years - and seeing MDC Architects win this fantastic accolade was an incredible moment.

I strongly believe that architects have important stories to tell - and significant contributions to make - so if you'd like some help to amplify your message, DM me and let's chat...

The best architecture stories place the clients at the heart of the narrative.

Why?

It's how you build connection and trust with future clients.

Your stories enable your future clients to easily recognise their issues and needs - and your solutions - in your past projects.

Because when you tell relatable stories about real people with similar problems, your words act like a magic portal to connection and engagement.

This is one of the reasons stories are much more powerful than images, when it comes to attracting and winning the right clients.

Images can be intimidating or too perfect, but stories that describe each project’s challenges and rewards can be grounding and calming.

Storytelling is like architecture itself, in that it’s a skill you can learn and practice over time.

And the better you get at telling great stories about your work, the more great clients you’ll attract, and so it goes…

Are you ready to tell better stories?

My CPD Express training - Get Published for architects - is packed with actionable tips and strategies.

Even if you’re not ready to approach editors yet, it will transform the way you frame your stories around past and future clients.

DM me “Get Published” or enrol now via the link in my bio to purchase it and get instant access.

Or ask me any questions you have…

Your website is your firm's front door - is it flung wide open, so the right people can walk straight in?

Or are you not sure how to update or upgrade your online presence?

> If you have questions about your website...

> Questions that you've been too scared or shy to ask...

Come along to my new Websites Alts&Adds CPD training this Thursday, to get answers.

I'll share the Top 10 issues I see on architecture websites, with simple and fast fixes.

And you can ask me anything.

There's zero judgement, and no patronising tone, just useful data, insights and pointers to help you get more visible...
.. so you can win more and better clients.

Enrolments close at 5pm on Weds - and you'll receive an email on Thursday morning with your checklist and resources - so enrol now via the link in my bio.

Or DM me if you have questions - and remember - there are no silly questions!

You know your website needs some work, but you don't know where to start...

or what to fix first...

or even who to ask for help!

So it keeps sliding to the bottom of your to-do list.

I've been watching architects make the same mistakes with their websites for YEARS, and now I'm stepping in to help.

I've compiled a list of the Top 10 mistakes I see over and over, and I'll show you how to find them, and fix them, fast.

And when you fix these issues, you'll become more visible in search and more clients will trust and engage you.

(This is not speculation either. I'll show you how to measure your performance improvements, using data and metrics.)

This new CPD workshop - called Website Alts&Adds - is happening live on Zoom on Thurs 27 Aug.

There are more details on the last slide.

And you can DM me if you have questions.

Or go ahead and enrol now, via the link in my bio...

so you can tick "update website" off your to-do list, finally!

What did Adam Haddow say about the role of design?

> Is it an optional extra?
> Is it a “nice to have”?
> Is it only available for a few people?

No!

Contrary to popular belief, design is always present.

He said it so neatly:

“There is no such thing as ‘no design’ - only good design, or bad design.”

So often “the market” would have consumers believe that they have to settle for bad design, without realising they have options and choices, and can demand better quality products and services.

That’s why I love this simple yet striking framing.

The binary is not “absent or present”, it’s “good or bad”.

Extrapolating from here, I think this is true for architecture marketing as well.

It’s not that some firms have no architecture marketing.

Every firm is marketing themselves in some way - either passively or proactively - and the result is good marketing or bad marketing.

And the best thing about good marketing?

It makes the case for good design obvious...

(DM me if you’d like a link to Adam’s Reel from Sept 2025, where he talked about this idea after travelling to Canberra to meet with MPs.)







Adam Haddow

What golden opportunities are hiding in your inbox?

What potential projects are lurking in pipeline?

Perhaps you haven't seen them, or they'd gone "on hold", or you might have dismissed some enquiries as not viable?

Could you turn any of these into actual projects and clients?

I bet you could!

And I say that because I've seen architects - Harriet and many others - do exactly that, in the Shake + Stir Experiment.

Shake + Stir is the method I developed to turn enquiries and leads into clients and projects, and it delivers fast and impressive results.

It's a 30-day CPD program with online, pre-recorded training modules and tools.

You can also come to two Zoom Q&A calls to get my feedback and help, if you'd like to.

The next round starts on Monday 17 Aug, so if you have any questions or would like more details, DM me.

And if you'd like to apply, there is a link in my bio.

(Everyone who applies is able to enrol - the applications allow me to see what you have in place already, and where any gaps might be.)







With thanks to for sharing this feedback

Is the definition of architecture too narrow?

At some point, architecture became known as a luxury service for wealthy people, instead of being seen as an essential service for everyone.

And this is a misconception that I've tried to correct for decades.

So I'm really excited to see this idea gaining traction.

The upcoming Design for the 99% symposium - happening in Melbourne in early Sept - challenges "the long-held notion that architecture is a luxury only available to the few".

15 architects will be presenting different approaches to making good design more accessible to more people.

I wish I could attend!

Are you going to the symposium?

Or do you have a story about a more accessible and inclusive version of architecture to share?

I wrote this article for ArchitectureAu in 2019, after seeing the A Home For All exhibition at the V&A, which was co-curated by Rory Hyde.

So if you want to expand the definition of architecture - so that more people can enjoy the wonder of good design - get in touch.

This is my jam!

Is the definition of architecture too narrow?

At some point, architecture became known as a luxury service for wealthy people, instead of being seen as an essential service for everyone.

And this is a misconception that I've tried to correct for decades.

So I'm really excited to see this idea gaining traction.

The upcoming Design for the 99% symposium - happening in Melbourne in early Sept - challenges "the long-held notion that architecture is a luxury only available to the few".

15 architects will be presenting different approaches to make good design more accessible to more people.

I wish I could attend!

Are you going to the symposium?

Or do you have a story about a more accessible and inclusive version of architecture to share?

I wrote this article for ArchitectureAu in 2019, after seeing the A Home For All exhibition at the V&A, which was co-curated by Rory Hyde.

So if you want to expand the definition of architecture - so that more people can enjoy the wonder of good design - get in touch.

This is my jam!