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Anthony Burke's By Design
by ABC Australia
Today: #40 in Arts, Australia on our combined chart.
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Ranking history · United States
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Latest episodes
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What if Australia built like it belonged here?
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Can contaminated land help solve Australia's housing crisis?
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The secret symbolism of chopsticks
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Designing homes for a robotic future
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How sunscreen went from niche remedy to public health essential
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Designing recovery: What comes next for Nepal?
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What did babies wear before nappies?
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How your home is silently affecting your health
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Inside our love affair with photo booths
September 23, 2026 · 13 minIt’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…
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Not just for presidents: bunkers designed for entire populations
September 21, 2026 · 27 minBunkers 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…
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Before fridges: How hessian sacks kept food cool
September 16, 2026 · 19 minBefore 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…
About the show
Hosted by Anthony Burke, Professor of Architecture at UTS and one of Australia's leading voices on how we might build better futures, Anthony Burke's By Design podcast explores the clever ideas and human stories behind the spaces, systems, and objects shaping our everyday lives.
Anthony is well-known as the host of Grand Designs Australia, Grand Transformations, Restoration Australia, and Culture by Design (streaming on ABC iview). His expertise and passion for design make this podcast an essential listen for anyone curious about how design impacts the way we live.
From prefab housing and smart homes to designing cruise ships or animal habitats and the future of the open-plan home, each episode dives deep into a theme through engaging interviews and real-life case studies from across Australia.
Every show ends with The Extraordinary Everyday, a short segment uncovering the cultural and social history of familiar objects: think plunge pools, corduroy, and even the humble welcome mat. With an informal, accessible tone, By Design makes design visible, relatable, and relevant for everyone.
Whether you're curious about architecture, interior design, urban design, product design, furniture or fashion design, sustainability, or the hidden stories behind everyday objects, this podcast reveals why design matters, especially in a rapidly changing world.