Canberra Design Talks – On Route

‘Am I in transit or transitory? Who has permission to ‘be’ in this condition?’

These questions were fundamental to the Canberra Design Talks event studio leader, Alex Lawlor, facilitated earlier this week in association with SONA, EmAGN and Canberra Craft & Design.

Located in Haig Park in our Bush Capital, the sold-out event  titled On Route invited emerging cross-disciplinary voices from architecture, urban design, and adjacent disciplines to comment on the effect of movement into and through cities.

Often the left over space of of larger city shaping – it is the sights, sounds, speed, smell and touch that defines our perception of movement through space that is both required and left behind by design and planning. This can be highly regulated and, often, form contested public space. The diversity of publics and senses that are On Route exist in both place and time. 

A space that is ‘On Route’ is subject to flows that often make it the result of other choices, yet we propose to consider how they may be made ethically, what role energy plays or what ecology could be found (and may have been forgotten) as the design task in itself. 

The event draws out ideas relating to a specific place in Canberra. In doing so, we hope to create new connections and stories that prompt change.

Thank you to our speakers:

Lucy Irvine – Head of Textiles, School of Art and Design at the Australian National University

Lucy’s practice-led research spans textiles, sculpture, public art, and architecture. Known for large-scale woven installations that intervene in public space rather than traditional galleries, she explores new ways of working collaboratively with communities, in both academic and professional contexts.

Nathan Pauletto – Designer at Hayball, Sessional Academic at the University of Canberra

With experience across education design, residential projects, masterplanning and research, Nathan is a tour de force in understanding process and good design through dialogue. He balances practice at Hayball with teaching as a sessional tutor at UC.

Nicholas Eccles – Associate at Open Principle Architects, Sessional Tutor at the University of Canberra

Nicholas’ work explores natural systems, culture, process, and construction to reveal considered architectural responses. He also contributes to the profession as an ACT AIA Chapter Councillor and as a member of the 2025 ACT Chapter Architecture Awards jury.

Gunjan Shah – Urban Planner Purdon

Gunjan is an urban planner with a strong background in architecture, working across both public and private sectors. Having lived in multiple countries, she brings a global perspective to design, policy and delivery, shaping places that strengthen community and culture. She also currently serves as co-chair for EmAGN ACT with the Australian Institute of Architects and leads archiNATION, a national initiative strengthening connection between immigrants and locals through shared storytelling and learning.

Woody Brenden – Advocate

Woody is a skateboard advocate working to foster a skate‑friendly city and improve public skateparks across Canberra. As Vice President of the Canberra Skateboarding Association, he highlights the positive impacts of skateboarding on public space and public health, and has contributed to the CSA’s submission to the ACT Legislative Assembly Inquiry into Skateboarding and the development of an ACT Skate Strategy.

Photos by Claire Heerdegen