Sanctioned Eavesdropping – ‘Ten Minutes With’, a Podcast by AHEC

Words by Camille Khouri
Photography by Tom Ferguson, Damon Wilder, Lucia B Creative & Pablo Veiga

As modern life gets busier, the need for condensed, insightful content and entertainment grows. Recognising this, the American Hardwood Export Council has created ‘Ten Minutes With’, a podcast designed to be a short yet informative and entertaining addition to the listening lists of architecture and design professionals.

Finding time to take in media and information of interest can be challenging in this busy world, unless it is squeezed into in-between moments, such as on a cross-town commute, or multi-tasked with exercise or banal work. Understanding that the scarcity of time within the architecture and design community is equaled only by the hunger for inspiration and engagement within the architecture and design community, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) created ‘Ten Minutes With’, a series of bite-sized podcast episodes that can be listened to in any 10-minute window, whether it be during a coffee break or while walking to the train.

Formatted to make the listener feel like a fly on the wall of some of Australia’s leading architecture and design studios, AHEC’s ‘Ten Minutes With’ features discussions with top industry figures in conversation about the current, the interesting and the influential in the world of design.

Formatted to make the listener feel like a fly on the wall of some of Australia’s leading architecture and design studios, AHEC’s ‘Ten Minutes With’ features discussions with top industry figures in conversation about the current, the interesting and the influential in the world of design. The topical opinions, ideas and shared anecdotes make for an enriching listen and the conversational format and musical punctuations give the podcast a relaxed, upbeat quality.

In the current climate of restrictions on travel and social occasions, many in the industry are yearning to hear different viewpoints and be party to hearty discussions, especially between internationally-revered Australian architects and designers. Having the opportunity to sit in on their conversations and hearing them share views is an enriching experience. To date, ‘Ten Minutes With’ episodes have included Mark Simpson of Melbourne-based architecture practice Design Office talking with renowned designer Todd Hammond about materials, Sydney-based industrial designer Adam Goodrum in conversation with Jam Factory’s Andrew Carvolth on making it in the Australian industry, and sustainability-focused designers Matt Woods and Clinton Cole talking sustainable truths. Many others are still to come in future episodes.

In the current climate of restrictions on travel and social occasions, many in the industry may be yearning to hear different viewpoints and be party to hearty discussions, especially between internationally revered Australian architects and designers.

‘Ten Minutes With’ is produced by AHEC and created by Australian design luminary Marcus Piper. Facilitating debate and encouraging discussion is a key focus for AHEC, which has long supported responsible, sustainable design in Australia. The American Hardwood Export Council’ aims to provide designers with stimulus and support to make good choices when it comes to materials, and this podcast helps to achieve this goal by giving local experts a voice on important issues in this space.

You can listen to the entire podcast series here.