In August, the topic of conversation was the word ‘PLAY’. As always, three speakers working in and around architecture and design shared their interpretation of the theme in respect to their work.

Former Habitus editor, design writer and founder of the ethical fashion website and podcast, The Good Outfit, Nicky Lobo spoke about all the different meanings the word ‘play’ has in her life, both professional and personal. She spoke about how various interpretations of this word has influenced and inspired her work past, present, and evolving.

Ksenia Totoeva is an architect at Tonkin Zulika Greer Architects. Growing up in the former Soviet Union and immigrating to Newcastle (two hours north of Sydney) in the early nineties she defined the word ‘play’ by context: inside or out. She shared her take on inner home life versus an outer public life; as well as her memory of play spaces in Australia compared to those in the Soviet Union; and inspiration found in the works of by Hans Hollein, O’Donnell + Tuomey, and BOLLES+WILSON.

Lastly, Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke of Arent&Pyke spoke about the nature of the word ‘play’ in the context of the interior design practice they’ve run since 2007, including how their understanding of the word has changed and evolved over the years. 

The ultimate goal of the Perspectives speaker events is to “inspire and empower people to pursue their individual journeys to the realisation of fulfilling careers.” Now in their second year and their 14th occasion, each event fills the Eternity Playhouse at Darlinghurst Theatre Company with an audience of architects, designers and design enthusiasts at various stages in their respective careers. Proving, once and for all, that everyone has a unique and worthwhile perspective.