Radio Architecture

Radio Architecture with Ilana Razbash is a weekly plain-language radio show that explores the intersection of architecture, design, and personal history. Broadcast live on Radio Carrum, the show features engaging conversations with architects, designers, and creative professionals from diverse backgrounds. Each episode highlights the value of good design and architecture by delving into the guest's personal stories, career journey, and insights into the built environment. Through candid, unscripted discussions, Radio Architecture fosters a deeper appreciation for design while making complex ideas accessible to a broad audience.

A typical episode of Radio Architecture offers an engaging and intimate conversation between Ilana Razbash and her guest, often an architect, designer, or creative professional. The show begins with Ilana warmly introducing the guest and providing a brief overview of their background and achievements.

The conversation typically starts with Ilana’s signature question: “What’s your earliest memory of a building or place?” This prompts the guest to share a personal story, often tied to their upbringing or early experiences with architecture. This opening invites listeners into a reflective and approachable dialogue, setting the tone for a candid, human-centered discussion.

As the conversation unfolds, the guest discusses their career journey, focusing on key projects, ideas, and moments that have shaped their professional life. The topics covered can vary widely depending on the guest’s expertise, from specific design projects to broader discussions on community engagement, sustainability, or the future of architecture in addressing social and ecological issues. While the conversations are unscripted, they often touch on ongoing themes like the value of good design, the importance of public space, and the challenges facing architecture today.

Listeners can expect personal anecdotes and insights into the guest's creative process, professional highs and lows, and their perspectives on the industry. Throughout the episode, Ilana models active listening and asks thoughtful follow-up questions that keep the conversation flowing naturally while ensuring the guest’s stories and ideas take center stage.

The episode typically closes with Ilana asking, “What gives you hope?” This closing question leaves the audience with a sense of optimism and possibility, providing a thoughtful conclusion to the interview. Broadcast live on Radio Carrum, each hour-long episode invites audience interaction, with listeners contributing questions and comments via SMS, making the show both inspiring and educational for a wide range of listeners.

What do the people say:

"Over the years I've done many media interviews and it is difficult to surprise me with original questions, but Ilana did! Our interview was one of my most memorable ones and I loved not only Ilana's deep engagement with her show's themes and my work, but also her quick wit and responsiveness, and her rare ability to put her interviewees at ease while at the same time challenging us intellectually." - Dr Lee Kofman, Writer (Melbourne, Australia)

"It was a pleasure being interviewed by Ilana Razbash on her program Radio Architecture; her sharp intellect, genuine curiosity, and deep expertise in contemporary architecture, design, and sound made the conversation thoroughly engaging and memorable." - Dr Ella Dreyfus, Artist, Academic & Filmmaker (Sydney Australia)

"I loved joining Ilana on Radio Architecture. Her interview was intelligent and thoughtful. She was so professional in her approach and research in preparation for my interview. And she asked some surprising questions that made me think laterally about my work! And I have continued to think about my body of work. Thanks Ilana!" - Dr Deborah Leiser-Moore, Director & Theatre Maker

"I was a guest at Radio Architecture interviewed by the wonderful Ilana Razbash. What makes the experience memorable is Ilana Razbash. The curated questions, the calm and intelligent responses and Ilana's professional demeanour ensures that people’s voices are being heard clearly and legibly from a technical, cultural and personal position. This interview was so memorable for me, I was able to talk about and advocate for a topic so close to my heart, Food Design. The platform gave me a safe place to explain this relevant discipline, with Ilana’s follow up questions giving me room to explain its relevance to Australia. Studio Razbash is a great platform and a knowledge depository that is documenting the history of Victoria and of Australian architecture, and design one speaker at a time to local and international audience." - Dr Dolly Daou, Design Strategist & Kingston Citizen of the Year 2024