Nanako McIntosh - Learning from project management

Hearing Architecture

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7d ago 59:21

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In this episode, Aileen Chew and Daniel Moore speak with Nanako McIntosh, Director of Ellia Design, about her diverse career spanning New Zealand, Singapore, and Australia, and her experience moving between architecture, project management, and design management roles. Nanako reflects on how working both client- and contractor-side has reshaped her understanding of an architect’s value, revealing opportunities for collaboration that improve project efficiency and cost outcomes without compromising design integrity.

Nanako shares the story of founding Ellia Design with Senior Designer Ashleigh Elliott, building a bi-state practice with a focus on mid- to senior-level staff, and developing a loyal, recurring client base. Nanako offers candid insights into the challenges and rewards of running a small studio, from managing variable project scopes to balancing growth with hands-on design involvement. Her journey is a thoughtful reminder that an architect’s role can be flexible, multifaceted, and deeply enriched by cross-disciplinary experience.

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This is a production by the Australian Institute of Architects Emerging Architects and Graduates Network, in collaboration with Open Creative Studio. The Institute production team was Katie Katos, Claudia McCarthy, and Mark Broadhead, and the EmAGN production team was Aileen Chew and Daniel Moore.

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