Design Your Life with Vince Frost

What makes a home feel timeless? In this episode of Design Your Life, Vince Frost sits down with Andrew Piva, Director at B.E. Architecture, to discuss materiality, craftsmanship and the emotional impact of architecture. From growing up in rural New South Wales to shaping some of Australia’s most refined contemporary homes, Andrew reflects on the experiences and philosophies that have defined his approach to design. Listen as Vince and Andrew explore the importance of “honest materials”, designing spaces that feel calm and enduring, and why great architecture is about more than aesthetics; it’s about shaping places designed for all of the senses. The conversation also touches on craftsmanship, sustainability through longevity, evolving client relationships, and the responsibility architects carry in creating homes that stand the test of time. https://www.bearchitecture.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content note: this episode includes a candid discussion of childhood sexual abuse and suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised. What if the biggest health data set in human history still can't tell you how to feel better tomorrow? Mark Britt has spent his career inside moments of disruption, as an internet lawyer at 22, in the executive ranks of ninemsn and Microsoft, and building a streaming business that reached 25 million people across 17 markets before selling to Tencent. Every industry he touched, he watched the traditional rules flatten and the customer take control. Then his own body forced the same reckoning. A health crisis that conventional medicine mislabelled for months left Mark asking a harder question: why does a system with more health data than ever still fail to tell any individual what to actually do about it? The answer became TMRW, a health company built on the idea that healthcare should be early, personal and continuous, not something you turn to only once you're sick. In this conversation, Mark and Vince talk about epigenetic ageing, the difference between treating symptoms and understanding root cause, why social media has quietly replaced the GP as our most trusted health authority, and what "punk healthcare" actually means when you build a brand designed to make people uncomfortable before it makes them well. Listen in for a conversation about biomarkers, beginner's mind, and what it really takes to design a brighter tomorrow, for yourself, and at scale. https://www.startmytomorrow.com/ If you've been affected by anything discussed in this episode, support is available. Australia: Lifeline, 13 11 14 (24/7). Blue Knot Foundation, blueknot.org.au, 1300 657 380. UK: Samaritans, 116 123 (24/7). NAPAC, napac.org.uk, 0808 801 0331. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you take a Victorian era locomotive workshop, built in 1887, and turn it into a home for contemporary sculpture? Matt Mewburn has spent the last decade finding out. Matt is a blacksmith and sculptor, and the founder of Eveleigh Works, a working forge inside one of the last remaining industrial blacksmithing workshops in the world, complete with machinery dating back to the 1850s. At 27, with no savings and a lease he couldn't afford, he took over the space anyway. What followed was a career built on physical prototyping over drawing, on letting materials push back against ideas, on making things the old way, and on the belief that nothing worth doing gets designed cleanly on paper. Blacksmithing is one of the oldest crafts in existence, and full time careers in it are rare in 2026. Matt has built one anyway, developing an international commission list and a practice that sits closer to contemporary art than traditional trade, which raises the question at the heart of this episode: what does it take to keep a craft this old relevant now? Tune in as Vince and Matt get into the discipline of working with heavy materials, the three metre tuning forks Matt made for a performance at the Sydney Opera House, what it takes to revive one of the world's oldest professions, and what it means to build a life with no long term plan at all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does an institution built in the 1820s have to teach us about designing for the future? Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon has spent two decades moving through museums, historic houses and public space, and now leads the State Library of NSW into its 200th year. In this episode, Caroline talks with Vince about the library as one of the last true third spaces, somewhere people come to be alone together. She unpacks why trust and human connection sit at the heart of public institutions, what the data says about belonging and wellbeing, and why the resurgence of physical books and slow reading isn't nostalgia, it's a response to digital exhaustion. The conversation also covers Caroline's own career, from a PhD written between naps with a newborn, to a Churchill Fellowship that changed how she thinks about public space, to a hard-won Instagram detox. Listen now for a conversation about libraries, longevity, and what it means to design for connection. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when architecture is driven by passion, adventure and the power of nature? On the latest episode of Design Your Life, Chad Oppenheim joins Vince Frost for a wide-ranging conversation on creativity, resilience and designing life beyond buildings. From growing up in suburban New Jersey dreaming through films like Star Wars and James Bond and becoming fascinated by the dramatic architecture of movie villains’ lairs, to creating some of the world’s most extraordinary hospitality projects shaped by desert, sea and landscape, including Desert Rock Resort and Shibara Resort, Chad shares the experiences that formed his worldview. Tune in as Vince and Chad explore travel as education, the realities of running a creative business, balancing ambition with family, and why great architecture should engage every sense; sound, scent, emotion, memory and our connection to the natural world. A powerful conversation with one of architecture’s most passionate voices. https://oppenoffice.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to design spaces that feel like a series of carefully crafted scenes? In this episode, Vince sits down with architect Ismael Soto, founder of SOTO, whose global career spans some of the world’s most influential practices before launching his own studio in Los Angeles. They discuss the role of research in design, the evolving impact of AI on architecture, and how new housing models must respond to climate, community and changing ways of living. Listen as Vince and Ismael explore how architecture can be experienced like a sequence of scenes — shaping mood, emotion and the way we move through space. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to build not just a successful practice, but a lasting partnership? In this episode, Vince sits down with Tim Hay and Jeff Fearon, founders of the critically acclaimed architecture and design practice Fearon Hay. Nearly 30 years into their journey, they reflect on how a shared vision, mutual respect and deep friendship have shaped both their work and their lives. From early ambitions and formative influences, to growing a globally recognised studio across New Zealand, Australia and the United States, Tim and Jeff share how they’ve stayed intentionally small, focused and true to their values. They discuss why New Zealand design consistently punches above its weight, their approach to creating architecture that is deeply connected to place, and what it means to design with longevity in mind. Listen as Vince, Tim and Jeff explore partnership, purpose, and the idea of designing a life through architecture. https://fearonhay.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really mean to design for wellbeing? For husband and wife team architect Michael Kovac and pediatrician Karina Maher, it begins with understanding the powerful relationship between nature, environment and health. While their work comes from two very different disciplines, both are guided by the same belief: the spaces we inhabit have a profound impact on how we live and feel. Michael is the founder of Kovac, the Los Angeles-based architecture studio known for its warm, modern and environmentally sensitive homes. Karina brings a medical perspective through her work as a pediatrician, with a particular interest in children’s health and the environmental factors that shape long-term wellbeing. Together, they offer a compelling view of wellness from both the physical and medical perspectives — from healthier homes and materials to cleaner air, better habits and a deeper connection to the natural world. Listen as Vince, Michael and Karina explore designing homes with nature in mind, the hidden health impacts of our indoor environments, and how architecture centred around wellbeing can both help us live better lives. https://www.kovac.studio/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From launching P.E Nation onto the global stage to redefining how women move through their day, Claire Greaves has built brands that shape culture. But success is only one part of the story. In this episode, Claire shares how scaling fast, leading through pressure and navigating very public life changes ultimately led her to something more powerful than growth. Clarity. Now back in the business she co founded and building BOOIE Beauty with Celeste Barber, Claire is creating from a different place. With boundaries. With perspective. With purpose. This is a conversation about reinvention, resilience and what happens when you stop proving and start choosing. Listen as Vince and Claire explore imposter syndrome, rapid global growth and the courage it takes to redesign your life on your own terms. https://www.pe-nation.com/ https://booie.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you realise the world moves too fast for the things that matter most? For artist, sign writer and maker Will Lynes, the answer has always been craft — the kind built slowly, imperfectly and with both hands. Will is the founder of Lynes & Co . , known for their handcrafted lettering, gilding and detailed reverse-glass work that has shaped some of Australia’s most memorable shopfronts. Growing up in creative households, working in high-end decorative arts, and later building his own studio in Botany, his career has been anything but linear. But through every turn, the thread has been the same: a love for material, history and soul. Listen in as Vince and Will explore the beauty of imperfection, the discipline and joy of true craftsmanship, and how struggle, family and curiosity have shaped the life he’s designed. https://lynesandco.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to design a legacy — not just through buildings, but through the lives they shape? In this episode of Design Your Life , Vince sits down with architect Koos de Keijzer, founding director of DKO, to explore how culture, travel and values influence the way we design — and the way we live. Raised in a Dutch household in New Zealand and trained in the Netherlands, Koos developed an early belief that architecture is deeply human, collaborative and grounded in place. Listen in as Vince and Koos discuss leadership without ego, why finding the best idea matters more than owning it, and why the future of architecture lies beyond iconic towers — in the everyday suburbs where most people live. From mentoring the next generation to embracing simplicity, sustainability and long-term thinking, Koos reflects on what it really means to design work — and a life — that lasts. https://dko.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What shapes the feeling of a place? And how does a life spent moving between cities, countries and creative worlds influence the way you design for others? For interior architect Simone McEwan, co-founder of international design studio Nice Projects, the thread has always been the same — creating spaces that make people feel something. From a childhood spent moving between eight homes before the age of 12, to studying architecture at 17, to an unplanned move to London that opened the door to a global career, Simone’s path is anything but linear. Her work with Anouska Hempel, Richard Horden Soho House, Selfridges, and Studio Ilse has shaped some of the world’s most iconic hospitality and retail experiences. Today, she leads projects across London, Singapore, Japan and Sydney — designing with empathy, intuition and a deep understanding of how people live. Listen in as Vince and Simone explore her nomadic childhood, the craft behind world-class hospitality, and how designing for life — not ego — creates spaces that truly connect. https://niceprojects.work/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to lead one of the UK’s oldest and most respected architectural practices into the future? As CEO of Scott Brownrigg, Darren Comber has steered the 115-year-old practice through change, challenge and reinvention. From its early roots in Guildford to a network of studios spanning Amsterdam, London, New York, Singapore and Riyadh, Darren has played a pivotal role in shaping its global presence. With a career defined by persistence, vision and curiosity, he reflects on the power of reinvention, the evolution of design, and why keeping energy alive is fundamental to sustaining a business over decades. Listen in as Vince and Darren explore the art of leadership, the role of architecture in shaping society, and how to stay relevant in a fast-changing world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the true measure of success isn’t scale, but connection? From a childhood spent in expat compounds of Saudi Arabia to founding one of Australia’s most admired design studios, Jeremy Bull, founder and principal of Alexander &CO., has designed far more than homes, he’s designed a life rooted in meaning, craftsmanship and human connection. After overcoming years of illness and self-destruction in his twenties, Jeremy rebuilt himself – mind, body and practice – with a philosophy centred on people. Today, his award-winning studio is recognised globally for its distinct sense of authenticity, materiality and feeling. Whether it’s a handcrafted home, a hospitality space or his own live-work studio in Bondi Junction, every project begins with one question: how does it make you feel? Listen in as Vince and Jeremy discuss designing for emotion, redefining success, and the future of how we live, work and connect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to create objects that tell stories, that shape how we feel, live, and connect? For Gabriel Hendifar, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of APPARATUS, design is about more than beautiful lighting and furniture, it’s about creating the container for human experience. Born in Los Angeles to Iranian immigrants, his early world was filled with music, memory, and craft, influences that continue to inform his deeply human approach to design. After a career in fashion, he co-founded APPARATUS in New York in 2012, building it into a 100-person studio renowned for its emotionally charged interiors and sculptural lighting. Listen as Vince and Gabriel discuss the poetry of light, the craftsmanship behind his creative acts, and the importance of designing not just spaces, but a life filled with meaning, discipline, and care. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you go from almost joining the Marines, to leading the world’s largest hospitality design firm? Born in Yorkshire and now based in Singapore, Chris Godfrey’s story is one of creative grit, adaptability and quiet determination. From humble beginnings as a teenage print boy in an architectural practice, to founding his own studio, to now serving as Co-CEO of HBA, the global design powerhouse behind some of the world’s leading hotels and residences, his career has been shaped by curiosity and craft in equal measure. Listen in as Vince and Chris explore his remarkable rise through design, the future of global hospitality and wellness, and how his early lessons in resilience continue to shape the way he designs for life. HBA: https://hba.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to shape culture through design? For Peter Saville CBE, one of the most influential designers of our time, it has always been about perception. From his early work at Factory Records, crafting the visual identities of Joy Division and New Order, to collaborations with fashion houses like Yohji Yamamoto, Burberry, Calvin Klein and Chanel, Saville has consistently redefined how we experience music, fashion, and culture. Now in his late sixties, he reflects on a career that blurred the lines between art, design and branding, sometimes to his dismay, as he laments the loss of authenticity in today’s brand-saturated world. Listen as Vince and Peter explore his iconic album covers, his transition from music to fashion and cultural institutions, and why, in his words, he has “always been designing himself.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you build a design career that spans continents, cultures and scale, and then redesign your life after a wake-up call? Rido Pin is a Director at Plus Studio, a solutions company for the built environment, with 11 studios across Australia and New Zealand and projects worldwide. Originally from the Netherlands, Rido’s journey has taken him from cycling the fields of Holland, to island life in Curaçao, to New York skyscrapers, and finally to Sydney, where he now helps lead Plus Studio’s rapid growth. This conversation comes at a milestone moment: last week, Frost* unveiled Plus Studio’s new brand refresh, reflecting its collaborative culture and future vision. Listen in as Vince and Rido talk about the launch of the new brand identity and what it means for Plus Studio, his career, and how resilience and well-being have shaped his leadership and outlook on life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when you combine a love of design with a mind for business? For Ajaz Ahmed, it meant building one of the world’s most successful creative companies from scratch before starting all over again. Ajaz is the visionary founder of AKQA, the global digital agency that he grew to 5,000 staff across 30 countries. After three decades at the helm, he stepped down and launched Studio One, an agile new venture built for the AI age, where creativity is unleashed and hierarchy stripped back. Born in the Thames Valley and inspired by architecture from an early age, Ajaz began working at a software company as a teenager, driven by obsession with design and a fascination with business. His story is one of ambition, humility and reinvention. Listen in as Vince and Ajaz unpack the role of AI in creativity, the myth of scaling and mediocrity, and why having taste still matters more than ever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing up in North London in the 80s, no one was talking about art or design. Life was about conversations with neighbours on the street, the good and the not so good. Four decades later, Paul Cocksedge’s work is grounded in these formative years. Known for his unorthodox approach to materials in works that span public art, sculpture and architectural installation, everything he designs is about human connection. Paul founded his eponymous studio with Joana Pinho in 2004, they met at the Royal College of Art in London. The studio’s work is underpinned by its extensive research into the possibilities of technology, materials and making processes. They’ve collaborated with the V&A in London to Friedman Benda in New York, plus luxury brands including Hermès, Swarovski and BMW and work by the studio is held in numerous important collections worldwide. Listen in as Vince and Paul discuss how to be human in the era of AI, stretching ideas at the Royal Academy of Arts with Ron Arad and why working in the public realm matters to him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.