Manuel Aires Mateus on doubt, memory and the life of a building. In Lisbon, est living's Editorial Director, Karen McCartney, sits down with Portuguese architect Manuel Aires Mateus to explore the ideas that have shaped one of the most distinctive architectural practices of the past three decades.From restoring an 18th-century convent to creating houses that disappear into the landscape, Manuel speaks about how people live, move, remember and connect with a space. He shares why he believes architects should remain in doubt, why “problems are our material”, and how limits can become the starting point for invention.The conversation moves through the Tower House in Sicily, the Mori House in Melbourne and the house at Montserrat, revealing an approach grounded in restraint, continuity and a deep sensitivity to light, landscape and memory.For Manuel, architecture is not simply about how a building looks, but what it makes possible—and how it can remain meaningful across generations.This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartney.Recorded and produced by Jon Tjhia for est living.About Karen McCartney: Well-regarded for her work in the world of interiors, architecture and design, Karen is the Editorial Director of est living. Her impressive resume spans print and digital media. Formerly the editor of Marie Claire lifestyle and Inside Out magazine, Karen is also a bestselling author; releasing Perfect Imperfect, The Alchemy of Things, Super House, and Iconic: Modern Australian Houses 1950- 2000. About est living: As a global design resource, est living inspires exceptional living by featuring the best in architecture, interiors and products. We profile leading and emerging architects and designers from around the globe while spotlighting Australians and scour the globe to unveil authentic design products. est engages discerning design consumers through curating distinct, meaningful and multi-platform content. Our award-winning website estliving.com is the central hub of the est experience, complemented by our quarterly digital magazine, weekly e-newsletter 'the latest', and our social media platforms reaching 1.5M+ design consumers weekly. For more architecture and interior design inspiration, visit estliving.com

In the first of our international episodes, McCartney visits John Pawson at his Notting Hill home for an edifying conversation on his lifelong commitment to reduction, necessity and simplicity in design.Pawson recalls his upbringing in Yorkshire and early years in Japan, stories of Calvin Klein arriving at his studio to commission the New York City flagship store and monks discovering the same project through his monograph. It’s this unexpected continuity between fashion retail and a Cistercian monastery, the belief that the right clients always seem to find him, and designing to need rather than trend, which continue to form his raison d’être—the lived experience of architecture at every scale.Explore John Pawson's Home Farm: https://estliving.com/at-home-with-john-pawson/This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartney.Recorded and produced by Jon Tjhia for est living.About Karen McCartney: Well-regarded for her work in the world of interiors, architecture and design, Karen’s impressive resume spans print and digital media. Formerly the editor of Marie Claire lifestyle and Inside Out magazine, Karen is also a bestselling author; releasing Perfect Imperfect, The Alchemy of Things, Super House, and Iconic: Modern Australian Houses 1950- 2000. Karen is the editorial advisor at est living. About est living: As a global design resource, est living inspires exceptional living by featuring the best in architecture, interiors and products. We profile leading and emerging architects and designers from around the globe while spotlighting Australians and scour the globe to unveil authentic design products. est engages discerning design consumers through curating distinct, meaningful and multi-platform content. Our award-winning website estliving.com is the central hub of the est experience, complemented by our quarterly digital magazine, weekly e-newsletter 'the latest', and our social media platforms reaching 1.5M+ design consumers weekly.

In this episode, Karen McCartney sits down with Flack Studio founder and principal David Flack. From the designer's designer’s Fitzroy studio, which he calls “a giant 3D business card,” Flack looks back at the inventive material approach he developed early on—one that remains as relevant as when he established the practice more than a decade ago. Now leading a holistic architecture and interiors studio, Flack’s art-led, nonchalant attitude sees the practice traverse continents to design homes, hotels and hospitality spaces that aren’t afraid to resist the expected.Learn more about Flack Studio: https://estliving.com/professional/flack-studio/This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartney.Recorded and produced by Jon Tjhia for est living.About Karen McCartney: Well-regarded for her work in the world of interiors, architecture and design, Karen’s impressive resume spans print and digital media. Formerly the editor of Marie Claire lifestyle and Inside Out magazine, Karen is also a bestselling author; releasing Perfect Imperfect, The Alchemy of Things, Super House, and Iconic: Modern Australian Houses 1950- 2000. Karen is the editorial advisor at est living. About est living: As a global design resource, est living inspires exceptional living by featuring the best in architecture, interiors and products. We profile leading and emerging architects and designers from around the globe while spotlighting Australians and scour the globe to unveil authentic design products. est engages discerning design consumers through curating distinct, meaningful and multi-platform content. Our award-winning website estliving.com is the central hub of the est experience, complemented by our quarterly digital magazine, weekly e-newsletter 'the latest', and our social media platforms reaching 1.5M+ design consumers weekly.

In this episode, we revisit Babylon, the home of Fiona Spence and Morris Lyda. Here, Karen McCartney speaks with Casey Brown Architecture founder Rob Brown and Spence about their eight-year collaboration to revive the 1960s house and honour its dramatic sandstone site.Watch our exclusive film on Babylon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAFtFqc9xisRead Karen McCartney's write up on Babylon: https://estliving.com/babylon-fiona-spence-casey-brown-architecture/Learn more about Casey Brown Architecture: https://estliving.com/professional/casey-brown-architecture/This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartney.Recorded and produced by Marcus Costello from Audiocraft for est living.About Karen McCartney: Well-regarded for her work in the world of interiors, architecture and design, Karen’s impressive resume spans print and digital media. Formerly the editor of Marie Claire lifestyle and Inside Out magazine, Karen is also a bestselling author; releasing Perfect Imperfect, The Alchemy of Things, Super House, and Iconic: Modern Australian Houses 1950- 2000. Karen is the editorial advisor at est living. About est living: As a global design resource, est living inspires exceptional living by featuring the best in architecture, interiors and products. We profile leading and emerging architects and designers from around the globe while spotlighting Australians and scour the globe to unveil authentic design products. est engages discerning design consumers through curating distinct, meaningful and multi-platform content. Our award-winning website estliving.com is the central hub of the est experience, complemented by our quarterly digital magazine, weekly e-newsletter 'the latest', and our social media platforms reaching 1.5M+ design consumers weekly. 

Architect and founder of her namesake studio, Clare Cousins, welcomes Karen McCartney into her newly completed Melbourne home, where she explores her affinity for honest materials and integrated garden rooms, while considering architecture’s responsibility to the community, through urban and rural housing, workplace, cultural, and social projects.Learn more about Clare Cousins Architects: https://estliving.com/professional/clare-cousins/See more recent projects by Clare Cousins Architects:https://estliving.com/red-hill-clare-cousins-architects/https://estliving.com/best-of-est-australian-courtyard-living/https://estliving.com/best-of-est-maximising-melbourne-terrace/This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartney.Recorded and produced by Jon Tjhia for est living.About Karen McCartney: Well-regarded for her work in the world of interiors, architecture and design, Karen’s impressive resume spans print and digital media. Formerly the editor of Marie Claire lifestyle and Inside Out magazine, Karen is also a bestselling author; releasing Perfect Imperfect, The Alchemy of Things, Super House, and Iconic: Modern Australian Houses 1950- 2000. Karen is the editorial advisor at est living. About est living: As a global design resource, est living inspires exceptional living by featuring the best in architecture, interiors and products. We profile leading and emerging architects and designers from around the globe while spotlighting Australians and scour the globe to unveil authentic design products. est engages discerning design consumers through curating distinct, meaningful and multi-platform content. Our award-winning website estliving.com is the central hub of the est experience, complemented by our quarterly digital magazine, weekly e-newsletter 'the latest', and our social media platforms reaching 1.5M+ design consumers weekly.

Richards Stanisich founders and architects Jonathan Richards and Kirsten Stanisich sit down with Karen McCartney in Stanisich’s home to discuss designing emotionally resonant spaces, resisting trends while evolving aesthetically, and the importance of adaptive reuse in their work.Learn more about Richards Stanisich:https://estliving.com/professional/richards-stanisich/See Kirsten Stanisich’s own home:https://estliving.com/where-architects-live-kirsten-stanisich/This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartney.Recorded and produced by Marcus Costello from Audiocraft for est living.About Karen McCartney: Well-regarded for her work in the world of interiors, architecture and design, Karen’s impressive resume spans print and digital media. Formerly the editor of Marie Claire lifestyle and Inside Out magazine, Karen is also a bestselling author; releasing Perfect Imperfect, The Alchemy of Things, Super House, and Iconic: Modern Australian Houses 1950- 2000. Karen is the editorial advisor at est living. About est living: As a global design resource, est living inspires exceptional living by featuring the best in architecture, interiors and products. We profile leading and emerging architects and designers from around the globe while spotlighting Australians and scour the globe to unveil authentic design products. est engages discerning design consumers through curating distinct, meaningful and multi-platform content. Our award-winning website estliving.com is the central hub of the est experience, complemented by our quarterly digital magazine, weekly e-newsletter 'the latest', and our social media platforms reaching 1.5M+ design consumers weekly. 

Founder of her eponymous interior design studio, Fiona Lynch, invites Karen McCartney into her Melbourne home for our latest podcast episode. The pair reflect on Lynch's impetus for unconventional ideas and flexibility in design, fascination with materials, and the importance of championing local creatives.Learn more about Fiona Lynch Office:https://estliving.com/professional/fiona-lynch/See more recent projects by Fiona Lynch Office:https://estliving.com/home-tour-auburn-residence-fiona-lynch-office/https://estliving.com/home-tour-river-house-fiona-lynch-office/This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartney.Recorded and produced by Jon Tjhia for est living.About Karen McCartney: Well-regarded for her work in the world of interiors, architecture and design, Karen’s impressive resume spans print and digital media. Formerly the editor of Marie Claire lifestyle and Inside Out magazine, Karen is also a bestselling author; releasing Perfect Imperfect, The Alchemy of Things, Super House, and Iconic: Modern Australian Houses 1950- 2000. Karen is the editorial advisor at est living. About est living: As a global design resource, est living inspires exceptional living by featuring the best in architecture, interiors and products. We profile leading and emerging architects and designers from around the globe while spotlighting Australians and scour the globe to unveil authentic design products. est engages discerning design consumers through curating distinct, meaningful and multi-platform content. Our award-winning website estliving.com is the central hub of the est experience, complemented by our quarterly digital magazine, weekly e-newsletter 'the latest', and our social media platforms reaching 1.5M+ design consumers weekly.

Studio Prineas principal Eva-Marie Prineas reflects on 20 years of building an authentic and sustainable architecture practice focused on relationships, problem-solving, and creating lasting design solutions for everyday life.Learn more about Studio Prineas:https://estliving.com/fishermans-house-studio-prineas/See Eva-Marie Prineas' Home:https://estliving.com/where-architects-live-eva-marie-prineas/See more recent projects by Studio Prineas:https://estliving.com/alpha-house-by-studio-prineas/https://estliving.com/fishermans-house-studio-prineas/This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartney.Recorded and produced by Audiocraft's Marcus Costello for est living.About Karen McCartney: Well-regarded for her work in the world of interiors, architecture and design, Karen’s impressive resume spans print and digital media. Formerly the editor of Marie Claire lifestyle and Inside Out magazine, Karen is also a bestselling author; releasing Perfect Imperfect, The Alchemy of Things, Super House, and Iconic: Modern Australian Houses 1950- 2000. Karen is the editorial advisor at est living. About est living: As a global design resource, est living inspires exceptional living by featuring the best in architecture, interiors and products. We profile leading and emerging architects and designers from around the globe while spotlighting Australians and scour the globe to unveil authentic design products. est engages discerning design consumers through curating distinct, meaningful and multi-platform content. Our award-winning website estliving.com is the central hub of the est experience, complemented by our quarterly digital magazine, weekly e-newsletter 'the latest', and our social media platforms reaching 1.3M+ design consumers weekly.

Hecker Guthrie founding principals Paul Hecker and Hamish Guthrie reflect on their contrasting and complementary approaches to interiors, how they emphasise the spatial experience, and design for adaptability and comfort.This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartneyRecorded and produced by Jon Tjhia for est living

Recorded while sitting in one of their latest projects, Kennedy Nolan founders and principal architects Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy discuss how buildings can engage the imagination, the impact of colour and memory, and designing homes relevant to today.Learn more about Kennedy Nolan:https://www.estliving.com/10-questions-ask-your-architect-kennedy-nolan/https://www.estliving.com/professional/kennedy-nolan/ See an example of their work:https://www.estliving.com/matthews-house-kennedy-nolan/ This Much I Know is a podcast by est living, hosted by Karen McCartneyRecorded and produced by Jon Jon Tjhia for est livingAbout Karen McCartney: Well-regarded for her work in the world of interiors, architecture and design, Karen’s impressive resume spans print and digital media. Formerly the editor of Marie Claire lifestyle and Inside Out magazine, Karen is also a bestselling author; releasing Perfect Imperfect, The Alchemy of Things, Super House, and Iconic: Modern Australian Houses 1950- 2000. Karen is the editorial advisor at est living. About est living: As a global design resource, est living inspires exceptional living by featuring the best in architecture, interiors and products. We profile leading and emerging architects and designers from around the globe while spotlighting Australians and scour the globe to unveil authentic design products. est engages discerning design consumers through curating distinct, meaningful and multi-platform content. Our award-winning website estliving.com is the central hub of the est experience, complemented by our quarterly digital magazine, weekly e-newsletter 'the latest', and our social media platforms reaching 1.3M+ design consumers weekly.