Nanako McIntosh - Learning from project management

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. Our sponsor Brickworks also produces architecture podcasts hosted by Tim Ross. You can find 'The Art of Living', 'Architects Abroad, and 'The Power of Two', at brickworks.com.au or your favourite podcast platform. If you'd like to show your support please rate, review, and

You can listen to Nanako McIntosh - Learning from project management online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Nanako McIntosh - Learning from project management is an episode from Hearing Architecture by Daniel Moore.

This episode is 59:21 long.

This episode was published on Aug 11, 2025.

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