Nancy Beka - Circular materials for better design outcomes

In this episode, Nick Carfora and Daniel Moore speak with interior designer Nancy Beka (not a registered architect), Co-Director of Studio Edwards, about carving a unique path into Melbourne's design scene and redefining sustainable practice. Originally from Adelaide, Nancy's journey began with the challenge of breaking into a competitive industry. After relocating to Melbourne, she quickly made her mark by creating initiatives during the pandemic to keep the design community connected remotely. These projects became a platform for exploring innovative materials, zero-waste strategies, and new ways of thinking about construction. Nancy shares how founding Alt Material, a collaborative forum for experimental and sustainable design, opened opportunities to work with like-minded creatives and expand her understanding of material life cycles. Her commitment to circular design thinking shines through in projects like Today Studio, a workplace fit-out that champions adaptive reuse, material passports, and honest, low-waste detailing, earning recognition in the Australian Interior Design Awards. Named to the Australian Design Review 30 Under 30, Nancy reflects on the value of mentorship, community, and storytelling in building a resilient practice. Her experience shows how curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability can transform challenges into opportunities and reshape the way we design, build, and connect. 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 Nancy Beka - Circular materials for better design outcomes online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Nancy Beka - Circular materials for better design outcomes is an episode from Hearing Architecture by Daniel Moore.

This episode is 56:26 long.

This episode was published on Sep 25, 2025.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Hearing Architecture when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.