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Base Beacon Studio

IN FRAME

A Design and Arts podcast

#72 in Design · 🇿🇦
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About the show

In Frame is a podcast about the ideas shaping architecture today. Through conversations with practitioners and thinkers, it explores how architecture connects with technology, material culture, sustainability, education, and emerging African design perspectives. Produced by Base Beacon Studios, the podcast sits at the intersection of architecture, education and creative practice.

Newest episodes

Who Tells African Stories? | Orepa on Identity, Oral Narratives & Architecture

46 min

In this episode of In Frame, we sit down with Orepa to explore her research interests and the relationship between identity, African storytelling, and architecture. The conversation considers the importance of Africans telling African stories, moving beyond dominant narratives to recognise the knowledge, histories, and lived experiences embedded within African cultures. We discuss oral narratives as more than stories passed down through generations, but as valuable repositories of spatial knowledge, cultural memory, and identity. How might these narratives inform architectural research, representation, and practice? What can architecture learn from the stories communities tell about themselves? And how might we bring these voices into the ways we imagine, understand, and produce space? A conversation about reclaiming narratives, recognising indigenous knowledge, and expanding the possibilities of African architectural thought. In Frame is a Base Beacon Studios series exploring the people, ideas, and perspectives shaping architecture and the creative industries.

The Power of Her Voice

31 min

What does it mean to be a Black woman shaping the future of architectural education? And what does it mean for the next generation of architects to see themselves represented in the spaces where knowledge is produced, challenged, and shared? In our next episode of In Frame, we sit down with Bonolo and Orepa, two Black women who navigate the worlds of architectural practice and academia as architects and lecturers. Together, we explore the significance of their voices within architectural education, the perspectives they bring to the classroom, and the responsibility of shaping a new generation of architects. We reflect on representation, visibility, mentorship, and the importance of creating academic spaces where different voices, experiences, and ways of knowing can influence the discipline. Beyond representation, this conversation asks a deeper question: What becomes possible when the next generation sees women who look like them not only practising architecture, but also teaching it, questioning it, and shaping its future? This is a conversation about presence, possibility, and the power of being seen — and about the architects who will follow because someone made space for them. 🎬 A new episode of In Frame coming soon. #InFrame #BaseBeaconStudios #WomenInArchitecture #BlackWomenInArchitecture #ArchitecturalEducation #ArchitectureAndRepresentation

IN FRAME — THE ARCHITECTURE OF PEOPLE

1 hr 0 min

What if architecture is not only about designing buildings, but about understanding how people, institutions and societies are structured? In this episode of In Frame, we sit down with architect, lecturer, ceramicist and researcher Stephen Steyn for a conversation that moves far beyond conventional architectural practice. From curating the South African Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale to teaching, working with clay and investigating how architectural representation can influence organisational and political structures, Stephen’s work asks us to reconsider what architecture can actually do. We talk about architecture, representation, power, education, making, research and the role of the architect in shaping the future. This is a conversation about architecture — but ultimately, it is a conversation about people. 🎙️ In Frame — The Architecture of People #InFrame #StephenSteyn #Architecture #ArchitectureSouthAfrica #SouthAfricanArchitecture #AfricanArchitecture #ArchitecturalResearch #ArchitecturalRepresentation #ArchitectureAndSociety #ArchitectureAndPolitics #ArchitecturalEducation #VeniceBiennale #ArchitectureAndDesign #Ceramics #Architects #DesignResearch #TUT #ArchitecturePodcast

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All episodes

Who Tells African Stories? | Orepa on Identity, Oral Narratives & Architecture

46 min

In this episode of In Frame, we sit down with Orepa to explore her research interests and the relationship between identity, African storytelling, and architecture. The conversation considers the importance of Africans telling African stories, moving beyond dominant narratives to recognise the knowledge, histories, and lived experiences embedded within African cultures. We discuss oral narratives as more than stories passed down through generations, but as valuable repositories of spatial knowledge, cultural memory, and identity. How might these narratives inform architectural research, representation, and practice? What can architecture learn from the stories communities tell about themselves? And how might we bring these voices into the ways we imagine, understand, and produce space? A conversation about reclaiming narratives, recognising indigenous knowledge, and expanding the possibilities of African architectural thought. In Frame is a Base Beacon Studios series exploring the people, ideas, and perspectives shaping architecture and the creative industries.

The Power of Her Voice

31 min

What does it mean to be a Black woman shaping the future of architectural education? And what does it mean for the next generation of architects to see themselves represented in the spaces where knowledge is produced, challenged, and shared? In our next episode of In Frame, we sit down with Bonolo and Orepa, two Black women who navigate the worlds of architectural practice and academia as architects and lecturers. Together, we explore the significance of their voices within architectural education, the perspectives they bring to the classroom, and the responsibility of shaping a new generation of architects. We reflect on representation, visibility, mentorship, and the importance of creating academic spaces where different voices, experiences, and ways of knowing can influence the discipline. Beyond representation, this conversation asks a deeper question: What becomes possible when the next generation sees women who look like them not only practising architecture, but also teaching it, questioning it, and shaping its future? This is a conversation about presence, possibility, and the power of being seen — and about the architects who will follow because someone made space for them. 🎬 A new episode of In Frame coming soon. #InFrame #BaseBeaconStudios #WomenInArchitecture #BlackWomenInArchitecture #ArchitecturalEducation #ArchitectureAndRepresentation

IN FRAME — THE ARCHITECTURE OF PEOPLE

1 hr 0 min

What if architecture is not only about designing buildings, but about understanding how people, institutions and societies are structured? In this episode of In Frame, we sit down with architect, lecturer, ceramicist and researcher Stephen Steyn for a conversation that moves far beyond conventional architectural practice. From curating the South African Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale to teaching, working with clay and investigating how architectural representation can influence organisational and political structures, Stephen’s work asks us to reconsider what architecture can actually do. We talk about architecture, representation, power, education, making, research and the role of the architect in shaping the future. This is a conversation about architecture — but ultimately, it is a conversation about people. 🎙️ In Frame — The Architecture of People #InFrame #StephenSteyn #Architecture #ArchitectureSouthAfrica #SouthAfricanArchitecture #AfricanArchitecture #ArchitecturalResearch #ArchitecturalRepresentation #ArchitectureAndSociety #ArchitectureAndPolitics #ArchitecturalEducation #VeniceBiennale #ArchitectureAndDesign #Ceramics #Architects #DesignResearch #TUT #ArchitecturePodcast

HOW WAS ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL? THEN & NOW

30 min

For the first time, only the boys Just the three boys.... Dickson. Chadwin. Siseko. Three architects sitting down to talk about where it all started — architecture school. The late nights. The critiques. The pressure. The friendships. The uncertainty. The dreams we had about what life would look like after graduation. And then the reality of actually becoming architects. How has architecture shaped us? What did we think we were getting ourselves into? What would we tell our younger selves now? This is less of an interview and more of a conversation between three friends reflecting on the journey — from architecture school to where we find ourselves today.

IN FRAME with Dr Elao Martins: From the GSA to the PhD and Beyond

54 min

IN FRAME | With DR MARTINS Some conversations are interviews. Others feel like a reunion. For our latest episode of In Frame, four of us had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr Elao Martins. Two of us studied with Elao during our Masters years at the GSA, so this conversation carried a familiar energy from the beginning. Old memories, shared experiences, laughter, and reflections on how far the journey has taken us since architecture school. This time, however, we have the honour of chatting with Dr Martins. Having recently defended his PhD, Elao has entered a new chapter in his journey. Alongside his academic work as a lecturer at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), he has also established his own practice, Elao Martins and Associates. We talk about his journey through the GSA, the transition from student to educator, his experience teaching and running studio in Namibia, the PhD, establishing a practice, and the questions that continue to shape his architectural journey. At one point, Elao says it feels like a reunion. And it really did. 🎙️ In Frame — Dr Elao Martins A conversation about architecture, education, practice, friendship and the journeys we continue to make long after leaving the studio. Full episode out now. #InFrame #DrElaoMartins #ElaoMartins #Architecture #GSA #NUST #ArchitecturalEducation #ArchitectureStudio #PhD #ArchitecturalPractice #AfricanArchitecture #ArchitectureAfrica

Xtra Care

47 min

Today, we’re joined by someone who has been part of both our architectural journeys in more ways than one. Dr Jabu Makhubu is an architect, urban designer and lecturer. He has been a supervisor to both of us at different points in our journeys, and Dickson also had the opportunity to teach alongside him at Unit 15X at the Graduate School of Architecture (GSA), University of Johannesburg. And today, we’re very happy to welcome him to In Frame as Dr Makhubu, following the successful defence of his PhD. Congratulations, Jabu! Jabu is currently leading first-year architecture at Wits University through a studio he calls Xtra Care. And that idea became the starting point for a much bigger conversation: What does it mean to bring care, love and tenderness into the architecture studio? In a South African context shaped by histories of trauma, violence and inequality, can the studio become a space where we imagine something different? How do we move from trauma to love? That’s where this conversation begins.

STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST (Book Discussion)

52 min

In this episode of In Frame, we explore the ideas behind the book Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon and ask an important question: Is originality a myth? From architecture and design to film, art, and storytelling, we discuss how creativity is shaped by influence, observation, imitation, and transformation. Rather than creating in isolation, we examine how artists, designers, and thinkers build upon the ideas that came before them to create something new and meaningful. Join us as we reflect on inspiration, authorship, creative identity, and the courage to embrace the work that influences us. #InFramePodcast #StealLikeAnArtist #AustinKleon #Architecture #DesignThinking #CreativeProcess #Storytelling #ArchitectureStudents #ArchitecturalDesign #Creativity #FilmMaking #VisualCulture #DigitalCraft #Education #BaseBeaconStudio

What is Heritage....Really?

50 min

What Is Heritage? What do we choose to remember, and what do we allow to disappear? Heritage is often reduced to old buildings, monuments, and historic sites. But heritage is far more complex. It lives in memory, ritual, language, landscapes, craftsmanship, and the stories we inherit and pass on. It shapes how we understand who we are and how we imagine our future. In this episode of In Frame, we explore fundamental questions surrounding heritage in architecture and the built environment: What is heritage?Who decides what is worth preserving?Is architectural heritage only about age and beauty?How should societies remember difficult or contested histories?What makes a place truly significant?Can new architecture become heritage?Through reflection and conversation, we examine heritage not as a static collection of objects, but as an evolving relationship between people, place, memory, and identity. Whether you're an architect, student, designer, historian, or simply curious about the places we inhabit, this episode invites you to rethink what we preserve—and why. Because remembering is never neutral.

Beyond the Hype: AI, Creativity, and the Future of Architecture

49 min

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way we think, create, and design—but what does that really mean for architecture and the future of creativity? In this episode of In Frame, we sit down with Akheel Khan, a machine learning specialist and architect, to explore AI beyond the hype. Together, we discuss creativity, first-principles thinking, the future of architectural practice, education, and why AI is more than just another tool. Whether you're an architect, designer, student, or simply curious about the future, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on one of the most important technological shifts of our time. 🎙️ Watch now and join the conversation. #InFramePodcast #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Architecture #MachineLearning #DesignThinking #Innovation #FutureOfWork #Architects #CreativeTechnology #ComputationalDesign #DigitalDesign #BuiltEnvironment #Technology #Design #FutureOfArchitecture #Podcast #ArchitecturePodcast #BaseBeaconStudios #AduAgyeiArchitecture

The Parallel Worlds of Film and Architecture

56 min

This episode of In Frame is a little different. Rather than sitting down with a guest, we share a conversation about our passion for film and the unexpected ways it connects with architecture. From storytelling and atmosphere to movement, emotion, and world-building, we reflect on how these two creative disciplines continually inform and inspire one another.

PIVOTING IN THE ARCHITECTURAL INDUSTRY

55 min

Episode 6 of In Frame, titled Pivoting in the Industry,features a compelling conversation with architects-turned-project-and-construction-managers,Tumelo Makofane and Boipelo Masibi. We unpack the realities of pivoting withinthe built environment industry, the challenges women continue to face in architecture, and how redefining your path can open new opportunities for growth and leadership. powerful discussion on resilience, identity, andshaping spaces beyond the drawing board.

STORIES WE BUILD - EPISODE 02

50 min

Episode 2 of Stories We Build features a compelling conversation with Nqobile Lombo—an architect, lecturer, and director of Umhlaba—whose work navigates the intersections of practice, pedagogy, and place. In this episode, she reflects on the responsibilities of shaping spaces within complexsocial and cultural landscapes, offering insight into how architecture can be both grounded and transformative. Her perspective brings a quiet intensity to the series, reminding us that the stories we build are deeply tied to identity,land, and the futures we choose to imagine.

THE STORIES WE BUILD - Episode 01

1 hr 2 min

The Stories We Build is a new series within our In Frame segment, opening up conversations around the narratives that shape architecture beyond the built form.We begin with Daniel Dzansi, architect, artist and thinker navigating the space between disciplines. Together, we explore how stories move through architecture, how art reshapes the way we see space and why the most compelling ideas often emerge from outside the field.This is not just about buildings. It’s about the stories that make them possible.

From Crits to Clients

1 hr 9 min

From late nights in the studio to early mornings on site - the transition is never as smooth as we imagine. From Crits to Clients is a conversation with a recent graduate navigating the in-between space where ideas meet reality, confidence meets uncertainty, and learning doesn’t stop - it shifts. This episode reflects on what school gives you, what it doesn’t, and how you begin to find your voice beyond the crit room.This is not just about architecture - it’s about becoming.

INVISIBLE BRIEF

1 hr 7 min

Before the first line is drawn, architecture has already begun. In Episode 2 of In Frame, The Invisible Brief, we explore the forces that shape architecture long before design starts. Budgets, regulations, culture, climate, material availability, and social expectations quietly frame what becomes possible. These conditions rarely appear on drawings, yet they influence every space we create. This episode reflects on the hidden systems that guide architectural decisions — revealing that what we design is often already shaped by context, circumstance, and the realities surrounding the project.

AUTHORSHIP IN THE AGE OF AI

52 min

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in design processes, the question of authorship in architecture is being reshaped. In this episode, we explore what it means to create in an age where ideas can be generated, iterated, and visualised by machines. Is authorship still tied to the individual, or is it becoming distributed across tools, systems, and collaborators? This conversation reflects on creativity, control, and the evolving role of the architect in a technologically mediated design landscape.

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