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Design your way to a meaningful life in architecture

Join us 5.30pm Thursday 8 October, for a lively, hands-on workshop ‘Draw Your Why’ led by experienced business and comms advisor to architects, Rachael Bernstone. In this session, Rachael will challenge architects to define their own version of success and align their purpose with their practice, projects and professional direction. Through a creative, visual framework (yes – it involves drawing!), you’ll uncover what drives you and your practice, and leave with practical tools you can put into action immediately. Insightful, energising and genuinely fun, this is professional development designed to help you move forward with clarity and intention.

BOOK NOW

Through ‘Draw Your Why: Design Your Way to a Meaningful Life in Architecture’, architects are invited to step back from the day-to-day and reconnect with why you do what you do. Through a mix of guided reflection, practical tools and hands-on drawing exercises, attendees will learn how to align purpose-driven goals with project and practice outcomes, identify and communicate with key audiences, craft compelling messaging, and apply storytelling techniques to articulate the value of your unique design approach.

The 90-minute session includes Q&A and contributes 1.5 formal CPD points. Participants will leave with practical resources, a clearer sense of direction and a customised action plan to guide future decision-making. Workshop content is relevant not only to small practices, but also to staff who may be preparing to take a more invested role in a practice.

Workbook provided. Food and drinks available to aid the creative process! Kindly hosted for us at the Grimshaw Melbourne studio.

WHEN & WHERE

5.30–7pm Thursday 8 October 2026
Grimshaw – Level 2, 150 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000

COST & BOOKING

ACA members & ArchiTeam members $45 incl GST
Non-members $60 incl GST

Reserve your ticket below or head straight to the booking site.

MEET RACHAEL BERNSTONE

Rachael Bernstone is a business advisor to architects, an advocate for good design, and a journalist and editor specialising in architecture and the built environment. With a background in journalism and architectural history and theory, she is known for her ability to demystify architecture and help practitioners communicate the value of their work with clarity and confidence.

Rachael holds a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) from RMIT University and a Master of Architecture (History and Theory) from the University of New South Wales. In 2003, she was awarded the AV Jennings Churchill Fellowship to study sustainable and affordable housing across the UK, Finland, Sweden and the United States – research that continues to inform her work and advocacy.

In 2016, Rachael founded Sounds Like Design, a specialist communications and advisory practice supporting architects to build enjoyable, sustainable and profitable practices. Through her consulting, CPD courses and workshops – underpinned by her MArchitecture System – she helps architects align purpose, positioning and practice strategy.

Alongside her advisory work, Rachael is a long-standing contributor to leading design publications including Sanctuary, HOUSES, Artichoke, Habitus, Indesign, Australian Design Review, Inside and Australian House & Garden.

CPD

The event will deliver 1.5 formal CPD points. Certificates will be issued following participation in the full workshop.

Learning Outcomes – This interactive CPD workshop is for architects who want to identify their purpose – or their why – and use it to inform their approach to practice.

At the end of this 90-minute interactive workshop, you should be able to:

  • Understand how to align your purpose-driven goals to your project and practice objectives and outcomes;
  • Identify key target audience/s and tailor your practice communications to them;
  • Understand how to create clear messaging that connects and engages with your future clients and wider audience/s;
  • Understand how to develop and apply storytelling techniques to communicate the value of your unique design approach;
  • Sketch out your customised action plan to guide future implementation and learning.

AACA NSCA – Practice Management & Professional Conduct – PC2, PC 7; Project Initiation & Conceptual Design – PC34.