October 21, 2025
Professor Anthony Burke FRAIA, Professor of Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney and the presenter of Grand Design Australia, Restoration Australia, and The Home Front on ABC, delivered the fifth in the Society’s lunchtime series of Provocations and Inspirations on the topic of ‘After the Crisis: a new Australian Dream‘ before an audience of approximately 50 members of the Society and the Union, University and Schools Club (UUSC) at the UUSC on Tuesday, 21 October 2025.
Anthony Burke’s talk addressed the complexity of Australia’s housing crisis, arguing that it is not simply a matter of supply and demand, but a deeply cultural and moral issue. Burke challenged the prevailing narrative that building more houses alone will solve the crisis, highlighting that Australia already has a significant number of empty homes and spare rooms. He points out that the real challenge lies in the mismatch between the types of homes being built and the needs of a changing population, with shrinking family sizes and increasing numbers of single-person and non-traditional households.
Professor Burke emphasised the emotional and social dimensions of housing, noting that homes are central to personal identity and community wellbeing. He discussed the rise of loneliness and social isolation, partly driven by the trend towards larger, more isolated homes and the erosion of neighbourhood connections. Drawing on international examples, such as Finland’s “housing first” policy to reduce homelessness, Burke advocated for innovative, adaptable housing models and policies that prioritise security, affordability, and social connection.
He called for a generational shift in thinking, urging Australians to embrace change, challenge cultural myths about home ownership, and support new forms of living that reflect contemporary realities. Professor Burke concluded that solving the housing crisis required not just technical solutions, but a collective moral will to reimagine what home means in Australia, and to act decisively to ensure everyone has access to secure, suitable housing.
A gallery of images from the occasion is available for viewing and downloading, and a recording of this important presentation is available on our YouTube channel.
