Talk Architecture
Hosted by Naziaty Mohd Yaacob, Ph.D.
Malaysian Architect | Universal Design & Accessibility Expert (MS 1184 Specialist) | Former Associate Professor (28+ years) | Advocate for Inclusive Spaces & Women in Architecture
Launched in April 2020, Talk Architecture delivers intimate, reflective conversations on architecture education, practice, and human impact—hosted solely by Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Rooted in Malaysia yet resonating globally, the podcast connects local insights with universal challenges faced by architects worldwide.
Every episode centres inclusivity, empathy, and equity, drawing on Naziaty’s expertise in universal design, ageing-in-place, sensory architecture, and professional well-being. Global listeners value candid critiques of education models, graduate employability hurdles, and practice realities.
Essential listening for architecture students, professionals, educators, and thought leaders everywhere who are shaping inclusive, resilient built environments in an era of technological and demographic change.
Subscribe on most available platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, Buzzsprout, Podcaster, Amazon Music etc.
Talk Architecture
Formalism and Non-formalistic Approaches in Architecture - Part 1
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
The first episode of a two part mini series on - Formalism and Non-formalistic Approaches in Architecture - where the teaching of architecture and guidance inform how we approach architecture practice, where it needs to be more critical rather than mere form-making generated and embellished from schematics and passed as aesthetics.
"Architecture is often approached in a formalistic manner, with heavy emphasis on form, geometry, composition, and aesthetics. This focus serves as a foundational method for teaching design, establishing architectural autonomy, and managing the complexity of creative projects. However, it reveals little about the deeper reasons behind this predominance. The formalistic approach has long been criticized for neglecting functionality and context. Yet it remains deeply rooted in the history of art theory, providing students with a precise language to understand, analyze, and create built forms. We question whether this approach is relevant now then ever, or alternative approaches from Phenomenology and Dutch Structuralism would be better to create a more functional and inclusive design" (Naziaty Mohd Yaacob's Essay on Formalism and Alternative Approaches to Architecture, 2026)
© 2026 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob.
Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!