Simon Knott and Stuart Harrison to retire The Architects show

Medium-density living: Heller Street Apartments by Six Degrees.

Like Margaret and David without the bickering, Simon Knott and Stuart Harrison set out to do for architecture what Pomeranz and Stratton did for cinema.

"They were a real role model," says Knott, one half of 3RRR's weekly program, The Architects. "The relaxed way they do it, the odd argument, but clearly having a good time doing it. The guiding principle for us has always been that it would appeal to architects and the lay person."

For the past 10 years the two young architects (they were later joined by Christine Phillips and Rory Hyde) have broadcast the voluntary radio show. In its first year it won the Australian Institute of Architects' architecture in the media award.

Clever design: Andrew Maynard's Hill house.

Their infectious enthusiasm and insider knowledge led to guest appearances on ABC TV arts programs. Meanwhile, like Pomeranz and Stratton, the team got to broadcast from Venice when they represented Australia at the Venice Architecture biennale, hosting a "pirate" radio show. The pair are nothing if not passionate about architecture.

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"There's never been a show where I didn't feel invigorated as I walked out the door," says Knott. "One of the greatest things about the program is we got to meet every architect in Melbourne, and some international heroes," Knott says. He cites Toyo Ito and David Adjaye as particularly memorable.

Now, like the At the Movies stars, the architects are retiring their show, in their case to focus on their young families and their maturing day jobs.

Doing things right: Jackson Clement Burrows' Upper House in Swanston Street.

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Simon Knott and Stuart Harrison to retire The Architects show