Saturday, 24 October 2026
Gandel Hall, National Gallery of Australia
Day Two of the National Conference looks firmly to the future, taking a deep dive into the practical ideas, emerging technologies, and systemic challenges that will define the next generation of Australia's built environment. Keynotes and panels confront the integration of AI, the economic landscape driving housing supply, precision manufacturing, and net-zero performance. The day closes by exploring Canberra's urban design legacy to see what its history can teach us about shaping sustainable places for the future.
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Registration
All attendees must register on arrival to collect their lanyard - required for entry to conference sessions and events. Registration also includes your Festival goodie bag.
Opening Addresses
9:00 AM MC Welcome
Darren Evans
President
Building Designers Association of Australia
Building a Business That Lasts
9:10 AM Keynote Address
Jim Penman
Founder and owner
Jim's Group
Keynote Topic: After the Customer: Building a Business That Lasts
From a lawnmower and a history PhD to more than fifty service divisions. What Jim learned about customer service, backing good people and staying hands-on, for an audience of sole traders and small studio owners.
9:40 AM Panel Discussion
Panel Topic: Sole Trader Syndrome and Scaling Your Practice
The panel discussion will explore strategies for scaling a practice while also providing practical advice for those seeking to strengthen their business model without necessarily expanding their business.
Frank Geskus
Director
Prime Design Tasmania
Brenden Creed
Senior Director and Principal Building Designer
BRD Group
Elie Sleiman
Director
ES Design
Chris Knierim
Chief Executive Officer
Building Designers Association of Australia
10:10 AM Keynote Address
Danielle Dal Cortivo
Founder and CEO
Kayo Consulting
Keynote Topic: The Quantum Leap: What Playing It Safe Is Really Costing Your Business
10:40 AM - 11:00 AM Morning Tea
Electrification and Performance
11:00 AM Keynote Address
Jenny Edwards
Owner and Director
Light House ArchiScience
Keynote Topic: The Net-Zero Home and Electrification
11:30 AM Keynote Address
Dr Saul Griffith
Founder
Rewiring Australia
Keynote Topic: Electrifying the Heaviest Thing You Will Ever Own
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Lunch
Retrofit and Passive House
1:30 PM Keynote Address
Dr Mike Louw
Co-Director, Built Environment Program
University of Canberra
Keynote Topic: The Retrofit Revolution: Adaptive Reuse and Performance Upgrades
2:00 PM Keynote Address
Linden Thorley
Founding Principal
Linden Thorley Architects
Keynote Topic: The Opportunity That Offsite Fabrication Presents for Scalable High Performance Building
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM Afternoon Tea
Fees, AI and the Future of Practice
3:00 PM Keynote Address
Chris Knierim
Chief Executive Officer
Building Designers Association of Australia
Keynote Topic: BDAA Survey Results on Fees
3:30 PM Keynote Address
James Hickey
Managing Director
JHC Consulting Group
Samuel Kassis
Director
Atria Designs
Keynote Topic: Same Craft. New Capacity. Where AI Actually Fits in a Design Practice.
4:00 PM Conference Close
6:30 PM Red Carpet Cocktail Party
7:00 PM National Design Awards Gala Dinner
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