2025 Australian Architecture Conference: Key speakers and themes announced

Organisers of the 2025 Australian Architecture Conference have announced an expanded lineup of speakers, highlighting the event’s focus on innovation, sustainability and the evolving role of architecture in contemporary society. The Conference is set to bring a number of esteemed international practitioners to Australia.

Indian architect Vinu Daniel will open the conference with the prestigious UTZON Lecture on Day 1, presented in collaboration with the University of New South Wales. Daniel is the founder of Wallmakers, an Indian practice renowned for sustainable and cost-effective architecture and the only Indian practice in ArchDaily’s 20 Young Practices of 2020. Attendees can expect to hear about some unexpected usage of materials and sensitivity to local contexts in his designs.

The program continues on Day 2 with notable speakers Fatou Kiné Dieye and Harold Vermeiren. Dieye, whose attendance is supported by the University of Melbourne, is a built environment consultant specialising in facilitating Sub-Saharan Africa’s next generation of green and inclusive cities, with experience delivering Swiss Cooperation’s construction industry transformation program for Africa’s Great Lakes Region. Vermeiren is a Brussels-based architect at 51N4E and his participation is supported by Curtin University, the University of Western Australia and University of Notre Dame Australia. 

These key speakers join a distinguished group including Scott Duncan, Damian Madigan, Laura Harding, Andreia Teixeira and Neill McClements. Their insights will contribute to discussions under the conference theme, Architecture in Action, exploring how design influences global and local challenges.

The first day of the conference will be held at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, where five keynote speakers will address architecture’s impact on society, culture and the environment. Day 2 then shifts to the University of Sydney’s Seymour Centre, featuring interactive sessions, panel discussions and in-depth explorations of key topics such as climate resilience, artificial intelligence and housing equity.

Related: Q&A with Kabage Karanja

Meanwhile, a Fringe Program of events runs from 29^th April to 4^th May. These include Studio Soirées, a behind-the-scenes look at some local architecture studios; Sydney Unlocked, offering walking tours of the city; and Archi-Party at the Chau Chak Wing Museum.

Attendees can earn up to nine formal CPD points over the two-day event, with an additional eight points available through post-conference online learning sessions offered by Refuel partners. Tickets are available here, with discounts available before 4^th April!

AIA
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