sustainability
Events
“A journey into a whole new material world”: Plant Life at the NGV
Curator Ewan McEoin tells us about the NGV’s new exhibition on plant-based materials as alternatives to plastics, synthetic materials and other non-renewable resources.
Events
We talk to Anupama Kundoo ahead of Living Cities Forum 2026
As the Living Cities Forum returns to Sydney and Melbourne this August, Kundoo — appearing alongside international speakers such as Finn Williams and Ludwig Engel — tells us about time, abundance and care in her work.
News
“A moment of global significance”: Atlassian tops out in Sydney
Atlassian Central by SHoP Architects and BVN has reached its full structural height, marking a construction milestone for the 39-storey commercial tower in Sydney.
Workplace
Adaptive reuse in WA turns teachers college into workplace
Spaceagency Architects complete executive offices for the Prendiville Group through the restoration and conversion of the State Heritage-listed former Fremantle Technical School Annex.
Articles
What AHEC’s Wood for the Trees Reveals About the Future of Sustainable Design
At 3daysofdesign 2026, AHEC’s immersive exhibition traced the journey of American hardwood from forest to finished product.
Project
“Density can be done well”: JPW project increases social housing offering by 300%
As a significant renewal of an established social housing project, JPW’s recently completed Cowper Street Housing in Glebe, Sydney aims to bring sustainable and community-focused density to an inner city suburb.
Articles
Alex Bain on finding his anchor in Herman Miller’s Aeron Chair
In the last instalment of our three-part performance seating series, Alex Bain from Architectus explains why sitting well shouldn’t feel like sitting at all and explores an unexpected success metric of the hybrid workplace: the grounding power of emotional support.
Events
“Nothing lost, everything gained”: Michael Jones returns and reflects in the Byera Hadley diaries
AJC Architects’ Michael Jones has completed his travelling research scholarship in Europe and reports back on initial findings — with much relevance for Sydney and beyond.
Project
Materia makes the case for expressive Passivhaus
At Materia, Maurie Novak tests Passivhaus against an expressive architectural brief, using his own St Kilda home to question what high-performance housing can look like.
CPD
CPD Live returns in 2026: Registrations now open
CPD Live is back for 2026, bringing four days of essential learning, inspiration, and practical insights for design and construction professionals.
Articles
LINAK strengthens sustainability strategy in latest ESG report
LINAK® releases FY 2024/25 ESG Report highlighting progress toward long‑term sustainability ambitions
Project
A vertical hospital shaped by Country and community
At Peninsula University Hospital, a people-centric design approach brings together healthcare, culture and landscape — redefining the experience of care on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
Project
A high-tech, future-ready extension for Mumbai’s automobile design hub
Designing for the future, SJK Architects has completed a workplace for automobile designers, Mahindra & Mahindra in Mumbai, that embraces technology but also has the all-important human touch.
News
The heritage, humanity and provenance of comfort, with KFive
KFive kicks off a year of 25th anniversary celebrations with an intimate in-conversation about ‘comfort’, at the Melbourne Art Fair.
Workplace
New FK-led research bolsters the importance of adaptive reuse in workplace design
FK’s Nicky Drobis takes us through a recent poll of 1,000 office workers across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane that suggests a preference for reuse – despite an ‘awareness gap’.
Events
A straw odyssey: Australian architect heads to Europe for waste materials research
Byera Hadley Scholarship-winner Michael Jones is about to set off on a research trip across five countries. He tells us why his research focus, straw, is a sleeping giant in the context of climate crisis and built environment waste.
Project
Setting the blueprint for Bradfield City’s first precinct
The master plan and reference design for Bradfield City’s First Land Release has been unveiled, positioning the precinct as a sustainable, mixed-use gateway shaped by Country, community and long-term urban ambition.
Project
Designing education on a grand scale
Monash University Malayasia will be making its presence felt with a grand new project in Kuala Lumpur.
Articles
LINAK EXPERIENCE™: Movement, heritage, and design responsibility
Designing for movement is not just about mechanics and aesthetics, it is about creating spaces that move with us, support wellbeing, and integrate responsible material choices.
Project
Mangrove garden: Bean Buro reimagines corporate culture in Hong Kong
Bean Buro transforms a financial office into a biophilic workplace using local art, hospitality design and wellbeing-driven spaces.
Ideas
Forested Future documentary explores forestry, stewardship and material culture
AHEC has produced a documentary exploring forestry and stewardship through long-term forest management and human responsibility.
Articles
A force for good
MillerKnoll releases the 2025 Better World Report showcasing how design can drive meaningful change through measurable progress across social, environmental and governance initiatives
Project
Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick opens with integrated care and research by BLP
BLP’s new Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick building brings together paediatric care, family-centred design and Australia’s first Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre in a major addition to the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct.
Ideas
Eco Outdoor hosts Sydney panel on design, carbon and long-term value
Eco Outdoor recently brought together developers, sustainability experts and local architects such as Adam Haddow to discuss design fundamentals, carbon targets and long-term thinking.
Ideas
Reimagining urban life through nature
In Naturalizing Architecture, Takada moves beyond biomimicry to propose a regenerative vision for the urban environment.
Events
Product Aware National Symposium: A shared framework for a sustainable future
Architects Declare and Suppliers Declare are uniting with the aim of making transparent, responsible specification the new industry standard.
Project
Gray Puksand transforms workplaces into learning spaces
Gray Puksand’s adaptive reuse of former Melbourne office into Hester Hornbrook Academy’s new City Campus shows how architecture can support wellbeing, connection and community.
Project
The Moment Generator: Warren and Mahoney’s rethink of Beca’s Auckland HQ
Warren and Mahoney’s design for Beca’s Auckland headquarters turns the mechanics of engineering into poetry, rethinking how workplace design can reveal its own systems.
Project
Baker Bleu’s refined industrial space by IF Architecture
IF Architecture crafts Baker Bleu Cremorne into a refined, sustainable bakery and café where industrial design meets artisanal warmth.
Workplace
The changing workplace and why it demands good design
With Steelcase having reopened its refreshed WorkLife Showroom in Singapore this year, we spoke to Navedita Shergill about some key workplace macro shifts identified in their research.
Ideas
Comment: “Heritage architecture and climate resilience – don’t throw the baby out with the floodwater”
David Gole, principal at leading climate-resilient design practice JDA Co., comments on the intersection between heritage and climate in architecture.
Project
Happy New Year, happy new Fish Market
With a date now set for January 2026, Sydney’s landmark project is taking shape as a significant and welcome addition to civic life in the city.
Events
What is the role of design in a world in crisis?
At the World Design Congress in London, a simple idea threaded through two dense days: design is not an island. It moves inside wider systems of economics, policy, finance and ecology.
CPD
Day 3 of CPD Live: Circular Design, Water Quality
The final day of CPD Live’s 2025 season delivers three must-attend sessions exploring circular design for furniture and fitouts, and the science behind safe, high-quality drinking water. Starting from 9 AM AEDT, 16th October – it’s your last opportunity this year to join our Live CPD sessions and finish 2025 inspired.
CPD
Register now for the final season of CPD Live for 2025
CPD Live returns for its final live-presented season of 2025, bringing architects, designers, and specifiers a free opportunity to earn CPD points before the year ends. Kicking off at 9 AM AEDT, This Tuesday 14th October.
News
Product Aware x Milliken: shaping a transparent future together
In a landscape clouded by data and greenwash, Product Aware offers architects and designers a common language for sustainability. Embraced by suppliers – including Milliken – it is setting a new benchmark for trust and bringing clarity and accountability to material specification.
Events
KEEP: Forever Objects by six Australian architects
AHEC’s KEEP exhibition at Cult Sydney sees six Australian architects craft lasting furniture pieces, on view until 4th October.
Ideas
Comment: To reach net-zero, we must tackle the ‘too hard’ basket
In this comment piece by Dr Matthias Irger – Head of Sustainability at COX Architecture – he argues for an approach to design that prioritises retrofitting, renovation and reuse.
Articles
Conversations shape design, connection transforms the world: MillerKnoll leads the collective dialogue
MillerKnoll reimagines the convention of dinner table interactions by plating up a future-forward menu of sustainable design conversation starters as part of the inspiring “Conversations for a Better World” event series.
News
Vale Nicholas Grimshaw
British architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw CBE PPRA has died at the age of 85.
Events
2025 Sustainability Awards Shortlist revealed
Now in their 19th year, the Architecture & Design Sustainability Awards are Australia’s leading program dedicated to recognising innovation and excellence in sustainable architecture and design.
Events
“Transcendence, pluralism and progress”: Aga Khan Award for Architecture winners
The independent Master Jury of the 16th Award Cycle (2023-2025) has selected seven winning projects from China to Palestine.
Furniture
The Little Perillo Eco makes a very big impression.
We think of the chair as a ubiquitous object but every now and then there is a design that ticks all the boxes and makes its presence felt on the global stage.
People
“Made with care and intention”: Stuart Williams in profile
In Tasmania, Stuart Williams crafts his work with care and creates objects of desire with sustainability at their heart.
Articles
Design agility meets commercial-grade performance with Karndean’s Opus flooring range
Karndean’s newly evolved Opus range brings versatility and durability to the forefront of commercial flooring. Blending design-led aesthetics with robust, high-performance functionality, it’s a go-to solution for spaces that demand both style and resilience.
Events
“Architecture is always about more than form; it is about meaning”: In conversation with Lina Ghotmeh
As French-Lebanese Architect Lina Ghotmeh prepares for lectures in Melbourne and Sydney, we hear about the philosophy shaping her internationally celebrated practice.
News
Born Again: How Milliken is Revolutionising Product Stewardship with Renasci™
Developed by Milliken in partnership with saveBOARD, Renasci™ is a breakthrough circular flooring product made from carpet and soft plastics waste – designed to be repeatedly recycled.
Workplace
Moments of material reuse magic as Hassell designs Arup’s Brisbane office
Reuse, resourcefulness and material transformations bring unexpected stories to Arup’s new Brisbane office, designed by Hassell.
Articles
A workplace fit out that goes beyond the standard
The client’s brief was clear: create an environment that honoured FIN’s heritage while embracing its future. For Intermain, that meant rejecting the idea of the corporate, “boring” office and instead leaning into a space that would inspire, connect, and surprise.
Events
NSW architect wins funding for coastal design
Nicole Larkin has been awarded the 2025 Marten Bequest, providing two years and $50k to research coastal resilience and adaptation.
Project
The Byron Bay Jardan showroom is an expression of the brand’s alignment with the relaxed Australian lifestyle
Though a retail space, Jardan Byron Bay feels like home, with thoughtfully layered spaces that intimately reflect the local context.
Ideas
Australian Passivhaus Association clarifies one comprehensive standard
The Australian Passivhaus Association (APA) has released a guide outlining the process for achieving the international Passivhaus Standard, providing clarity on appropriate use of the term and the legal risks of incorrect assertions.
Ideas
Ross Harding: What about the work-life balance of our cities?
The Finding Infinity Principal comments here on the question of balance in city life, with architecture and design highlighted as the key levers for making change.
Workplace
Working on the banks of the Derbarl Yerrigan
The Hub, Australia’s largest private workspace operator, has 16 locations across the country. Their newest site – designed by Architectus and Hassell – puts Perth’s unique context front and centre.
Events
Grimshaw in Venice
The 19th International Architecture Biennale has been on in Venice and Grimshaw’s latest installation explores the civic role of digital infrastructure in our cities.
Events
Australia’s Premier Sustainability Awards Return for 2025
The 2025 Sustainability Awards spotlight bold ideas and future-focused design that’s reshaping Australia’s built environment for the better.
Events
Jessie French and Aesop join forces again for Melbourne Design Week
French’s experimental materials studio, OTHER MATTER, is collaborating across multiple Aesop premises for another exploration of experimental, circular design.
Events
Vinu Daniel, UTZON Lecturer, joins us on Stories Indesign
Fresh from the Australian Architecture Conference, Vinu joined Timothy Alouani-Roby at The Commons in Surry Hills to discuss vagabond architecture, linear practice, mud and more.
Events
We talk to Arper’s head of sustainability at Milan Design Week
Andrea Mulloni is the head of sustainability at furniture manufacturer, Arper. With a particular emphasis on the evolving Catifa Carta chair, we chatted to him at Arper’s stand during Milan Design Week.
Ideas
Behind the Brand on the eve of Sustainable House Day with Helen Oakey
Helen Oakey is CEO of Renew and, with Sustainable House Day 2025 upon us, she talks to us about the climate crisis and what people can do at the scale of the home.
Project
Leading the architectural charge
fjcstudio leads by design and the practice’s Melbourne studio is making quite the impact on the built landscape of Victoria.
Project
Carnegie Memorial Swimming Pool was “designed to tap into the collective memory of the community”
Carnegie Memorial Swimming Pool by CO.OP Studio is supposedly Australia’s most sustainable aquatic centre.
Products
Colour and creativity combine with the launch of Creative Spark
GH Commercial presents Creative Spark, a range that adds colour and durability – and all manufactured in Australia.
Events
Rethinking Plastics in Product Design: The new book aiming to guide sustainable transitions
Geoff Isaac’s book provides industrial designers and manufacturers with the knowledge needed for a transition to sustainable material choices.
Project
Sibling Architecture responds to context and pedagogy
The Junior Learning Hub at Box Hill North Primary School is an adaptable and environmentally responsive addition that supports pedagogical needs while fortifying a strong sense of place.
Workplace
A renewed home for Grimshaw
With the launch of its renewed studio in Melbourne, Grimshaw displays expertise in creating a sophisticated and elegant space that is just the place for staff and clients to work and meet.
Ideas
A sustained approach
Enter Projects Asia is an architecture and design practice that breaks the mould of traditional making and design but also ensures that the environment is front and centre in all that it does.
Events
Highlights from Stockholm Design Week 2025
From bio-based innovations to circular design, this year’s fair redefined the role of materials in shaping the future of interiors as sustainable materials and a thoughtful approach to the impact of design on our world took centre stage.
Project
A state-of-the-art veterinary facility by Gardiner Architects
The Cat Clinic in Melbourne is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art veterinary facility that sets a new standard for feline care.
Workplace
Repurpose with purpose: FK at 500 Bourke Street
The $160 million transformation of 500 Bourke Street in Melbourne’s CBD has revitalised a 1970s Brutalist icon, originally designed by Godfrey & Spowers.
Project
A destination fit for a king
Contemporary meets heritage at the Sawai Man Mahal in Rajasthan, the perfect place to stay for a holiday in this beautiful region of India.
Workplace
Gensler forecasts the trends of 2025
Let’s find out what’s in store for design in 2025 from Gensler.
Events
Climate crisis informs new graphic novel, Cabal
Andrew van der Westhuyzen, one of Australia’s pre-eminent creatives, has launched his debut book Cabal, the first in a series of illustrated science-fiction short story works.
Products
Carbon neutral, high-performance seating from Steelcase
Matching style with a capacity to maximise workplace performance, these office chairs lead the field in terms of carbon abatement and sustainability.
Ideas
Newly released toolkit gives architects key strategies for climate-resilient design
Drawing on years of experience, Marra+Yeh Architects has made a new toolkit available online for everyone.
Articles
Vert: A practical solution to creating greener cities
Vert, an innovative demountable pergola designed for urban greening, is reshaping the way we think about sustainability in urban architecture.
Project
A win for high-quality housing with EM BE CE
EM BE CE’s competition-winning design for an inner-city affordable housing development achieves efficiency and durability without sacrificing elegant design.
Events
‘Meeting Architectural Design Goals for Finishing Aluminium, while Reducing Environmental Impacts’
Presented by Australia’s largest independent aluminium finisher, this CPD Live session outlines why this increasingly popular material leads the way in terms of not just design potential and aesthetic appeal, but also sustainability.
Project
Home Truth at NGV: Breathe confronts the elephant in the oversized room
Melbourne-based architects Breathe have constructed an unfinished house at the NGV that puts the question of house sizes in Australia on the agenda.
Events
Sustainability Summit #10: What Comes Next in Workplace Design?
This upcoming panel, “What Comes Next In Workplace Design?” will address the evolving landscape of the commercial sector in the wake of the pandemic.
Events
Sustainability Summit #8: Sustainability in transport design & assessing environmental impact
This upcoming panel, Sustainability in Transport Design & Assessing Environmental Impact, will explore the sustainability initiatives at the heart of transport design.
Workplace
Aldwin Ong on CCD’s expansion to Singapore, AI integration and hospitality design
This insightful interview reveals how CCD Singapore plans to lead the luxury design industry through design innovation and adoption of AI technology in creating unique user experience.
Workplace
Video: Mass timber on the rise with Arup in Perth
Perth’s first timber hybrid office tower is complete, designed by – and home to – Arup in Western Australia.
Events
Sustainability Summit #9 – Data-driven design: Leveraging technology for sustainable housing
This upcoming panel will examine the role of digitalisation in sustainable architecture with a focus on housing.
Events
Sustainability Summit #7 – Are we truly ready to pivot to transport-oriented development?
This upcoming panel discussion will examine the housing manifesto recently introduced by the NSW government.
Events
Sustainability Summit Panel #6 – The Evolution and adaptation of green roofs
With a rapidly growing global population that is becoming increasingly urbanised, competition for space and resources in our cities is fierce.
Events
Sustainability Summit Panel #4 – Building Healthy Homes for Wellbeing
Health and wellbeing have become key pillars in modern residential building design. As more people recognise the importance of living in spaces that promote physical and mental health, architects and builders are prioritising features that enhance wellbeing.
Events
Sustainability Summit Panel #2 – Rethinking passive design
In the past decade, passive design and Passivhaus principles have notably transformed Australian architecture, marking one of the most significant shifts in the industry.
Events
Sustainability Summit Panel #1: The future of aged care design
The design and delivery of aged care design has been undergoing a significant transformation in recent years, driven by shifting demographics and the evolving needs and expectations of seniors.
Events
Sustainability Summit 2024: Leading the charge towards a cleaner, greener future
Mark your calendars for 14th November as the Sustainability Summit, renowned for its leadership in sustainability knowledge dissemination, gears up for its annual gathering.
Ideas
Creating beauty with responsibility: Fisch Designs and ditto
Meet Ash Fischer and Orlando Hayes, a pair behind not one but two brands looking at new ways of making materials sustainable.
Events
Singapore Design Week preview: Putting people at the forefront of design
Singapore Design Week is back and bigger than ever with a people-orientated theme featuring diverse events, workshops, talks and tours.
Events
“The future lies in combining advanced technology, holistic thinking and circular economy”
With Tilt’s Tim Phillips having recently sat as a panellist on one of Saturday Indesign’s discussion events, we decided to dig a little deeper into sustainability with him.
Events
OMA’s David Gianotten kicks off Sydney Design Week
OMA Managing Partner – Architect David Gianotten made a fleeting visit for Sydney Design Week, catching up with our editor before his talk, ‘Beyond Architecture’.
News
From concept to reality: The Projects of Saturday Indesign 2024
The winning Project at Saturday Indesign 2024 stood out for its innovative approach to storytelling through design, leaving a lasting impression on visitors – so who was it?
Events
The 2024 Sustainability Awards shortlist is here!
It’s a celebration of groundbreaking innovation in sustainable design – here’s your shortlist for the 2024 Sustainability Awards
Products
Sustainable evolution of an icon: Herman Miller introduces bamboo upholstery for the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
The inclusion of the environmental bamboo upholstery option in the iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman designs by Herman Miller not only spotlights the brand’s forward-thinking approach to sustainability but also pays homage to the pioneering spirit embedded in the Eames design legacy.
Ideas
Balarinji comment: Designing with Country offers a unique opportunity for designers
In this comment piece, Indigenous Creative Lead at Balarinji, Johnny Bridges, discusses designing with Country and the environment.
Events
Hassell and One Heart take 3D-printed earth to Tanzania
Hassell has revealed the design for a groundbreaking community building in Tanzania, a project in collaboration with the Australian-based charity, One Heart Foundation.
Articles
It’s all in the details: how to create maximum impact with just one product
Hansgrohe’s new faucet line has the performance and aesthetics to elevate any wetroom.