Contemporary challenges are demanding shifts in architectural practice and process. A new generation of Australian architects is embracing this evolution – being particularly proactive about using design to address economic, environmental and social issues. This symposium will provide a snapshot of the kinds of approaches and projects pursued by this emerging group and how these attitudes are quietly redefining what architectural practice is today.
Header Image
Rodda Lane by Sibling Architecture. Photography by Peter Bennetts.
Program.
9 am
Delegate arrival
9.30 am
Welcome to Country
9.40 am
Introduction Georgia Birks and Katelin Butler, Architecture Media
9.50 am
The future of practice Grace Mortlock, Other Architects (Sydney), in conversation with Rory Hyde, University of Melbourne (Melbourne)
10.20 am
Social impact Amelia Borg, Sibling Architecture (Melbourne)
10.40 am
Beyond sustainability Ben Berwick, Prevalent (Sydney)
11 am
Another way to practise Simon Robinson, Office (Melbourne)
11.20 am
Morning tea
12 pm
Shifting traditional practice from within Ksenia Totoeva, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (Sydney), in conversation with Christina Cho, Cox Architecture (Brisbane)
12.30 pm
Prototyping practice Liz Walsh, So. Architecture (Hobart)
12.50 pm
Equitable Country, Indigenising practice Jack Gillmer-Lilley, SJB (Sydney)
1.10 pm
Embracing new generation technology Xavier De Kestelier, Hassell (London, UK)
1.30 pm
Lunch
2.30 pm
Fees and procurement Isabelle Toland, Aileen Sage Architects (Sydney), in conversation with Andrew Nimmo, Lahznimmo Architects (Sydney)
3 pm
Diversifying practice Nic Brunsdon, Brunsdon Studio (Perth)
3.20 pm
In a roundabout way Billy Maynard, Billy Maynard Architects (Sydney)
3.40 pm
Collectives and collaborations Belqis Youssofzay, Youssofzay Hart (Sydney)
4 pm
Closing comments Georgia Birks and Katelin Butler, Architecture Media
Grace is a director of Other Architects, a Gadigal/Sydney practice that she leads with David Neustein and Lindsay Mulligan. A registered architect in NSW and Victoria, she is a NSW State Design Review panellist and was a recent senior design advisor at the Government Architect NSW. Grace has taught and lectured widely and was 2018 Architect in Residence at the University of Wellington, New Zealand.
Other Architects strives to be thoughtful about how and where it takes action. Recognition for the practice's work and approach includes the 2021 Houses Awards Emerging Architecture Practice award, inclusion in exhibitions at the Canadian Centre for Architecture, the Aedes Architecture Forum and the National Gallery of Victoria, and participation in architectural biennials in Versailles, Oslo and Chicago.
Rory Hyde is a designer, curator and writer based in Melbourne. His work is focused on new forms of design practice for the public good and redefining the role of the architect today. He is associate professor in architecture, curatorial design and practice at The University of Melbourne. From 2013 to 2020 he was the curator of contemporary architecture and urbanism at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and a design advocate for the Mayor of London.
Amelia Borg is a co-founding member and co-director of Sibling Architecture, a collaborative award-winning architectural practice working across residential, civic and commercial projects in urban and regional areas, with a focus on producing socially engaged outcomes.
Grounded in a research-driven studio environment, the work of Sibling often extends to self-initiated projects that explore the impact of the built environment on our societies. These projects have been supported through grants including the Alastair Swayn Grant and Creative Victoria.
Ben is the founding director of Prevalent, an interdisciplinary practice noted for its integration of architectural rigour, industrial innovation and ESG-driven design. Educated in architecture at the University of Sydney, Ben later completed a fellowship and masters degree in engineering and architecture at the University of Tokyo, while facilitating global academic partnerships with institutions including Princeton and Harvard. His professional expertise, honed at studios such as SANAA, Sou Fujimoto Architects and Jun Sato Structural Engineering, spans 15 countries across Asia, Europe and Australia.
Simon Robinson is a founding director of Office, a charitable design and research practice based in Melbourne. Office’s work spans the intersections of built form, research, discourse, and education. As a registered charity, the studio is constitutionally bound to deliver projects that serve the public good.
Ksenia is a director of projects at Tonkin Zuliakha Greer Architects (TZG) and a fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects. Since joining TZG in 2015, she has worked on several large-scale urban development projects spanning mixed-use precincts, masterplans, urban design studies and commercial bids. She has led award winning multiresidential projects at TZG, including Newcastle East End, as well as being involved with a number of awarded public and urban projects during her time at Lahznimmo.
Christina is a director at Cox Architecture, and a third-generation architect passionate about creating inclusive and inspirational environments. She champions open, collaborative dialogue across both practice leadership and project delivery to ensure the best ideas emerge. Her practice spans masterplanning, precincts, education, commercial, and civic projects; each seen as an opportunity to move beyond the brief and advocate for design’s positive impact on our cities and communities.
Christina has been recognised with the Australian Institute of Architects National Emerging Architect Award, and the Australian Financial Review Boss Young Executive.
Liz Walsh is a co-founding director of the award-winning emerging practice So. Architecture based in nipluna/ Hobart. In her current role, as well as in her previous position as design principal at Cumulus Studio, Liz brings passion, rigour and fun to the design process. As a strong advocate for design research and conceptual thinking, Liz is committed to nurturing a practice underpinned by inquiry, collaboration and critique. Liz has creatively contributed to both public and private sector projects and has worked across a breadth of typologies with demonstrated expertise in tourism, early education and residential architecture.
Jack is a proud Worimi and Biripi guri of the Gathang language group, and architect who explores Country as the driver of narrative to his architectural approach. He champions First Nations leadership and co-design, drawing on the intersection of cultural knowledge systems and built environment practices to shape multi-sensory, place-based outcomes. With a deep obligation to care for Country, Jack works alongside Traditional Custodians, artists and storytellers to ensure Country leads the design process.
Xavier De Kestelier is an architect and design innovator, and a head of design at Hassell. With over two decades of experience, he leads in computational design, digital fabrication, and additive manufacturing, pioneering projects across architecture and extreme environments.
A trailblazer in space architecture, Xavier has collaborated with NASA and ESA on sustainable space habitats. His expertise in parametric design and digital construction drives industry innovation and research. Formerly director of Smartgeometry, he helped build a global network in computational design.
Isabelle Toland graduated from the University of Sydney with Honours in 2004. In 2013 she founded Aileen Sage Architects in Sydney with Amelia Holliday.
Isabelle’s project experience ranges vastly in scale and location, from remote communities to densely urban contexts, and from new builds to adaptive reuse. In all scenarios, Isabelle consistently champions projects that prioritise custodianship, cultural narratives and inclusive design. Often working collaboratively with artists, academics, and directly with communities, Isabelle actively strives to amplify underrepresented voices, ensuring that design serves as a bridge for connection, storytelling, and long-term stewardship of place.
Andrew Nimmo established Lahznimmo Architects with partner Annabel Lahz in Sydney. The firm’s work is widely published and has received numerous awards from the Australian Institute of Architects.
Andrew maintains a special interest in architectural criticism and journalism and is a regular contributor to architectural journals. He has delivered professional lectures throughout Australia, is regularly invited to be a guest critic and lecturer at Australian universities and has been an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney.
Principal of Brunsdon Studio, Nic leads the creative direction and brings over 20 years of experience in architecture, planning and urbanism. Brunsdon Studio explores how spatial and design strategies can influence broader societal and cultural contexts. The studio’s work consists of urban responses, feasibility studies and the design and delivery of architectural space. In parallel, the studio extends its principles to areas beyond the traditional scope of architecture through research, media and strategic services.
Billy Maynard is the Director of Billy Maynard Architects (BMA), a studio-based architecture practice in Sydney.
The practice’s portfolio has a primary focus on housing and small public projects, with a contextually precise approach to urban and rural sites. With a growing body of work, awards and international recognition, the practice has collaborated with major cultural institutions on interiors and exhibition design and was an emerging practice for Powerhouse Museum and Riverside Theatre competitions. In 2025 BMA was appointed as the architect for the new Contemporary War Memorial in located Sydney’s Domain located adjacent to the Art Gallery of NSW.
Belqis Youssofzay is the director of Sydney-based architecture practice Youssofzay Hart. The practice works across a spectrum of project typologies grounded by concerns of civic generosity, accessibility and a sustainable future. In its 7 years, the practice has built a diverse portfolio of projects for renowned cultural institutions within Australia and globally, with current work underway for Powerhouse and M+ in Hong Kong. In 2015, Belqis won the Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship to research 40 cultural institutions globally.
