Off the back of a highly successful 2024 Conference in Melbourne, the 2025 Australian Architecture Conference dates and location have been revealed.
Get ready for an inspiring exploration of architectural excellence and innovation, taking place from 2-4 May 2025 and commencing at the Sydney Opera House’s iconic Concert Hall.
The 2025 Conference will focus on navigating the complexities of design in our local and global contexts of climate emergency, AI impacts, housing crises and other pressing issues, while seizing opportunities and forging solutions to shape resilient and adaptive futures.
“This is our flagship event and will gather architects, students, and industry leaders for three dynamic days of knowledge sharing, networking, and engaging discussions – featuring emerging and eminent architects from Australia and abroad,” says Cameron Bruhn, CEO of the Australian Institute of Architects.
The Institute is thrilled to introduce the new Steering Committee responsible for shaping the 2025 program. This esteemed group of professionals will guide the development of a program that promises to be both thought-provoking and relevant.
the steering committee
Adrian Fernandez (VIC), Project Architect, Maddison Architects
Adrian Fernandez is an architectural worker and sessional academic whose practice is focused on unpacking how architectural tectonics and strategies are used as a way of dictating and oppressing flows and organisations. One of these speculative projects – Binary Oppositions – was awarded the Drawing Architecture prize from MADA for the most accomplished drawings of architecture, and another was exhibited as part of Melbourne Design Week. Some places that have allowed him to expand on these ideas in talks and panel discussions include Blindside Gallery, MPavilion, Testing Grounds, Black Spark Cultural Centre and PROCESS, where he is currently a co-curator of their monthly talk series.
Adam Haddow (NSW), Director, SJB
Recognised as a thought-leader in mixed-use design, Adam’s buildings reflect his belief that architecture should provide an armature for community life; that the activities buildings facilitate are just as important as the physicality of the buildings themselves. His designs embody ambitions of beauty, delight, joy and surprise. Adam has been a partner at SJB since 2002 leading some of the firms most notable projects. He is a Churchill Fellow who investigated alternatives to conventional models of urban design, resulting in a research project entitled ‘Shall We Dense,’ an examination into the state of modern density living in Australia that led to successful collaborations within professional and architectural realms. The former NSW Chapter President of the Australian Institute of Architecture, Adam currently sits as the National President Elect.
Sally Hsu (NSW), Associate Director, Bates Smart
Sally Hsu is the co-chair of the Institute’s NSW Emerging Architects and Graduates Network (EmAGN). She curates events that connect established architects with young professionals, and enjoys fostering bonds across study, practice and the day-to-day issues that underpin our industry. As an architect, Sally is passionate about designing places and spaces at all scales, from the single apartment unit to the city master plan. She is an associate director at Bates Smart and leads design teams across all design phases. Beyond the studio, she is a Property Council of Australia Residential Committee member, where city-making and housing shortage are readily discussed.
Nicole Mesquita-Mendes (INT/QLD), Urban Designer, Urbis
Nicole is a recent graduate with a Masters of Architecture and Project Management at Bond University and is currently working at Urbis as an urban designer. She is passionate about architecture that expresses people and place and the intersection between academia and practice – improving the human experience through a wholistic approach. Nicole was awarded the Institute’s Phillip Y Bisset Scholarship in 2024 exploring how cities can support super diversity and community development. Nicole has also played an integral role in the Institute’s SONA program since 2020, and currently acts as the Chair of the Advocacy Working Group.
Sharaan Muruvan (WA), Architect, COX Architecture
Sharaan is an architect at COX, and passionate about innovative projects that push design boundaries. His professional journey began as a research associate at the Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre, then moving into architectural practice. Having worked on various complex projects, Sharaan is dedicated to user-centric design and social sustainability. Also a sessional academic at Curtin University, Sharaan guides students in the Bachelor and Master of Architecture programs. He actively promotes inclusivity and diversity within the profession as co-chair of EmAGN WA and the Institute’s Education Committee, plus as a member of the Gender Equality Taskforce WA committee.
Tania Papasotiriou (NSW), Studio Team Leader, GHD Design
A senior architectural designer, Tania is the studio team leader for the Newcastle GHD Design team. In this role she oversees project development, ensuring the highest design standards while fostering a collaborative environment. Before relocating to Australia, Tania established an architectural firm in Greece, specialising in a wide range of private and public projects. In 2017, she joined the University of Newcastle as an academic and researcher. She developed content and delivered 19 comprehensive courses on the performance and sustainability of the built environment, urban revitalisation, Green Star and LBC certifications, residential design, design thinking, and advanced computational and fabrication methods. Additionally, she conducted pioneering interdisciplinary PhD research on the social and urban implications of the implementation of emerging transport solutions.
Aaron Peters (QLD), Co-founder, Vokes and Peters
Aaron Peters is a PhD candidate at RMIT and one half of the renowned Brisbane-based architect firm, Vokes and Peters. Aaron graduated from QUT in 2006 winning the QIA Medallion, Board of Architect’s Prize and the Australian Institute of Architects Glenn Murcutt Student Prize. A longstanding member of the Institute, Aaron is a former SONA representative and an active practitioner currently serving on the Queensland Chapter Council. He worked in London and Singapore before returning to Brisbane in 2011 to establish Vokes and Peters with Stuart Vokes. In 2023, the duo also published a collection of essays entitled Migrations from Memory with Canalside Press.
Felicity Stewart (NSW), Director, Stewart Architecture
Felicity Stewart is an architect and urban designer and is director of the Sydney studio of Stewart Architecture. Felicity has over 15 years of experience in the built environment and works on projects of all scales across NSW and the ACT helping to set the design direction and culture of the practice. Felicity is a former member of the NSW Government State Design Review Panel and is now a consultant to the design review team. She is a panel member for the National Capital Design Review Panel ACT. Felicity is a passionate advocate for the industry as a member of the Australian Urban Design Awards Committee and has served as a jury member for the Institute and national competitions.
The Steering Committee will also be joined by key representatives from the Institute: Cameron Bruhn (CEO), Alexis Schnitger (Major Events and Prizes Officer) and Kate Concannon (National Education Program Lead). Together, this team will craft a conference experience that highlights both national and international perspectives on architecture, promising a diverse and enriching lineup of discussions and presentations. Stay tuned for further updates on the program, including speaker announcements and registration details.
