The Sustainability Awards and Summit are brought to you by Architecture & Design. For over a decade and a half, Architecture & Design has hosted the Sustainability Summit – a beacon of insight into sustainable practices, and this year promises to be no different as it once again takes centre stage, this time on an engaging virtual platform.

For over a decade and a half, the Summit has been a beacon of insight into sustainable practices, and this year promises to be no different as it once again takes centre stage, this time on an engaging virtual platform.

Amidst the backdrop of increasing environmental consciousness, the 2024 Sustainability Summit is set to deliver a comprehensive overview of all things sustainable. With a line-up boasting over 40 expert speakers from various fields, attendees can expect a day filled with diverse perspectives and invaluable insights into integrating sustainability into design and practice.

This year’s hybrid format will once again offer the flexibility to participate from anywhere, whether it be the comfort of home or the confines of the office – or join us in-person at The Fullarton Hotel in Sydney on 14th November. Whether joining the summit online or in-person, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with thought-provoking sessions and in-person attendees will experience exciting activities hosted by official partners of the Sustainability Awards and a suite of prizes available on the day when you check in to your sessions.

The Summit’s agenda for 2024 is ambitious, with ten sessions dedicated to exploring different facets of sustainable practices. From innovative approaches to eco-friendly design to discussions on the current state of sustainable initiatives, the Summit aims to equip attendees with the knowledge and inspiration needed to drive meaningful change towards a greener future.

As the world grapples with pressing environmental challenges, the Sustainability Summit stands as a vital platform for fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and championing the cause of sustainability. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this transformative event shaping the future of our planet.

In 2024, The ten Summit panels will explore a multitude of different perspectives, providing insight and commentary of sustainable practice today, with five thought-provoking sessions including:

1. The Future of Aged Care Design

The design & 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. So, what is the future of modern, sustainable aged care design?

2. Rethinking passive design

There are many ways to optimise sustainability and keep construction costs to a minimum while still meeting Passivhaus standards. But is Passivhaus suitable for the whole of Australia or only some parts of the climatically diverse Continent? Is it time for an Australian Passivhaus standard?

3. The evolution and adaptation of green roofs

Green roofs – both commercial and residential— have had a massive growth in Australia. What are their environmental benefits, what are the different types of green roof, and what are the design challenges when it comes to installing/building green roof?

4. Data-Driven Design: Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Housing Solutions

How do you leverage technology and data to get sustainable housing solutions that are optimised for performance, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability?

5. Designing the sustainable and practical Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport

So how did this culture of sustainability become embedded in the Western Sydney International (WSI) project since the beginning, and how has it enabled a balanced and innovative approach to delivering this iconic project?

6. Sustainable trends in Education design

After 10 years as a beacon of innovation and sustainability at the University of Wollongong, the SBRC is Australia’s most sustainable building, being the first and still the only building in Australia to achieve Living Building Challenge (LBC) accreditation. So, with a decade’s worth of data, what did we learn?

7. What comes next in workplace design?

We look at the current state of commercial architecture and development, where it’s headed and what opportunities (or lack thereof) there are on the horizon for our built environment professionals.

8. Are we truly ready to pivot to transport-oriented development?

Can Sydney truly pivot to medium density near its transport hubs, or will opposition and a desperate plea to maintain the heritage fabric of the harbour city’s suburbs result in getting nothing done once more? It’s time to find out.

9. Can prefab / modular fix our affordable housing crisis?

Housing stock is needed now, and with a lack of skilled labourers and materials, we must look at alternatives. In this panel we will assess the suitability for modular and prefabricated built forms in the context of our national housing crisis, and what needs to be done for it to be adopted at scale.

10. Building Healthy Homes for Wellbeing

Health and wellbeing are pillars of many new residential builds, but the nuts, bolts and bones of each home requires several stringently tested products to be integrated to ensure a long and healthy life for the home itself and its occupants.

As well as providing up to date information on all matters to do with sustainability, there is the opportunity to earn ten Formal CPD points.

For more information visit www.sustainablebuildingawards.com.au and don’t miss the chance to participate in a day of discussion and debate at the 2024 digital Sustainability Summit.

Also if you would like to purchase early bird tickets, please go to the airmeet link here.

For any inquiries about entering the awards, registering for tickets or speaking at the Sustainability Summit or sponsoring the program, please submit your enquiry to the Sustainability Awards team here.