Session 3A (S3A)
When: 2:45pm–3:45pm
Where: Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre, University of Sydney
CPD: 1 Formal Points
Housing challenges continue to escalate, requiring innovative collaborations between architects and government to develop practical, scalable solutions. This forum brings together key stakeholders to explore how design and policy can intersect to address the housing crisis.
Led by Abbie Galvin and presented in partnership with the Government Architect New South Wales (GANSW), the session will delve into policy levers and design strategies to unlock underutilised land, and creating inclusive housing models that respond to diverse community needs.
Join this critical conversation to discover how collaborative frameworks can transform the future of housing and deliver equitable outcomes for all.
Chair:
Abbie Galvin, NSW Government Architect
Abbie Galvin is the NSW Government Architect, leading the state’s strategic design agenda to foster sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban environments. With a career spanning public and private sectors, Abbie is an advocate for the role of design in shaping vibrant communities. Her leadership emphasises collaboration between architects, policymakers, and stakeholders to address housing challenges and drive innovative solutions.
Professor Mathew Aitchison, CEO, Building 4.0 CRC
Professor Mathew Aitchison is Chief Executive Officer of Building 4.0 Collaborative Research Centre and a Professor of Architecture at Monash University. Building 4.0 CRC is an industry-led research initiative co-funded by the Australian Government and its work is focused on building better, smarter, safer, faster, and more sustainably, particularly in housing.Prior to taking up the role of CEO of Building 4.0 CRC, Mathew led the establishment of Monash University’s Future Building Initiative.
He was previously a Professor of Architecture at the University of Sydney where he was Director of the Innovation in Applied Design Lab (IAD Lab). Over the past decade, Mathew has directed a series of large, collaborative research projects exploring the future of building.
linkedin.com/in/mathew-aitchison-2452b671
Fatou Kiné Dieye, Independent Expert Consultant and Advisor
Fatou is a consultant specialised in the design of buildings, policy frameworks and the corresponding supply chain mechanics necessary for building Sub-Saharan Africa’s next generation of green and inclusive cities. She was previously the Managing Director of Skat Consulting’s offices in Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo, responsible for the implementation of the Swiss Cooperation’s construction industry transformation program for Africa’s Great Lakes Region. Prior to joining Skat, Fatou was team leader for the Affordable Housing and Neighborhood Development Unit for the City of Kigali and an urban designer for the New York City Department of City Planning.
Fatou holds degrees in architecture, urban planning, and sustainability management from Princeton and Columbia Universities and a certificate in International Housing Finance Systems from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
Michael Wheatley
Michael Wheatley is the Head of Housing Portfolio, for Homes NSW.
In this role Michael leads the delivery of new social homes and the ongoing management of the NSW government social homes portfolio. Michael is excited to be at the heart of Homes NSW and the NSW Government’s focus to deliver many more social homes, providing a better experience to the people who live in social homes and working in partnerships with CHPs to strengthen the social and affordable sector.
With over 30 years in property development in the public and private sectors Michael’s previous roles include working at Transport for NSW, leading the renewal of Transport assets and land, including the city shaping precinct renewals at Circular Quay, Central and Redfern North Eveleigh.
Prior to working in government, Michael has held leadership roles in the redevelopment and renewal of many of Sydney’s most prominent urban renewals including Quay Quarter Sydney precinct, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour
He has led numerous other mixed use and residential developments forming a deep understanding of the complexities, risks and opportunities involved in realising successful outcomes in housing, mixed use and major urban renewals.
Cameron Murray
Cameron runs Fresh Economic Thinking, a new think tank dedicated to elevating the quality of our economic conversations. He is the author of the book The Great Housing Hijack, about why our policy debate on housing never seems to be resolved, and co-author with Paul Frijters of Rigged, which explains how the game of grey corruption is played, how much it costs, and what to do about it.
Image: NSW Pattern Book Housing Competition Winner: Housing is a Verb | Other Architects, NMBW Architecture Studio and Tarn
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
