Session Partner: Alspec
Session 1B (S1B)
When: 9.00–11.00am, Saturday, 03 May
Where: Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre, University of Sydney
CPD: 2 Formal Points
Join Stefan Preuss and Caroline Pidcock from the Institute’s National Climate Action Sustainability Committee (NCASC) as they showcase impactful case studies driving decarbonisation in Australia’s built environment. From reimagining materials to meeting ambitious targets, they’ll explore the strategies, challenges, and successes shaping a net-zero future.
This session highlights the critical role of architects in leveraging existing tools and technologies to create buildings that are all-electric, highly efficient, and low-carbon. Discover how bold action and innovative thinking can redefine sustainability and resilience in design.
Stefan Preuss, Associate, Victorian Government Architect
Stefan is the Associate Victorian Government Architect and a passionate expert and advocate for sustainability in the built environment. Since 2016 he has been co-leading the Office of the Victorian Government Architect, which provides practical and strategic advice to the government, particularly on State significant projects such on Victoria’s ‘Big Build’.
Stefan co-chairs the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Climate and Sustainability Committee (NCASC), is a member of the National Steering Committee of the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) and has helped develop, pilot and apply Green Star tools over almost 20 years. During that time, he has also been a Green Star assessor and independent chair and represented Australia in the International Energy Agency (IEA) Energy in Buildings and Communities program.
Prior to his current role Stefan was Sustainability Victoria’s Director of Resource Efficiency and led award winning architectural projects in practice across Australia and Europe.
Stefan holds Master’s degrees in Architecture as well as Environmental Design, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and contributes his knowledge through juries and teaching when time permits.
Stefan’s core passion is that good and sustainable design is key to meeting the environmental challenges we face and crucial to providing nurturing environments for us and future generations.
Caroline Pidcock
Caroline Pidcock has been profoundly influenced by the lands and mighty water systems of Grafton, where she was born, and Sydney, where she was raised. She draws inspiration from the creative potential of architecture, continually seeking ways to explore and realize ideas that regenerate and restore. Her deep passion and expertise in sustainable and regenerative built environments have been cultivated through a diverse array of professional, academic, and community engagements.
In addition to her practice, Caroline currently enjoys a number of roles, including Co-Chair of the RAIA National Climate Action Sustainability Committee, Chair of the RAIA Environment Design Guide Advisory Group, and member of the Australian Architects Declare steering committee. She also serves on the a number of design and local planning panels. Past roles include Co-Founder and Spokesperson for Australian Architects Declare a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency, Co-Founder and Chair of the Living Future Institute Australia Board, President of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, President of the Australian Institute of Architects in NSW and Industry Representative on the Australian Building Codes Board.
Talina Edwards
Talina Edwards is a Director of ENVIROTECTURE, and cares deeply about creating healthy, beautiful, functional, comfortable and sustainable architecture which combines building-science and biophilic-design. Talina brings over 25 years experience to her architectural practice and has completed Passivhaus Designer certification and studied with the Living Futures Institute. Talina has gained recognition as an industry leader, celebrated for her sustainable architecture and her tireless work to build a better future. She advocated for more sustainable design as former co-ordinator of Australian Architects Declare, committee member of ArchiTeam Advocacy committee and served as a board member at the Australian Passivhaus Association.
Raphaela Rose
Kaihoahoa Ngaio Rēhita me Kaitohu • Registered Architect & Director
Green Star Accredited Professional
Raphaela believes in the power of architecture to drive decarbonisation and create lasting positive impact. Her experience spans masterplanning to project realisation, with a focus on delivering elegant, functional, and climate-positive buildings. She excels at navigating complex stakeholder processes, ensuring projects achieve optimal outcomes for end-users while minimising their environmental footprint. Committed to developing and implementing engagement strategies that prioritise decarbonisation, Raphaela is a Green Star Accredited Professional and leads ahha’s Equity & Access and Community & Culture portfolios. Raphaela is passionate about seeing projects reach their full potential, contributing meaningfully to a sustainable urban realm. Raphaela and Campbell’s participation is supported by Monash University.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaela-rose-33460b97/
Campbell McNeill
Kaihoahoa Ngaio Rēhita me Kaitohu • Registered Architect & Director
Campbell sees the architect’s role as crucial in unlocking the economics of sustainability. His career in practice and academia, spanning urban regeneration to detailed housing design, has focused on uncovering and normalising sustainable development. Campbell is passionate about finding economies of scale that deliver meaningful housing and enhance urban environments while restoring ecological contexts. His focus on combining sensitive design with efficient delivery, seeks out regenerative places that can be both profitable and planet-positive. Leading ahha’s Ecology and Health + Wellbeing portfolios, he is dedicated to developing ecological enhancement strategies that drive economic value through sustainable design.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/campbell-mcneill-2831b2100/
Raphaela Rose and Campbell McNeill’s participation is supported by Monash University.
Alex Morrison
Alex is a senior architect, associate and sustainability leader at Wardle with nearly two decades of practice experience. Her work has navigated complex governance and ambitious design outcomes and includes award winning projects such as Monash University Learning and Teaching Building, Melbourne University’s Conservatorium of Music – Ian Potter Southbank Centre, and 54 Wellington Street – Commercial office tower in Collingwood. Since joining Wardle in 2015, she has championed the integration of sustainable design practices within the studio and now leads Wardle’s Climate Active agenda – driving research and innovation in environmental performance. A member of the AIA’s national Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, Alex is committed to advancing low-carbon design through research, education, and industry advocacy.
Most recently, Alex has played a key role in Wardle’s transformative projects for the University of Tasmania, where a visionary commitment to low-carbon design—led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Rufus Black—has delivered a new generation of sustainable campus buildings. As project architect on River’s Edge, a learning and teaching facility at Inveresk, she applied whole-of-life-cycle design principles. The project critically evaluated total carbon utilisation and achieved a 32.5% reduction in upfront embodied carbon—setting a new industry benchmark.
Image: 19 Waterloo Street | SJB | Photographer: Anson Smart
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.
