Brisbane to host 2026 Australian Architecture Conference

Brisbane is set to host the 2026 Australian Architecture Conference, the Australian Institute of Architects has revealed.

Scheduled from 30 October 2026 at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the conference will take on the theme of Together. Or Not at All?. The theme invites reflection on collaboration and shared solutions to contemporary challenges and innovations faced by built environment professionals. Speakers will consider how the profession can take collective responsibility for Country, community, clients, climate and the future of practice.

Alongside the announcement of the conference location, date and theme, the Australian Institute of Architects has introduced a new steering committee responsible for shaping the 2026 program. These include Andrew D'Occhio of Cavill Architects, Gina Engelhardt of Hassell, Shaneen Fantin of the University of Queensland and Western Sydney University, Jack Gillmer-Lilley of SJB, Blake Hillebrand of Kerstin Thompson Architects, Ian Moore of Ian Moore Architects, Debjani Sarkar of Jacobs, and David Wagner of Atelier Wagner.

More on the 2026 steering committee members here:

Andrew D'Occhio is the co-director of Cavill Architects, sharing leadership with the practice's founder, Sandy Cavill. Across his career, D'Occhio has contributed to projects at Donovan Hill, Grimshaw, OMA and Woods Bagot. Prior to joining Cavill Architects, he co-founded Partners Hill with Timothy Hill, where he led projects including the UQ Student Residences Project, Daylesford Longhouse and Mermaid Multihouse.

Gina Engelhardt works across architecture and urban design at Hassell and has tutored at the University of Queensland. She is passionate about climate-just design, and in 2023, received the Philip Y Bisset Planning (Architecture) Scholarship to undertake research on international climate-responsive practice and its relevance to Australia.

Shaneen Fantin is a registered architect, project manager and researcher with more than 30 years of industry expertise, specialising in co-design, engagement, placed-based and community-driven projects in regional and remote communities. Fantin has dedicated her career to understanding the relationship of culture, design and architecture with First Nations peoples. She is co-chair of the the Australian Institute of Architects' First Nations Advisory Committee and a member of the Queensland Urban Design and Places Panel for the Queensland government.

Jack Gillmer-Lilley, a proud Worimi and Biripi Guri of the Gathang language group, is an architect who positions Country as the driver of narrative in his practice. In 2024, Gillmer-Lilley was awarded the Galang Residency, an initiative that provides First Nations creative practitioners the opportunity to undertake an intensive residency in Paris. He was also one of three creative directors behind the Australia Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, titled Home.

For program updates or registration details, visit the Australian Institute of Architects website.