The Australasian Universities Building Education Association (AUBEA) conference for 2024 will be hosted by Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia from 24-27 November 2024. AUBEA 2024 is organised by the Built Environment program within the Institute of Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC).
*Program subject to change
5:30pm – 6:00pm
Arrival of Delegates and Early Registration
6:00pm – 7:30pm
Welcome Reception
8am – 9am
Registration
9am – 9:45am
Welcome and Opening Ceremony
9:45am – 10:45am
Keynote Address 1
Stephen Sammartino
10:45am – 11am
Tea & coffee break
11am–11:50am
Keynote Presentation Sponsored by Transurban
Jorge Chapa, Green Building Council of Australia
12noon – 12:45pm
Lunch
12:45pm – 1:45pm
Plenary Panel Session 1
Circular Economy Research Network Asia-Pacific (CERN APac): Building Skills for a Circular Economy
1:50pm – 3:20pm
Parallel Session 01
3:20pm – 3.40pm
Tea & coffee break
3:40pm – 5pm
Plenary Panel Session 2
Performance-based legislation: facilitating innovation or negotiated compliance?
6:30pm – 9pm
Conference dinner
8:30am – Ongoing
Registration
9am – 10am
Keynote Address 3
Clare Shiell, Plenary Group
10am – 11am
Plenary Panel Session 3
Innovation in Built Environment Education: The VU Block Model®
11am – 11:15am
Tea & coffee break
11:15am – 12:15pm
Parallel Session 02
12:15pm – 1pm
Lunch
1pm – 2:30pm
Parallel Session 03
2:30pm – 2:45pm
Tea & coffee break
2:45pm – 4:15pm
Parallel Session 04
4:15pm – 5:00pm
Conference closing
Site visits
Option 1: Bus tour, West Gate Tunnel Project and Victoria University Structural Fire Testing Lab with Buffet Lunch
Option 2: Walking tour, Melbourne CBD award-winning buildings
Get in touch
Connect with VU Melbourne
We acknowledge the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Kulin Nation (Melbourne Campuses), the Eora Nation (Sydney Campus) and the Yulara/YUgarapul and Turrbal Nation (Brisbane Campus) who are the traditional owners of University land.
To learn more, please contact the Moondani Balluk Academic Unit on +61 3 9919 2836 or [email protected]
Copyright © 2024. Victoria University, CRICOS No. 00124K (Melbourne), 02475D (Sydney and Brisbane), RTO 3113, TEQSA No. PRV12152
Futurist Steve Sammartino is a tour de force in the field of technology. His energy and humour on stage have made him sought-after speaker around the globe. An expert in AI’s profound implications for business and society, Steve has been immersed in Computational Intelligence systems from the tender age of 10.
Steve goes beyond theory and brings lessons from his own tech ventures. His latest Macro3D, a ground-breaking AI and robotics company – which 3D prints houses. Since co-founding the company he has managed to 3D print a house, and is now embarking on building the world’s first home built entirely by AI. An accomplished author, Steve has written three best-selling books on the subject of technology and its future. As a testament to his compelling insights, he has given a TED talk and is the host of the popular national Technology and Business TV show on Channel 9, "The Rebound" – now in it’s 4th Season.
Steve's takes the complex and makes it simple, and human. This sentiment is captured in his viral videos, which boast over 100 million views - his drivable Lego Car being a prime example. As a respected media commentator, his views are widely sought after, making him an authoritative voice in the tech industry. Steve Sammartino doesn't just predict the future of technology, he's literally building it, and his speeches are an unmissable opportunity to get a glimpse into that future.
As its Chief Impact Officer, Jorge ensures the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) strategic priorities, partnerships, products and services, including Green Star, accelerate the transformation of Australia’s built environment – delivering healthier, more resilient, and positive places for people and nature.
He chairs WorldGBC’s Global Commitment for Net Zero Carbon Buildings Taskforce and WorldGBC’s ESG working group. He is a member of Climate Bond Initiative’s Low Carbon Buildings Technical Working Group, GRESB’s Real Estate Standards Committee, Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor’s Global Industry Committee, and part of Science Based Target Initiatives Buildings Technical Expert Group. He is also a Board Director at GreenFleet.
The Panel discussion aims to integrate critical themes of the built environment and skills and e This panel will explore the critical intersections between the built environment, skills development, and education within the framework of the circular economy. As Australia transitions toward a circular economy to support its net-zero targets, the built environment plays a key role through strategies such as reusing structures and implementing efficient building practices. However, challenges remain in terms of market barriers, unclear roles, and procurement issues.
To address these challenges, there is a growing need for a workforce skilled in innovative products, materials, and recovery techniques. This session will discuss how advancing education and skills can directly impact circular economy practices in the built environment. Panelists will highlight the pivotal role that engineers, architects, and other professionals can play in driving sustainable outcomes through this integrated approach. Join us as we explore how enhancing skills and education can propel both the built environment and circular economy practices forward.
Panellists
Professor Usha Iyer-Raniga (Facilitator), Gavin Cotterill, Rob Turk, Dr Mayuri Wijaysundara, Duy Le, Ani Chakraborty GAICD
Proponents of performance-based legislation argued that it encourages innovation by allowing designers greater flexibility to meet minimum health, amenity and safety standards. By adopting a performance-based approach designers can utilize new technologies and methods tailored to specific projects rather than adhering strictly to prescriptive codes, which may be outdated or overly restrictive. Theoretically, this approach has the ability to adopt cutting-edge solutions, ultimately leading to higher quality and more sustainable buildings.
However, critics contend that the flexibility inherent in performance-based codes could lead to a tendency towards negotiated compliance, where designers may seek to develop performance solutions through negotiation to cut corners and reduce costs. This session will discuss whether the existing regulatory frameworks ensure accountability and prevent such practices.
The discussion will focus on whether the current built environment curriculum provided by the university sector in the use of performance-based legislation is adequate to meet these challenges. Specifically, is sufficient content related to the need to develop a culture of responsibility among industry stakeholders to avoid the pitfalls of negotiated compliance when using performance-based legislation provided?
Panellists
Dr. Darryl O'Brien (Panel Facilitator), Stephen Kip, Bronwyn Weir, Tass Georgas, Steven Baxas
This panel session introduces attendees to Victoria University's innovative VU Block Model® of teaching, with a specific focus on its application in Built Environment programs. The VU Block Model®, a revolutionary approach to course delivery, has transformed the learning experience for students and educators alike. Our diverse panel of experts will explore how this model enhances education related to the Built Environment, aligning with the conference theme of "Building for a Sustainable Future."
Panellists include:
The session will highlight the strengths and opportunities presented by this delivery model, including:
Through the questions posed to this expert panel and related discussions, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how the VU Block Model® has enhanced education related to the Built Environment. The panel will also address challenges encountered and solutions developed, providing valuable insights for educators and practitioners.
Panellists
Dr Joshua Johnson (Panel Chair), Professor Andrew Smallridge, Associate Professor Loretta Konjarski, Associate Professor John Weldon, Dr Mengbi Li, Dr Hing-Wah Chau, Ms Lauren Unger.
Clare Shiell is the Executive Director, Portfolio Delivery at Plenary, a leading independent long-term investor, developer and manager of public infrastructure, specialising in public-private partnerships and precinct development. Clare's strategic oversight of a diverse portfolio of projects, including the $1.5 billion New Footscray Hospital Project, which is being delivered in partnership with the Victorian government and Western Health.
With over 24 years of experience spanning both public and private sectors, Clare is a leader delivering some of Victoria's most successful large-scale PPPs across sectors such as Justice, Health, and commercial infrastructure. Managing complex teams, navigating risks, and overcoming challenges to achieve outstanding project outcomes have been defining features of her career. Clare will share her insights into cultivating transformational leadership and driving meaningful change within the demanding landscape of infrastructure development.