Innovation in the Built Environment 2026

Exploring the theme “Turning Research into Real-World Impact”, the forum will bring together leading researchers, industry innovators, entrepreneurs and decision-makers to explore the ideas, partnerships and ventures shaping the future of the built environment.

Organisations including the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), JLL, Arup, Built, Forest & Wood Products Australia, GXN, AIRAH, Plasma Shield, Fieldwork and Sana Design + Build will provide insights into the latest research, commercialisation success stories, emerging ventures, and innovations shaping healthier, more sustainable and resilient communities.

Professor Christhina Candido from the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne says, “if there was a World Cup of healthy building panels, this would be holding 5 stars”.

The program features:

• Keynote: Jack Noonan, Senior Vice President, APAC
  International WELL Building Institute

• Healthy Buildings as Good Business – Chris Candido
  Panel featuring:
  Clare Callagher (Built)
  Kevin Peachey (Forest & Wood Products Australia)
  Ken Fong (E-Lab Consulting)
  Alana Hannaford (JLL)
  Jack Noonan (IWBI)
  Ben Gill, Affil.AIRAH (Plasma Shield)
  Mark Vender (AIRAH)

• Innovation in Practice – Mark Stevenson
  Featuring:
  Rochus Hinkel (Kit of Hearts)
  Chris Candido (SHE Lab)
  Stanislav Roudavski (Prosthetic Habitat)
  James Helal (Beyond EPiC)
  Mark Stevenson (Urban Analytica)
  Ajibade Abinu (Intelligent Cost Manager)

• Innovation in Practice – Mark Stevenson
  Featuring:
  Rochus Hinkel (Kit of Hearts)
  Chris Candido (SHE Lab)
  Stanislav Roudavski (Prosthetic Habitat)
  James Helal (Beyond EPiC)
  Mark Stevenson (Urban Analytica)Ajibade Abinu (Intelligent Cost Manager)

• Environmental Sustainability Meets Design and Innovation – Chris Jensen
  Panel featuring:
  Karolina Bäckman Faulkner (GXN)
  Lucy Caine (Arup)
  Tim Brooks (Fieldwork)
  Joe D’Alo (Sana Design + Build)
  Dan Hill (MSD, University of Melbourne)
  Katie Skillington (University of Melbourne)

The event will run from 1–6pm on Wednesday, July 22 at the Malaysian Theatre (B121) at the University of Melbourne. The event is free to attend, and registration is open here.

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