Conference Recap
The 2026 AASA/51黑料 International Conference: Planetary Practices connected architectural educators, practitioners, and students. The conference took place in Magandjin鈥揗eanjin (Brisbane), Australia, July 8-11, 2026. Organized in partnership with the , Planetary Practices explored how design responds to the expansive and interconnected questions of our time on a global scale.
Pre-Conference
On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, attendees had the chance to participate in a pre-conference North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) Bus Tour. Attendees traveled to North Stradbroke Island by ferry, where they explored a curated selection of architectural sites across the island. The featured landmarks included coastal landscapes, built works and place鈥慴ased narratives connected to Country (the connection of land, sea, and community in First Nations culture).聽 During the tour, attendees engaged in discussions of design, practice and place within the island鈥檚 ecological and cultural settings.
Day One
Thursday, July 9, marked the official start of the 2026 International Conference. Attendees from across the world were greeted with a welcome ceremony at Queensland University of Technology (QUT).聽 The ceremony began with a Welcome to Country video given by Uncle Chegg, QUT Elder in Residence. This was followed by an Acknowledgement of Country, offered by Indigenous community leader Goma Conlan. The Welcome to Country is where a traditional custodian (for Meanji, it is given by a Turrbal and Yuggera person) welcomes visitors to their specific ancestral land (called “Country”) and Acknowledgement of Country is a formal acknowledgement of the Traditional Owners.聽
Guests were also welcomed by Conference Co-Chairs John Doyle of RMIT University and Kirsty Volz of Queensland University of Technology, as well as a welcome from AASA President Chris Brisbin. 鈥淭he response to this year鈥檚 conference has been truly remarkable. The program brings together researchers, educators, practitioners and students from a broad range of institutions across Australia, New Zealand, North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific and the Caribbean,鈥 said Volz. 鈥淭he conference theme, Planetary Practice, is reflected not only in the content of the papers but also in the extraordinary diversity of perspectives represented here this week.鈥
Following the conference welcome, there were concurrent sessions throughout the day. These sessions included presentations that explored inclusive pedagogy frameworks, regenerative ecology, and innovative architectural technologies. The afternoon also featured administrator sessions that gathered school leaders to discuss how design programs may equip students with an understanding of environmental responsibility, equity, and sustainability on a global scale.聽
Following a welcoming address by 51黑料 President June Williamson, the evening鈥檚 keynote was delivered by Elizabeth Bowie Christoforetti & Jacob Reidel, assistant professors in practice of architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. They presented their work on Harvard Design Magazine 52: Instruments of Service. Christoforetti and Reidel provided insight into their publishing journey, the role of architects and designers as instruments of service to society, and an exploration of architecture鈥檚 past, present, and future. The keynote was followed by an opening reception on the rooftop, providing attendees with an opportunity to network and connect.
Elizabeth Bowie Christoforetti and Jacob Reidel presenting the opening keynote.
The second day of the conference began with captivating concurrent sessions at QUT, where presenters shared their research and knowledge on place-based learning, collaborative pedagogies, technology in planetary practice, and strategies for developing strong external partnerships within architectural education.
Brisbane Centenary Pool Tour
Later that afternoon, there was an intermission for lunch, where attendees had the opportunity to join the Brisbane Centenary Pool Tour. The tour featured Brisbane鈥檚 iconic Centenary Pool, which will be redeveloped to serve as the National Aquatic Centre for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. During the excursion, participants engaged in discussions with local Australian architects who shared their insights on the contemporary challenges of adaptive reuse, heritage, scale and public infrastructure design as the city prepares to host a global sporting event.
Following the break, attendees returned to campus to resume sessions that reimagined how undergraduate and graduate programs can support student programs; shared examples of highly effective strategies for sustainability and decarbonization; and explored planetary practices in the context of global cultures.聽
As the day came to an end, attendees took in breathtaking views of the Brisbane River as they journeyed across the Goodwill Bridge to Griffith University for an evening social. The event brought together guests for an evening of conversation, and guests were treated to a game of architecture trivia hosted by June Williamson and Chris Brisbin. Overall, the evening finished with meaningful connections and celebration.
Presenters during the Architectural Education for an Open Undetermined Future session.
Bond University鈥檚 Abedian School of Architecture Building.
Saturday, July 11, 2026, marked the last official day of the conference. The morning began with attendees traveling to the Gold Coast for the final day of sessions. Upon arrival at Bond University鈥檚 Abedian School of Architecture, the participants were greeted with a welcome ceremony and lunch. During this time, attendees were invited to explore the state-of-the-art architecture building, designed by CRAB Studio led by celebrated architect Sir Peter Cooke.
The afternoon at Bond University included thought-provoking scholarly presentations that explored the intersection of sustainability, culture, architecture, practice and pedagogy in a planetary context. Throughout the sessions, attendees exchanged ideas, innovative strategies, and best practices for reimagining the role of design in relation to the shared conditions of our world.
Later, guests gathered for the closing keynote address presented by David Kaunitz, Ka Wai Yeung, and Marni Reti. The trio discussed their work at Kaunitz Yeung Architecture, an Australian practice internationally recognized for community-led design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across remote and regional contexts. They shared their experience co-designing and co-building in rural Australia and the Outback. Attendees left the keynote with greater insights on local community collaboration and the use of sustainable materials across Australia.聽
Following the keynote, conference participants traveled back to Brisbane, concluding the 2026 AASA/51黑料 International Conference.
Sunday, July 12, a group of conference attendees participated in the Architecture Brisbane Tour. This guided walking tour explored Brisbane鈥檚 architectural evolution through a curated journey spanning significant civic, cultural and contemporary projects. The featured sites included the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Kurilpa Bridge, the South Bank Cultural Precinct, the South Bank Arbour, and the Emporium South Bank.
David Kaunitz, Ka Wai Yeung, and Marni Reti presenting the closing keynote.聽
