This Value Talk explores approaches to achieving higher-density living in Queensland. With population projections indicating the need for hundreds of thousands of new homes over the next 30 years, meeting this demand will require denser housing models across a range of scales and typologies. These homes must be thoughtful, adaptable and well connected to daily needs, services, and community.
As conversations around housing supply, affordability, and urban change intensify, architects play a critical role not only in responding to these challenges, but in shaping a shared language of quality, liveability, and long-term value.
With thoughtful insight from Kali Marnane, Amy Degenhart, and Damian Madigan this talk will examine a range of housing, tenure, and development models, drawing on research and built projects by the speakers. Speakers will share key design strategies and lessons learned, followed by a panel discussion exploring the opportunities and challenges of balancing density and diversity in future housing outcomes.
Kali Marnane - (Urbis)
Kali is a registered architect who draws on experience in research, engagement, urban design, and strategic thinking to address complex urban problems. She excels in articulating the impact of physical space on people, using a community-centred approach to co-design engagement, evaluations, strategies, visioning, design guidelines, frameworks, and masterplans. She has experience across housing, education, public realm, and mixed-use precincts.
Kali has a PhD from The University of Queensland on built environment value in underserved, informal neighbourhoods. Analysing housing and street organisation, use and meaning from the perspective of women and children residents in informal settlements in Ahmedabad, India using ethnographic and architectural research methods allowed Kali to understand the significance and physical form of spaces that support spontaneous community interaction, resource acquisition, social networks, and perceptions of safety.
Kali is an active member of Parlour, Urbanistas Brisbane, and the Australian Institute of Architects. Kali was awarded the National Emerging Architect in 2025, following her being awarded the Queensland Emerging Architect Prize earlier that year, with the jury stating Kali “champions the role of architectural expertise in shaping policy, planning, and strategy ... to create lasting impact."
Amy Degenhart - (degenhartSHEDD architecture + urban design)
Amy Degenhart is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects and a founding director of degenhartSHEDD, the award-winning design consultancy she has led for nearly 40 years with urban design partner, Martyn Shedd. Amy specialises in small-lot and mixed-use architectural and urban design, and is so committed to delivering desirable outcomes that she’s even taken on the role of the developer. Renowned for her ability to integrate innovative design with practical planning, Amy has extensive experience shaping vibrant, diverse communities. Her work blends architectural excellence with a deep understanding of urban dynamics, resulting in built environments that are both functional and inspiring. From
paradigm-shifting residential developments to innovative mixed-use or community outcomes, Amy’s portfolio reflects a commitment to design quality, neighbourhood vitality, and long-term sustainability.
Damian Madigan - (Associate Professor of Architecture at UniSA & Researcher of Bluefield Housing)
A registered architect and practice-based housing researcher at Adelaide University, Associate Professor Damian Madigan is the creator of ‘Bluefield Housing’: a low-rise suburban infill model that uses adaptive reuse to balance new housing supply with the retention of neighbourhood character and landscape. Individually and collaboratively, Damian’s design research has received shortlistings, citations or awards in six international design competitions, and in 2025 he was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects (SA) Sir James Irwin President’s Medal for his significant contribution to architecture.
Tess Martin - (Reddog Architects)
Tess Martin is a Project Leader at Reddog Architects, and having worked in both Australia and Germany, brings a valuable understanding of density both from a local and global level. Tess, alongside Kali Marnane, will discuss two competition entries that examine the human experience of density, and ideas for rebuilding suburbs and neighbourhoods from within.