Overview

Join us for the 2026 Regenerative Design Symposium event, held at Treasury Theatre on 5 June 2026.

The built environment is entering a new era of responsibility - one that asks us not only to minimise environmental harm, but to actively restore and enrich the ecological, social and cultural systems that support life. As climate pressures intensify and circular thinking reshapes the industry, regenerative design is emerging as a critical framework for the future of architecture and urban development.

On World Environment Day, this half-day symposium will bring together leaders from government, architecture, academia, planning and industry to explore how regenerative principles can be embedded across policy, procurement and practice. Informed by global exemplars and emerging policy shifts, the symposium will examine how whole-of-life thinking, adaptive reuse, circular material flows, low-carbon systems and deep relationships with Country can help transform Victoria’s built environment into one that gives back more than it takes.

Rather than treating buildings as isolated objects, regenerative design frames them as part of living systems - supporting biodiversity, strengthening resilience and contributing positively to place over time. Through practical tools, resources and actionable strategies, speakers will share immediate next steps for architects and built-environment professionals seeking to embed regenerative thinking into projects and practice.

As designers, we hold the responsibility to shape the ecological and cultural legacy of our cities. Join us as we explore how architecture can move beyond sustainability toward a more regenerative and resilient future.

This event provides 2 Formal CPD Points.

Places are limited. Register now and be part of the shift toward a regenerative future.

Event Outline

08:15 Registration, breakfast and networking
09:00 Acknowledgement of Country, strategic framing from AIA leadership
09:15 Four 20-minute perspectives
     – Government · Skye Haldane, Principal Strategic Design, City of Melbourne
     – Industry · Jac Semmler, Plant Practitioner and Founder of Super Bloom
     – Academia · Michael Buxton, Professor of Environment and Planning, RMIT University
     – Architecture · Chris Buntine, Regional Director, Atelier Ten
11:00 Keynote – Qutaibah Al-Atafi, Senior Architect and Circularity Lead, Breathe Architecture 
11:30 Moderated panel including all local speakers and audience Q&A
12:15 Closing reflections and next-step commitments

Qutaibah Al-Atafi
Breathe Architecture 

Qutaibah Al-Atafi is a Senior Architect and Circularity Lead at Breathe, focused on low-impact, site-responsive architecture. With experience across Australia and Japan, he has worked on award-winning residential and commercial projects, becoming a NatHERS consultant and certified Passive House designer through a 2020 professional scholarship.

Jac Semmler
Super Bloom

Internationally recognised horticulturalist and plant practitioner, Jac Semmler is founder of Super Bloom - a Melbourne-based award-winning plant practice with a mission of 'plants for the people'. Author of Super Bloom, The Super Bloom Handbook and Flower Power (Thames & Hudson), she is part of the design team for Laak Boorndap, Melbourne's major new, 18,000m2 urban garden adjacent to the NGV Contemporary.

Chris Buntine
Atelier Ten

Regional Director at Atelier Ten and a founding member of Australian Engineers Declare, Chris Buntine brings nearly 30 years of expertise in regenerative sustainability consulting. With backgrounds in civil engineering, urban planning and building science, he founded the Melbourne Regenerative Design Forum to catalyse the transition to regenerative built environments.

Skye Haldan
City of Melbourne

Principal Strategic Design at the City of Melbourne, Skye Haldane is a landscape architect and urban designer with over 25 years in public and private practice. A founding member and chair of AILA Victoria's Connection to Country committee and recipient of the 2022 AILA Victoria President's Award, she leads the delivery of Melbourne's public realm projects and advises on major urban design strategies.

Michael Buxton
RMIT University

Emeritus Professor of Environment and Planning at RMIT University, Michael Buxton spent 12 years in senior roles with Victorian Government planning agencies before joining academia. Author of Planning Melbourne and The Future of the Fringe, he is a prominent commentator on urban sustainability, green belt policy and Melbourne's planning future.

Non Members $82.00
Members $68.00
EmAGN   $49.00
SONA    $25.00

Catering

Breakfast, Coffee, Tea, and Snacks included.