Overview
Part 3 in the Sustainable Materials and Design: From Extraction to Regeneration series
The built environment is increasingly shifting from a focus on “less harm” toward regenerative design - where buildings actively contribute to the health of people, ecosystems, and material cycles.
This is the third and final session in a three-part Lean In series exploring regenerative materials and the role of specification, research, and design decision-making in enabling this shift in practice. Across the series, speakers examine how architects and designers can rethink material selection through the lenses of human health, carbon, circularity, and ecological regeneration.
Building on recent industry momentum around circularity, Part 3 focuses on implementation - how regenerative intent can be translated into documentation, procurement, and construction processes. The session explores how circular thinking can move beyond isolated acts of reuse toward more integrated approaches to material lifecycles, deconstruction, procurement, and long-term stewardship.
Join Bettina Robinson and Tim Brooks (Fieldwork), alongside Richard Stokes and Cameron McIntosh (Arup), as they discuss practical approaches to circular specification, designing for deconstruction and material reuse, and the realities of implementation across projects and supply chains. Through applied case studies and interdisciplinary perspectives, the session will explore contractor considerations including cost, risk, warranties, logistics, and the opportunities for embedding circular thinking into everyday practice.
Each session will prioritise practical insights and clear takeaways, enabling participants to apply learning directly to their projects and practice and to consider ‘What should I do differently on Monday morning?’.
Bettina Robinson – Associate Director, Interiors Design Leader at Fieldwork
Bettina leads Fieldwork’s interiors team, bringing over 15 years of experience across residential, commercial, hospitality and hotel projects. Trained in architecture, her appreciation for materials and sensitivity to spatial quality naturally drew her to interiors. “I’m inspired by purpose-driven collaboration and working with engaged teams to deliver meaningful outcomes for clients, people and place.” Bettina advocates for a considered approach to materiality.
Tim Brooks – Associate Director at Fieldwork
Tim co-leads Fieldstudies, Fieldwork’s research committee drawing on his experience across a wide breadth of sectors in the built environment. “My philosophy is deeply centred around creating meaningful and purposeful spaces for learning, building a sense of belonging and celebrating inclusivity and diversity.” With experience from concept design through to handover, Tim enjoys working collaboratively with builders and clients, and advocates for design integrity, particularly during construction.
Richard Stokes – Associate at Arup
Richard is an Associate at Arup and leads the Sustainability team in Victoria, bringing over 15 years of experience delivering sustainability and building performance outcomes across the UK and Australia. He works closely with architects, developers and multidisciplinary teams on projects ranging from products and workplaces to major buildings, campuses, precincts and masterplans, with a focus on integrating sustainability into design from the outset. Richard specialises in translating complex technical and certification requirements into clear, practical strategies embedded within the design process, and has extensive expertise across frameworks including Green Building Council of Australia Green Star, NABERS, BREEAM, WELL and the Living Building Challenge. His approach emphasises technically rigorous advice, collaborative decision-making and clear communication to help teams deliver ambitious yet achievable sustainability outcomes.
Cameron McIntosh – Corporate Real Estate & Workplace Leader at Arup
Cameron McIntosh is part of Arup’s Global Real Estate team, leading Workplace Strategy and Project Delivery from Melbourne. Cameron has led engineering delivery for major workplace projects including Australia Post, Seek and Reece, while also acting as client and delivery lead for Arup’s own workplace portfolio across Adelaide, Auckland, Perth and Brisbane. These projects target Living Building Challenge certification, reflecting his strong focus on sustainability and performance. His work is grounded in a deep understanding of how people inhabit and experience space, with an emphasis on guiding teams through complex decisions with clarity, rigour and long-term thinking across design, delivery and operations.
Sustainable Materials and Design: From Extraction to Regeneration Member Lean In series
Member Lean In Part 1 - Planetary Boundaries: Can we reassess material selection?
Speakers: Martha Lewis, Henning Larsen (pre-recorded), Nicole Smith, Living Future Oceania
16/07/2026, 12.30pm AEST, Online zoom event (Registrations open, follow link)
Member Lean In Part 2 - Evaluating Sustainable Materials and Building Systems
Speakers: Adam Kolsrud (Wardle), Lucy Marsland (Atelier Ten)
30/07/2026, 12.30pm AEST, Online zoom event (Registrations open, follow link)
Member Lean In Part 3 - Delivering Circularity, Reuse, and Regeneration in Practice
Bettina Robinson & Tim Brooks (Fieldwork), Richard Stokes and Cameron McIntosh (Arup)
13/08/2026, 12.30pm AEST, Online zoom event (Registrations open, follow link)