Generation Exchange: Mentoring Event
Generation Exchange aims to connect young architects with established and experienced architects. Generation Exchange breaks down the barriers between generations of architects. A nurturing profession provides young practitioners with access to experience. Generation Exchange offers a forum for that access. The principles of practice remain more or less constant even if the day to day varies and is ever evolving. Problems, when contextualised by wiser heads, often seem less daunting. Practitioners of all ages deal with amongst other things; challenging clients, cost over runs, construction quality issues, complex regulations, statutory authorities, cash flow, tax, employees, landlords on any typical day at the office.. Generation Exchange provides an opportunity for young architects to converse with senior practitioners on these and other matters.
Generation Exchange
Thursday 21 August 2025
6:00 PM (AEST) for a 6.30 PM start
Brickworks Design Studio,
27 James Street,
Fortitude Valley
This is an in-person event
Overview
Practitioners of all ages continue to face a myriad of challenges working in the construction industry, while navigating their own paths through the profession. What can early career architects and graduates learn from our more experienced colleagues, and vice-versa?
Generation Exchange offers a forum where meaningful dialogue between generations can take place. This type of mentorship benefits all involved, helping enhance the profession and be more effective in our practice while serving our community.
This year's theme will be a discussion on the value ecosystem of architectural practice - balancing quality work with profitability.
Some of the questions that will be explored include:
• How are the forces of downward pressure on fees and upward pressure on staff wages reconciled in architectural practice?
• What are the impacts of fee levels and profitability on a firm’s ability to (a) execute excellent work and (b) to remunerate Directors and staff at a reasonable level?
• How can a young employee architect maximise their value to a practice?
• What are the prospects for prosperity in the profession of architecture?
Some quick facts:
- This event will be held under the Chatham House Rule,
- Format will be a panel discussion, followed by group discussions over dinner,
- Each table / group will sit down with one panellist after the panel discussion. This is a time for open dialogue – bring any questions, conundrums or work problems you might have for some sound advice,
- Drinks and dinner will be provided by our sponsor, Brickworks,
- All early-career and emerging architecture professionals are welcome - graduates, architects and academics alike.
Facilitator/Panel Moderator:
Dr Mark Jones LFRAIA
Mark Jones is a highly respected Queensland architect. He enjoyed a successful career in practice of more than 35 years, including 16 years of operation as Mark Jones Architects, followed by 8 years as Director of Architectus, a leading national practice. Several of his buildings were awarded prestigious AIA State awards. Mark was Project Director on the $2B Sunshine Coast University Hospital, which received an AIA National Award. During his career, Mark completed part-time Masters degrees in Management (Newcastle) and in Business (UQ). In 2015, he left practice to undertake a Masters in Sustainable Development at the University of Oxford. Mark completed his PhD at renowned Bartlett School, University College London in 2020. From 2021 to 2024, Mark served as Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, School of Architecture, teaching in Design, Practice and Construction. He is currently completing a book titled ‘How to Succeed in Architectural Practice’.
Mentor
Louise Cutler FRAIA
As an architect with a career spanning 30 years in Australia and abroad, Louise has developed a passion for the design of healthcare environments. Her health portfolio was honed over 15 years as a director of Phillips Smith Conwell, with projects dotted around the nation. Recognition as an expert in the design of hospitals and health facilities led to Louise’s role at Queensland Health, where her role is to improve the quality of our public health infrastructure through better briefing and purposeful design reviews. Some career highlights include the state award winning JCU Dental, a pivotal role in the development of many major private hospital redevelopments, establishing Queensland Health’s Design Principles and establishing Metro South HHS’s accessibility guidance group. Louise is frequently invited to participate in panels to share her deep knowledge of architectural practice, speaking with her peers via the Association of Consulting Architects, Australasian Health Design Council, Queensland Health Clinical Networks, UQ and Australian Institute of Architects events.
Mentor
Cameron Davies FRAIA | Deicke Richards Architects
Cameron is a Principal of Deicke Richards Architects. He is an urban designer and architect with a unique understanding of places, communities and structures. Since 1995, he has designed and directed significant greenfield and urban regeneration design projects across Queensland. As an architect, Cameron has designed myriad community, education and housing projects; he is currently working on hubs at Eagleby Wetlands, Mirani, Moranbah and Yarrabilba. With highly developed visual communication skills, Cameron is an expert Enquiry by Design facilitator. He uses these skills to meaningfully engage stakeholders in the design process.
Mentor
Justine Ebzery FRAIA | Fulton Trotter Architects
As a Director at Fulton Trotter Architects, Justine is a highly respected leader known for delivering complex healthcare, education, and community projects for private, institutional, and government clients. Her deep understanding of large-scale project delivery and institutional processes enables her to manage each stage with precision and confidence. Justine’s leadership is defined by her collaborative approach and commitment to design excellence. She builds strong, lasting relationships with clients, consultants, and contractors, ensuring shared goals and smooth project delivery. Her thoughtful, user-focused design ethos consistently results in environments that enrich everyday life. Within the practice, Justine leads with empathy and purpose. Her warm communication style fosters a culture of openness and improvement. By actively listening to her team and applying their feedback, she drives the ongoing evolution of our systems and processes. Justine’s strategic vision and people-first leadership make her an essential force behind the success and growth of Fulton Trotter Architects.
Mentor
Karen Ognibene FRAIA | KO and Co Architecture
Karen Ognibene is the founding director of KO&Co Architecture, a Brisbane practice with a focus on socially responsible architecture. Karen’s work includes social and affordable housing, specialist disability and residential care accommodation, high end private residential, education facilities, commercial fit outs and cruise liner terminals. She has designed and delivered many awarding winning projects, including the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, recipient of the AIA National Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage. Karen studied architecture in Brisbane and Milan before graduating in 2002, completing her undergraduate thesis on architecture and homelessness. Throughout her career, Karen has contributed to architectural education through tutoring and guest critiques at four universities in Southeast Queensland and holds a position on the Board of Architects Queensland examination panel. She has participated in many panel discussions relating to social and affordable housing, mental health respite accommodation and specialist disability housing. Karen is a design review panel member for Economic Development Queensland, member of the Queensland Urban Design and Places Panel, part of Brisbane City Council’s Independent Design Review Panel as a technical expert for social housing and a Good Design Australia Ambassador.
Summary Remarks:
Lindy Johnson FRAIA
Lindy is the Director of design-focused communications agency Lindy Johnson Creative. The agency provides strategic communications, marketing, business development and publicity and media services to leading architecture and design firms in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Lindy is a former political advisor with 35 years' experience working at senior levels of government and industry advocating for artists, architects and designers. She has won many awards for her impactful work, most recently a 2024 Australian Institute of Architects' President’s Award for design advocacy. Lindy is a Good Design Australia Ambassador and is on the Advisory Board of Bond University’s Abedian School of Architecture.
Price
Members: $10
Non-Members: $20
Partners
The 2025 EmAGN Program is proudly supported by
This event is delivered in partnership with
FAQs
I am not an EmAGN member, can I still register for this event?
Yes,, you can. The Emerging Architects and Graduate Network (EmAGN) is a membership demographic of the Australian Institute of Architects. EmAGN represents, advocates for and supports the interests of graduate and early career architects who are within 15 years of graduation from completing a Masters in Architecture. EmAGN’s goals are to support and provide opportunities for emerging architects by creating events and initiatives which help grow connections within the industry.
Cancelations and Refunds
Generally, the Institute will not agree to a refund if the request is received less than 14 days before the event starts, unless otherwise stated in the cancellations and refunds policy.