If we still need to build, how do we do so responsibly?

The built environment design industry must play a pivotal role in reaching Australia's carbon reduction objectives by 2030. When presented with the opportunity of a new project, we must ask ourselves some tough questions:

1) Do we need to build?
2) If we must build, can we repurpose or retrofit an existing building?
3) If we cannot repurpose or retrofit and must build new, how can do we do so responsibly?

This Melbourne Design Week event will feature an expert panel discussion including:

Alison Clearey | Policy and Program Manager, ASBEC

Alison is a broad-based management, communications, and advocacy specialist with over 30 years’ experience in the built environment, social justice, community development, and environment sectors in Australia, Asia, and the Pacific.

She is currently working as Policy and Program Manager at the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) - the peak body of key organisations committed to a sustainable built environment in Australia. In 2021/22 she worked at Climateworks Centre, in the Sustainable Economies Team, helping State Governments articulate their emissions reduction targets and develop policies to ensure they achieve those targets.

Alison has worked with a diverse range of organisations, including professional associations; social justice, environment, and international development NGOs; international foundations; entertainment and arts organisations; trade unions; large corporations and local government associations. She is a director of Parlour and in recent years has also had non-executive board roles with not-for-profit Boards, including Architects Without Frontiers and Open House Melbourne.

Alex Morrison | Advocate and Sustainability Leader, Wardle

Early career exposure to exacting sustainable design methods shaped Alex’s development as an architect. Since joining Wardle in 2015, Alex has steered the introduction of new environmental systems and design processes. She now leads the firm’s Climate Active agenda in a role advancing the efficiency, performance and positive impact of Wardle projects.

Meticulous and collaborative, and a clear and inclusive communicator, Alex continues to lead medium-large scale projects involving complex governance. She is a sought-after mentor in Wardle’s mentoring program and sits on the Australian Institute of Architects’ national Climate Action Sustainability Committee whose members are at the forefront of sustainable design practice.

Clare Parry | Sustainability Director, Development Victoria

A sustainability engineer and consultant with more than 15 years’ experience, Clare Parry has worked on some of Australia’s most sustainable buildings. As the Director of Sustainability at Development Victoria, she is focused on employing a highly collaborative mindset to ensure meaningful change in the built environment sector.

A mechanical engineer by training, Clare has worked in building services companies and run her own environmentally sustainable design and Passivhaus company. Alongside a successful career, Clare holds accreditations in Green Star, Living Building Challenge, LEED, WELL and a Passivhaus Designer and Certifier.

Clare is passionate about making meaningful change and helping to build capacity in industry.

The event will be chaired by:

Stefan Preuss | Associate Government Architect

Stefan Preuss is the Associate Victorian Government Architect and a leading advocate for sustainability in the built environment with more than 25 years of Australian and European experience.

Holding master’s degrees in architecture and environmental design, Stefan co-chairs the Australian’s Institute of Architects’ National Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, is a National Steering Committee member of the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) and member of the Architects Registration Board of Victoria (ARBV).

Host or Publisher Office of the Victorian Government Architect