Australian Health Design Council upcoming events

Complex Challenges, Connected Thinking | Empowering Independence through thoughtful design: A focus on Aged Care (Thursday, July 23, 2026)

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:45:00 GMT

Join us for the second event in AHDC’s Complex Challenges, Connected Thinking series: Empowering Independence through Thoughtful Design – A Focus on Aged Care.

Hosted in Adelaide, with a satellite venue in Darwin, this engaging event brings together leading experts from research, healthcare, architecture, planning and landscape design to explore how the built environment can support people to age well, remain independent, and stay connected to their communities.

As Australia's population ages, the need for inclusive, accessible and age-friendly environments has never been greater. Through a series of thought-provoking presentations, speakers will examine how design can improve quality of life across homes, neighbourhoods, aged care facilities and public spaces.

The session will explore:

Designing Culturally Safe Aged Care Environments, by David Kaunitz, Director - Kaunitz Yeung Architecture

A case study of the Wami Kata Old Folks Home in Port Augusta, demonstrating how community-led, Country-centred design can deliver culturally safe and dignified care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders.

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‘Transforming to an Age-friendly World - Models of Co-design for Creating Age-friendly Neighbourhood Parks.’ by Dr Zinan Chen, Registered Landscape Architect - Tract Consultants

Research exploring how citizen science, virtual reality and co-design methods can help shape parks and public spaces that better support ageing in place.

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Bluefield Housing and New Models for Ageing in Place, by Damian Madigan, Associate Professor of Architecture - School of Architecture and Built Environment

An innovative approach to suburban infill housing that promotes independence, multigenerational living, social connection and landscape retention.

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Supporting Safe Ageing at Home, by Kate Laver, Professor Allied Health and Active Ageing, Flinders University (a joint appointment with Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN))

Research into home hazard assessment tools and how proactive design and modifications can help older Australians remain safely in their own homes for longer.

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Therapeutic Landscapes for Health and Wellbeing, by Tara Graham-Cochrane, Principal Landscape Architect - Tract Consultants

Insights into evidence-based landscape design that supports cognitive health, social connection, independence and quality of life across senior living and aged care settings.

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Whether you are involved in healthcare, aged care, planning, architecture, design, research or policy, this event offers valuable insights into creating environments that empower people to age with dignity, independence and connection.

The event will conclude with an engaging panel discussion featuring all five presenters, providing an opportunity to bring together the diverse perspectives shared throughout the evening. Drawing on expertise across research, architecture, planning, housing, aged care and landscape design, the panel will explore the common challenges and opportunities in creating environments that support ageing well, encourage independence and foster meaningful community connections. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear the speakers reflect on key themes, discuss future directions and participate in a lively audience Q&A.

For more detailed information about each synopsis, please refer the following link: Detailed Synopsis_Adelaide July 26.docx.pdf

Places are limited – register early to secure your spot.

Event Timing

Thursday, July 23, 2026, 4:15PM - 7 PM (ACST)

Where:

Adelaide: Hodgkison Architects at 189 Wakefield St, Adelaide

Darwin: Level 3. Room 3.08, Charles Darwin University Waterfront, 24 Kitchener Street, Darwin

CPD Information

PC08 - Be able to implement culturally responsive and meaningful engagement processes that respect the importance of Country and reciprocal relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across architectural services.
PC18 - Be able to apply creative imagination, design precedents, research, emergent knowledge and critical evaluation in formulating and refining concept design options, including the exploration of three dimensional form and spatial quality.
PC26 - Be able to undertake site, cultural and contextual analysis as part of preliminary design research.
PC29 - Be able to develop and evaluate design options in terms of the heritage, cultural and community values embodied in the site, and in relation to project requirements.
PC34 - Communicate conceptual design proposals and associated information to client, stakeholders and communities using appropriate and culturally responsive methods appropriate to different audiences.

John Hunter Health & Innovation Precinct (JHHIP) – Site Visit (Thursday, August 13, 2026)

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Ahead of the state-based in-person event in Sydney, join us for an exclusive site visit to the $835 million John Hunter Health Innovation Precinct (JHHIP) Stage 1 in Newcastle. This landmark project is delivering a state-of-the-art clinical facility designed to enhance the patient experience, enable contemporary models of care, and expand capacity for specialised services. Gain firsthand insight into one of Australia's most significant health infrastructure developments and explore the innovation shaping the future of healthcare delivery.

The new clinical building includes a range of purpose-built facilities such as paediatric inpatient units, critical care services, operating theatres, medical imaging, day treatment spaces, and family-centred amenities. It brings together clinical, research, and family support functions to create a modern, integrated environment for children, young people, and their families.

During the site visit, attendees will receive a high-level overview of the project followed by a guided tour that will showcase key clinical and public areas, offering insights into how design, innovation, and family-focused thinking have shaped this significant redevelopment.

The facility was designed by BVN Architects and constructed by Multiplex..

Special thanks to the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) and Health Infrastructure for supporting the Australian Health Design Council in organising this exclusive site visit for our members. Tickets are limited to 25 and available exclusively for AHDC members on a first-come, first-served basis, so please be mindful when booking your ticket. This event will link to a subsequent in-person event later this afternoon. Additional information and event details will be provided in a separate communication.

Complex Challenges, Connected Thinking | Transforming Healthcare Through Design, Innovation and Collaboration (Thursday, August 13, 2026)

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Join us for a dynamic AHDC event in Sydney, with a live outreach connection to Newcastle/Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) and Canberra, bringing together leading voices from health infrastructure, planning, design, innovation and service delivery.

The session will explore how connected thinking across health systems, services and infrastructure can deliver better outcomes for patients, staff and communities, drawing on the following presentations:

The John Hunter Health + Innovation Precinct Case Study

A case study of one of Australia's most significant recent hospital redevelopments, examining how the John Hunter Health + Innovation Precinct has combined evidence-based design, co-design, Designing with Country, sustainability and stakeholder collaboration to create a major healthcare facility that supports clinical excellence, community connection and long-term civic value.

Innovation in Action: Embedding Innovation and Research into Healthcare Infrastructure

An exploration of Health Infrastructure NSW's Innovation and Research Framework and how structured innovation governance can support evidence-based infrastructure investment. Through a case study of AI-enabled thermal imaging technology, presenters will demonstrate how research partnerships, stakeholder engagement and innovation evaluation can improve decision-making and deliver measurable benefits for patients, staff and health services.

Panel Discussion: From Systems to Services to Infrastructure

Leaders from across the NSW health ecosystem will discuss how policy, models of care and the built environment intersect, and how stronger alignment between system planning, service delivery and infrastructure development can create more responsive, efficient and patient-centred health services.

In-person spaces in Sydney, Canberra and HNELHD are limited, so book your spot quickly.

Many thanks to our partners for this event:

Health Infrastructure NSW for hosting the event in their offices in Sydney.
Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) for providing a venue at John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton NSW.
Infrastructure Canberra for providing a venue in Canberra.

Please note there will be no option to dial in. If you cannot attend in person, please do not register. The sessions will be recorded (subject to speaker consent) and made available to AHDC members following the event.

You’ll Hear from:

Partner Representatives present in-person at the venues:

In Sydney: Nicky Seaby, Acting Executive Director, Capital and Commercial Advisory, Health Infrastructure NSW
In HNELHD: John Barnard-Richardson, Executive Director, Infrastructure, Planning and Sustainability, Hunter New England Local Health District
In Canberra: Hayley Bell, Executive Group Manager, Health, Education and Justice at ACT Government.

Presentation 1: John Hunter Health + Innovation Precinct Case Study

Kirstie Irwin, Principal, BVN
Karen Height, Senior Facility Planner, Infrastructure, Planning and Sustainability, HNELHD
Nicholas Rayner, Senior Project Director, Health Infrastructure NSW

Presentation 2: Innovation in Action - Embedding Innovation and Research into Healthcare Infrastructure

Dr Anita Vandyke, Program Manager, Change and Innovation, Health Infrastructure NSW
Tiffany Chiew, Executive Director, Core Connect Group

Panel Discussion: From Systems to Services to Infrastructure

Gerard Duck, Executive Director, Strategic Planning, Economics and Experience Branch, Ministry of Health
Nicky Seaby, Acting Executive Director, Capital and Commercial Advisory, Health Infrastructure NSW
Anthony M. Schembri, Chief Executive, Northern Sydney Local Health District

When:

Thursday, August 13, 2026, 4 PM - 7 PM (AEST)

Where:

Sydney: Level 1, 1 Reserve Road St Leonards, NSW
Newcastle: John Hunter Hospital, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton NSW 2305
Canberra: ACT Government, 220 London Circuit. Canberra

CPD Information

Registered Architects may be able to claim 3 formal CPD points by attending this event. The following NSCA competencies apply:

PC03 - Apply principles of project planning, considering implications for Country, environmental sustainability, communities, stakeholders and project costs.
PC08 - Be able to implement culturally responsive and meaningful engagement processes that respect the importance of Country and reciprocal relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across architectural services
PC13 - Be able to identify and apply strategies, programming and processes for documentation through all project stages to facilitate project delivery, as appropriate to selected procurement processes.
PC17 - Have an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander People’s aspirations to care for Country and how these inform architectural design
PC27 - Understand how to embed the knowledge, worldviews and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, shared through engagement processes, into the conceptual design in a meaningful, respectful and appropriate way
PC28 - Be able to draw on knowledge from building services and technology, environmental sciences and behavioural and social sciences as part of preliminary design research and when developing the conceptual design to optimize the performance of the project
PC50 - Be able to continue engagement with relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples throughout all stages of the project and its delivery in a meaningful, respectful and appropriate way
PC28 - Be able to draw on knowledge from building sciences and technology, environmental sciences and behavioural and social sciences as part of preliminary design research and when developing the conceptual design to optimise the performance of the project.
PC33 - Be able to investigate, coordinate and integrate sustainable environmental systems – including water, thermal, lighting and acoustics – in response to consultants’ advice.

Australian Health Design Conference 2026 (Thursday, November 05, 2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMT

You are invited to register for the 2026 Australian Health Design Conference. This year we will be heading to Brisbane for a 2-day conference in October. You can find out more on our conference website:

Ticket Types and Conditions

Public and AHDC Member tickets are available at discounted early bird prices for a limited time only. All prices are inclusive of GST.

	Standard	Early Bird
Public	$1,600	$1,320
Member	$1,360	$1,200
Concession*	$1,200
One Day Ticket	$960

Early Bird

Early bird discounts are available until 31 July 2026

AHDC Members

Become an AHDC member for $220 per year for discounted conference rates, site visits, and other events throughout the year. Find out more.

Concessions

Full time students can email events@aushdc.org.au with details of their enrolment for approval of student rates. The discount is also available for AHDC student and non-practicising members.

Site Visits

Tickets for site visits must be purchased separately. You must be a current AHDC member to attend a site visit. Site visits will be announced closer to the event, so please subscribe to the newsletter for updates.

Speakers and Panelists

Speakers and panelists will receive a complimentary one-day ticket, or upgrade to a full conference ticket for $960. A registration code is provided in your speaker confirmation and brief.

How to Register

Payment via credit card or debit card is required to secure your ticket. If you are an AHDC member; please login using your email and password before registering. See Member FAQ page. Please email support@aushdc.org.au if you have any issues with registration.

Partnerships and Bulk Bookings

Becoming an AHDC Foundation Partner includes opportunities to purchase bulk conference tickets and memberships for your team. To find out more, please review our Partnership Invitation.

If your company is a Foundation Partner, please contact your sponsorship manager to organise tickets. Foundation partners receive limited complimentary conference tickets and other discounts.

For bulk bookings, please contact support@aushdc.org.au with a list of names, emails and company details for invoicing and ticketing purposes.

Cancellation Policy

More than 30 days - full refund processed.
Less than 30 days - account credit only.
Substitutions - free at any time.

To cancel, please sign into your AHDC account and navigate to your profile. Go to "Event Registrations" to submit a cancellation. Last minute cancellations will receive an account credit only. This can be used to pay for annual membership and future events and conference tickets.

Substitutions

If you can not longer attend for any reason, we encourage you to nominate someone else to participate in your place. Substitutions will be processed on the day at event registration, please bring a digital copy of the original ticket confirmation.

Other Conditions

The preliminary program is preliminary and subject to change.
Conference tickets cannot be shared with non-delegates or sold by third parties.
Recording, videotaping or live steaming of the AHDC Conference is strictly prohibited.
Photographer and videographers will be present at the event. If you do not wish to be filmed, please let them know on arrival.