Program

BUILDING PERFORMANCE: IMAGINATION TO REALITY
Series Program 

Session 1 | Future-Ready Foundations: Reimagining Building Performance
12pm - 2pm AEST, 29 July 2025

The Series kicks off with a dynamic exploration of the evolving landscape of building performance. This opening session sets the stage by examining how Australia and New Zealand are responding to the challenges of performance, health, and resilience in the built environment—framed within a global context.

Discover the vision behind the CIBSE Building Performance Reimagined report and how it’s reshaping thinking around future-ready buildings. Gain valuable insights into the drivers of change, and the barriers that must be overcome to ensure better performing buildings.

Confirmed Presentations:

Fiona Cousins, Immediate Past President, CIBSE

Inspiring a new reality

Fiona will share insights from the Building Performance Reimagined report that inspired this building performance series. 

 Francesca Muskovic, National Policy Director, Property Council of Australia

Regional Outlook of Building Performance

A presentation on the biggest barriers to building performance in the region.

Session 2 | What does it mean for a building to be truly connected?
12pm - 2pm AEST, 5 August 2025

In this session, we dive into the first of four key performance metrics shaping the future of resilient buildings: Connectedness.

Through compelling case studies, we’ll explore how leading projects are integrating building systems, energy grids, and digital infrastructure to create smarter, more responsive environments. But it’s not just about technology—this session also highlights how thoughtful design can foster human connection, community, and wellbeing within the built environment.

Join us to discover how connectedness is redefining performance—from systems integration to social impact.

Confirmed Presentations:

Annie Tennant, Director, Design and Place, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

Session 3 | Emergent Intelligence: Designing for Evolution
12pm - 2pm AEST, 12 August 2025

What if buildings could evolve—learning, adapting, and giving back more than they take?

In this forward-thinking session, we explore Emergence, the second key performance metric shaping resilient buildings of the future. Discover how cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and robotics are enabling buildings to become dynamic systems—capable of self-optimisation, predictive maintenance, and even regenerative performance.

Through visionary case studies and expert insights, we’ll examine how building services can move beyond efficiency to become intelligent, responsive, and even symbiotic with their environments.

Confirmed Presentations:

Bree Trevena PhD, Foresight Leader, Arup

Presentation title tbc

Dikai Liu, Distinguished Professor, Director of the ARC Research Hub for Human-robot teaming for Construction, University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

Human-Robot Teaming for Building Construction and Maintenance

This talk will explore the challenges associated with applying intelligent robots in building construction and maintenance. Methodologies that enable robots to operate autonomously or collaboratively with humans in construction will be discussed. Several case studies showcasing intelligent robots in practical applications will also be discussed, including robots for building construction.

Dr Stephen White, Energy Performance Research Leader, CSIRO
 

Findings of IEA Annex 81 ‘Data-Driven Smart Buildings

The International Energy Agency’s ‘Data-Driven Smart Buildings’ initiative explored the use of digitalisation as an enabling tool for improving energy performance in non-residential buildings.  The Annex focused on both (i) data analytics and AI software applications (for improving energy productivity) and (ii) the digital infrastructure that underpins these applications. This presentation will summarise Annex findings.

Session 4 | Adaptive by Design: Embracing Variety in the Built Environment
12pm - 2pm AEST, 19 August 2025

How can buildings flex and flow with the changing needs of their users?

In this session, we explore Variety—the third key performance metric—focusing on how building services can unlock adaptability, inclusivity, and multifunctionality. Through inspiring case studies, we’ll showcase how thoughtful design and smart systems can transform static spaces into dynamic environments that support a wide range of uses, users, and futures.

From flexible layouts to responsive technologies, discover how variety in design leads to resilience in performance.

Confirmed Presentations:

Sara Wilkinson, Professor of Sustainable Property, UTS

Session 5 | Future-Proofing Performance: Designing for the Unknown
12pm - 2pm AEST, 26 August 2025

In an unpredictable world, how can buildings be prepared for the unknown?

This session explores Readiness, the final key performance metric, focusing on how buildings and building services can anticipate, absorb, and adapt to emerging risks—from climate extremes to system failures. We’ll examine how resilient design and smart technologies can reduce harm, safeguard occupants, and future-proof our built environment.

Through thought-provoking presentations (to be announced), we’ll uncover strategies for building anticipatory capacity—so our spaces are not just reactive, but ready.