Australian Health Design Conference 2024

The Australian Health Design Conference brings emerging ideas in healthcare design to Sydney in 2024.

AHDC2024 is a forum for all professionals in the Australian health design industry to share knowledge, develop expertise and build relationships across public and private sectors.

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AGENDA >

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Agenda

The conference agenda is preliminary and is subject to change as the event details are still being finalised.

DAY 1

Tuesday 26 November 2024

Session 1

8:45

Welcome to Country

Conference Welcome

Opening Plenary Presentation

Challenging the Method through Creative Intelligence, Barbara Doran, UTS.

Presentations

Innovations in Culturally Appropriate Aged Care, David Kaunitz and Ka Wai Yeung, Kaunitz Yeung Architecture.

Perth Childen's Hospice, James Daniel French, Hassell.

9:45

Morning Tea

Session 2

10:15

International Plenary Presentation

Ahead of the curve, on the right track? Christopher Shaw, UK Architects for Health and Medical Architecture.

Case Study Presentation

Hospital Typology - Back to the Future, Mungo Smith, MAAP Architects.

Panel Discussion "Build Better Not More"

Chair: Kate Copeland, AHDC
Emma Skulander, NSW Health Infrastructure
Priscilla Radice, Health Infrastructure Queensland
Melissa Nozza, SA Health

13:00

Lunch

Session 3

14:00

Panel Discussion "A Changing Community"

Chair: Tracy Lord, BLP
Liam Harte, GIRA Advisory
Alex Longley, Arcadia
Brad Dorn, BLP

Project Presentations

A Changing Community - New Shellharbour Hospital, Barnaby Hartford-Davis, COX and Melina Thomas, STH.

15:15

Afternoon Tea

Session 4

15:45

Presentations

Macarthur Health Precinct – Innovative Partnership Model, Taya Kirris, Northwest Properties REIT, Charles Wheeler, GenesisCare, Lindy Deitz, Campbelltown City Council.

Care is Care in any setting: Innovation in virtual care, Bruce Crook, Architectus, Robyn Brigden, TSA.

Panel Discussion "Virtual Care in Australia"

Chair: Hediyeh Vahdat, Lineaire Projects

17:30

Cocktail Party (included in ticket)

DAY 2

Wednesday 27 November 2024

Session 5

9:00

Research Presentation

Architecture of Compassion, Chloe Piper, Deakin University.

Pecha Kucha Presentations

Nature + Nurture: Clean healthcare design concept – South Africa, Milo Petkovic, Bongiorno Hawkins & Associates.

Designing with Country, Kim Small, BVN.

IoT devices optimising clinical space utilisation: Effective, Appropriate, Acceptable, Tim McNabb, Health Infrastructure Queensland.

The future of work with CSSD Reports, Ashish Bhatia, Atherton

Concurrent Workshop

9:00 - 12:00 | Design Thinking with Tish Creenaune, UTS

10:15

Morning Tea

Session 6

10:30

Health Planning Round Table Discussion

AHDC Health Planning subcommittee

Presentation

Healthcare Configurator: Accelerating Healthcare Design & Delivery, Brian Niven, Mott McDonald

13:00

Site Visits (separate tickets required)

Ahead of the Curve: Emerging ideas in healthcare design

In 2024, we are turning our attention to emerging ideas in healthcare design. We are seeking a broad range of ideas and perspectives, both local and international. We would like to encourage diverse submissions that demonstrate something that is new, novel or unique, that could be scaled up or expanded upon.

An outsider's perspective: How have you brought ideas and approaches from other countries or from other sectors, and applied them to healthcare projects in Australia?

Challenging the method: How have you approached a healthcare design problem in a new way, challenging the standard approach and testing a novel solution to a common problem?

A changing community: How can we provide for diverse communities, and how do social, economic, political and cultural factors influence our health?

Build better, not more: How can we use fewer resources in construction, focus on refurbishment and recycling, and build better healthcare with less environmental impact?

Speakers

Name	Title	About
Alex Longley	Founder & Managing Director, Arcadia Landscape Architecture, NSW	Alex Longley founded Arcadia in 2011, leading the practice to prominence in designing with Country, engaging Indigenous communities across Australia. His designs integrate deep cultural insights into landscape architecture, spanning health, aged care, civic spaces, education, and more.
Amy Holmes	Program Director / Nursing Director, Scaling Virtual Health Care, Queensland Virtual Hospital, QLD
Ashish Bhatia	State Account Manager, Atherton	With over 20 years of sales experience in the Life Sciences industry, Ashish specializes in helping CSSD Managers in PC1, PC2, and PC3 labs find the right sterilization solutions. His Bachelor of Pharmacy and MBA allow him to create customized, values-based solutions for CSSD Departments. A multi-award-winning salesperson, Ashish has also launched manual and computerized tracking products in the Life Sciences industry. He is passionate about delivering exceptional sterilization solutions and enjoys working with Atherton’s energetic team.
Barbara Doran	Director Creative Intelligence and Strategic Innovation (CISI) program, University of Technology Sydney, NSW	Barbara is the Director of the CISI (Creative Intelligence and Strategic Innovation) program at the internationally awarded TD School, University of Technology (UTS). A renaissance woman with an extensive portfolio in psychology, neuroscience, sociology, urban planning, design, and the arts, Barbara brings nuanced insights into creativity. Her expertise is sought at the cutting edge of arts, science, and innovation, collaborating with institutions like NIDA and SPHERE. Her recent book, "Creative Reboot. Catalysing Creative Intelligence," offers practical tools for enhancing creative confidence. Barbara ignites the vital power of creativity.
Barnaby Hartford-Davis	Senior Associate, COX Architecture, NSW	Barnaby Hartford-Davis, a Registered Architect at COX, specializes in health, education, sports, and commercial projects. He excels in leading large teams from concept to completion, emphasizing experiential design and stakeholder engagement.
Brad Dorn	Design Lead / Senior Associate, Billard Leece Partnership, NSW	Brad Dorn excels in design across commercial, infrastructure, health, and education sectors. He champions Design With Country, collaborating with Traditional Owners to embed cultural values into architectural projects.
Brian Niven	Technical Director, Healthcare Consulting Services, Mott MacDonald, UK	Brian Niven, a Technical Director, brings over 30 years of global healthcare planning expertise. His focus on data analysis and healthcare transformation supports strategic planning and infrastructure development worldwide.
Bruce Crook	Principal, Architectus Australia Pty Ltd, NSW	Bruce Crook integrates international health trends into architecture, balancing form and function for healing environments. With three decades of global experience, he leads projects from business case to commissioning across diverse sectors.
Charles Wheeler	Vice President, Site Development, GenesisCare, NSW	A construction and development leader with over 20 years in the industry, Charles oversees the planning, design, and development of healthcare facilities to ensure they meet the highest standards of patient care and operational efficiency. He is committed to GenesisCare's mission of providing exceptional patient care and plays a crucial role in expanding access to high-quality healthcare services.
Chloe Piper	PhD Candidate, Deakin University, VIC	Chloe Piper, a PhD candidate at Deakin, specializes in architectural projects across cultural, educational, health, and residential sectors. Her research explores human-environment interactions.
Christopher Shaw	Past Chair of UK Architects for Health and retired founder of Medical Architecture, UK	Christopher Shaw, retired architect and health planner, founded Medical Architecture. With 40 years of global experience, he contributes to healthcare infrastructure, design standards, and consulting.
David Kaunitz	Director at Kaunitz Yeung Architecture, NSW	David Kaunitz co-leads Kaunitz Yeung Architecture, focusing on high-quality architecture in disadvantaged communities across Asia-Pacific. They emphasize participatory design and community engagement.
Emma Skulander	Acting Chief Executive at Health Infrastructure, NSW	Emma Skulander brings diverse executive and project leadership to Health Infrastructure NSW, driving strategic initiatives with a science background and AICD certification.
James Daniel French	Senior Architect, HASSELL	James is an architect passionate about creating inspiring buildings and spaces. He has worked on a range of projects, including multi-residential, mixed-use, commercial, health, urban design, and interior design. At HASSELL in Perth, James works closely with clients to translate their needs into functional and exciting design solutions. He takes a holistic approach, considering the architectural form and the wider impact on the environment and community.
Kawai Yeung	Director at Kaunitz Yeung Architecture, NSW	Kawai Yeung co-leads Kaunitz Yeung Architecture, specializing in architecture for disadvantaged communities across Asia-Pacific, emphasizing cultural integration and community involvement.
Kim Small	Practice Director, BVN Architecture, NSW	Kim Small, Practice Director at BVN Architecture, excels in patient-focused healthcare design, contributing to notable projects that enhance community well-being.
Liam Harte	Founder and CEO, GIRA Advisory, NSW	Liam Harte, CEO of Gira Advisory, advocates for First Nations communities across education, government, renewables, and healthcare sectors, fostering cultural integration and leadership.
Lindy Deitz	General Manager, Campbelltown City Council, NSW	Lindy Deitz, General Manager of Campbelltown City, drives transformative change in local government, advocating for community needs and regional development.
Melina Thomas	Director, STH, NSW	Melina Thomas, Director at STH, specializes in delivering evidence-based healthcare environments across Australia and New Zealand, focusing on stakeholder consultation and project delivery.
Melissa Nozza	Director Capital Projects Infrastructure, Corporate and Infrastructure Division, Department for Health and Wellbeing, SA Health	Melissa Nozza leads capital projects in health and infrastructure, driving significant outcomes through strategic leadership and project management across diverse sectors.
Milo Petkovic	Architectural Technologist at Bongiorno Hawkins & Associates, South Africa	Milo Petkovic, Senior Architectural Technologist, integrates biophilic design principles in healthcare architecture, enhancing well-being through sustainable and aesthetically pleasing projects.
Miranda Shaw	General Manager, RPA Virtual, NSW	Miranda Shaw, General Manager of RPA Virtual Hospital, pioneers virtual care innovations, improving patient outcomes and healthcare accessibility through digital health solutions.
Mungo Smith	Director, MAAP Architects, NSW	With over 40 years’ experience in architecture and health facility planning; former Head of Design at the Medical Architecture Research Unit in London and consultant to NHS Estates, Department of Health, UK. Founding director of Medical Architecture, London in 1991 and director of MAAP Architects, Sydney since 2014. Assessor for European Health Design Congress Awards. GA NSW State Design Review Panel for health projects since 2018. In team short-listed in 2021 for the International Wolfson Economics Prize.
Priscilla Radice
Robyn Brigden	Health Lead Asia Pacific, TSA Riley, NSW	With over two decades of experience in clinical, operational, and strategic roles within the health care sector, Robyn excels in delivering sustainable innovative solutions and solving complex problems. She specializes in business case development, service and facility planning, design management, and project execution.
Suzie Miller	Director of Strategy, Quality and Technology, Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, VIC	After a decade in the Australian and US start-up ecosystems as a chief medical officer, investor, and board member for med tech companies, Dr. Miller joined the VVED in 2021. She has helped grow the VVED from seeing 15 to nearly 1000 patients a day. Dr. Miller focuses on using technology and alternative care pathways to create high-quality, equitable, and accessible health systems.
Taya Kirris	Senior Bid and Development Manager, NSW	Taya Kirris brings over 12 years of experience in healthcare real estate, leading strategic healthcare precinct investment opportunities and managing developments across NSW. She holds a Bachelor of Property Economics from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Tim McNabb	Assistant Project Director, Health Infrastructure Queensland	Tim McNabb leads the design and construction of a $530 million hospital expansion project in Townsville, combining architectural skills with a passion for healthcare. He is currently pursuing a PhD in IoT Engineering (Architectural Informatics).
Tish Creenaune	Senior Manager, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney, NSW	Tish Creenaune is a public sector executive with expertise in education, innovation, and social policy. She drives change projects and reform, fostering innovation and leadership development.
Tracy Lord	Principal and Health Sector Lead, Billard Leece Partnership, NSW	Tracy Lord has a 25-year career in health design, delivering projects across Australia and New Zealand. She advocates for gender diversity and inclusive design, promoting dialogue for successful project outcomes.

Partners

This year, we have restructured our partnership offering to align more closely with our new events and member benefits. This includes opportunities to purchase bulk conference tickets and memberships for your team. To find out more, please review our Partnership Invitation.

Platinum Foundation Partner

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Gold Foundation Partners

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Silver Foundation Partners

More Information

Registration

To register for the conference and find out more about ticket types and conditions, please go to the Registration Page.

Conference EOI Process

Expressions of interest for the conference presentations are now closed. Thank you to everyone who has submitted. The Australian Health Design Council is governed by Committee elected by its members. The Conference sub-committee reviews and selects submissions based on the response to the annual conference theme.

Sponsors have no editorial control over the conference agenda and do not provide financial or material compensation to presenters. AHDC is a registered non-profit organisation. All funds raised are directed towards conference costs and future AHDC events and initiatives.

Continuing Professional Development

Continuing Professional Development is available for Project Managers, Engineers and Architects. Registered Architects can log formal CPD points for each session attended (1 point/hour). The session Q&A is an opportunity to allow for feedback and discussion to assist in answering the questions.

To receive a CPD certificate, please provide the following:

Your Full Name, Registration No, and State and a list of Sessions attended.
Your review of the sessions including; NSCA units relevant to each session; learning outcomes and key discussion points for each session (Guide: 300 words per session).

Contact Details

If you have any questions or concerns, please email events@aushdc.org.au

Location

Internet Provider

Aerial UTS Function Centre

Gadigal Country, Building 10, Level 7, 235 Jones St, Ultimo NSW 2007

AHDC2024 will be held on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. The Australian Health Design Council respectfully acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and work, all around Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge their wisdom, actions and knowledge in caring for the health of Country and People.

2023 Highlights

2022 Highlights

Join the Australian Health Design Council to become a part of the national health design community.

The Australian Health Design Council is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation established in 2011 that provides a forum for all professionals involved in the Australian health design sector to share knowledge, develop expertise, foster research and enhance skills in health facility planning, design and management across both the private and public sectors.

Find out more and become a member at www.aushdc.org.au