GREEN DESIGN SEMINAR SERIES

GD1: 11:00am – 11:45am

SALLY EVANS, Studio x Us
MYRA MURTAGH, Studio x Us
MADELINE SEWALL, Up to Something
JENNIFER SNYDERS, House of Bamboo
TAMSIN O’NEILL, Green Magazine

Join this session for fascinating insights into how the 2026 Green Design Pavilion 3 was brought to life by the top design firms and suppliers responsible, and how they adhered to circular design principles.

Gain insights for your own practice and valuable tips on materials and processes.

GD2: 1pm – 1.45pm

ERIC MORONEY, Lusso Group

Eric Moroney is the Founder and Director of Lusso Venetian Finishes and the Founder of Claywise Australia. Widely recognised for delivering Australia's most refined architectural surface finishes, Eric has established a reputation for bringing together craftsmanship, material science and sustainability at the highest level of architectural design.

Working with leading architects, designers and builders, he champions the use of natural mineral and clay-based materials that reduce environmental impact while enhancing the quality and longevity of the built environment. His work is driven by a belief that the future of sustainable construction lies not only in new technologies, but also in rediscovering the enduring materials that have served humanity for centuries.

GD3: 2:45pm – 3:30pm

AMY HALLETT, Topology Studio
JULIA HALL, Hydrowood
CARSTEN DETHLEFSEN, X-Frame
KATHERINE FEATHERSTONE, Green Building Council of Australia

Join this session for fascinating insights into how the 2026 Green Design Pavilion 2 was brought to life by the top design firms and suppliers responsible, and how they adhered to circular design principles.

Gain insights for your own practice and valuable tips on materials and processes.

GD4: 4:00pm – 4:45pm

DR ELIZABETH FARRELLY, Author, columnist, radio host & CEO, The Better Cities Initiative
DR JEFA GREENAWAY, Founder & CEO, Greenaway Architects
QUTAIBAH AL-ATAFI, Circularity Lead, Breathe Architecture
Hosted by ALICE BLACKWOOD

Speakers: Dr Elizabeth Farrelly (Author, columnist, radio host & CEO, The Better Cities Initiative), Dr Jefa Greenaway (Founder & CEO, Greenaway Architects), Qutaibah Al-Atafi (Circularity Lead, Breathe Architecture). HOST: Alice Blackwood

Join acclaimed experts in architecture for an unmissable exploration of urban evolution and sustainable city design.

As urban populations continue to surge globally, the conversation around liveable, resilient, and environmentally conscious cities has never been more urgent. This session will delve into the transformative approaches needed to reimagine our urban landscapes - from sustainable architecture and green infrastructure to community-centred design and climate adaptation strategies.

Dr Elizabeth Farrelly is an acclaimed architecture critic, author, columnist, radio host and CEO of The Better Cities Initiative. She brings a sharp analytical perspective on urbanism, architecture, and the political forces that shape our built environment. Her insights challenge conventional thinking about how cities should grow and function in an era of climate crisis and social change.

Dr Jefa Greenaway FRAIA MDIA is a founding Director of Greenaway Architects (est. 1998), an Adjunct Industry Fellow at Swinburne University, and an Honorary Fellow of Design at Deakin University. His award-winning projects include the UTS National First Nations College (winner 2024 WAFX Cultural Identity awards), the Garma Institute in North East Arnhem Land, and the Koorie Heritage Trust at Federation Square. A 2020 Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame inductee and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects, Jefa is recognised globally for his pioneering work in Indigenous-led architecture, education and advocacy.

Qutaibah Al-Atafi is an architect, writer and Circularity Lead at Breathe Architecture. His passion lies in working with values-aligned clients, trades and fellow industry professionals to create site-responsive, low environmental impact architecture with a strong sense of place.

GD5: 11:00am – 11:45am

STEVE HIGGS, e9 Design

Speaker: Steve Higgs, E9 Design

Steve Higgs, Founder of E9 Design will discuss his journey in furniture design and unveil the Ethos Lounge in a live demonstration. This session will explore how innovative design can merge functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics.

GD6: 12:15pm – 1:15pm

CATIE SHAVIN, UN Global Compact Australia
KYLIE MONTELEONE, Winya Indigenous Commercial Furniture
LIZA TAZEWELL, Interiaura
KARIE SOEHARDI, Circular Design Thinking
KATHERINE FEATHERSTONE, Green Building Council of Australia

We talk a lot about Environment and Governance in ESG principles but sometimes we need to focus more on the "Social".

This panel will be a lively discussion on how businesses can prioritise social responsibility while achieving sustainability goals.

GD7: 2:00pm – 2:45pm

SHAE PARKER McCASHEN, Green Sheep Collective
JOSHUA ELLIS, Cultivated
LIZ MILES, Sustainable Living Fabrics
TAMSIN O’NEILL, Green Magazine

Join this session for fascinating insights into how the 2026 Green Design Pavilion 3 was brought to life by the top design firms and suppliers responsible, and how they adhered to circular design principles.

Gain insights for your own practice and valuable tips on materials and processes.

GD8: 3:30pm – 4:15pm

KARIE SOEHARDI, Circular Design Thinking
LIZ MILES, Sustainable Living Fabrics
COURTNEY HOLM, Circular Sourcing
CAROLINE WHITTY, Signature Flooring

This panel discussion, moderated by Karie Soehardi, will celebrate the contributions of women in the textile industry, which has historically been dominated at the executive level by men.

Gain valuable insights on sustainable practices in fabric production and design.

GD9: 11:00am – 11:45am

PAUL ROSENBERG VELLA, ALD Group
ZOE GILLETT, Hammond Studio
KARIE SOEHARDI, Circular Design Thinking
ELYSE RANN, Studio Spillane
HARRIET SMITH, Green Building Council of Australia

Hear from an expert panel on what it really means to 'walk the talk' in circularity, particularly when it comes to commercial fit outs.

Hosted by the Green Building Council of Australia, this will be an engaging discussion that explores the practical realities of implementing circular design principles in commercial spaces. Our panellists will share real-world insights from their projects, discussing the challenges they've faced, the innovative solutions they've developed, and the tangible outcomes they've achieved in embedding circularity into fit-out design and delivery.

This is an opportunity to learn from pioneers who are actively leading the shift toward a circular economy in the built environment. Whether you're navigating material selection, designing for disassembly, or building the business case for circular approaches, this session will provide practical takeaways and inspire new ways of thinking about sustainable commercial design.

GD10: 12:30pm – 1:30pm

JOHN HALPIN & LIZA TAZEWELL, Interiaura
TABITHA PORLEY, Karv Studio
KARIE SOEHARDI, Circular Design Thinking
SAM DAVIES, Defy Design

This session will spotlight the growing "Makers Movement” in Australia, featuring makers from across the Green Design Show. Hosted by Karie Soehardi from Circular Design Thinking, this will be a lively conversation highlighting the people and small-scale, sustainable production methods that are transforming the Australian design landscape. Plus – what needs to be done to support artisans across the country.

Featured Makers

John Halpin and Liza Tazewell – Interiaura

John Halpin is a certified Master Upholsterer who has worked on prestigious projects including the refurbishment of the iconic Harrods of Knightsbridge London Tea Rooms.

Liza Tazewell studied at Central Saint Martins and the National Design Academy UK, developing her skills as a talented curtain maker.

Together, they run Interiaura, a studio specialising in beautiful soft furnishings and upholstery that combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.

Sam Davies – Defy Design

Sam Davies is Co-Founder and Director of Defy Design, a Sydney-based company that transforms plastic destined for landfill into impactful, beautifully designed products. Through their design-led approach, Sam and the Defy team are at the forefront of closing the loop on Australia's plastic waste streams, proving that innovative design can drive meaningful environmental change.

Tabitha Porley – Karv Studio

Tabitha Porley is an artist and founder of Karv Studio. Her sculptural work explores the beauty in imperfection and our connection to the earth. Working intuitively with concrete and foraged organic materials, Tabitha creates pieces that capture nature's elements, bringing the tranquillity of the natural world into interior spaces.

GD11: 2:00pm – 3:00pm

KARIE SOEHARDI, Circular Design Thinking
JOSHUA ELLIS, Cultivated
ELYSE RANN, Studio Spillane
TAMSIN O’NEILL, Green Magazine
STEVE HIGGS, e9 Design
KATHERINE FEATHERSTONE, Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

This session will bring together members of the GDS 2026 Committee to discuss how crucial community is in driving sustainable design initiatives. Attendees will gain insights into the deeply collaborative efforts shaping the future of green design and be inspired to get involved in the movement.

The 2026 Green Design Show Committee is comprised of industry leaders and innovators who are passionate about shaping the future of circular design. They are Karie Soehardi - Circular Design Thinking, Josh Ellis - Cultivated, Elyse Rann - Studio Spillane, Steve Higgs – e9 Design, Tamsin O'Neill - Green Magazine and Katherine Featherstone – Green Building Council of Australia.