Examining material innovation in practice

23 Jul 2026

Agenda

Thursday 23rd July – 12:30pm-2:30pm

12:30pm   Welcome and opening remarks

Introduction to the session theme, key discussion areas, and the format for the afternoon.

Moderator: Katherine Featherstone,  Senior Manager – Products and Materials, Green Building Council of Australia 


12:40pm  A look at the emerging potential for bamboo

An examination of bamboo’s potential across design and construction applications.

Jennifer Snyders, CEO, House of Bamboo
Jeremy Mansfield,  Founder/Director, Mansfield Advisory


1:05pm  Case study:  spotlight on innovative material use and procurement decisions 

This session will focus on the First Building at Bradfield Development Authority and the decisions behind material selection and the opportunities to implement innovative products at the design stage

Yann Frampton, Senior Associate,  Hassell


1:25pm  Growing building materials with Mycelium

  • An introduction to mycelium and potential applications in architecture
  • Products available internationally and opportunities for the Australian market
  • Current barriers to market and how we might realise it’s circularity potential

Stephanie Sirianni, Founder, Nature Collective 


1:50pm  Panel:  Dissecting the roadblocks and opportunities for innovative products to reshape the built environment

  • Discussion on material selection and circular procurement decisions
  • Identifying the roadblocks in using sustainable and emerging materials
  • Discussion on how to identify and source PFAS products and why this matters
  • Discussion on potential disruption to supply chain

Aidan Mullan, Sustainability Manager, Australia and New Zealand,  Interface 

Plus more speakers to be confirmed


2:30pm End of session