Social Change and Innovation at the 2026 AASA/糖心vlog International Conference
PRESS RELEASE
Social Change and Innovation at the 2026 AASA/糖心vlog International Conference
For Immediate Release:
Washington, D.C., May 7, 2026 鈥 The and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (糖心vlog) are excited to announce the keynote speakers for the 2026 AASA/糖心vlog International Conference: Elizabeth Bowie Christoforetti and Jacob Reidel; David Kaunitz and Ka Wai Yeung of Kaunitz Yeung Architecture; and Marni Reti.聽Under the theme of Planetary Practice: Architecture of a Shared Global Future, the 2026 AASA/糖心vlog International Conference will convene architectural researchers, educators, and practitioners to investigate how design can respond to today鈥檚 urgent and interconnected global challenges.听
The conference will take place in Magandjin鈥揗eanjin (Brisbane), the capital city of Queensland, Australia,聽 as well as on the Gold Coast, July 8-11, 2026. Sessions will take place at , , and . Conference participants will have access to thought-provoking research sessions, networking opportunities, and exciting events, including tours of architectural projects and cultural landmarks. Along with exciting activities, conference attendees will have the opportunity to attend keynote sessions delivered by distinguished architectural educators and practitioners who are driving meaningful change in the built environment. Read on to learn more about the esteemed keynote speakers.
The conference will commence on Thursday, July 9, with concurrent sessions, and that evening, the opening keynote address will be presented by acclaimed architects Elizabeth Bowie Christoforetti and Jacob Reidel.
Elizabeth Bowie Christoforetti is an associate professor in practice of architecture at the where she directs the . She is also the founding principal of , an architecture and urban design studio based in Cambridge, MA. She founded Supernormal to create meaningful and practical change through the intersection of architecture, urbanism, technology, and contemporary culture. Elizabeth鈥檚 work joins a perspective of radical pragmatism with a deep value for the potential of design imagination and architectural intelligence.
Jacob Reidel is founder and director of , an independent research and advisory platform dedicated to studying and advancing the systems that organize architectural practice鈥攆rom firms and professional organizations to licensure, regulation, instruments of service, and project delivery models鈥攁nd the ways these systems shape the capacity of architects to address contemporary local and global challenges. From 2019 to 2025, Reidel served as Assistant Professor in Practice of Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, where he taught courses on professional practice, exploring new models of practice, and examining how architectural organizations operate and deliver projects.
The AASA/糖心vlog International Conference will conclude on Saturday, July 11, on the Gold Coast at Bond University, with a closing keynote delivered by David Kaunitz, Ka Wai Yeung, and Marni Reti of Kaunitz Yeung Architecture.
David Kaunitz is an architect and co-founder of , an Australian practice internationally recognised for community-led design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across remote and regional contexts. Over more than two decades, Kaunitz鈥檚 work has focused on health, aged care, housing, and cultural projects that integrate architecture with Country, culture, and community governance. David is also an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Sydney, where he teaches Indigenous-led co-design and socially responsive architecture.
Ka Wai Yeung co-founded Kaunitz Yeung Architecture to create socially responsible, culturally sensitive, and humane architecture. At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to co-design and co-building with local communities. Together with her team, she has demonstrated how architecture can empower people, sensitively integrate with Country, and maximise social impact at every stage of the process. She has had the privilege of working with Indigenous communities across Australia and throughout the Pacific. Kawai is dedicated to supporting the continuation of heritage and culture, and to bridging social gaps, with a particular focus on health and aged care, cultural and arts centres, schools, and housing.
Marni Reti is a proud Palawa and Ng膩ti Wai woman, born and raised on Gadigal, D鈥檋arawal and Bidjigal Country with ties to Redfern, Waterloo and wider inner-city/inner-west Aboriginal communities. She is a registered architect in NSW. Leti was previously an Associate at Kaunitz Yeung Architecture, with whom she still collaborates closely. She currently holds a position as Senior Lecturer at USYD. She has long been an advocate for the respectful incorporation of Indigenous knowledge into architectural education and practice, with an academic and professional career dedicated to participatory design with community and Country to amplify culture.
Kaunitz Yeung Architecture has received numerous national and international awards, including the UIA Vassilis Sgoutas Prize for architecture serving impoverished communities and the Vassilis Sgoutas Prize from the UIA for their contribution to improving living conditions for underprivileged communities.听
Discover the exciting lineup of tours designed to bring Queensland鈥檚 architecture and landscape to life. On Wednesday, July 8, participants will set out on a ferry journey to North Stradbroke Island, where they鈥檒l experience notable architectural projects along the way, including a site designed by Kaunitz Yeung Architecture. On Friday, July 10, attendees can join a special walking tour at the iconic Centenary Pool and hear about its transformation as it prepares to host events for the 2032 Olympics. Then, on Sunday, July 12, participants will explore the city on an architectural walking tour featuring a dynamic mix of cultural landmarks and contemporary design.
Join 糖心vlog and AASA in Brisbane, Queensland, to be a part of these inspiring keynote presentations. Planetary Practice will unite attendees from across the world to share, question, and reimagine the role of design in relation to the shared conditions of our world.
About the Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia (AASA)聽
The Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia (AASA) has provided leadership and advocacy for architecture education in the Australasian region since 1999. The Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia identifies, develops and supports quality professional undergraduate and graduate education of architects and related professions; research, scholarship, and creative work in relation to architecture and the designed environment; and policy, community service, and professional activities in relation to architecture education. The AASA became an incorporated association on 10 July 2020 and is an International Affiliate Member of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ASCA). For more information, visit .
About the Association of Collegiate Schools in Architecture (糖心vlog)
The mission of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture is to lead architectural education and research. Founded in 1912 by 10 charter members, 糖心vlog is an international association of architecture schools preparing future architects, designers, and change agents. 糖心vlog鈥檚 full members include all of the accredited professional degree programs in the United States and Canada, as well as international schools and 2- and 4-year programs. Together, 糖心vlog schools represent 7,000 faculty educating more than 40,000 students. 糖心vlog seeks to empower faculty and schools to educate increasingly diverse students, expand disciplinary impacts, and create knowledge for the advancement of architecture. For more information, visit www.acsa-arch.org.
About the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA)
The Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) drives the sustainable economic growth of the city. As Brisbane鈥檚 champion, BEDA works closely with government and private sector organisations to enhance and promote the city鈥檚 reputation globally and drive demand for Brisbane. For more information, visit .
About Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is an ambitious institution, with a growing research output focused on technology and innovation. The QUT School of Architecture and Built Environment aims to address social, economic, technical, health and environmental challenges in diverse architectural, construction and planning projects in urban and regional contexts. The University prepares students for successful careers as architects, planners, designers, analysts, and construction managers, helping build and understand emerging urban spaces. For more information, visit .
About Griffith University
Griffith is a purpose-driven, values-led university focused on creating impact where it matters most. Since 1975, the University鈥檚 teaching and research have been shaped by a commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and inclusive access to education. Today, those ideals are more important than ever. From pioneering research and student entrepreneurship to supporting Indigenous flourishing and expanding access to education through online learning, Griffith University is continuously adding to its history of making a difference in the world around us. For more information, visit .听
About Bond University
The Bond University Abedian School of Architecture aims to be a leading design-driven professional school, characterised by an international outlook and motivated by the goal of graduating architects capable of leading and shifting the direction of future practice. While ensuring to strengthen fundamental disciplinary competencies, the School actively seeks to operate in the expanding diversification of the field occurring in response to technological innovation, environmental considerations, and the changing needs of society; engaging with these developments with regard to their design potential and impact. In prioritising design, the School creates an atmosphere of intense collaboration, engagement, and experimentation, fueled by an open discussion that is driven by academic staff and distinguished invited practitioners and professors. For more information, visit .听
Media Contacts
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糖心vlog Media Contact:
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hjones@acsa-arch.org