A diverse lineup of educational topics presented to you by industry experts. Technical specialists are on hand to answer your questions live!
9:00am - 10:00am AEST
Presented By
Doug Stewart
Architectural
Business Manager
Beyond the Lip: Designing Flush Thresholds for Compliance, Access & Performance
This essential professional development session addresses one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of architectural design: flush threshold detailing.
While seemingly straightforward, flush thresholds sit at the complex intersection of accessibility compliance, waterproofing performance, and architectural intent.
Doug Stewart, with over 12 years of specialist experience in high-performance window and door systems, presents practical strategies for navigating the challenging balance between creating seamless, accessible transitions and maintaining robust weather protection.
Flush thresholds represent a critical compliance junction where multiple Australian standards converge - yet they remain one of the most common sources of building failures. With accessibility being a legal right under the Disability Discrimination Act, and water ingress representing significant liability risks, getting threshold design right is essential for every project.
This session moves beyond theoretical compliance to deliver real-world solutions, practical tools including compliance checklists, installation method comparisons, and clear guidance on when performance solutions are required.
Most importantly, you'll understand how to design thresholds that deliver both technical compliance and dignified access for all users - because as the session emphasizes, "flush thresholds only work when performance and compliance are detailed in, not left to chance."
Define the performance, accessibility, and waterproofing challenges associated with flush threshold design.
Identify the regulatory framework (AS 1428.1, AS 2047, NCC) and how it applies to door sill selection and detailing.
Evaluate threshold installation methods and drainage systems that meet both compliance and architectural design requirements.
Recognise the risks of non-compliance and how to specify threshold solutions that protect both occupants and the building envelope.
AACA competency standard – NSCA performance criteria: Practice Management and Professional Conduct - PC12, Project Initiation and Conceptual Design - PC24, PC28 and Detailed Design and Construction Documentation - PC45, PC46
Presented By
Doug Stewart
Architectural
Business Manager
10:15am - 11:15am AEST
Presented By
Llewellyn Regler
National
Technical Manager
Life Cycle Costs & Value in Aluminium Façade Systems – Balancing Performance & Sustainability
This CPD explores the true long-term value of aluminium façade systems by comparing solid aluminium, corrugated core, and non-combustible mineral core cladding options. Participants will gain insights into engineering performance, maintenance requirements, warranties, and environmental impacts.
The session also addresses key risks, including oil canning, colour fading, and insufficient warranty coverage, all of which can lead to costly remediation and reputational damage.
Learn how to assess façade materials beyond initial cost and specify solutions that deliver lasting performance, compliance, and sustainability.
Identify the various life cycle costs (LCC) of facade systems.
Compare the engineering, sustainability, and performance implications of various aluminium façade materials.
Recognise the importance of warranties, maintenance, structural requirements, and sustainability in LCC.
Outline how non-combustible mineral core panels rate in terms of life cycle costs and sustainability.
AACA competency standard – NSCA performance criteria: Practice Management and Professional Conduct – PC10 and Project Initiation and Conceptual Design – PC28, PC31, PC35
Presented By
Llewellyn Regler
National
Technical Manager
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11.30am - 12:30pm AEST
Presented By
Nadine Miller
Marketing Director
Hydration, Wellbeing, and Productivity: How Water Filtration Enhances the Workplace and Drives Design Innovation.
Drawing on over 50 years of expertise in water filtration, BRITA explores the science of water quality and its influence on health, wellbeing, and workplace design.
This module introduces participants to the fundamentals of water composition and treatment, while highlighting how thoughtful integration of filtration systems can improve both employee satisfaction and commercial design outcomes.
Understand the origins and types of drinking water sources, and the elements that affect water quality and taste.
Recognise the connection between water quality, employee wellbeing, and productivity, and apply this knowledge to inform design improvements in commercial environments.
Explore advancements in water dispenser technology and how user-focused functionality can enhance the workplace experience.
Evaluate real-world examples of workplace design that successfully foster collaboration, wellbeing, and overall employee performance.
AACA competency standard – NSCA performance criteria: Project Initiation and Conceptual Design – PC29, PC31, PC35
Presented By
Nadine Miller
Marketing Director
12:45pm - 1:45pm AEST
Presented By
Cedric Pinto
Senior
Specification Manager
Designing Ventilated Façade Systems for Industry Compliance
This Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session, delivered by EQUITONE, provides a comprehensive overview of ventilated façade systems with a focus on design principles, compliance with building regulations, and best practice applications. Aimed at architects, specifiers and construction professionals, the session explores how through-coloured fibre cement materials can be used in modern facade design to meet both aesthetic and technical requirements.
By the end of this session, participants will have the knowledge needed to confidently specify ventilated systems that align with current regulations and sustainability goals whilst maintaining creative design freedom.
Fibre cement meets the requirements and provisions of the NCC for non-combustible cladding.
Describe what are the most prevalent contributors to building defects and their consequences.
Describe the 4D design principles to minimise the effects of waterproofing and condensation.
Define the most suitable types of weather barrier for each climate zone.
Explain how to achieve optimal levels of building envelope tightness.
Define the sustainable issues currently affecting the construction industry.
AACA competency standard – NSCA performance criteria: Project Initiation and Conceptual Design – PC26, PC27, PC29, Detailed Design and Construction Documentation – PC43.
Presented By
Cedric Pinto
Senior
Specification Manager
2:00pm - 3:00pm AEST
Presented By
Johan Hodgson
General Manager
Presented By
Sandra Bird
Marketing
Innovation Manager
Designing with Nature: Ambius plantscaping innovations - shaping healthy, thriving, sustainable projects
Ambius CPD webinar explores how strategic indoor plantscaping styles elevate project delivery through innovative design, health and wellbeing, and sustainability.
Discover our unique capabilities, exclusive products, and the design philosophies guiding plant selections and sub-irrigation for optimal plant health. Through real-life examples we will demonstrate how we bring customer visions to life. Explore diverse plant applications, including native varieties, and clarify essential light requirements, connecting to the Ambius GROW formula for truly thriving and healthy indoor transformations.
Evaluate the role of biophilic design and strategic plantscaping in enhancing occupant wellbeing, indoor air quality, and sustainable outcomes in interior architecture.
Apply the Ambius GROW formula by identifying appropriate plant species based on light levels, sub-irrigation needs, and maintenance to optimise the health, wellbeing and performance of indoor environments.
Understand how sustainable systems—such as sub-irrigation technology, Australian-made containers, and low-VOC materials—can be integrated into projects to reduce water consumption, waste, and environmental footprint.
Incorporate cultural and environmental considerations into project planning, including the use of native plants, Australian-made products, the support of Indigenous artists, and local sourcing to promote community, reduce costs, and foster project alignment with Country.
AACA competency standard – NSCA performance criteria: Practice Management and Professional Conduct – PC3 Project Initiation and Conceptual Design – PC28, PC33
Presented By
Johan Hodgson
General Manager
Presented By
Sandra Bird
Marketing
Innovation Manager
9:00am - 10:00am AEST
Presented By
Anna Abrossimova
Head of Marketing | Product Specialist
Solar Façades and NetZero: Unlocking Performance with Building-Integrated Photovoltaics
This CPD introduces Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and explores their role in achieving Net Zero targets through high-performance facade systems.
Architects will gain insight into how solar glazing can be specified and deployed across commercial and civic projects through technical modelling, case studies, and real-world data.
Define the difference between Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and Building-Applied Photovoltaics (BAPV) and their application in facade systems.
Evaluate the suitability of BIPV products as both building envelope components and energy generators.
Identify the relevant building codes, regulations, and standards that govern BIPV installations.
Analyse case studies and energy modelling to determine the feasibility of BIPV in achieving Net Zero energy outcomes.
AACA competency standard – NSCA performance criteria: Practice Management and Professional Conduct – PC1 Project Initiation and Conceptual Design – PC24, PC26, PC35
Presented By
Anna Abrossimova
Head of Marketing | Product Specialist
10:15am - 11:15am AEST
Presented By
Steven Fraser
Ceiling Systems Manager
Structural Ceiling Systems for Data Centres
As artificial intelligence drives unprecedented growth in data usage, the demand for high-performing data centres has surged. This CPD explores how structural ceiling systems play a vital role in meeting the technical and environmental requirements of these facilities. From airflow and load capacity to compliance and adaptability, we examine the design considerations and emerging ceiling solutions tailored to the evolving needs of modern data centres.
Identify the key operational functions of data centres and how they impact building design.
Evaluate the specific performance requirements for ceiling systems in data centre environments, including load-bearing capacity and airflow management.
Understand the design considerations, material choices, and system integrations that contribute to compliance with Australian Standards.
Apply knowledge of advanced ceiling solutions to support long-term functionality, safety, and future adaptability in data centre projects.
AACA competency standard – NSCA performance criteria: Project Initiation & Conceptual design PC20, PC25 Detailed Design and Construction Documentation PC39, PC45, PC47
Presented By
Steven Fraser
Ceiling Systems Manager
11:30am - 12:30pm AEST
Presented By
Tori Newton
Sales Director | Co-Founder
Designing for Downpour: The Role of Permeable Paving in Sustainable Urban Landscapes
As Australia faces escalating flood risks and evolving compliance frameworks, architects are under pressure to integrate smarter drainage and paving solutions into their designs.
This CPD introduces the core principles and performance of resin-bound permeable paving, focusing on stormwater mitigation capabilities, compliance with WSUD strategies, and contribution to urban resilience. Attendees will gain practical tools for material selection, specification, and advocacy. Empowering them to design outdoor spaces that not only meet standards but outperform traditional surfaces in long-term sustainability and safety.
Analyse the design principles and engineering mechanisms behind permeable paving systems, with a focus on their role in mitigating urban flooding and reducing stormwater runoff.
Assess the performance characteristics, compliance requirements, and material suitability of various permeable paving solutions across multiple urban applications, including footpaths, driveways, and civic spaces.
Apply best practice detailing and specification strategies that align with local planning codes, WSUD principles, and updated environmental policies to deliver resilient, compliant, and future-ready landscape solutions.
Communicate the sustainability and lifecycle advantages of permeable paving—including heat island mitigation, pollutant filtration, and reduced infrastructure load—to influence stakeholders and decision-makers.
AACA competency standard – NSCA performance criteria: Project Initiation & Conceptual design - PC31, Detailed Design and Construction Documentation PC39, PC43
Presented By
Tori Newton
Sales Director | Co-Founder
12:45pm - 1:45pm AEST
Presented By
Gavin Pedersen
Product Specialist
Lower-Carbon Aluminium in Architecture and Design
This CPD session explores the critical role of embodied carbon in the built environment, with a focus on how informed material selection can significantly reduce a project’s overall emissions. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the environmental impact of conventional aluminium production and learn how lower-carbon alternatives—produced through renewable energy and recycling—offer a more sustainable solution.
The session will also outline the broader benefits of specifying lower-carbon aluminium, from regulatory compliance to improved performance and market differentiation. Through a real-world industry example, attendees will see how innovation is being applied in practice, equipping them with the knowledge to make more sustainable, responsible decisions in product specification and project design.
Explain the role of embodied carbon in the built environment and why material selection is critical to reducing overall emissions.
Describe the carbon footprint of conventional aluminium production and the factors that contribute to its environmental impact.
Define "lower-carbon aluminium" and understand how it is produced through renewable energy sourcing and recycling initiatives.
Identify the practical benefits of specifying lower-carbon aluminium beyond environmental factors, including compliance, performance, and market differentiation.
Real-world example of practical innovation within the construction sector.
Apply knowledge of lower-carbon material options to inform more sustainable, responsible product specification and project design decisions.
AACA competency standard – NSCA performance criteria: Practice Management & Professional Conduct: PC10Project Initiation and Conceptual Design: PC28, PC31, PC35Detailed Design & Construction Documentation: pC39, PC44, PC45
Presented By
Gavin Pedersen
Product Specialist
