07/09/2026
The suburb remains where most Australians live, work, learn and build community, yet it is often overlooked as a site of innovation and critical design thinking.
The Future Suburb Symposium creates a platform for leading local and international voices to examine how our suburbs are changing and to explore new models for creating places that are more equitable, sustainable, connected and responsive to contemporary life.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into emerging ideas, research and practice, while joining an important conversation about shaping the future of Australian communities.
Through six interconnected themes — Life, Image, System, Modes, Design and Provocation — the symposium will challenge long-held assumptions about suburban development, examine contemporary conditions, and imagine new possibilities for the future of Australian suburban life.
This year’s symposium features an outstanding line-up of local and international guests, including:
Nigel Bertram, Andre Bonnice, Dr. Benish Chaudhry, Ryan Conroy, Jenny Edwards, Hosna Eqbal, Lisa Garner, Ella Grant, Tom Hastie, Dan Hill, Arshleen Kaur Sahni, Caleb Lee, James Legge, Willow Lung, Ian McDougall, Damian Madigan, Jeremy McLeod, Tyson Murray, David Neustein, David Nichols, Dennis Prior, Simon Robinson, Kaylie Salvatori, Esther Stewart, Martino Tattara, Pier Vittorio Aureli, Emma Williamson, Belqis Youssofzay
Convened by Professor Alan Pert, Dr Ash Alam, Dr Delia Teschendorff and Associate Professor Rory Hyde, the symposium offers a unique opportunity for practitioners, students, policymakers, researchers and community leaders to engage with fresh perspectives on the future of suburbia.
Friday 2 October, 9am–8pm. Glyn Davis Building, Parkville. Tap to register → https://unimelb.me/4fMSdS6
Melbourne School of Design N M B W Andre Bonnice Jenny Edwards Hosna Eqbal LIAN Dan Hill Arshleen Kaur Sahni Caleb Lee Six Degrees Architects Damian Madigan ARM Architecture Breathe Architecture Tyson Murray Other Architects Prior Barraclough OFFICE COLA Studio Esther Stewart Dogma Architects Government Architect WA Youssofzay Hart
