International Building Designer Day
As a building designer, you realise that ours is the profession that forms the true backbone of the global built environment. It is the building designer that fills a nation’s landscape with commercial, residential and industrial structures that achieve the optimum functionality, beauty and sustainability.
Yet you also know that the pivotal role of the building designer is seldom fully appreciated; which is why we at the Building Designers Association of Australia are thrilled to present the inaugural celebration of International Building Designer Day #IBDD, which will be celebrated all around the world for the first time on 18th August 2021.
We are planning a full schedule of programs, events, webinars, parties, and other happenings that will serve to celebrate and initiate International Building Designer Day on a global level; making this day a tradition around the world.
As a building designer, this is your day to shine. Let’s build a brilliant new tradition here in Australia.
Join us on #IBDD
Celebrate International Building Designer Day by going Around the World in a Day with some of the most prominent and dynamic building design experts across the globe! We invite everyone to join us on International Building Designer Day for this dropin / dropout style event, watching those informational events of particular interest to you.
Register once, and attend all events for free!
Here is the schedule for the premiere Around the World in a Day event
18 August 2021
Speaker | Date/Time | Presentation title |
---|---|---|
Welcome | 10:00 AM | Official opening of International Building Designer Day |
David Chandler NSW Building Commissioner |
10:30 AM | The challenge for Modern Regulators to achieve compliance when buildings are sourced from a global construction eco system |
Cory Webb | 11:00 AM | How to design for solar access (Live demonstration) |
Brett Annesley | 11:30 AM | CSR – Facade and Structural Wall Solutions |
Esther James | 12:00 PM | Designing, detailing, building a 9.1* home |
Jeremy Hakins | 12:30 PM | The Digital Swindle |
Jeremy Rose | 01:00 PM | The journey to a sustainable future |
Michael Nolan | 01:30 PM | Why performance fibres are a MUST for sustainable concrete |
Christine McCoy | 02:00 PM | Trends in the Exterior Material World |
Jamie Harris | 02:30 PM | Rejuvenated Timbers – Sustainable Firewood, Reclaimed Hardwood Timber, Unique Rustic Hardwood Furniture and Beyond |
Karina Traill | 03:00 PM | Timber garage door trends for designers |
Jeffrey Strumpman | 03:30 PM | Timber LED Illuminated Handrails and Pendants |
Jason Furness | 04:00 PM | Innovative Water Solutions |
Farzan Naghshineh | 04:30 PM | Windows and energy |
Dick Clarke | 05:00 PM | Passivhaus trends in Australia |
Andrew Savage | 05:30 PM | Building sustainably with Weathertex |
Paul dolphin | 06:00 PM | Liveability |
Dane Kearns | 06:30 PM | FLAMEfixx dFx has achieved BAL40 |
Arman Gouniaei | 07:00 PM | Violin House |
Matilde Martin | 07:30 PM | The importance of Biophilia |
Roly Villapana | 08:00 PM | 5 bedrooms Two storey private residence |
Michael Godfrey | 08:30 PM | Silhouette by Easycraft |
Kanchana Hettiyakanda | 09:00 PM | Kanchana Hettiyakanda |
Niall Galvin | 09:30 PM | Fisher & Paykel Experience Centre Walkthrough |
PC Thomas | 10:00 PM | Comfortable Houses in Moderate Climates! |
Larissa McCollin | 10:30 PM | Glazing is Technology |
Kirstie Wulf | 11:00 PM | Why we should be building with hemp |
Christina Kim | 11:30 PM | Holistic Approach to Architecture |
Teresa Serrao | Mignight | How to get started in Building Design? |
19 August 2021
Speaker | Date/Time | Presentation title |
---|---|---|
Lee Larbalestier | 06:30 AM | Benefits of Insulated Panel |
Carol Parr | 07:00 AM | Design for Health – Undercover with Your Building Biologist |
Rav De Silva | 7:30 AM | Our Airtight and well insulated buildings+Equal First Flame Zone Passive House |
Pooja Verma | 08:00 AM | Designing for Seniors Care Environments |
Germano Tomassetti | 08:30 AM | World Timber Shortage |
Geoffrey Ong | 09:00 AM | Create beautiful facades |
Angela Wang | 09:30 AM | The Human Factor in Designing Aged Care & Retirement Living Facilities |
Register once, and attend all events for free!

International Building Designer Day 2021: A New Day, A New Design
The theme of International Building Designer Day 2021 is A New Day, A New Design. The goal of #IBDD is to challenge your colleagues to answer some pivotal questions regarding the global building industry and the built environment.
We encourage BDAA chapters to plan some fun events. Participants worldwide are invited to gather, innovate, and live out a moment of design by organising public events and initiatives.

There are many ways to celebrate!
All building design disciplines and forms of expression are welcome. Share by sending us the documentation of what you see or what you do: videos, photos, drawings, maps, here are some kickstart ideas:
Go public on local design. Organise local talks or presentations about examples of A New Day, A New Design!
Take us on a tour. Organise a walk with members of the design community, touring your city and surroundings in search of local examples of New Design!
Design together. Bring people from various disciplines to frame and solve local design problems. Send us the documentation!
Open your studio. Share your New Day, New Design in Action! Showing the community examples of what great design means to you and how design can help the world and solve problems.
Document your process by expressing A New Day, A New Design, by sharing examples of great design in your community.
Work with local governments to recognise International Building Designer Day and take a stance on the community impact of the profession.
Participate on social media by sharing your discoveries of innovative designs that create surprising solutions to meet local needs or designs in any discipline that positively affect the environment around you.

#IBDD Hashtag
Discuss and share ideas on social media
We encourage you to post about issues relating to the theme on social media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram). Share with us your historical tidbits, or inspiring stories, the advocacy work of designers that have or are inspiring you. Post and tag us so that we can see and share your stories. Posts can include: personal stories, historical information, inspiring anecdotes, issues in the headlines that highlight the need for professionalism in design, forgotten figures in design history and their contributions.