BLOOM
Description
8AM - 10AM
Tuesday 17 February, 2026
ILUMINA, 1 Elizabeth Street, Sydney 2000
BLOOM
// To unfold
// To emerge
// To grow into visibility, care and collective strength
In collaboration with Architecture with Pride, Bloom celebrates growth that is intentional, radical, and joyful, and asks how design can nurture belonging, cultivate solidarity, and allow new forms of practice to flourish.
Join us as three leading creatives from different industries share how they interpret Bloom, through stories of growth, visibility, and the decisions that have shaped their creative and personal evolution. Bloom is the first event in our 2026 Perspectives series, continuing our program at ILUMINA, above the Martin Place Metro Station in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, a familiar setting for conversation, connection, and shared perspectives.
Hear from...
Dr. Lisa Cooper
Founder, Doctor Cooper Studios Dr Lisa Cooper is a florist, artist, author and doctor of philosophy. She holds a doctorate of philosophy in fine art from the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, and is a permanent artist resident of the Mint in Sydney, Australia. Doctor Cooper Studio is her commercial flower business, spanning major installations to hand-delivered flower gestures. Dr Cooper’s work has been featured in many Australian and international books, magazines, journals and television programs. Her distinctive flower work has been commissioned by some of the most celebrated organisations in the business and arts world, including the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Hermès, Dries Van Noten, Cartier, Tiffany & Co, Lancôme, Prada, Mastercard, Omega, Aesop, The New York Times, Financial Times (London), Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, The Australian Ballet, Deutsche Bank, the Sydney Theatre Company, Opera Australia, Sydney Dance Company and Powerhouse Museum.
Matte McConnell
Design Director, Garigarra A proud Wiradjuri man belonging to the Cudgeegong River, Matte McConnell is Design Director of garigarra and Lecturer in the School of Architecture at the University of Technology, Sydney. Through his practice, teaching and research, he is committed to meaningfully (re)embedding and (re)centring Country through architecture and design. With both Aboriginal and western design expertise, Matte is uniquely positioned to imbue careful consideration and respect for Country across significant architectural works. His research and teaching focuses on Indigenous and decolonial design (and research) methodologies through storytelling and countering the architectural canon. His teaching challenges students to understand and acknowledge architecture’s responsibility to care for Country.
Olivia Hyde LFAIA ARB
Director of Design, Homes NSW Olivia Hyde is Director of Design at Homes NSW where she leads the newly formed Design Office to drive design quality for social homes across the state. She is a registered architect and a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects. Prior to joining Homes in November 2025, Olivia was Director of Design Excellence at Government Architect NSW. Olivia has studied, worked, taught, and lectured in Australia, Asia, the USA and Europe.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
