Join us for an insightful evening during Sydney Climate Action Week at the University of Sydney as the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning presents Design for Disaster. The multi-faceted event features a week-long exhibition of groundbreaking University of Sydney research in the built environment alongside speculative student projects that imagine potential design solutions with two back-to-back panel sessions that discuss the urgent challenges of climate-driven disasters.

In these panel discussions we explore the role of design, policy, codes and regulations, as well as social and cultural attitudes to mitigating heat, fire, water, and flood risks brought on by the climate crisis. We’ve assembled an outstanding lineup of experts—spanning architecture, urbanism, engineering, and policy—to probe design for resilient cities and communities. Panelists will discuss barriers to effective and good design, successful design solutions as well as coming innovations.

Meet the Panelists

Heat & Fire

Ashley Dunn – Director at DunnHillam Architects
Stewart Monti – Associate at Atelier Ten
Shamila Haddad – Horizon Fellow, University of Sydney
Dagmar Reinhardt - Associate Professor, University of Sydney

Water & Flood

John de Manincor – Possible Studio
Stewart Monti – Atelier Ten
Lucy Marshall – DVC Community & Leadership, University of Sydney
Deena Ridenour – Associate Professor of Practice (Urban Design), University of Sydney

Moderated by Anthony Burke - Professor of Architecture UTS

Event Proceedings
5:30pm - Poster Exhibition
6:00pm - 7:00pm - Heat & Fire
7:00pm - 7:30pm - Poster Session and Drinks
7:30pm - 8:30pm - Water & Flood

To see all events happening at Climate Action Week Sydney 2025 CLICK HERE