The ACA at Sydney Build
For two days at Sydney Build 2026, the ACA were in the heart of Australia’s largest construction and design show, connecting with architects, industry professionals and built environment practitioners from across the country.
The popular Sydney event was a valuable opportunity to talk about what the ACA does, the services and support available to members, and to hear firsthand what matters most to practices navigating an increasingly complex professional landscape. Those conversations were a reminder of why events like Sydney Build matter, and why the ACA’s presence in those spaces counts.
The ACA was well represented, with two members taking the stage for panel discussions on some of the most pressing issues facing the profession.
Making mental wellbeing in construction everyone’s issue
ACA member Hamish Ginn, Senior Associate, People & Culture at SJB and a familiar face in the ACA’s Architects Mental Wellbeing Forum (AMWF), joined Louise Azzopardi, Matt Stevens (University of Western Sydney) and Annalyse Lister (John Holland / Sydney Water) for a wide-ranging conversation on the Construction Wellbeing Stage.
The discussion didn’t shy away from harder questions, including whether the construction industry is genuinely committed to mental health or still largely ticking boxes, and whether stigma is still the central issue or whether the system itself makes it structurally difficult for people to prioritise their own wellbeing. The panel explored what genuine support actually looks like beyond policies and posters, the role clients play in shaping workplace culture, and the practical actions individuals and organisations can take to make mental wellbeing everyone’s issue.
The conversation also touched on early warning signs that deserve more attention, the persistent gap between available resources and their uptake, and moments where real support on site had made a genuine difference. It was a timely and honest discussion – and a reminder of the important work the ACA’s AMWF continues to do within the profession.
What does it mean to design with Country?
On day two, Sacha Anderson of ARCH joined a panel exploring how architects and designers can embed Indigenous principles into the built environment to create spaces that are culturally responsive, socially inclusive and reflective of the communities they serve. Sacha’s work – spanning major healthcare projects in regional New South Wales and her leadership of ARCH’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group – brought depth and experience to the conversation.
Thank you to both Hamish and Sacha for representing the ACA and contributing their expertise to one of Australia’s most significant construction and design industry events. We look forward to seeing the conversations continue.