Meet the Speakers

Matthew Mattiske is a seasoned professional in the property and construction industries, with over 20 years of experience across Australia, the UK, and the Middle East. He has held significant roles at companies such as Mirvac, Sinclair Brook, and Majid Al Futtaim, leading major projects including Australia 108—the tallest residential building in the Southern Hemisphere.

In 2014, Matthew founded Fathom Group Pty Ltd, assembling a team of experts to influence all stages of development and design, resulting in the development of over 13,000 residential apartments totaling more than $5 billion in construction value and $7.8 billion in revenue.

Currently, he serves as the Head of Development at MODEL, an Australian build-to-rent group focused on sustainable and community-centric housing developments.

Richard is an Associate at Arup and leads the Sustainability Team in Victoria. He brings extensive expertise driving the sustainability strategy and performance ratings for clients including Green Star, Living Building Challenge, WELL, PassivHaus, NatHERS and NABERS including international experience. He is passionate about technical data visualisation and analysis and his ability to succinctly and effectively communicate complex technical data is helping to lead effective decision making and review processes for designers, building owners and developers.

David is the Head of Better Buildings and a Director of Sustainability at HIP V. HYPE. As a qualified mechanical engineer, David brings a deep technical knowledge of building physics, climate and carbon to his role. With significant experience across the university, public and private sectors, he leads the delivery of environmental, social and economic sustainability outcomes at HIP V. HYPE for buildings of all scales.

David is a Green Star Accredited Professional. During his 10+ year career, he has been a keen advocate for the net zero carbon agenda across Australia’s built environment, setting commercially viable yet ambitious targets.

David works closely and collaboratively with developers, architects and key stakeholders to achieve balanced best practice sustainability outcomes.

Most recently, David is leading a post occupancy project at HIP V. HYPE’s Ferrars & York project to ensure that the building is operating as designed, to capture learnings to improve future HIP V. HYPE projects, and to share that capability with the Better Buildings team’s clients.

Ben is an experienced design and project architect with excellent management and design capabilities.

Prior to founding Leanhaus, Ben was Senior Design Architect at Hames Sharley, Roxby Architects and an independent property developer.

Ben was also the Design and Project Architect for the Toyota WA Head Office Project which won the 2014 AIA WA George Temple Pool Award .

In 2020 Ben was one of six Architects shortlisted nationally for the Emerging Sustainable Designer Award.

His experience spans Residential, Sports and Recreation, Commercial and Urban Development.

Stephen O’Shea is an architect of 25+ years experience whose career took a late turn towards Sustainability. He now works for Cairn as their Head of Sustainable Construction, helping to set and implement their ambitious sustainability strategies. Cairn is an Irish homebuilder committed to building high-quality, competitively priced, sustainable new homes and communities in great locations. They completed more than 2,200 units last year and own a c.15,750 unit landbank across 40 residential development sites, most of which are located in the Greater Dublin Area with excellent public transport and infrastructure links.

In 2024 Cairn commenced over 1,750 Passivhaus homes, which will increase to 2,750-3,000 by the end of 2025.

20 years of experience working across not for profits and the built environment. Alexia has built a strong reputation as an individual who is able to navigate legislative, contractual, operational and strategic issues.

Understanding and navigating the nuances of both the marketplace, and the individuals within the marketplace, she is able to speak the many languages across the Architectural, Engineering and Construction community, connecting the dots and negotiating solutions for a broad range of complex issues across the industry.

With extensive experience managing all facets of membership associations, she is able to strategically lead drawing upon the strengths of employees and members to execute day to day activities.

A passionate advocate, collaborator, mentor and strategist, who enjoys connecting industry with ideas, and for this reason she is a regular contributor and trusted advisor to industry forums. A published writer, public speaker and an experienced non-executive board member.

A previous presenter at THRIVE and PHINZ and keen Passivhaus Designer, Alex seeks to communicate how a specific design can be improved thermally and efficiently. A lot of this analysis is done through the Passivhaus Planning Package as a versatile tool.

With a keen and curious interest in numbers and Excel, Alex has completed a series of tools to help Passivhaus Designers communicate better and satisfy his own requirement for better reports. This interest stems from an early age where an interest in how stuff works (particularly buildings) sparked.

Being a NatHERS Assessor and Architect on top of being a Certified Passivhaus Designer gives Alex a well-rounded and balanced approach to building physics and architecture in the local architecture and environmental climate.

Dominika is a registered architect with over 7 years’ experience across a wide range of projects in multi-residential and commercial sectors. Dominika finds fulfilment in working on affordable housing projects as well as having experience across independent living, education, and community projects. Dominika’s experience spans across various stages of project delivery from client briefing, sketch design, developed design, project procurement, construction documentation and administration through to project completion. Dominika is the leader of the Sustainability Action Plan Group at Deicke Richards and has a strong interest in socially and ecologically sustainable design practices. She is passionate about fostering communities through sustainable architecture and believes that a true difference can be made in the way we live through climate responsive, regenerative design, spatial configuration and architectural articulation.

Cameron Munro is an engineer with a PhD in aerospace engineering and has spent his career developing computer models to help design better transport in cities. He’s passionate about bring analytical rigour and best practice science to building healthy, comfortable and sustainable homes.

Harley has qualifications in engineering and science and is a certified Passivhaus consultant. He is a pioneer in the Australian Passivhaus movement having designed and built two early Passivhaus Standard buildings that are now 10 years old. He has worked for 25 years in a variety of fields including robotics, photonics manufacturing, software development and project management. Harley is now a director of Logikhaus, a supplier of Passivhaus Standard windows. The company has supplied windows to many high performance houses across the country including 25 certified Passivhaus Standard buildings.

Pablo is an architect and town planner with 18 years of professional experience in sustainability and integrated design. He is committed to assisting architects in achieving high-performing sustainable designs through integrated approaches, supported by digital tools.

Pablo is uniquely positioned to bridge architectural and engineering cultures, fostering close collaboration within the design team. His great passion is to harmoniously integrate sustainability concepts into architectural design. His goal is to create low-energy, high-comfort buildings that are optimally suited to their environment and fulfil their functional requirements through thoughtful configuration and design.

Pablo has collaborated with world-class architects, including Jean Nouvel, Zaha Hadid, Elemental, Dominique Perrault, Jean-Paul Viguier, and Marc Mimram, bringing global experience from emblematic architectural projects worldwide to Australia

Andy has been a director at Envirotecture since 2014. He went on to found Passivhaus Design & Construct in 2020, in order to make Passivhaus performance more accessible for people with more modest new build budgets.

Andy led the materials research for Australia’s first certified Living Building, has led master planning projects and been involved in successful architectural competitions. He is regularly invited to present at conferences and features on leading podcasts. Andy has previously served as a board member of the Australian Passivhaus Association, co-chaired the Australian Institute of Architects NSW Sustainability Committee, sat on the Property Council of Australia NSW Sustainability Committee and was part of the Green Building Council of Australia NSW Industry Group.

Tim Ross is a Principal of Architype, an award-winning New Zealand architectural practice specializing in the design of Passivhaus buildings. He is the architect of numerous certified, low-carbon stand-alone and multi-unit residential projects. Tim is passionate about creating design solutions which are technically integrated, economically accessible and visually compelling.

Kate is passionate about bringing innovation to the late majority. She believes that even the smallest shifts in the way we do things today, can generate positive change at scale when implemented with the right strategy, governance and, most importantly, the right culture.

Having worked in the property sector for over 10 years, Kate’s experience spans the design and technical advisory of a variety of development types - from single buildings to master planned communities. Kate is a registered Architect (ARBV), a certified Passive House Designer (PHI) and Green Star Accredited Professional.

Kate holds the role as Senior Sustainability Advisor at Frasers Property Australia (FPA), which involves the development of FPA's ESG strategy and overseeing its implementation across the national development portfolio. In addition to driving down carbon emissions and improving climate resilience, she is also passionate about creating a greater focus on nature and its integration into sustainable business decisions.

Kate is passionate about contributing to the industry and connecting with interdisciplinary, like-minded individuals who collectively strive to influence positive change in the property development space.

She held the voluntary role as Chairperson for 2 years at the Australian Passivhaus Association (APA) and served as an independent director between 2018 to 2023.

Currently she sit on number of committees and advisory panels across Australia, such as the GBCA Expert Reference Panel for Nature and the Victorian PCA Sustainability Committee where she is the chair to the Nature Subcommitte.

As an entrepreneur, developer, hotelier, founder and CEO, I have led multiple organisations and spearheaded the development of award-winning properties across Australia and South-East Asia.

My latest venture is MODEL - an Australian build-to-rent group designed to cultivate places where there is no compromise between taking care of ourselves, each other, and the planet. I am committed to creating meaningful impact for future generations and to deliver developments that are purpose-first, planet-conscious and people-centred.

My previous experience includes founding SoHo Partners, a company dedicated to creating carbon neutral, mid-rise residential developments. I was also the Founder and CEO of Song Saa Collective, a pioneering sustainable hotel and property development company headquartered in Hong Kong which brought to life the award-winning Song Saa Private Island - one of the Top 10 Global Luxury Hotel Developments of the Decade (2010-2020).

In 2013, I founded the Song Saa Foundation, an independent NGO dedicated to preserving Cambodia's marine environment. A highlight of the foundation includes creating the country's first ever Marine National Park in partnership with Monaco's Prince Albert. As part of the project’s success, I was awarded with the National Geographic’s Leader in Sustainable Tourism award.

I have a deep commitment to improving the ways in which the industry operates and to use my voice to influence positive change where possible. I’m proud to be a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, a Global Board Member of the Young Presidents’ Organization Sports and Outdoors Network ('23-'24), a member of the Property Council of Australia’s Sustainable Development Committee ('23-'24), and to have the opportunity to speak at prominent conferences including the G20 and Davos

I am a sustainable building specialist and corporate sustainability leader. I lead the evolution of sustainable operations within a large construction company by setting and implementing strategy that sets it apart from its peers in terms of vision and outcomes.

With international experience in sustainable design and construction methods as well as in teaching, I contribute to the proliferation of sustainability throughout the built environment. I envision a world where our buildings achieve symbiosis with their environment and local ecosystem. I aim to work towards that vision in my professional and personal life, through a deep focus on decarbonisation and enabling a circular economy.

Specialties: Green Star, WELL and NABERS certification and peer review, social procurement, combating modern slavery risk in the supply chain, circular economy, net zero carbon, nature positivity, project management, environmentally sustainable design, sustainable materials selection, course curriculum development, teaching, public speaking and LEED certification.

Kieran seeks to create sustainable and regenerative environments which foster positive, meaningful experiences, interaction and connection.

His generous, collaborative, approach engages stakeholders, clients and consultants on projects spanning health and wellbeing, community, education and institutional sectors.

His recent projects include leading, the Glenroy Community Hub, the first Passivhaus certified public building in Australia.

Lois Arena possesses over 18 years experience in the building science field. She has extensive experience with new and existing residential buildings including on-site testing and diagnostics, design assistance and energy modeling. Awards presented to her clients include the New Millennium Builder Award and Gold Energy Value Housing Award from the NAHB. Lois has co-authored and presented training programs about energy efficient building practices to professionals in all sectors of the building industry. As a licensed remodeling contractor, she focused on an integrated systems approach to building incorporating both energy-efficient and green building technologies.

Lois is currently the Director of Steven Winter Associates, Inc. where she works on the Department of Energy’s Building America program and conducts advanced systems research. She received her M.S. in engineering from the University of Colorado’s Building Science Program and holds Passivhaus, BPI and RESNET certifications.

Jason is an ex-NASA International Professional engineer now working as a Passivhaus Designer/Certifier and building scientist. He is happiest solving tough technical problems and focuses on the intersection of physics and the design of buildings.

He has outspoken views on New Zealand housing and is deeply concerned about fuel poverty and poorly designed building impacts on the health of individuals and society.

Elena C., a registered Architect and certified Passivhaus Designer currently completing the Executive MBA program at Melbourne Business School, founded and leads Evissa. Drawing on two decades of experience across Europe and Australia, she drives sustainable innovation in the built environment by leveraging Evissa SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels). Recognizing the potential of SIPs to achieve economies of scale and scope in the residential Passivhaus sector, Elena facilitates the creation of resilient and healthy dwellings. Her combined expertise in building physics, modular materials, and collaborative design, coupled with her growing business acumen, positions her as a key advocate for decarbonization and transformative architectural solutions.

During the presentation at the conference, she will be accompanied by Sadeep Thilakarathna.

Sadeep Thilakarathna is a research fellow at the Department of Infrastructure Engineering at the University of Melbourne. He has also worked as a structural engineer in Melbourne, utilising his expertise in research to design and construct iconic structures. He received his PhD from the University of Melbourne and obtained BSc (Engineering) degree from University of Moratuwa. His research interests are structural engineering, advanced materials and automation in construction. 

During the presentation at the conference, he will be accompanied by Elena Cazacu.

Rachel is a communications expert who specialises in explaining Passivhaus. She's counselled on strategy, edited books and technical material and written presentations and a lot of website copy for certifiers, architects and builders. She lives in a Passivhaus strawbale house in New Zealand.

Luc is a Sustainability Engineer and director of Detail Green. With a background in the commercial building industry and a range of Green Building qualifications including Certified Passive House

Consultant & Building Certifier, Green Star Professional as well as NatHERS Assessor, Luc provides specialist ESD input to all areas of the built environment.

Luc is passionate about ensuring buildings are designed and constructed in a manner to minimise their environmental impact during their whole life cycle.

Daria has spent the last decade advocating for sustainable building practices, focusing on energy efficiency and the use of Passive House principles. She is passionate about making technical knowledge accessible to builders, designers, owners, and students, promoting healthy, eco-friendly homes. A Class C builder and Project Manager, Daria is committed to improving the construction industry through better building practices and is dedicated to expanding her expertise in high-performance construction.

Emma is passionate about transforming the lives of others through exemplar development. Delivering homes and buildings that enhance the wellbeing of their occupants, that contribute towards the preservation of our planet and generate wealth for all.

Emma develops with integrity to Triple Bottom Line principles, delivering homes and buildings that lift the performance credentials of development in the UK for generations to come.

Emma is also a UK champion of high performance Passivhaus and low carbon buildings with a global reputation. Emma is the Chair of the UK Passivhaus Trust and has been developing Passivhaus buildings within the public sector for over 17 years delivering some UK Passivhaus firsts (Multi-residential, Leisure Centre and Extra Care Specialist housing). 

As a Chartered Surveyor with over 30 years of professional experience, Emma specialises in the development and delivery of low energy, healthy and climate resilient homes and buildings.

Graham Irwin, AIA, NCARB, is the Principal of Essential Habitat Architecture, a Northern California design firm focused on healthy, high performance, sustainable buildings that meet or exceed Passivhaus /Building standards. He has a degree in physics, with additional studies in engineering and architecture, and an extensive background in software development. Since 2008, his firm has worked on numerous single-family, multi-family and commercial Passivhaus projects throughout California and the US, including the first certified Passivhaus in California, the first certified Passivhaus retrofit in the US, and the first certified multi-family Passivhaus in the US. Graham is a licensed architect and licensed general contractor in the state of California.