The inaugural Human/Nature conference, presented by AZURE, brings together a multidisciplinary and international array of perspectives on best practices for climate action design. Taking place at Toronto's George Brown Waterfront Campus on October 24 and 25, 2024, Human/Nature features an ambitious lineup of CEU-accredited talks, including keynotes, panels and workshops. Rounded out by networking lunches and cocktail evenings, immersive installations and visits to Toronto’s latest waterfront developments, this two-day event boasts a full roster of inspiration and information – and opportunities for collaboration among design professionals. This is a must-attend event for A&D practitioners who want to share and gain insights into proven approaches to climate change mitigation through design.

The four KEYNOTES kick off on Day 1 with talks by Julia Watson, the originator of LO–TEK, a design philosophy that embraces the wisdom of Indigenous practices around the globe; and Susan Carruth, a partner at Copenhagen’s 3XN, a green architecture leader that boasts such projects as Toronto’s own curvaceous Aqualuna condos and timber office tower T3 Bayside.

Taking the stage on Day 2 are Kongjian Yu, the founder of Beijing regenerative landscape firm Turenscape, whose marvels include the award-winning Fish Tail Park in Nanchang City and Tongnan Dafosi Wetland Park; and Tommaso Bitossi of Transsolar, the climate engineering company that has collaborated with firms around the world on prestigious projects including CERN – European Organization for Nuclear Research (Renzo Piano Building Workshop), the Leaf in Winnipeg (KPMB), Campus Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (MASS Design Group).

Alongside the keynotes are four engaging, multi-perspective PLENARY PANELS. Vancouver-based Indigenous architect Alfred Waugh will discuss a landmark project to redevelop the 90-acre ??y?alm?x?/Iy?álmexw /Jericho Lands site in Vancouver’s West Point Grey neighbourhood as part of the ?? y?alm?x?/Iy?álmexw /Jericho Lands: Indigenous Urban Futures panel. In Forecast for Hotter Cities, panelists including Dorsa Jalalian of DIALOG will share strategies – both social/political and design-driven – for mitigating rising urban temperatures. Circular Design for a Circular Economy will present ways of closing the loop on the manufacturing of furniture and finishes. The Green Public Realm, featuring Pat Hanson of Toronto’s gh3* and Loreta Castro Reguera of Mexico City’s Taller Capital, will feature projects that make the most of our shared outdoor spaces.

Providing in-depth perspectives on the exemplary innovations and projects of leading practices, Human/Nature also presents 12 WORKSHOPS. These deep dives into design problems will include sessions on: what we can do to scale up affordable housing (featuring SmartDensity’s Naama Blonder); the process of master-planning Toronto’s Downsview Framework Plan (with Henning Larsen’s Michael Sorensøn and SLA’s Rasmus Astrup); the best emerging tools for assessing a project’s carbon footprint (with KPMB’s Shahrzad Soudian); and how we can construct health, with Tye Farrow. 

Tickets can be purchased here.

• Human/Nature keynote sponsors are Keilhauer and Stone Tile in partnership with Italgraniti.
• Plenary panel sponsors are Architek, Neolith+Ciot, and Formica.
• Workshops are sponsored by Arper, EGE Carpets, Ligne Roset, Mitrex, Scavolini and TAS.
• The field trip sponsor is Nienkamper and the social gathering sponsor is Urban Capital.
• The conference is presented in partnership with Flash Reproductions, George Brown College's Brookfield Sustainability Institute, GFI Investment Council Ltd., Idea Workshop, Instituto Italiano di Cultura Toronto, Lemay, MaRS, Holcim Foundation, Bang & Olufsen and Small Change Fund.
• Green Energy Provider: bullfrog Power
• Hotel Partner: Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer