Duration:

Auckland: 10-12pm followed by lunch
Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington: 3-5pm followed by networking drinks 

Program

Part 1: Sustainability of the construction sector
Presented by Associate Professor Helena Gervasio, University of Coimbra Portugal

• Main factors affecting sustainability: understand the key drivers and barriers impacting sustainability within the construction sector.
• Assessment of sustainability: dive into Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standards and regulations that are shaping sustainable practices.
• Contribution to sustainability: explore the sector’s role in promoting a circular economy, addressing challenges, and seizing opportunities for sustainable growth.

Part 2: Circular low-carbon design strategies
Presented by Dr. Kaveh (Kawa) Andisheh, HERA Structural Systems GM

• Existing hierarchies and proposed unified hierarchy: learn about current and emerging frameworks for circular low-carbon design.
• Sustainable building design: get an overview of sustainable building design, including key objectives and methodologies.
• Circular low-carbon solutions: discover practical solutions for low-rise buildings using steel, steel-concrete composite, and steel-timber hybrid construction.
• Case study: gain insight from a real-world example demonstrating how clever design can achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions, with potential for further reductions.

Part 3: Kōrero kaitiaki – panel discussion on low carbon design
Panelists include our key note speakers and Craig Stevenson of Aurecon, and Raed El Sarraf of WSP

Join us as our panel of experts kōrero about the latest in low-carbon design and discuss the challenges and opportunities in adopting solutions that reduce carbon in construction projects.

A Q&A session will follow to allow you to interact with our experts and ask your burning patai (questions)!

Dr Kaveh (Kawa) Andisheh | HERA General Manager Structural Systems 

As GM of Structural Systems at HERA, Kawa leads the structural systems strategy and program of research, consulting, membership engagement, and training activities to ensure alignment with industry needs both currently and in the long term. 

Kawa spearheads several sustainability research programs, including the HERA-BRANZ Low-Carbon Building Design initiative. His work has been featured in numerous articles and technical reports focusing on building environment sustainability and the circular economy. 

As a multi-Committee Member (AS/NZS) of Standards Australia (AS) and Standards New Zealand (NZS), Kawa stays actively involved in the development and revision of structural standards. He was awarded his PhD in Civil Engineering, specialising in Structural Earthquake Engineering, from the University of Canterbury in 2017. With over 23 years of research and engineering experience, he is a chartered professional engineer (CPEng) and an international professional engineer (IntPE). Kawa is also a chartered member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.  

Throughout his career, he has authored over 60 publications, including peer-reviewed journals, national and international conferences, book chapters, design guidance, and technical reports. 

Associate Professor Helena Gervasio | University of Coimbra Portugal 

A faculty member of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, Helena has a Master’s and PhD in Civil Engineering from the same university where she has dedicated the last 15 years to research in the sustainability of construction works. 

Her research focuses on developing methods and tools to create a more sustainable society. This includes areas such as Life Cycle Analysis of structures, the efficiency of natural resources in construction, climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, and the decarbonisation of the built environment. 

Helena chairs the Portuguese Technical Committee CT171, which mirrors CEN/TC350 – Sustainability of Constructions, and is an expert member in CEN TC350/WG6 “Engineering Civil Works.” Additionally, she is part of the Technical Committee TC14 – “Sustainability and Eco-Efficiency of Steel Construction” of the European Commission for Coal and Steel (ECCS), and the iiSBE Organisation – “International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment.” Recently, she was appointed as an Expert Advisor for the European Commission Technical Group “Steel Applications for New Markets” (Mandate 2023-2028). 

Helena has led several international and national research projects and authored around 150 publications in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Her passion is connecting with global research communities and contributing to sustainable construction practices

Raed El Sarraf | Technical Principal – Asset Integrity Management, WSP

Raed is based at the WSP Christchurch office. Raed started his career at HERA over 20 years ago, during which he published a number of industry guidance documents and standards, in both New Zealand Australia. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Fellow of Engineering NZ, incoming Australasian Corrosion Association President for 2025, and a HERA Board Member since 2017.

Over the years, he was involved with the design, construction, maintenance and replacement of a number of steel structures around the globe. Giving him a unique perspective of the different stages of a structure’s life, their cost and carbon impact, and identifying ways to reduce those impacts when designing new or refurbishing existing structures.

Craig Stevenson | Technical Director – Building Group, Aurecon

As Technical Director and structural engineer at Aurecon, Craig brings over 35 years of experience to his role. He has played a pivotal part in the design and management of a wide array of building and infrastructure projects in New Zealand and across Asia. Currently, Craig provides technical leadership within the Built Environment sector at Aurecon. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer, a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand and the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering and currently serves as the Chair of the HERA Board.

Craig  has successfully overseen a variety of technically complex projects across New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Much of his recent work has had particular focus on seismic assessments, strengthening upgrades, and extensions to a wide range of existing building facilities.