Join Brisbane Open House for an evening exploring contemporary approaches to designing with heritage where responsibility, creativity and opportunity intersect. Hosted by the Queensland Government Architect, this conversation brings together client, architect, and policy voices behind some of Queensland’s most compelling heritage transformations, including the Princess Theatre and remarkable residential project Home.
The discussion will unpack the journey from vision to delivery, the challenges of working within heritage constraints, and the value these projects unlock for community and place. It will also introduce the State’s emerging QHeritage guidance and its role in reshaping how we think about heritage as a catalyst for design excellence and enduring legacy.
Tickets include a glass of wine and nibbles.
Meet the Panellists
Steve Wilson AM is a Brisbane businessman and investor with a 40-year career in finance, including co-founding investment managers Hyperion and ASX-listed Pinnacle Investment Management. He chaired South Bank Corporation for 16 years and was awarded an Order of Australia in 2011. A committed patron of Brisbane’s built and cultural heritage, he co-owns the Princess Theatre – Queensland’s oldest standing theatre, reopened following restoration in 2021 – and recently completed the restoration of Home (formerly Lamb House), a heritage-listed Queen Anne residence in Kangaroo Point.
David Gole AM is a Principal of JDA Co. and one of Australia’s most experienced heritage architects, with over 30 years in conservation, adaptive reuse, and contemporary additions to heritage buildings and sites. Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2026 Australia Day Honours for significant service to architecture and heritage conservation, his portfolio spans Queensland Parliament House, Brisbane City Hall, and the restoration of Home (Lamb House). He is a member of the Queensland Heritage Council and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland.
Dr James Davidson is the founder and Principal of JDA Co., a Brisbane-based practice known for complex, design-led projects including the restoration of the Princess Theatre. A Winston Churchill Fellow and former Director of Emergency Architects Australia, he brings a strong commitment to design advocacy and community-focused outcomes.
Dr Cathryn Chatburn is one of Australia’s leading urban designers and founding Director of Urban Enquiry, with over 30 years of experience across policy, practice, and research. Her award-winning portfolio spans urban regeneration, place-based strategy, education campuses, transport infrastructure, and design policy. She serves on multiple design review panels nationally and is an Industry Fellow at the University of Queensland’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning.