Director Clare Brennan Shares The First Steps Vision At The Biophilic Design Symposium
On 3 October, First Steps Count’s Centre Director, Clare Brennan, took the stage at the 2025 Biophilic Design Symposium, hosted by the Living Futures Institute of Australia at the NSW State Library. The two‑day event, themed Resilience, gathered over 40 architects, builders and sustainability experts to explore how design can regenerate communities and withstand future challenges.
From L to R – Russell McFarland (Austin McFarland Architects), Walter Duber (W&G Builders), Clare Brennan (First Steps Count), Caroline Pidcock (Sustainability Guide) and Carolyn McFarland (Austin McFarland Architects)
During her talk, Clare, alongside Walter Duber (Duber Constructions), architects, Carolyn McFarland and Russell McFarland (Austin McFarland Architects), and Caroline Pidcock (FSC sustainability guide) outlined the centre’s fifteen‑year co‑design journey.
The purpose‑built hub in Taree exemplifies biophilic design – integrating natural light, indoor‑outdoor flow and sustainable materials to create a warm, welcoming environment for families with children aged 0‑12. The project emerged from a community‑driven committee that partnered with architects, consultants and builders to translate local ideas into a fully integrated, ecologically sustainable building.
The symposium’s interactive workshops and 20 sessions highlighted how such regenerative approaches can be replicated across the built environment. First Steps Count’s participation underscored its role as a living example of resilient, community‑responsive architecture.
This opportunity positions First Steps Count as a benchmark for biophilic, inclusive design, opening avenues for future collaborations and funding focused on sustainable community hubs. By consistently sharing such milestones in public forums, First Steps Count can further cement its reputation as a model of inclusive, environmentally‑responsive design, attracting partners who value both social impact and ecological stewardship.
Media Enquiries:
Clare Brennan, Centre Director
clare.brennan@firststepscount.org
Links:
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