GDI 2026 and DigiBUILT 2026 · 7 and 8 December 2026 · Online Important datesNewsQuestionsTermsContact
Inaugural Edition · Concluded

GDI 2025

Where the series began.

1 to 3 December 2025Auckland, New ZealandIn person, with recorded presentations
GDI 2025

GDI 2025 Founders and Chairs

2 members
Prof. Ali GhaffarianHoseini
Prof. Ali GhaffarianHoseiniGDI Founder; Chair of GDI 2025, GDI 2026, GDI 2027 and DigiBUILT 2026Head of School of Future Environments, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Prof. Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini
Prof. Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseiniGDI Founder; Chair of GDI 2025, GDI 2026 and GDI 2027; Co-Chair of DigiBUILT 2026Associate Head of School (Research), School of Future Environments, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

GDI 2025 Honorary Conference Chairs

4 members
Prof. Suzanne Wilkinson
Prof. Suzanne WilkinsonGDI 2025 Honorary Conference ChairDean and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Prof. Farzad Rahimian
Prof. Farzad RahimianGDI 2025 Honorary Conference ChairCentre for Sustainable Engineering, Teesside University, United Kingdom
Prof. Charles Walker
Prof. Charles WalkerGDI 2025 Honorary Conference ChairHead of School of Future Environments (at the time), Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Assoc. Prof. Nicola Naismith
Assoc. Prof. Nicola NaismithGDI 2025 Honorary Conference ChairDeputy Head of School, School of Future Environments, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

GDI 2025 Conference Committee

20 members
Dr Mahesh Babu
Dr Mahesh BabuChair of the GDI 2025 Organising CommitteeAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Ar. Mahdiar Ghaffarian
Ar. Mahdiar GhaffarianInternational Chair of Industry Partnership, GDI 2025XOIA Studio, Canada
Janie van Woerden
Janie van WoerdenConference Operations DirectorAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Assoc. Prof. Mani Poshdar
Assoc. Prof. Mani PoshdarScientific Chair of GDI 2025 StreamsAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Dr Roo Kalatehjari
Dr Roo KalatehjariCo-Scientific Chair of GDI 2025 StreamsAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Dr Mehrtash Soltani
Dr Mehrtash SoltaniGDI Global Ambassador for Innovation in Built EnvironmentsSydney, Australia
Dr Dat Doan
Dr Dat DoanPrincipal CoordinatorAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Edelita Clark
Edelita ClarkFinancial Operations LeadAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Assoc. Prof. Sherif Beskhyroun
Assoc. Prof. Sherif BeskhyrounTechnical Advisor, Intelligent Structures and InfrastructuresAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Dr Dermott McMeel
Dr Dermott McMeelTechnical Advisor, Emerging Technologies and Cultural TransformationsAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Dr Andrew Burgess
Dr Andrew BurgessTechnical Advisor, Socio-Spatial Systems in Urbanism and ArchitectureAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Dr Hossein Omrany
Dr Hossein OmranyTechnical Advisor, Energy Efficiency and Digital Technologies
Dr Megan Burfoot
Dr Megan BurfootTechnical Advisor, Neuroarchitecture and Indoor Environmental QualityAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Dr Kamal Dhawan
Dr Kamal DhawanTechnical Review LeadAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Dr Esther Aigwi
Dr Esther AigwiTechnical Review LeadAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Dr Funmi Rotimi
Dr Funmi RotimiTechnical Review LeadAuckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Dr Xichen Chen
Dr Xichen ChenInternational Engagement Lead, Asia enquiries
Dr Zahra Jalali
Dr Zahra JalaliStrategic Sponsorship Lead
Dr Imelda Piri
Dr Imelda PiriStrategic Sponsorship Lead

GDI 2025 Scientific Stream Leaders

17 members
Prof. Bao-jie He
Prof. Bao-jie HeStream 1. Green Built EnvironmentsThe University of Queensland, Australia
Dr M. Reza Hosseini
Dr M. Reza HosseiniStream 2. Digital Transformation in the Built EnvironmentThe University of Melbourne, Australia
Dr Alessandro Premier
Dr Alessandro PremierStream 3. Advanced Design TechnologiesThe University of Auckland, New Zealand
Prof. Alessandro Melis
Prof. Alessandro MelisStream 4. Climate-Sensitive Urbanism and Adaptive MetabolismsNew York Institute of Technology, USA
Dr Karam Al-Obaidi
Dr Karam Al-ObaidiStream 5. Intelligent Solutions for Urban and Regional DevelopmentSheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom
Assoc. Prof. Johnny Kwok-Wai Wong
Assoc. Prof. Johnny Kwok-Wai WongStream 6. Construction Innovation and AutomationUniversity of Technology Sydney, Australia
Dr Gao Shang
Dr Gao ShangStream 7. Smart Materials and Advanced TechnologiesThe University of Melbourne, Australia
Assoc. Prof. Brian Guo
Assoc. Prof. Brian GuoStream 8. Energy and Environmental SystemsUniversity of Canterbury, New Zealand
Asst. Prof. Nelly P. Garcia-Lopez
Asst. Prof. Nelly P. Garcia-LopezStream 10. Construction Management, Managing the Business Case, Stakeholders, and the WorksiteUniversidad de los Andes, Colombia
Ar. Lorí Crízel
Ar. Lorí CrízelStream 11. Neuroarchitecture: Designing for Cognitive and Emotional WellbeingLorí Crízel + Partners, Brazil
Dr Mohammed Abdelmegid
Dr Mohammed AbdelmegidStream 12. Ethics, Wellbeing, and Digital Security in Built EnvironmentsUniversity of Leeds, United Kingdom
Prof. Rodrigo Herrera V.
Prof. Rodrigo Herrera V.Stream 13. Advanced Construction Methods and Adaptive TechnologiesPontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile
Assoc. Prof. Laura Florez Perez
Assoc. Prof. Laura Florez PerezStream 14. Smart Infrastructure and Digital Construction EcosystemsUniversity College London, United Kingdom
Prof. Husam Al Waer
Prof. Husam Al WaerStream 15. Future-Ready Smart Cities and Urban LivingUniversity of Dundee, United Kingdom
Dr Vivi Anggraini
Dr Vivi AnggrainiStream 16. Resilient Ground EngineeringMonash University, Malaysia
Prof. Yasunori Miyamori
Prof. Yasunori MiyamoriStream 17. Structural Health MonitoringHokkaido University, Japan

GDI 2025 Senior Advisory Board and Scientific Committee

41 members