In a first for the Southern Hemisphere, Wellington will host the International Building Physics Conference (IBPC) in August 2027.
This event, organised by the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) in collaboration with Tourism New Zealand and Business Events Wellington, will convene experts from over 40 countries at the Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The conference is a key forum for the exchange of innovative research and sustainable practices in building physics.
Claire Falck, CEO of BRANZ, said: “The conference will bring hundreds of delegates to New Zealand to connect and advance new ideas to solve pressing issues in building – ultimately helping to develop more affordable, sustainable, resilient and healthy housing around the world.”
The event is expected to boost local tourism and the building sector, particularly during the off-peak season.
The program will feature a mix of academic presentations, practical workshops, and site visits, including to BRANZ’s advanced research facilities.
According to Dr. Chris Litten, General Manager of Research at BRANZ, “New Zealand has some unique characteristics, such as our climate and earthquake-prone geography, and many of these have influenced our building methods and materials. We have a lot of building science knowledge to share with the world,”