The 18^th Green Building Convention, taking place between the 11^th and 13^th November 2025 in Cape Town, will celebrate the great strides made in the industry, while exploring the way forward under the theme Stepping Up to the Next.

“We are proud of how the Green Building Convention has become a space for high-level learning, meaningful networking and celebrating the progress we have made towards sustainability in the built environment,” says GBCSA CEO, Lisa Reynolds. “It has also developed into the ‘year-end party’ for our industry. This year we will explore what is needed to step up to the next level in our drive for a greener built environment, taking it from presentation to activation.”

2024’s Green Building Convention saw unprecedented attendance with high demand anticipated for this year’s event.

A packed programme features global visionaries like renowned architect Michael Pawlyn, who will speak on regenerative and biomimetic design. Sharing his experience creating high-performance, circular-economy buildings, including ultra-low energy offices, zero-waste factories, and innovative green city solutions, Pawlyn’s presentation promises to inspire delegates in their sustainability work. As a special bonus, he will be hosting a workshop too.

“We have many milestones to celebrate this year, including the recent publication of the study, Green Building in South Africa: A Guide to Costs and Trends. This internationally recognised study confirms the business case for building green and has presented clear proof that green is a more profitable way to build,” adds Georgina Smit, Head of Technical and Executive Director, GBCSA.

“We look forward to collectively recognising the exponential progress we have achieved as an industry, and to explore ‘what’s next’ during sessions covering regenerative design, AI in green buildings, climate resilience and more.”

Dr Adenike Akinsemolu, leading environmental sustainability advocate, educator, and researcher, and Lead Author for the UN Environment Programme’s GEO-7, will speak on reimagining identity and innovation in architecture.

Justice Malala, award-winning author and political commentator, will share insights on the geopolitics behind sustainable development. Other speakers include Alexandra Notay, an internationally recognised expert in housing and ESG, and Dr Jacques Ludik, a global AI entrepreneur, founder of Africa’s first AI company with 25+ years in AI, machine learning, and data science.

Key to Green Building Convention is the opportunity to meet and share with over 800 professionals from across the built environment value chain and visit the dynamic exhibition and SMME Village. CPD-accredited learning opportunities are available to maintain and extend professional credentials.

The four tracks for the parallel sessions cover Investment, PropTech, Cities and Buildings, while the workshops cover themes like innovative green building outcomes, the true cost of green, and interior spaces and human wellbeing.

A now familiar feature of the opening cocktail party is the popular ‘Trashion Show,’ featuring innovative outfits designed and modelled by convention participants. Enter by the 30^th of September to stand a chance to receive a free ticket to the 2026 Green Building Convention. This year’s event includes fun activations that will engage everyone from coffee quaffers to padel enthusiasts, to be revealed at the event.

The GBCSA Leadership Awards winners will also be announced on the evening of Wednesday the 12^th of November with a gala dinner that invites you to ‘Be Bold’.

Join the GBCSA to deepen your professional knowledge, be inspired by leaders in the field, and rub shoulders with colleagues as we celebrate a successful year of pursuing a sustainable future.

Registrations close on 31^st of October or when tickets are sold out – spaces are limited.