Philosophical Foundations of Architectural Discourse. Philosophy is involved with architectural theory and practice morally as well as aesthetically. This project examines 'integrity,' 'identity' and 'character' as concepts arising out of concerns with value and commitment in moral philosophy and architecture. Rather than ethics pasted on to a profession, it discusses ways in which moral philosophy and architecture inform one another by analysing ways in which moral concepts ramify architectural ....Philosophical Foundations of Architectural Discourse. Philosophy is involved with architectural theory and practice morally as well as aesthetically. This project examines 'integrity,' 'identity' and 'character' as concepts arising out of concerns with value and commitment in moral philosophy and architecture. Rather than ethics pasted on to a profession, it discusses ways in which moral philosophy and architecture inform one another by analysing ways in which moral concepts ramify architectural practice. This project seeks to establish the foundations of a new discipline. Research will explore how architectural language - references to coherency and enclosure, planning and the designed whole - is implicit in philosophical concerns for moral integrity. This project aims to construct new ways of thinking through design, that is, to consider norms of human habitation more critically.
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A new framework for the re-evaluation of the quality of the built environment in Australia. This project provides a framework and ethical perspective for the re-evaluation of the quality of the built environment in Australia given the nation's changing demographics, its history of migration and assessments of the movements of its people today. It will assess the impact of globalisation, including new modes of transport and communication, building technology, land and urban development in terms o ....A new framework for the re-evaluation of the quality of the built environment in Australia. This project provides a framework and ethical perspective for the re-evaluation of the quality of the built environment in Australia given the nation's changing demographics, its history of migration and assessments of the movements of its people today. It will assess the impact of globalisation, including new modes of transport and communication, building technology, land and urban development in terms of individual and national identity. It seeks to re-evaluate the notion of Australian community in light of hitherto, little-considered transient characteristics. It seeks to question longstanding assumptions about the possibility of, and needs for a 'fixed address' upon which both individual perceptions and government policies are made.Read moreRead less
Architectural Work Cultures: professional identity, education and wellbeing. This project aims to examine the work and study cultures of architecture in Australia, in relation to professional identity, and in terms of impact on wellbeing, with a whole-of-career scope spanning education to retirement. It will generate the first comprehensive account of work-related wellbeing problems for both architectural practitioners and students, via qualitative and quantitative methods and a vigorous engagem ....Architectural Work Cultures: professional identity, education and wellbeing. This project aims to examine the work and study cultures of architecture in Australia, in relation to professional identity, and in terms of impact on wellbeing, with a whole-of-career scope spanning education to retirement. It will generate the first comprehensive account of work-related wellbeing problems for both architectural practitioners and students, via qualitative and quantitative methods and a vigorous engagement with the profession. Expected outcomes include two toolkits to assist the profession to support cultural change across educational, workplace and institutional settings. This should provide significant benefits for the wellbeing of architects at all career stages, and also support the long-term viability of the sector.Read moreRead less
Making better decisions about built assets: learning by doing. This research will assist the built environment professions and their clients to make better decisions about new developments through a novel 'learning by doing' approach. Used successfully in other fields such as natural resource management, this idea will capitalise on the large number of asset investments undertaken to benchmark original stakeholder intentions and aspirations against the reality of current performance. Decisions w ....Making better decisions about built assets: learning by doing. This research will assist the built environment professions and their clients to make better decisions about new developments through a novel 'learning by doing' approach. Used successfully in other fields such as natural resource management, this idea will capitalise on the large number of asset investments undertaken to benchmark original stakeholder intentions and aspirations against the reality of current performance. Decisions will be re-evaluated in the context of contemporary economic, social and environmental criteria to enable existing multi-criteria models to deliver more sustainable outcomes that are also feasible and in the national interest, and consequently minimise the industry's current exposure to future climate change.Read moreRead less
Creating evidence-based public open space standards for apartment residents. This project aims to examine how to create public open space for apartment residents. It will (1) identify how apartment dwellers use public open space, including which spaces are used and why; and (2) test whether public open space use compensates for reduced apartment/building space. With less private space, apartment residents are assumed to rely on public spaces for physical, social and recreational activities. Yet ....Creating evidence-based public open space standards for apartment residents. This project aims to examine how to create public open space for apartment residents. It will (1) identify how apartment dwellers use public open space, including which spaces are used and why; and (2) test whether public open space use compensates for reduced apartment/building space. With less private space, apartment residents are assumed to rely on public spaces for physical, social and recreational activities. Yet little is known about which spaces they use and why, and what they would prefer. Expected outcomes include tailored, equitable evidence-based recommendations for public open space planning and apartment design guidelines. Benefits include the delivery of sustainable high-density precincts that cater to community needs.Read moreRead less
Map My Say - An innovative participatory mapping tool for TOD evaluation. This project will directly engage with the community through the development of an innovative public participatory mapping tool ("Map My Say") to evaluate community experiences of infill development and to identify the determinants of community support for, or resistance to, densification in urban development sites correlated with public transport. The findings of the project will support future planning and land use deci ....Map My Say - An innovative participatory mapping tool for TOD evaluation. This project will directly engage with the community through the development of an innovative public participatory mapping tool ("Map My Say") to evaluate community experiences of infill development and to identify the determinants of community support for, or resistance to, densification in urban development sites correlated with public transport. The findings of the project will support future planning and land use decisions related to creating resilient urban environments and provide decision planning tools to support appropriate solutions for urban communities. Working with our industry partners the findings will be used to directly inform the planning and design of future Metronet station precincts in Western Australia.
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Australia’s new cities: past, present and future. This project aims to investigate the conceptualisation, creation and promotion of new cities in Australia since the mid-20th century. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of urban planning and architectural history, leading to new understandings of community engagement with planning and architecture and dialogue on decentralisation, housing affordability and metropolitan primacy. Expected outcomes of this project include cont ....Australia’s new cities: past, present and future. This project aims to investigate the conceptualisation, creation and promotion of new cities in Australia since the mid-20th century. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of urban planning and architectural history, leading to new understandings of community engagement with planning and architecture and dialogue on decentralisation, housing affordability and metropolitan primacy. Expected outcomes of this project include contribution to the national conversation regarding political vision for large-scale infrastructure through a book, short film and media engagement on the topic. This project should provide significant benefits to community dialogue on issues of heritage, housing and environment.Read moreRead less
Design practice research: uncovering the role of spatial intelligence in designing and in reviewing design of the built environment. This project will result in the identification and methodical analysis of spatial intelligence as deployed by Architects, Landscape Architects and Urban Designer practitioners. It will also explore improvements and invention of new design policies and design procurement procedures which are informed by deeper understandings of Spatial Intelligence.
Decarbonising Cities and Regions. The Federal Government's Greenhouse Friendly Initiative certifies carbon neutral products as one way of achieving innovation and decarbonising cities and regions as climate change emerges as the major area of global concern and competition. This project is the first to conceptualise the certification of carbon neutral and carbon free land development. It brings together an innovative team from academia, industry and government to provide options for reducing ene ....Decarbonising Cities and Regions. The Federal Government's Greenhouse Friendly Initiative certifies carbon neutral products as one way of achieving innovation and decarbonising cities and regions as climate change emerges as the major area of global concern and competition. This project is the first to conceptualise the certification of carbon neutral and carbon free land development. It brings together an innovative team from academia, industry and government to provide options for reducing energy in all aspects of urban and remote land development, including renewable energy in buildings, transport and infrastructure. Industry and community interest in the outcomes will be high and certifiers in government will be provided with an important new model and tool.Read moreRead less
Safer cycling and the urban road environment. This project aims to improve the safety of cyclists while maintaining mobility in the urban road environment. By focusing on the safety of one of the most vulnerable road user groups the safety gains will benefit all road users. New urban road designs will be evaluated using Australia's first cycling simulator.