Applied architectural design research for age-friendly dwellings and neighbourhoods. This project aims to design age friendly dwellings and neighbourhoods that embrace the reality of millions of older Australians ageing in their homes in the community. Using architectural design-practice research methods that focus on a carefully curated series of design propositions, this project aims to explore how the dwelling and its urban environment can be ‘normalised’ for the growing ageing population thr ....Applied architectural design research for age-friendly dwellings and neighbourhoods. This project aims to design age friendly dwellings and neighbourhoods that embrace the reality of millions of older Australians ageing in their homes in the community. Using architectural design-practice research methods that focus on a carefully curated series of design propositions, this project aims to explore how the dwelling and its urban environment can be ‘normalised’ for the growing ageing population through adjustments that make it more adaptable and responsive to their needs, while at the same time improving the city for all. The project aims to pose the following question: what design strategies can be employed to integrate more flexible, affordable and personalised living options that enable older people to continue living and participating within existing urban communities?Read moreRead less
Extending building information models (BIM) for specifications and cost planning. The recognition in the 1990's that inefficiencies in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure were costing up to 30 per cent of the total constructed cost of buildings led to a push for the more efficient use of information. The major change in the industry to date has been the introduction of Building Information Models (BIM). Uptake has now reached the tipping point where it is be ....Extending building information models (BIM) for specifications and cost planning. The recognition in the 1990's that inefficiencies in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure were costing up to 30 per cent of the total constructed cost of buildings led to a push for the more efficient use of information. The major change in the industry to date has been the introduction of Building Information Models (BIM). Uptake has now reached the tipping point where it is becoming pervasive. This project examines methods of adding value to existing BIM information which will allow the industry and clients to achieve a higher level of efficiency than can be gained just through substitution of BIM for current processes.Read moreRead less
Offsite manufacture reimagined for high-performance adaptable housing. The project aims to address housing performance and affordability in Australia by deploying adaptable design for spatial reconfiguration and component reuse, to advance offsite timber manufacture towards energy efficient and healthy homes as mainstream practice. The intended outcome is the development, prototyping and monitoring of an offsite manufactured panelised lightweight timber system for high-performance homes, that is ....Offsite manufacture reimagined for high-performance adaptable housing. The project aims to address housing performance and affordability in Australia by deploying adaptable design for spatial reconfiguration and component reuse, to advance offsite timber manufacture towards energy efficient and healthy homes as mainstream practice. The intended outcome is the development, prototyping and monitoring of an offsite manufactured panelised lightweight timber system for high-performance homes, that is adaptable to all Australian climates and long-term household changes. This will contribute to the sustainable growth of the Australian housing market with significant benefits on housing affordability, adaptable design and long-lasting performance, while boosting the offsite manufactured timber construction sector.Read moreRead less
The design and construction of quality, sustainable and affordable pre-made housing in Australia - optimisation and integration. Historically, industrialised construction has resulted in an industrialisation of the parts, rather than an industrialisation of the ensemble. In contrast, this project will integrate architecture and engineering, as well as construction and development to optimise the ensemble, and deliver architectural quality in industrially produced affordable housing.
Developing Resilient Housing for Low Socio-Economic Older People. The project aims to advance knowledge about housing design and indoor environment to improve the wellbeing of older people with low socio-economic status in South Australia, including those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It will gather information about indoor living environment and relationships with wellbeing of the occupants, household energy use and operational costs, to explore affordable improvement ....Developing Resilient Housing for Low Socio-Economic Older People. The project aims to advance knowledge about housing design and indoor environment to improve the wellbeing of older people with low socio-economic status in South Australia, including those with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It will gather information about indoor living environment and relationships with wellbeing of the occupants, household energy use and operational costs, to explore affordable improvement strategies. The project is significant to address the problems faced by one-third of the population who are unable to afford proper housing and fuel-poor. Improved living conditions will lead to better quality of life and reduce public health costs while providing environmental benefits through reduced energy use.Read moreRead less
Exploring synergies with innovative Green Technologies for Advanced Renovation: Redefining a Bioclimatic approach for multi residential and office buildings in warmer climates. Building energy consumption accounts for nearly 27% of all energy related greenhouse gas emissions. By 2010, emissions' from buildings is estimated to increase by 48% above 1990 levels. This projected trend is alarming given that Australia's obligation under the Kyoto Protocol is only 8% above 1990 levels. Renovation of e ....Exploring synergies with innovative Green Technologies for Advanced Renovation: Redefining a Bioclimatic approach for multi residential and office buildings in warmer climates. Building energy consumption accounts for nearly 27% of all energy related greenhouse gas emissions. By 2010, emissions' from buildings is estimated to increase by 48% above 1990 levels. This projected trend is alarming given that Australia's obligation under the Kyoto Protocol is only 8% above 1990 levels. Renovation of existing buildings is necessary to achieve this target. Research will address this problem by providing principles, strategies and solutions demostrating improvement of environmental performance and cost benefits. The application of new principles will assist with transforming the building industry to meet Kyoto targets.Read moreRead less
Towards a Quality of Life Model for Sustainable Housing in South East Queensland. Current reports, on Quality of Life in South East Queensland and the Queensland Governments State of the Environment demonstrate a paradox, - high quality of life but also increasing environmental impact. How to address this paradox is a major research question addressed in this project. Through examining examples of best practice sustainable housing it is possible to address this question. The key factors of quali ....Towards a Quality of Life Model for Sustainable Housing in South East Queensland. Current reports, on Quality of Life in South East Queensland and the Queensland Governments State of the Environment demonstrate a paradox, - high quality of life but also increasing environmental impact. How to address this paradox is a major research question addressed in this project. Through examining examples of best practice sustainable housing it is possible to address this question. The key factors of quality of life will be identified for housing, which will assist policy makers plan for a sustainable future. Read moreRead less
People and Parks: The Real Value of Open Space in Western Sydney. The Western Sydney Parklands (WSP), a corridor of 5500 contiguous hectares, will be the largest urban park in the southern hemisphere - an extraordinary open space resource. This study uses quantitative and qualitative research techniques to gauge 'imageability' and feelings of 'attachment' and 'connectedness' to the Parklands experienced by residents of Western Sydney. We will construct new thematic layers for an existing Geograp ....People and Parks: The Real Value of Open Space in Western Sydney. The Western Sydney Parklands (WSP), a corridor of 5500 contiguous hectares, will be the largest urban park in the southern hemisphere - an extraordinary open space resource. This study uses quantitative and qualitative research techniques to gauge 'imageability' and feelings of 'attachment' and 'connectedness' to the Parklands experienced by residents of Western Sydney. We will construct new thematic layers for an existing Geographic Information Systems database that incorporate subjective values about open space. This expanded understanding of feelings of connectedness will reveal shared community values and enhance future planning and design of urban parklands.Read moreRead less
Redesigning the Suburb: A Landscape Architectural Inquiry. A Perth-based multi-disciplinary design project is to seek out ways in which new practices in suburban development can improve a sense of place in new suburbs in accord with community aspirations. Current development codes will be explored and challenged, focussing on infrastructure and ecology. Perth is a city in the bush, eating into its famous flora, but the outcomes of this project will just as easily apply to Queensland or Tasmania ....Redesigning the Suburb: A Landscape Architectural Inquiry. A Perth-based multi-disciplinary design project is to seek out ways in which new practices in suburban development can improve a sense of place in new suburbs in accord with community aspirations. Current development codes will be explored and challenged, focussing on infrastructure and ecology. Perth is a city in the bush, eating into its famous flora, but the outcomes of this project will just as easily apply to Queensland or Tasmania in regard to improving biodiversity, maintaining a sense of original topography, improving wise water use, and influencing the conception and construction of new suburban areas by the development industry.
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Assimilation of architectural and services design in early design modelling. How can buildings in a climate as varied as Australia's balance the best environmental comfort standards for their human occupants, cost and at the same time meet the urgent imperative of reduced energy consumption and associated carbon emissions? This practice-based research will develop tools to support more informed decision making in the earliest stage of an integral approach to services in the design of buildings. ....Assimilation of architectural and services design in early design modelling. How can buildings in a climate as varied as Australia's balance the best environmental comfort standards for their human occupants, cost and at the same time meet the urgent imperative of reduced energy consumption and associated carbon emissions? This practice-based research will develop tools to support more informed decision making in the earliest stage of an integral approach to services in the design of buildings. It will provide knowledge about designing architecture that is more environmentally responsive, can provide comfortable air in more optimised ways, that consume less energy and do this through promoting smarter use of information in practice.Read moreRead less