Values

We are committed to a post-carbon future

An integrated and holistic approach to environmentally responsible architecture and design is at the core of our culture. We also understand the symbiotic relationships between and interconnectedness of all living beings. We consider the full life cycle of every project in the design process and conceive cradle to cradle propositions wherever possible to support the circular economy. Our work is founded on a deep knowledge of natural, technological, social and economic circumstances.

As stewards and contributing authors of the built environment, we understand our professional and social responsibility to drive the industry in a direction that aims beyond carbon neutral, targeting instead a new and regenerative paradigm. Our aim is to design for positive social and environmental urban change that heals Country for the sustenance of all living beings.

Our commitment to sustainability is evident in all projects. The Central Park Masterplan, which we designed in association with Cox Richardson, involves the transformation of a former brewery site on the edge of Sydney’s CBD into a high-density, mixed-use neighbourhood well served by public infrastructure. The proposal included new street activations and networks, with a focus on pedestrian use. In an area of such high density, the integration of biophilic elements in the design was vital. The urban redevelopment was formed around generous parks and other public spaces, as well as structured landscape integrated with the built form and implemented on the most significant new building within the redevelopment.

Significant heritage buildings and streets have been retained and reused, including the Kensington Street Precinct, which is now a lively hub of restaurants. Our adaptive reuse of the main brewery buildings integrates a precinct-wide trigeneration plant into the historic structure. Rather than concealing the plant, which supplies hot and cold water and power to the mixed-use development, it is contained within an elegant new roof.

We are always interested in new ways of designing to contribute to the health of the natural environment. With Lendlease we pioneered the use of mass timber for commercial buildings. International House Sydney (IHS) and Daramu House, in Sydney’s Barangaroo, demonstrate a dramatic reduction in embodied energy resulting from a design of material simplicity, the utilisation of recycled materials, and the inherent carbon sequestration achieved through the use of mass timber. We pioneered a new form of beauty in commercial construction, one that celebrates the natural aesthetic and biophilic qualities of timber. IHS and Daramu House established a new benchmark for work environments by actively supporting the wellbeing of its users. These designs proved the viability of mass timber in the commercial development market by demonstrating that mass timber construction was viable in short, medium and long-term investment cycles.

On completion, the green roof with integrated photovoltaics of Daramu House was the largest in the southern hemisphere. A scientific study has indicated a significant, positive contribution to energy generation, water and air filtration, and thermal performance.

In all our residential work, we adopt sound passive solar design principles and a range of techniques to minimise energy consumption while maintaining a high quality indoor environment. An early project in the practice was the renovation of a terrace house in Chippendale for the environmentalist Michael Mobbs. This project was globally influential as it became known for its innovative energy and water-saving measures and use of sustainable or recycled materials.

Another and more recent example of our approach to residential architecture is the Garden House. It is sited and designed to take full advantage of winter sun, minimise summer sun and to capture cross breezes. Thermal mass inside the house maximises the benefits of these design characteristics.

Typically, our projects integrate the use of photovoltaic and hydronic heating technologies as well as rainwater storage, filtration and re-use.

We are well positioned to support the increasing awareness of our clients to the importance of lower carbon and less polluting design propositions.

Notes

Image Credits:
Ethan Rohloff (Central Park Masterplan)
Prue Ruscoe (Garden House)
Ben Guthrie (International House Sydney and Daramu House)