Luke Johnson talks Macquarie University’s Ainsworth Building and the multifaceted nature of sustainable design

In episode 100 of Talking Architecture and Design, Branko Miletic and Architectus Principal Luke Johnson discuss his passion for education projects, and the imperative for the wider industry to embrace sustainable design.

Referencing his experience leading key Architectus sustainable projects, including Macquarie University Incubator, the Ainsworth Building, and the upcoming University of New South Wales Health Translation Hub (UNSW HTH) Luke foresees a time when greener buildings are the norm across sectors. 

“We can and must design and build more sustainably. This necessity to do so is now upon us. Public and private sector commitments to carbon neutrality are making this increasingly mandatory. Consciousness demands it,” he says. 

“All building works are detrimental to the environment in that energy is used and carbon generated in their material fabrication, transportation and construction. Specifying low-energy embodied materials and carbon-sequestering materials reduces, but does not prevent, the damage incurred. Offsetting through complementary activities like planting trees can have a neutralising impact on this environmental damage to some extent. However, we all need to get by with less materials, and increasingly our clients need to make the decision to recycle existing building structures through re-purposing.”  

The podcast is produced by Architecture & Design in association with Alspec, proud sponsors of the 2021 Commercial series of podcasts.  

Listen to the full episode on Spotify here.