We recognise the state of emergency that has been declared by organisations across every profession. As a signatory to Architects Declare, we are committed to the design of buildings that make a climate positive contribution, so we champion sustainable and resilient options across every aspect of our business.
Because architects, interior designers, and urban planners are instrumental in shaping the physical environment, we have a pressing responsibility to make conscientious decisions in our work to scrutinise the immediate and long-term impacts.
On every design, we take leadership for the environmental impact, cultural heritage, economic viability and social significance so that each precinct, building, or interior space will withstand and adapt to whatever the future holds.
Case Study:
Macquarie University Incubator
We are committed to seeing sustainable, resilient outcomes in meaningful ways across our wide array of projects, understanding the challenges and needs of each sector. Our design teams research better ways to make things – material selection, construction methods, intelligent design strategies, digital tools – and guide our designers to work with clients to provide sustainable and efficient solutions. Internally, we make sure our business operations align with these standards – we walk the walk.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals influence our Sustainability and Resilience Framework – particularly those relevant to the built environment – and our commitment to Australian Architects Declare Climate and Biodiversity Emergency.
In addition, our dedicated in-house Sustainability team is working on a long-term strategy to transition our buildings and spaces to be resilient and generous while minimising impact by creating our Sustainability and Resilience Framework. This tool allows us to define a tailored approach specific to each projects’ scale and sector, infusing the knowledge from leading experts in the field and integrating benchmarks and goals set by industry award classifications.
The Framework encompasses three critical areas:
- Life Cycle Design
- Design for Community
- Regenerative Design
Case Study:
1 Bligh Street
We take a holistic approach to manage the Earth’s resources, treating water, energy and materials as the precious assets they are. We aim to influence the construction process and methodologies by assessing how to reduce waste, improve circularity, and achieve net-zero outcomes through design.
Case Study:
State Library Victoria
The human experience is at the core of our design approach, so we ask the essential questions: Who will our work impact? Whose voice needs to be at the table? How can we value add to local communities? We consult broadly to ensure we create inclusive, culturally sensitive outcomes that foster engagement and prosperity.
Case Study:
Sunshine Coast University Hospital
Caring for the planet is a part of our guiding philosophy. We look for ways to regenerate ecosystems and habitats to create and enhance local native biodiversity within project sites and reduce the impact on adjoining habitats. We aim to connect with natural patterns, systems and experiences that improve wellbeing – natural light, natural ventilation and connection to landscape – to support positive human interaction in the built environment.
Case Study:
Barrack Place, Sydney
We are a founding member of the Green Building Council of Australia. We actively support and promote sustainability rating tools, including Green Star, WELL, NABERS and LEED, to provide a transparent framework for clients, the community, and the project team to reduce environmental impacts, improve resource efficiency and provide better quality environments.