Ask Nature

It has been said that everything we need to know about how to design sustainable buildings already exists in nature. Designers like Frank Lloyd Wright relied heavily on observation of nature to design buildings that worked well both sustainably and structurally.

With the magic of internet, we have an immense and growing resource of ideas and observations from nature. The Biomimicry Institute is a not-for-profit orginisation based in USA. They have developed a wonderful web-site that can assist designers capture the best ideas nature can offer. Check it out at http://www.asknature.org/.

Housing an Aging Population project

Greg Pershouse has agreed to assemble and coordinate a team to undertake the R & D project “housing for the aged”.

Greg is seeking expressions of interest from building designers and qualified / interested people from the aged care sector to develop guidelines and formulate a strategy for the accelerating growth in this important demographic of our community.

If you wish to be involved or can recommend someone with in the aged care sector please contact Greg at greg@designgp.com.au.

Research Topics Announced

Built Environment Design Institute Ltd has announced its research topics and coordinators for 2011. We are now seeking member input, comment and people keen to become involved in the work. If you have any information or would like to help, please leave a comment here or contact the BDAQ office on 07 38899119 or email to admin@bdaq.com.au.

DESIGNING A BETTER WALL SYSTEM

Coordinator:  Steve Claridge

DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Coordinator:  Peter Nelson

HOUSING AN AGING POPULATION

Coordinator:  Greg Pershouse

SOLUTIONS FOR TIMBER FLOOR FAILURES IN HOT HUMID CLIMATES

Coordinator:  Glen Place

Sustainability Commitment Statement Approved

At meetings on Friday 11 February, the BEDI Ltd Board of Directors and the BDAQ Management Committee made a joint formal commitment to support the policy underpinning the partnership. The policy requires the partners to maintain sustainable practices within their operation, to promote sustainable practices in the design of built environments and to equip practitioners to advance the design of sustainable built environments in Queensland and throughout Australia.

The commitment is based on five key principles:

1. Sustainable management and office practices.
2. Waste minimisation in communications.
3. Sustainable meeting and travel options.
4. Advancement of sustainability through training, information and promotion.
5. Inclusion of triple bottom line principles in the development of visions, goals and procedures.

If you want to read the full statement, it will be available soon via the "pages" box in the right hand column.

Russell Brandon

Sustainable Design and Severe Weather

I have been asked to present a talk on the design of lightweight houses in cyclone and flood-prone areas. I want to talk about strength and durability issues and how good design can also incorporate sustainable design principles. I will keep this blog up to date with the progress of my presentation but if anyone has any ideas or suggestions, your comments will be welcome.

Russell Brandon

Sustainability Program Overview

1. Sustainability Committee

The Sustainability Committee has been established to advise the BEDI Ltd Board and BDAQ Management Committee on all matters impacting on the sustainability of the built environment and to advise on and oversee all aspects of the program.

Members of the committee have been drawn from building design practices with a proven record in sustainable building design and from building product manufacturers and Queensland’s peak timber industry body. Representatives from Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) are invited to be guests at all Sustainability Committee meetings.

Committee meeting dates for 2011 are:

·         Friday 11 February

·         Friday 15 April

·         Friday 17 June

·         Thursday 18 August

·         Friday 30 September

·         Friday 18 November

2. Sustainability Commitment Statement

Both Built Environment Design Institute Ltd and Building Designers Association of Queensland Inc. are committed to maintaining sustainable practices within their operation, to promoting sustainable practices in the design of built environments and to equipping practitioners to advance the design of sustainable built environments in Queensland and throughout Australia.

The sustainability committee will, at its first meeting in 2011, develop a partnership Sustainability Commitment Policy Statement to be recommended for adoption by the Board and Management Committee.

The statement will encapsulate the elements of the commitment as stated above.

As part of the partnership program, Sustainable building design and the Sustainability Commitment Statement will be promoted to members and the industry through:

·    An e-launch of the Sustainability Commitment Statement to all members following adoption,

·    A launch to industry representatives at the BDAQ Technical Committee meeting on 11 February,

·    Dedicated sustainability pages in each issue of the BDAQ magazine The Building Designer,

·    Minuted discussion of sustainability issues at all management committee meetings,

·    Forwarding the Sustainability Commitment Statement with explanation to all regional  branches in Queensland for launch at branch members meetings during February and March

·    Publishing the Commitment Statement on the BDAQ and BEDI web sites and including links to sustainability relevant sites.

3. Sustainability Best Practice Case Studies

Best practice Case Studies will be used to assist in the training of practitioners and to promote sustainable built environment design.

Members have been invited to submit examples of best practice sustainable building design and submissions will be completed by the end of March. Case studies will be reviewed and reports prepared by 15 April. Three selected studies will be submitted to DERM for departmental use. They will also be incorporated into the BDAQ State Conference program, will feature in The Building Designer magazine and be used in the 2011 PD Road Show program.

4. Building Consumer Advice Bureau

A new web site is being developed to provide up to date information and accurate advice about sustainable building design, how to find designers who are committed to sustainability and building products and services which work well in sustainable building design.

It is envisaged that this site will play a significant role in promoting and advancing the design of sustainable built environments in Queensland and Australia.   We will be seeking suitable “Frequently Asked Questions” and answers to have a permanent place on the site as well as blog discussion topics, promotional links to designers and manufacturers with sustainable credentials. An important service available will be the on-line chat page which will make ESBD endorsed designers available to interact live with the public.

The site will be trialled during February and March and it is planned to launch it publicly by 15 April 2011. 

5. Endorsed Sustainable Building Designer Program

Plans are underway to deliver Endorsed Sustainable Building Designer training in Ipswich and Cairns during May and June 2011. Negotiations are well advanced with Ecospecifier to use the Building Green training materials developed by Ecospecifier for the program. Each training program will be four days delivered on Friday and Saturday over two consecutive weeks. 

7. BEDI Research and Development

BEDI R & D will seek BDAQ members to undertake suitable research and develop new innovative solutions to sustainable design issues.  Research topics being considered are:

·    Designing a better wall system,

·    Developing alternative solutions for sustainable and energy efficient housing,

·    Designing affordable housing,

·    Housing an ageing population.

The sustainability committee will discuss these topics and other ideas to arrive at the first research projects to be pursued.

8. Australian Sustainable Building Design Awards

It is planned for the Australian Sustainable Building Design Awards to be held in conjunction with the Queensland Building Design awards in 2011. The details proposed are:

Award categories

·      Most sustainable NEW HOME

·      Most sustainable RENOVATION

·      Most sustainable MULTI-RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

·      Most sustainable COMMERCIAL BUILDING

·      Most sustainable INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

·      Most sustainable PUBLIC/OTHER BUILDING

Russell Brandon

Executive Director BDAQ Inc.

CEO BEDI Ltd.