Insights from International Sustainability Summit and Energy Efficiency Summit 2025.

SUSTAINABLE PRINCIPLES IN DESIGN – Weathertex – Andrew Savage
Sustainable practices like carbon savings when specifying Weathertex cladding have become so common practice that they are integrated in new Hungry Jack's and Macca’s stores. Weathertex claim that their materials are suitable for submerged or flood zones.

CLIENT COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT FOR BETTER SUSTAINABILITY OUTCOMES – Costa Georgidias
Consistency across client and builder information is critical for effective collaboration. Bad communication, often described as "my way or the highway," should be avoided. Instead, focus on tailoring communication by reading the room and offering engaging snippets ("morsels") that spark interest.

GOOD COMMUNICATION CASE STUDIES

“Plants as Powerful Allies”
Plants play a vital role in cleaning air, waterways, and oceans, underscoring the environmental benefits of integrating natural elements into designs.

“Do you want to pay for that Waste?”

Reframing waste separation on building sites by emphasizing its savings and environmental impact can motivate collective action.

CULTURAL DESIGN AND CONNECTION TO PLACE – Rosina Baumann and Johnny Bridges
Designing with intent involves connecting deeply to the land and its stories. Every place carry meaning for its people; for example,

CULTURAL DESIGN ETHOS:

  “If we look after the country, it will look after us” this emphasizes mutual care. “

Other strategies include using Aboriginal place names in wayfinding and incorporate natural materials from the land into designs. Celebrating cultural narratives through art enriches projects with deeper significance.

KEY LESSON: An interesting lessoned learnt was the inappropriateness of the removal and displacement of bushrock or local sandstone to an area that rock has no cultural connection.

STRATEGIES IN DECARBONISATION – Prof Alison Kwok, Professor Walter Grondzik, Tom Hahn
Innovative techniques were presented including compressed straw prefabrication panels, seaweed-based air filtration, and the reuse of native materials like sandstone. Considerations like insulation and renewable energy sources enhance environmental and economic outcomes, as demonstrated by projects like the Wollongong Sustainable Building by Cox Architecture.

KEY LESSON: “Make your first design move your best move”

IMPLEMENTATION: Prioritizing sustainability during the concept design phase leads to better results rather trying to incorporate them in design development or construction drawing phase.

URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT - Dulux
Urban heat islands experience temperatures 7°C higher than surrounding areas due to factors such as dark roofs, car emissions, and reduced vegetation.

KEY LESSON:

Incorporate design solutions including:

·         lighter-colored materials,

·         infrared pigments for roofing, and

·         strategic landscaping can mitigate these effects while improving health outcomes and building performance.

PASSIVHAUS RETROFIT SOLUTIONS – Alexis Lidas, Linden Thornley and Trent Clark
The biggest sustainability need is retrofitting the existing building stock to reduce their environmental impact and the upfront carbon of knockdown rebuild projects. High-performance buildings designed with Passivhaus standards ensure quieter and more comfortable living environments, addressing issues like heat gain and air infiltration effectively.

KEY LESSONS:

“For heritage retrofits consider an interior insulation and airtight strategy. For projects with limited ceiling height start by looking at out-sulation that completely wraps the outside of the whole structure.”

FURNITURE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT – Michelle Thomas COO – Australian Furnishing Industry
I was shocked to learn that toxic chemicals in imported furniture will likely be the new asbestos crisis. Sadly, up to 70% of landfill waste originates from furniture disposal. Greenwashing and unsustainable materials in imported furniture pose challenges.

KEY LESSON: “Selecting recyclable, reusable, and repairable furniture reduces waste and avoids hidden environmental risks.”

RESILIENT BUILDING DESIGN – Evitat Sonja Markovic
Buildings designed to withstand bushfires, and other challenges receive self-assessment incentives, like insurance discounts. Motivating clients through comparison tools, such as star ratings, can encourage sustainability adoption.

Conversation around common barriers to climate resilient design went something like this:

Barrier: Too expensive to build for climate resilience,

Future proof housing: When we incorporate climate resilience in from the design stage it isn’t more expensive.

Barrier: We have always built this way,

Future proof housing: The climate isn’t what it was 10 ,20 or 30 years ago we don’t have to build like they did in the past either.

Barrier: We don’t have time to think about climate resilience,

Future proof housing: We don’t have to come up with new ways ourselves to solve this problem, there are design strategies that have been recorded post occupancy to work.

Barrier: Why should I bring this up as the client is asking for this.

Future proof housing: We designers don’t need to wait for permission to have discussions about climate resilient design. We are paid well to educate our clients about what possibilities they have within their control when building to make their house future proof and do their part to reduce their impact on the environment.

KEY LESSON: “Designing with climate resilience in mind ensures your buildings are fundable, insurable, future proof. The design phase and highlighting opportunities that my clients doesn’t yet understand is my strategic edge.”