Montagu Evans’ Post

Any reassessment of the highest level policy across our state is an opportunity to make sure we’re on the right track. Clearly we need to be more explicit and facilitate more housing. But how are we making sure that’s high quality housing? How are we making oppportunities to access jobs and services more accessible? And absolutely critically - how are we putting climate resilience and emissions reduction at the core of all these decisions? So good to see peak bodies coming together again…

We have joined forces with other leading industry figures in supporting a crucial initiative led by the Good Homes Alliance, Bioregional, LETI, and the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC).   Last week, we put our name to a letter to Michael Gove, expressing our collective concern over current proposals that fall short of the urgent action required to meet our #carbonreduction targets. By uniting with respected architects and consultants, we stand firm in our belief that without significant changes, these measures will not only fail to achieve our immediate carbon goals but also necessitate extensive future #retrofitting to align with necessary carbon reductions.   Our commitment to responsible design compels us to advocate for more effective solutions that ensure a greener, more sustainable future. Find out more about the Future Homes Standard Consultation Response through the link in the comments.   #ECEArchitecture #SustainableDesign #CarbonReduction #FutureBuilding

A few days ago Philip Oldfield, a Professor of Architecture at UNSW Built Environment Research in Sydney, made a critical observation on X regarding a housing project in Western Sydney, Australia. The primary concern raised by Oldfield was the potential for extreme #urban #heat due to the design and materials used in the project, commonly referred to as the #UrbanHeatIsland (UHI) effect. “An urban heat disaster waiting to happen”, he called it. An interesting case with several solutions as well fortunately. https://lnkd.in/eNXk5wd3

Institutes alignment on Plan for Victoria This week representatives from AILA, PIA, RAIA and the Urban Design Forum came together for a robust conversation to evolve our joint submission for the next plan for Victoria. The next plan for Victoria will define how the Victorian Government addresses the State’s 2050 housing and land use needs. Victoria benefits from a legacy of state shaping plans and visions. As a hub of innovation and creative minds, we want to seize this opportunity to influence the future of Victoria and our communities by addressing the current housing crisis through the planning and design of healthy, connected, and resilient communities. We’re advocating for a nature positive, biodiversity net gain approach throughout our cities and regions; a focus on social equity, pathway to Treaty, and considered management of growth; and ensuring we have the skills we need to deliver this plan.  Australian Institute of Architects Urban Design Forum Australia Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA)

As more office buildings are being converted to multi-family housing, it is important that we do these conversions using an integrative approach focusing on reducing embodied carbon emissions while maximizing energy efficiency. Watch this latest NORR presentation that emphasizes both of these important issues at the link below.

Check out this interesting presentation from Blake and Tobias that includes comprehensive strategies to the timely topic of Office-to-Residential Conversions

In the face of the climate crisis, doing nothing is not an option. Our director, Reade Dixon, emphasises, "We have an obligation, a moral contract – the worst thing we could do is do nothing in a climate crisis." This belief drives our practice, where we see every aspect of our work through the lens of this pressing issue. Our approach to architecture goes beyond individual projects; it’s about resolving issues that affect communities, cities, and the environment. We are not merely interested in big ideas but in meaningful action. We are committed to designing architecture that not only minimises negative impacts but makes a positive contribution to the world around us. Wellness at all scales underpins our projects, and as Reade puts it, "We are re-designing a system, a construction methodology." A key area where we are making strides is in the use of mass timber in construction. With the building and construction industry responsible for more than a third of all carbon emissions, we must look for innovative solutions. By using timber, which captures carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in the building elements, we are inverting the carbon diagram—from carbon creation to carbon capture and sequestration. This is architecture of consequence, where the materials we choose help combat the very crisis we are facing. Our commitment to making a positive impact goes beyond the materials we use. In South Perth at C6, we collaborated with cultural partner Elder Oral McGuire to draw on the area’s pre-settlement history, informing our approach to the public realm. Our proposal for a Banksia woodland aims to re-establish the black cockatoo’s habitat, blending cultural heritage with ecological restoration. As the tallest hybrid mass timber building in the world, C6 will sequester 10.5 million kg of carbon, showcasing the substantial environmental benefits of mass timber. The use of sustainably regrown timber further underscores our dedication to regenerative design. At Fraser & Partners, we are not passive. We lead, educate, and demonstrate through our work, ensuring that architecture serves not just the present, but the future. Our legacy is one of meaningful action, contributing to communities, cities, and the environment in a way that transcends the traditional boundaries of design. #architecture #climatepositive

Thanks to Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) ,Planning Institute of Australia and Stormwater Queensland for outting together the Biourbanism presentation this morning for a great view on cross discipline approaches to creating better cities. After much discussion in the office the big take away is that we should throw away all our standards and collaboratively rewrite new ones to be more creative and allow for better outcomes for our environment and cities. #sustainability #environment

As urban landscapes evolve and housing demands increase, repurposing underutilized office buildings emerges as a sustainable solution. Our duo—Tobias Fellows (Principal, Public Buildings) and Blake Jackson (Director, Sustainability)—recently participated in the Association of Energy Engineers Canada East's final webinar of the session, “Office-to-Residential Conversions: A Whole Building Approach.” The presentation focused on the future of housing availability and opportunities for existing buildings conversions to combat the dual affordability and climate crises. The team highlighted Whole Building approaches to balance and enhance energy efficiency while reducing embodied carbon by realizing the potential and intrinsic value of existing and heritage structures for new, modern uses. For more comprehensive strategies to guide every phase of a building's lifecycle—from design, construction and operation to the building’s end-of-life considerations—connect with our team. Thanks to the AEE Canada East for including us. Watch the presentation: https://lnkd.in/gAU5q2iM #OfficeConversions #NORR #Architecture #Sustainability #EnergyEfficiency #ClimateCrisis #HousingShortage #BuildingRepurposing #BuildingLifecycle, Tobias Fellows, Blake Jackson, AIA, LEED Fellow, WELL Faculty, CPHC

#Housing Our Future: #Architecture for a #Greener, #Safer, and More #Affordable #Habitat The International Union of Architects (UIA) is pleased to present an off-site side event, in coalition with UN-Habitat and the Brazilian Government and supported by the French Government, under the theme “Housing Our Future: Architecture for a Greener, Safer, and More Affordable Habitat”. This high-level side event, hosted by the The American Institute of Architects (AIA) , is part of the United Nations Summit of the Future Action Days, and will take place on 21 September 2024, from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM (EDT), at the Center for Architecture in New York. In response to the UN Secretary-General’s call for civil society’s active participation in shaping a future that leaves no one behind, this event will gather experts and policymakers to present proposals and commitments to mitigate climate change and build resilience in human habitats. The focus will be on ensuring greener, safer, better, and more affordable habitats for all, with architecture and urban planning at the heart of this transformation. The event will feature discussions on the policies and actions needed to support sustainable urbanization, particularly in developing countries that require targeted support to localize sustainable development strategies. It will explore how architecture can contribute to economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and cultural heritage protection. https://bit.ly/4ewHDfV #sotf #actiondays #affordablehousing