Media Release
--October 14 2003--
--Demonstrating sustainability- modelling better design--
Just what constitutes sustainable architectural design and practice may remain a burning question within the industry for many years to come. But through exploration, education and experimentation UniSA is hoping to contribute to the pool of knowledge that will forge a sustainable future for buildings and interiors large and small.
The first of a series of free public lectures, Visions 4 Environmentally Sustainable Development, Stephen Ward and Andrew Wallace from UniSA’s Louis Laybourne School of Architecture and Design, will examine how teaching, consultancy and research will help to model new ways of looking at sustainability in building and design.
Entitled, Sustainable Design-searching for the model project the lecture will be held at 6 pm on October 15 at UniSA’s City east Campus, centenary Building level 3 room 16.
"In many ways the model or showcase projects are the designers laboratory," Wallace says.
"What is sometimes not possible to attempt in major projects with the usual restrictions of cost and time, can be demonstrated and experimented with in theoretical work, prototypes and through demonstration projects. The automotive industry is able to finance experimental car designs and some elements of those extreme concepts often later find their way into mainstream models. It is in an assessment those sorts of developments in architecture and interiors that we may find sustainable solutions for building and interior design in the future."
But Wallace says that of late (to some extent) the term sustainability had become more about PR spin that a real commitment to design challenges and solutions.
"We are in danger of falling for "greenwashing" and not taking important opportunities to explore and innovate," he says.
"Universities have an important role to play in providing an environment for real innovation in design and by educating future architects and designers to define and envision what will be required of sustainable architecture and design in the future. We can also deliver design research and consultancy services to better inform the design professions and general community as a whole. We operate independently and generally are more inclined to share our intellectual property rather than retain it purely to maintain a market advantage, which remains an obstacle internationally in facilitating change.
"This is not so much about trying wild and impractical ideas but developing a design philosophy that seriously addresses the demands of the environment, economy and socio-cultural factors in endeavours that aim for sustainable development."
The lecture will include a comprehensive overview of showcase projects from around the world and in Australia.
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli (08) 8302 0966 or 0418823673