Comment | Architecture & Design

Tone on Tuesday 221: The Art of Sustainability - Sustainable Art

Despite Kermit’s maxim that “it’s not easy being green” it seems design wants to go that way these days.

Three perspectives on the future of precinct design

Good precincts are places people want to spend their valuable spare time, not just their money, says Phil Schoutrop, architect and Precinct Sector Lead at Buchan. "People are looking for an experience - they're looking for a good time, not just the purchase of goods."

Why modular design needs to think big for true affordability

Australia is caught in a perfect storm of rising property prices, a shrinking pipeline of new builds and a chronic affordability crisis. Across Asia-Pacific, there is simply not time, materials or trades available to meet the rapidly accelerating demand for housing with our current construction models.

Tone on Tuesday 220: Does the public hate architects?

I've been jolted out of my cocoon of pleasant discourse here on A&D, to become all too aware of just what the general public thinks of architects.

Biodiversity and resilience pushed to the limit after bushfires

The Black Summer Bushfires drove biodiversity to the brink despite overall resilience after the 2019-2020 bushfire season in NSW, a new study suggests.

Tone on Tuesday 219: Learning from three-storey walk-up flats

Last week’s Tone on Tuesday sketched out a prototype three-storey walk-up block of flats, based on the common building type in use from the 20s to the 70s.

Design Notes: Ideas, issues and idiocies from the last fortnight

The USA liar-in-chief, Donald Trump, claims to be a wealth creator from his many investments, but everything he touched turned to dust. Steaks, wines, vodka, water, Bibles, a University, golden shoes, even a casino. (how do you lose when owing a casino?). All loss making.

Key takeaways on designing for tomorrow and sustainable design solutions

What is the relationship between design and the environment? What are the current trends, and what is essential knowledge for creating and maintaining sustainable design practices?

Tone on Tuesday 217: 3 storey walk up flats are the best solution

We’ve discussed lots of solutions to the housing crisis recently. Different typologies: duplexes, townhouses, small (4 storey) and larger (8 storey) apartments (ToT 167). Ideas for the ‘missing middle’: 6 bedrooms, 6 packs and 6 storeys (ToT 210). And we explored the sustainability of apartments (Tot 213). But what’s the best?

Design Notes: Ideas, issues and idiocies from the last fortnight

Debate is raging about Peter Dutton’s bomb throwing idea of nuclear power. Sizes, power output, timing, grid connections, waste. Very little about the designs, our main interest in this column.

'Smart' traffic lights designed to ease road congestion on roads

A UNSW transport expert may have the found the solution to one of the biggest pet peeves of drivers: sitting in traffic.

The possible gas shortage in Victoria is a warning

Not far inland from Port Campbell in Victoria lie three depleted gas fields. These underground sandstone reservoirs now have a second life, as the state’s main gas storage, responsible for 30% of the state’s winter gas demand.