Part 4 in our Sustainability Strategies series
Sustainability Strategies Part 4
Resilience is part 4 in our series on sustainability strategies.
Sustainability is important to everyone at Reddog. We firmly believe that our environment is fragile and now is the time to solve some of sustainability challenges that face us all.
To help communicate how we can all make a difference, we have created (and continue to create) a series of articles introducing and discussing how sustainability can be achieved in architecture.
Sustainability in action
NA House
This Brisbane residential project emerged from the optimistic approach of a young couple whose Fairfield home was severely damaged in the 2011 Queensland Floods. The owners were determined to find a greater opportunity in the renovation process than a generic raise and restore approach would afford them.
2022 Sleepout for Homelessness
2022 Sleepout for Homelessness
Every year Reddog joins other architects from around South East Queensland as we come together to raise funds for the Second Chance Programme (SCP) through the annual Sleepout for Homelessness. Though sleeping “rough” for one night cannot compare to weeks of housing uncertainty, the Sleepout provides an opportunity to share stories and raise awareness of the work done by SCP to support vulnerable women and children in our community.
2022 Sleepout – Friday 5 August
CHAC D Block 2022 Dulux Colour Awards Winner
Award Winner - CHAC D Block
Category: Commercial and Multi Residential Exterior
Citation:
“The new D Block at Cannon Hill Anglican College slots seamlessly into its campus location by balancing its bushland context with existing buildings. The role of colour in this educational facility cannot be understated; it was an integral part of the design process and a versatile device masterfully employed. White brickwork provides a canvas for the play of leaf shadows from the surrounding canopy; individual, yet cohesive palettes demarcate classrooms; and, colour-distinct exits and entry points aid navigation throughout the spaces. In awarding this project, we applaud the balance the architects struck when specifying colour to simultaneously create cohesion and distinction.”
Winship Shed | Brisbane Regional Awards Commendation
Commendation for Winship Shed
Brisbane Regional Awards (AIA – Queensland)
Category: Residential Architecture – New
Winner Type: Commendation
Citation:
A modest budget, which set the driving parameters for this dwelling, has not been to its detriment with an entry sequence and set of spaces that are both impactful and appropriate. Living spaces are playfully tall and well ventilated, while a raised floor threshold to the bedrooms sets up the clear spatial hierarchy. The dark exterior shell provides a sense of wonder of what will be revealed inside and contrasts well with the light and bright internal spaces. The change and simplicity of materials and colour from entry, to living and bedrooms reinforces the planning parti and gently assists with a sense of simplicity, comfort, and ease.
Garden Hideaway | Sanctuary
We are delighted to see Garden Bunkie featured in Sanctuary 59.
Thanks to Emma Scragg for the words and Christopher Frederick Jones for the images.
Join our team!
Join our team!
We are looking for an Architectural Graduate and an Architectural Student to join our team.
Details of the two roles are outlined below.
In applying for either role your application should include:
- A cover letter outlining your motivation to work with Reddog Architects
- Your resume detailing your education (university, degree and year) and professional experience (company name and job title)
- A snapshot of your portfolio (project role, sector, size & value)
- Nominated professional referees & contact details
Please email your application to email@reddogarchitects.com
Please note: We do not accept applications via agencies. Due to the high number of applications only successful candidates will be contacted.
Architectural Graduate
If you are a good fit for the role, it means you:
- Have a Master’s degree in Architecture (or equivalent)
- Have (minimum 18 months) professional experience in an architectural firm working within project design, documentation, and delivery
- Can work on multiple projects with different timelines
- Have a strong knowledge of codes, standards, and ordinances
- Are proficient in using CAD programs (preferred ArchiCAD)
- Are experienced in a variety of project types, sectors, and scales
- Can understand and interpret infrastructure from building design to construction
- Have experience in stakeholder management with strong client engagement capabilities and the ability to deliver outcomes
- Have strong communication skills – both written and verbal
- Can work independently, as well as be a collaborative team member
- Have a self-driven work ethic and the ability to meet fast paced project demands
You will be working closely with a team of likeminded, young, and enthusiastic professionals in an open and collaborative environment. Remuneration will be based on qualifications and experience. This position is based in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley studio.
Architectural Student
If you are a good fit for the role, it means you:
- Have a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture
- Can work on multiple tasks with different timelines
- Have some knowledge of local codes, standards, and ordinances
- Are proficient in using CAD programs (ArchiCAD preferred)
- Have strong communication skills – both written and verbal
- Can work independently, as well as be a collaborative team member
- Have a willingness to learn and be challenged
- Have a self-driven work ethic and the ability to meet fast paced project demands
In this role you will be mentored by experienced project architects and can utilise your creativity while gaining experience across a broad range of projects.
Remuneration will be based on qualifications and experience. This position is based in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley studio.
Resilience
Resilience
Recent natural disasters including the 2011 and 2022 Brisbane floods have reinforced the importance of resilience and adaptability as key components of sustainability strategies in architecture, the built environment and design.
Increasing pressures from climate change; environmental disasters including storms, bushfires and flooding have a direct impact on our communities and the built environment. Pressures from population growth and changing community demands add to the challenging conditions. An important element in architecture is a resilient design that can adapt to changing conditions and ideally is able to adapt and recover from adverse events. So, in terms of the built environment, what is meant by resilience and resilient design? What strategies can be applied in the design process?
Resilient Design
According to the Resilient Design Institute, “Resilience is the capacity to adapt to changing conditions and to maintain or regain functionality and vitality in the face of stress or disturbance. It is the capacity to bounce back after a disturbance or interruption”.
Resilient design then is the intentional and proactive design of buildings, landscapes, communities, and regions in response to these stresses and disturbances. The aim is to create a design that has an ability to adapt to known and unknown risks and vulnerabilities such a natural disasters or other major emergencies.
A resilient design incorporates sustainability considering environmental, social, and economic factors. From an architectural perspective, and as part of the process, it is important to consider the building as a whole, the products and materials used in the building and an acknowledgement of the surrounding environment and community demands. As always in the design process, it is important to balance costs of the project across the intended operational life of the project.
The design process continuously draws lessons from existing buildings and continues to evolve into even more refined designs. Importantly, resilient design draws on the expertise of a wide variety of specialists – from architects and engineers to town planners and local councils with the aim of creating strong and inclusive communities.
As we all know, the recent floods in Brisbane were devasting for many. However, flooding in Brisbane is not unprecedented. Whilst the 1974 and 2011 floods are woven into the story of the city, Brisbane has experienced many other flood events in our (short) recorded history. Indeed, for many Brisbane residents, living on a flood plane is a reality. For people in these suburbs and communities resilient design is incredibly important. It is about being aware of the risks and planning for them accordingly.
According to the Queensland Government, “Queensland is the most disaster impacted state in Australia, with flooding being the disaster event that happens most frequently. We can’t stop floods from occurring, but we can take steps to reduce their impact. Flood resilient design is one of the many ways Queenslanders can build their resilience to floods. It involves adapting the design, construction and materials incorporated into buildings to minimise damage caused by floodwaters”.
Case Study | Local Lessons - NA House
The design for NA House was undertaken for a family whose Fairfield home was severely damaged in the 2011 Queensland Floods. Rather than simply raising and restoring their existing home, the owners were open to exploring a design approach that would help their home become more resilient to flood risks.
Acknowledging the flood risks for their home and their suburb, the design incorporated a raised under-croft space. There were a number of benefits in taking this approach. In the first instance, the top storey was elevated above the anticipated level of any future flooding. Whilst this is not a guarantee of flood-proofing, it is an effective strategy for resilient design.
An important second part of the process was to recognise that there will be flooding that occurs around the house. Acknowledging that risk, the area of the house on the ground floor was designed with water ingress in mind. The materials used, including block masonry and concrete floors, were intended to permit floodwaters to permeate the area without causing significant damage. This design proved invaluable in the recent 2022 flood event. As expected, the suburb experienced flooding again. The resilient design strategy for NA House meant that the flood waters did not reach the upper storey. The ground floor did flood. However, the owners were able to wash the flood water away and the clean-up after the event was relatively simple.
Conclusion
It is simply not possible to create a design that can cope with every unpredictable event, however with good design, we help to make sure our buildings and cities are better able to cope with disruption and bounce back afterwards. Incorporating sustainability strategies, including the idea of resilience and adaptibility into the design process will help our community to react accordingly to climate change, resource destruction and depletion, and a host of other growing challenges.
Congratulations Ethan!
Congratulations Ethan
It is always great to be able to celebrate with the team.
So a very big congratulations to Ethan on your graduation today. Ethan has completed his Bachelor of Architecture (QUT).
