Architecture, Building and Planning - Research Publications
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ItemTowards an assessment framework for the environmental performance of alternative, multi-residential housing models(The Architectural Science Association and RMIT University, 2018)Reducing the environmental impacts of building whilst improving urban liveability has become a key challenge for the Australian multi-residential sector, as recent projects have been criticised for their poor environmental performance and internal amenity. Alternative models for multi-residential development – such as the Nightingale Model – are a recent response to this challenge. Employing an ‘architecture of reductionism’, the Nightingale Model seeks to deliver superior environmental and occupant outcomes. However, given the infancy of the model, an assessment of its performance is yet to be conducted. Assessments of building performance are critical to developing new and emerging approaches, yet existing evaluation methodologies are plagued by limitations. The most notable limitation is the lack of holistic frameworks that concurrently consider life-cycle ecological impacts and occupant wellbeing. The absence of such frameworks limits the ability to identify interrelationships between areas of performance and may possibly promote problem shifting. To develop an approach that can address this key limitation – and subsequently assess innovative housing models targeting a holistic approach to building performance – the paper concludes with a series of recommendations for approaching the creation of an integrated framework of assessment, which will quantify impacts to ecological and human systems in parallel.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableTrees provide energy saving benefits to adjacent buildings for a small water cost(Australian Sustainable Cities and Regions Network, 2011)
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ItemTemplate schools: Measuring indoor environmental quality(The University of Sydney, 2011)
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ItemA modelling method to assess the effect of tree shading for building performance simulation(International Building Performance Simulation Association, 2011)Increasing urban tree numbers is a simple but effective means to provide climate change adaptation to the urban environment by reducing the thermal load on buildings. To better communicate and value the importance of urban trees it is necessary to quantify these benefits and to understand the properties and processes that influence the magnitude of these benefits. For this we need verified and effective ways of modelling the trees in modelling software. This paper presents the results and problems encountered when trying to model trees effectively. The aim is to present our approach which was to treat the shade as a shading co-efficient on the wall. This allows for the consideration of the benefits of deciduous versus evergreen species. A modelling method to assess the effect of tree shading was developed and presented in this paper.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableA field test to demonstrate the benefit of cool roof paints in a temperate climate(The Architectural Science Association, 2013)This volume contains the refereed papers of the 47th International Architectural Science Association Conference 2013, held at the School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China, They provide a snapshot of current cutting ...
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ItemComparing mixing ventilation and displacement ventilation in university classrooms(ZEMCH Network, 2018-01-29)There are two main types of mechanical ventilation systems: the mixing ventilation (MV) and the displacement ventilation (DV). The aim of this work is to compare their performance in terms of ventilation efficiency, air temperature, relative humidity, size-resolved particle concentrations, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, and energy consumption. We performed a field investigation in two side-by-side classrooms installed with the two different ventilation systems. The energy consumptions were measured by i) a heat meter to measure the energy extracted by chilled water supplied, and ii) a power analyser to measure energy consumed by the ventilation fan. We also monitor indoor air dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 concentrations in real-time for both rooms. It was found that the classroom with DV system consumed more energy. The unexpected high energy consumption can be attributable to the improved ventilation, CO2 and humidity control in DV room. Air temperature stratification were observed in DV room, but both room achieved similar volume-averaged temperate. We also found lower particle concentrations in both rooms compared to outdoor levels.
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ItemPilot study on IEQ of an aged-care facility in Victoria(ZEMCH Network, 2018-01-29)Australian population is ageing. The proportion of Australian population over 65 years old has been increased and it is projected to be 25% in 2042. Although the Victorian Government has promoted ageing in place under home care package services, there is still a genuine need to provide more residential aged care services to satisfy the needs. The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of residential aged care facilities is closely related to the health and well-being of residents living there. In this pilot study, the Adare Supported Residential Services (SRS) in Victoria is selected as the site for investigation. Some sensors are deployed in both communal areas and residents’ rooms to collect transient data on IEQ parameters, including carbon dioxide concentration, dry bulb temperature, radiant temperature, relative humidity and illumination level. Data collected is analysed and the links between outdoor environmental conditions and IEQ parameters are investigated. Limitations of this pilot study are discussed and recommendations for the full study are provided.
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ItemEvaluating the Practice and Outcomes of Applying Regenerative Development to a Large-Scale Project in Victoria, Australia(MDPI AG, 2018-02-09)Regenerative development is one of the critical pathways or processes towards an ecological worldview and a built environment in synergy with the natural environment. This vision aims to restore and support environmental, social and economic flows from a systems perspective. While regenerative development has been discussed in theory and applied to some projects, very few studies have analysed the processes that support its emergence. Our study investigates the design process of an ongoing development project, “Seacombe West” in Victoria, Australia. It evaluates the design outputs, using the LENSES Framework (Living Environments in Natural, Social, and Economic Systems) which is specifically designed to facilitate the emergence of regenerative development thinking. The project included a series of four workshops that led to a set of guidelines that in turn were used to design a masterplan. We evaluate the resulting guidelines, the masterplan, and the experience of the participants through an online survey (70% response rate) and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. Our results show that using LENSES encouraged systems thinking and helps facilitate a transdisciplinary approach towards regenerative development. This evaluation provides insights into how regenerative development can emerge in projects and how the potential for net benefit can be embedded.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableHow Could Sustainability Transition Theories Support Practice-Based Strategic Planning?(Springer, 2018-01-01)Theories of sustainability transitions aim to explain the processes, pathways and actors that are involved in transformations in technologies and practices. Whilst there is a growing body of research developing theoretical understandings, there has been less documented on how theories are utilised and applied by practitioners themselves. This chapter reports on a case study that investigated whether provision of targeted information on theories of sustainability transitions could strengthen organisational strategic planning. If planning is informed by transition theories, would this assist and strengthen organisational visioning, ambition and confidence? The research focuses on Moreland Energy Foundation Limited (MEFL), a community-based not-for-profit organisation working on sustainable energy and climate change action in Melbourne, Australia. During 2014–2015, MEFL developed a new strategic plan. As part of this process, theories of sustainability transitions were presented to the organisation’s Board and staff, to support the strategic planning and to investigate the theories’ roles in the planning process. It was found that inclusion of the sustainability transitions theoretical framework led to the organisation explicitly defining its shared ‘model of change’, reinforcing the organisation’s conceptualisation of its role as an ‘intermediary’ between grassroots and governments. The process demonstrated the potential impact of research-practice partnerships in strategic planning. However the findings also highlighted the continuing challenges of connecting research and practice.
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ItemSustainability vs. pedagogy: synergies and tensions to be resolved in the design of learning environments(The Architectural Science Association, 2015)Learning environments in schools are purpose-built spaces. They are designed to be places of learning and are inclusive of the building structure, the furniture, fixtures, incorporated technology and learning resources. In the 21st century, it has become common practice for the design of new learning environments to be driven by issues of contemporary pedagogy and environmental sustainability. However the question that remains unanswered is what are the synergies and tensions between achieving environmental sustainability and contemporary pedagogy within the same learning environment? The purpose of this paper is to stimulate conversation around this topic. The findings relate to three researcher’s observation over a seven year period of learning environments research, undertaken at The University of Melbourne as part of the Learning Environments Applied Research Network (LEaRN) and two Australian Research Council Linkage Projects Smart Green Schools and Future Proofing Schools. Discussion of these observations highlights some of the issues and/or opportunities, which include more targeted research on how to deliver learning environments that are 3D textbooks; holistically integrated biophilic design, and greater occupant control of indoor environment quality.