The design of the new Mona Vale Surf Club on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Regenerative-led design driving sustainability Warren and Mahoney’s Sarah Campbell advises how the practice incorporates leading-edge sustainability practices in its designs
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ever before have we yearned so greatly for the outdoors an environment we are truly starting to understand needs our protection in order to sustain our needs. This signals an enormous opportunity for recreational design to become the gateway to both nature and vibrant community connection. As the design lead of some of Australasia’s most impressive new sports and recreation facilities, architecture firm Warren and Mahoney provides a playbook of lessons on how to maximise the benefits of exercise while anticipating future needs and future-proofing the environment through world-class sustainability practices. In the last issue of Australasian Leisure Management we highlighted our work at the recently completed La Trobe Sports Stadium, with its 6 Star Green Star rating - the highest Green Star rating bearing a competency level of ‘World Standard’. The team has also led the design of the Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with work set to begin on the clubhouse as summer fades. A similar timeframe is expected for Melbourne’s Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre - also striving for 6 Stars. The design for the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre in suburban Melbourne.
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Each of these impressive new places boasts market-leading sustainability credentials - comprehensive environmental considerations and community-centric spaces to maximise use and commercial opportunities. Warren and Mahoney Principal Architect, Daryl Maguire explains “as designers of the built environment, we are acutely aware of both the opportunities and the responsibilities inherent in our work. As people, we know our ability to enjoy life is symbiotic with a harmonious environment. “During the last decade, the practice has reduced the carbon intensity of its operations by more than 40%, and is on track to meet its long-term sustainability goals. And our 2030 Vision is centred around a mindset of ‘climate regenerative design’. “As a business with an acute understanding that any project we embark on has some impact - we have an obligation to mitigate this is by operating with lower emissions, support a sustainable supply chain and enable our communities to live less carbon intensive lives. “In 10 years - in line with client ambitions and that of the World Green Building Council - all new projects designed by Warren and Mahoney will be carbon neutral in operation, be 50% more energy efficient and have 40% less embodied carbon.” Noting that the practice offsets unavoidable emissions, like travel, through regenerating native forests and by supporting developing countries to reduce their fossil fuel use, Maguire states “we stand proudly as part of the Climate Leaders Coalition of New Zealand and as signatories of the Architects Declare Climate Emergency in both New Zealand and Australia. But we know it is important to make more than just statements and to also make actions with outcomes that can be proven by facts and data. “We support the development of sustainable design in line with the World Green Building Council’s Advancing Net Zero targets and the Bringing Embodied Carbon Upfront initiative. Warren and Mahoney also actively endorses the GBCA’s
