10 minute read
Five by Five: Five minutes with... Andrew Barrett, TPA, Smithfield, QLD Ian Fry, TPA, Castle Hill, NSW Lee Pattinson, Building Designer, Fitzroy, Vic. Adam Butcher, Building Designer, Ardross, WA Irene Coveney, Building Designer, Stoneville, WA
Five by Five
Five minutes with….
Andrew Barrett, Director/Sustainability Consultant, Green at Heart, Smithfield, QLD.
greenatheart.com.au
Why he joined Design Matters National…
Design Matters National represents professional energy efficiency certifiers and provides excellent support to our industry through professional development and accreditation. It is also an organisation that supports many of our clients who are building designers so it is important for us to support them, too.
Favourite software tool…
BERS Pro. I am much more of a visual person so having a tool that allows me to draw the plans rather than just enter data appeals to me.
Biggest challenge….
The global financial crisis and changes to government programs and legislation have been our biggest business challenge. We were working on a number of government programs at the time and this changed rather quickly which meant reducing our staff. By diversifying our offerings, making sure we have great customer service and offer expertise and support to our regular clients, we have continued to grow.
Why he became a thermal performance assessor…
Living in Far North Queensland, I am passionate about the natural environment. With the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage areas close, the importance of minimising the impact of the building environment on these wonders is very important to me. I also want to see people living comfortably while minimising their impact on the environment.
What he’s working on now…
I’m working with some great building designers on ways to reduce energy use in multi residential buildings. By looking at passive design and materials that can reduce energy use, we can make a real difference in providing affordable housing that benefits our environment.
How energy rating and energy efficiency have changed over the years…
We started Green at Heart in 2003 when the NCC introduced a requirement for energy efficiency requirements in buildings and a suite of thermal performance tools were developed. The software available has changed so much over the years and is much more responsive to passive design features and being able to test different options to increase the star rating and thermal comfort. The climate zones and backend information are also a lot more accurate. I think the move towards having independent certification by a qualified assessor is essential as we need to be accountable, particularly as these features are being more sought after by homeowners and those building new houses and renovating existing houses.
Five minutes with…
Ian Fry, Founder/Director, Frys Energywise, Castle Hill, NSW and Member of the DMN TASC Force.
frysenergywise.com.au
Why he joined the BDAV/Design Matters National…
I joined what was then the Building Designers Association of Victoria (BDAV), in 2012. I was previously accredited with ABSA (I still hold dual accreditation) however, I complete all my assessments with DMN and utilise their CPD training. My main reason for joining was partly financial, due to the introduction of the additional ABSA certificate fee, but also due to the extent of training being offered to assessors through the BDAV.
Favourite software tool…
I am currently exclusively using Bers Pro software however, I am looking to add more assessors to my team who are trained in other software licenses so we can offer more options for our clients.
Biggest challenge…
One of the most recent challenges we had in our business was dealing with the volume created in the new housing market with the HomeBuilder grant in response to COVID. Being very project-builder focused, we found most of our major clients’ sales went through the roof. The heat has come off a little now that the grant has ceased. The next biggest challenge in NSW lies ahead, dealing with the shortage of developed land and the advanced sales created by the grant. I can see a slight downturn, albeit there is still plenty of demand, so I am hoping to be proven wrong.
Why he became a Thermal Performance Assessor…
After spending almost 30 years in the building industry working for some of Australia’s largest corporates, including the Australian Gas Light Company, Pioneer Building Products, and AV Jennings, I decided it was time to be my own boss. Using my knowledge in sales and marketing, residential construction, and relationship building, I began to lean on a few contacts and I was able to establish a very successful business partnering with some of NSW’s leading home builders in delivering BASIX and NatHERS assessments, as well as providing advice in helping to meet the everchanging thermal-building requirements.
Why he joined the TASC Force…
One of the areas that currently concerns me is the quality of assessments in the market. I have come across many assessments completed by other assessors, predominately in NSW, where their knowledge and understanding of building is very poor. I see a real need to improve the knowledge of building and construction among DMN-accredited assessors. I am looking forward to working with the other Members of the TASC Force team to introduce more training in this area. Regular and more consistent auditing, I think, also needs to be high on the agenda to help not only improve the quality of the assessments but also help protect our profession.
How energy rating and energy efficiency have changed over the years…
Being a TPA in 2008 meant working in a very different environment to what it is now. In NSW, BASIX was still very green (excuse the pun). There was very little training, and the NatHERS handbook was not even thought of. The short course in Building Thermal Performance (Residential) was just three days long and it was essentially training in the software only. The building industry was also learning on the run; some might say they are still learning on the run. Today, I am watching with interest the changing climate of our industry with the new 2022 version of the NCC; the proposed changes being put forward; the revised NSW Planning SEPP; and the ongoing discussions surrounding mandatory disclosure. I am really excited about the future.
Five by Five
Lee is finishing his final year of study at Box Hill Institute at night, and working as a building designer by day.
Five minutes with….
Lee Pattinson, Building Designer, Bellhaus Design Office, Fitzroy, Vic., and Student of Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) at Box Hill Institute, Vic..
Why he joined Design Matters National…
To gain valuable industry knowledge and to be a part of the building design community.
Favourite finish or feature…
Concrete. It’s so honest and varied in appearance and usage.
Favourite architectural style…
Modernism.
Favourite Australian building…
Sorry, I can’t choose a favourite but I love the Cairo Flats by Acheson Best Overend. They are up the road from my work and I love peeking in every time I walk past.
Favourite international building…
Church of The Light, by Tadao Ando. I’m in no way religious, but the simple concrete form is very spiritual.
Biggest challenge…
Staying up to date with new design trends and technologies. Our industry moves so fast.
What he’s working on now…
Lots of residential projects at work, while finishing my final year of study at Box Hill Institute at night.
His favourite subjects…
I really liked the unit ‘Design Sustainable Buildings’. I learnt heaps about efficient thermal performance design and unexpectedly we were also taught to use the NatHERS Energy Rating Software (FirstRate 5 and Hero). They are in fact fantastic design tools and my company has now incorporated this software into it’s workflow. In the past, we would be at the building permit stage when we would find there were issues with the NatHERS rating, this would mean making changes that would dramatically affect the design and budget. We now use thermal performance software at concept stage as a design tool. By doing so, we can make cost-effective changes early on to achieve projects with excellent thermal performance.
Designer currently inspiring him…
Mel Bright from Studio Bright. Her forms are so contemporary yet, I feel, will age really well.
Lee’s biggest challenge is staying up to date with new design trends and technologies. “Our industry moves so fast,” Lee said.
Five by Five
Five minutes with….
Adam Butcher, Director, Darklight Design, Ardross, WA.
darklightdesign.com.au
Why he joined Design Matters National…
To continue our growth as a design firm on the national stage.
Favourite finish or feature…
Landscaping and bringing in natural elements of external spaces.
Favourite architectural style…
BOLD.
Favourite Australian building…
Vader House by Andrew Maynard Architects (now Austin Maynard Architects).
Favourite international building…
Chicken Point Cabin by Olson Kundig Architects.
Biggest challenge…
Biggest business challenge is continually remaining in a forward gear and not getting stale in our design process or outcomes. We are always reviewing growing trends and challenging ourselves internally to be better for every project.
What he’s working on now…
We have designed and documented a new type of independent living unit in Western Australia that focuses on small-lot living. By reducing the lot/house size and then creating greater connection to larger, community-based green spaces, it has provided better social connection and community involvement for the elderly residents. Not only has the affordability been increased but social exclusion has been reduced and residents are now more inclined to interact externally with the neighbouring residents.
Favourite projects…
Rural and bushfire-prone areas are my favourite projects. Having grown up on a cattle and dairy farm in the southwest of Western Australia, I always enjoy the opportunity to reconnect with the farming districts and bushland areas away from the city.
Designer currently inspiring him…
Jerry Wolveridge from Wolveridge Architects.
Adam enjoys opportunities to reconnect with farming districts and bushland areas away from the city.
Five by Five
Five Minutes With...
Irene Coveney, Director, Coveney Browne Design, Stoneville, WA.
coveneybrowne.com.au
Why she joined BDAWA/DMN…
Joining the BDAWA provided good opportunities to meet other professionals at networking events and keep up to date with my professional development. In 2015, we established our own practice, Coveney Browne Design, which provided me with greater flexibility as a parent and better prospects to further develop my career. I discovered the pros and cons of working from home long before COVID-19 arrived. No wasted commute time, flexible hours and the option to wear Ugg boots at your desk are all a huge bonus! But, as many others discovered in 2020, it’s important to avoid becoming isolated both socially and professionally. I meet up with former colleagues and friends within the industry as often as I can.
Favourite architectural style…
I don’t like to limit myself to a favourite style. My design philosophy is to create buildings that are timeless, beautiful and of their place. My focus is on producing elegant spaces that produce a feeling of calm and wellbeing.
Favourite finish or feature…
Material and finish selections are contextual for each project. I enjoy using natural materials to create a gentle, contemporary aesthetic.
Favourite Australian building…
I’ve always admired the homes designed by both Gabriel Poole and Glenn Murcutt.
Favourite international building…
I would have to say the San Christobal Stable & Egerstrom House by Luis Barragan, for its bold use of colour, simplicity of form, and timeless elegance. This is probably inspired in part by my own great love of horses.
Moving to Australia…
I graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1995 with an Honours degree in Architecture. I have been fortunate to work for some very inspirational Architectural practices over my career, in Dublin, Sydney and Perth.
Overcoming a challenge…
After several years of full-time work, I took a short career break to start a family in 2003. I re-entered the workforce in a part-time capacity, which allowed me to balance my career with raising two young children. Having migrated to Australia from Ireland, my husband Niall and I were totally reliant on paid childcare for after-school and vacation care, so a reduced working week for at least one of us was crucial.
Being half of a family architectural design practice…
Having worked together previously, Niall and I already had a good professional relationship outside of our married life. We have different but complimentary skills which have evolved over 28 years together, so we’re a pretty good team!
The importance of diversity…
The field of architecture has traditionally been male dominated, but statistics show that companies with greater gender balance perform better and provide a more positive environment for all employees. Diversity is important whether designing for the needs of the community or individual families.
