Heritage Buildings and Sustainability

"We see a very natural connection between conservation and sustainability. Our work is all about sustaining the use of heritage buildings in the broadest possible sense – culturally, programmatically, economically, socially, environmentally. Climate change adds an imperative to what we do every day: creating sustainable futures for significant buildings… “

Anne- Marie Treweeke, Lovell Chen Architects, 2023

Heritage buildings offer cultural value and a sense of place – they celebrate their distinctive historical and cultural features, help to shape our cultural identity and have a very important role as contributors to sustainability.
Architects designing with traditional buildings adapt existing structures and add new technologies to enhance performance and functionality. Through this “adaptive reuse” they turn ageing offices into flexible workspaces, derelict yards into shopping districts and industrial buildings into homes, as well as extending the life of heritage structures and upgrading their performance.
Preserving and enhancing the “passive design” aspects of traditional buildings can help reduce reliance on mechanical systems and consequent high energy use. Adaptive reuse is an important template for our post-COVID/energy-challenged future.

Mecca is pleased to present a CPD webinar comprising a panel of Australia’s leading heritage architects on June 13, 2023, to discuss the relationship between heritage buildings and sustainable building outcomes.
Led by Anne-Marie Treweeke (Lovell Chen), the panel will present case studies of their significant heritage projects and explain how they have positively influenced sustainable outcomes.
Case studies from – Perth Concert Hall, Rose Bay Cottage, Jones Bay Wharf, Westpac Long Gallery, Maltings in Mittagong, Lake Margaret Power Station (Western Tasmania), Joynton Ave Creative Precinct & TMAG Hobart.

Within the context of presentations on the above case studies discussion will focus on:

• Adapting traditional buildings whilst enhancing performance and functionality.
• Passive Design principles in traditional buildings – improved thermal performance, sustainable building materials, improved ventilation, and fresh air.
• Addressing challenges of bringing older buildings into compliance with current building regulations, especially in relation to environmental sustainability
• Infusing the new with the old to enhance value and elicit a deeper level of understanding of what is significant.
• Decision making in terms of materials, finishes and furnishings about what to bring back and what is appropriate for current use

“Architects are very aware of the need to design for lower embodied carbon and the impacts of climate change. And building re-use is a primary tool for the industry in Australia, as most building materials are coming from elsewhere. Retention and transformation has to be our mantra…”.
Anne- Marie Treweeke, Lovell Chen Architects, 2023

OUR EXPERT PRESENTERS/PANEL

Alan Croker | Design 5
Alan Croker, founding director of Design 5 – Architects, has more than 40 years’ experience in conservation and new work on a broad range of projects. He has designed new buildings for culturally diverse groups and sensitive contexts but is most well-known for his conservation expertise. His firm has won numerous awards for projects in this field, including 4 Greenway Awards (NSW), 2 Lachlan Macquarie Awards (National), and 1 Architecture Medal (NSW).
 
Anne-Marie Treweeke | Lovell Chen Architects
Anne-Marie Treweeke is a key member of the Lovell Chen leadership team. She is a director, registered architect and Lovell Chen’s practice principal, bringing more than 30 years’ experience in architecture and master planning to the strategic role of high-level practice management. She is also key to the development and implementation of Lovell Chen’s sustainability strategy, which focuses on the use of Passive House principles, the adaptive reuse of buildings and fabric, regenerative design, building and utilities performance, biodiversity and First Nations considerations. Her projects include many of Melbourne’s landmark heritage buildings, including Melbourne University’s Old Quad — the first application in Australia of the adaptive reuse model PassivHaus EnerPHit to a building of state heritage significance.
 
Geoff Warn | With_Architecture Studio
Geoff is the Founding Partner and Creative Director of With_Architecture Studio, a design led architectural practice based in Perth. He was the Government Architect for Western Australia from 2013 to 2020 where he was involved in procurement for a number of key government projects, including the new WA Museum Boola Bardip and a number of key hospital projects.
 
Paul Jones | OMA
Paul Jones is a practising Architect and Adjunct Professor of the University of Queensland, with over 30 years’ experience working across Australia and Internationally. Paul is Director of the Australian office of OMA. Paul relocated to Hong Kong as OMA’s Regional Director in 2013. He assisted in the design leadership, management, and operations of OMA Asia, covering an array of regions and cultures. Works of the office included city making strategic visions, master planning, urban design, mixed-use, residential, commercial, cultural, preservation, retail and interior projects across China, Korea, Vietnam, Taipei, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand. Paul applies experience and knowledge of the international practice to the local context where OMA works in.
 
Paul Davies | Heritage Architect
Paul Davies is an experienced heritage architect specialising in conservation and adaptive reuse of heritage items and designing new structures on heritage sites. Paul is a respected expert witness, an acknowledged expert in church architecture, and experienced in heritage policy. Paul works sensitively and creatively with difficult heritage sites and prepares Conservations Management Plans, Heritage Studies, and Maintenance Plans along with master planning and feasibility studies