The export of Chinese architecture to the Third World; China's international role in development. This project examines the global dimension of nation building through an investigation into the export of Chinese architecture to the Third World as part of its overseas aid programs between 1956 and 1989. Australia's bilateral relationship with China is one of our most important, and the overseas aid program is an important aspect of our foreign policy. This research will advance the national inter ....The export of Chinese architecture to the Third World; China's international role in development. This project examines the global dimension of nation building through an investigation into the export of Chinese architecture to the Third World as part of its overseas aid programs between 1956 and 1989. Australia's bilateral relationship with China is one of our most important, and the overseas aid program is an important aspect of our foreign policy. This research will advance the national interest through: a substantial increase in the knowledge of China's international role in the Third World; evaluation of the cultural significance of overseas aid programs; and conceptual reformulation of the relationship between nation building and global space.Read moreRead less
WHAT IS URBAN CHARACTER? Defining, Constructing and Regulating Urban Place Identity. Urban character has become a key concept in the discourse and practice of urban development, used to defend valued places against what is seen as inappropriate development. This project will study the 3-way relations between design practice, urban regulation and urban character outcomes. How is urban character experienced in everyday life? How is it defined and constructed in public discourse? How is it created ....WHAT IS URBAN CHARACTER? Defining, Constructing and Regulating Urban Place Identity. Urban character has become a key concept in the discourse and practice of urban development, used to defend valued places against what is seen as inappropriate development. This project will study the 3-way relations between design practice, urban regulation and urban character outcomes. How is urban character experienced in everyday life? How is it defined and constructed in public discourse? How is it created through design innovation and protected through planning regulation? The project will produce a critical re-thinking of the complex issues framing the urban character debate and contribute to the development of sustainable, equitable and innovative urban futures.Read moreRead less
Future Proofing Schools: using smart green integrated design approaches to prefabricated learning environments. This project draws on multi-disciplinary approaches to set the groundwork of major transformations of prefabricated classrooms, with the use of advanced materials, smart information systems embedded in the classrooms, better placement on sites, and use of more efficient construction techniques, allowing a transformation of this Australian industry. Our research will promote an innovati ....Future Proofing Schools: using smart green integrated design approaches to prefabricated learning environments. This project draws on multi-disciplinary approaches to set the groundwork of major transformations of prefabricated classrooms, with the use of advanced materials, smart information systems embedded in the classrooms, better placement on sites, and use of more efficient construction techniques, allowing a transformation of this Australian industry. Our research will promote an innovation culture and economy within the school and for future generations, and will have flow-on effects into promoting a healthy start to life in which smart, green, and educational imperatives are aligned. This will assist in strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric. Read moreRead less
Smart Green Schools: Educational and Environmental Outcomes of Innovation in School Building Design. The research touches upon many of the key National Research Priorities. Children spend a large proportion of their waking hours within a school environment. A healthy school environment which efficiently uses energy resources and information technology will help ' strengthen Australia's social economic fabric' in the longer term and support student engagement. Children's inhabitation of virtual s ....Smart Green Schools: Educational and Environmental Outcomes of Innovation in School Building Design. The research touches upon many of the key National Research Priorities. Children spend a large proportion of their waking hours within a school environment. A healthy school environment which efficiently uses energy resources and information technology will help ' strengthen Australia's social economic fabric' in the longer term and support student engagement. Children's inhabitation of virtual space as 'native' users of information rich 'frontier technologies' will be complemented by buildings acting as 3D textbooks educating children about an 'environmentally sustainable Australia' and providing feedback on design innovations intended to save 'water' and 'minimise environment impacts' on land and climate.Read moreRead less
The Architecture of Academic Research. In pursuit of increased and more innovative research there has been substantial expenditure in the construction of research environments yet little independent evaluation of their impact. The results of this project are crucial in determining future best practice in the design and operation of research environments. It will support the Australian design industry to achieve better outcomes in tertiary facilities here and abroad. More broadly, the architectur ....The Architecture of Academic Research. In pursuit of increased and more innovative research there has been substantial expenditure in the construction of research environments yet little independent evaluation of their impact. The results of this project are crucial in determining future best practice in the design and operation of research environments. It will support the Australian design industry to achieve better outcomes in tertiary facilities here and abroad. More broadly, the architectural profession and university sectors will gain critical insights into each other's working methods and needs. Ultimately, this project will help to improve the effectiveness of research in Australian universities. Read moreRead less