Friday 15 October 2010
A PERTH eco architect has slammed Australia's attitude toward
constructing and demolishing buildings every 40 years.
Mr James Shaw of Ecotect-Architects said this trend was
unsustainable and people needed to ask why nothing had been done to
stop it.
"As eco architects we ask why little has been done to curtail
this practice," said Mr Shaw.
"We cannot understand why this 'throw away mentality' has been
allowed to continue, particularly when we as a nation need to
reduce our carbon emissions," he said.
"If anything, buildings should be built to last the distance and
have a lifespan of at least a few hundred years and not 40!
"In fact, some of the most beautiful and popular buildings in
Europe are more than 200 years old.
"These solid older buildings have generous sized rooms with high
ceilings, thick walls and are more compliant with passive solar
principles than many modern buildings.
"It is as though designers 200 years ago knew what was needed in
2010," he said.
Mr Shaw said everything designed and built in Australia should
be excellent in quality and use the least amount of embodied energy
before, during and after the design and building phases.
He said builders and those commissioning new buildings should
receive reports that detail how long a building will last and the
amount of embodied energy needed to construct and maintain it.
"If anything, it is up to our political representatives to amend
and introduce legislation that requires a significant and rapid
shift toward sustainable building practices," said Mr Shaw.
Mr Shaw said the federal government's decision in July this year
to introduce compulsory energy efficiency certificates for
commercial building landlords was a good first step with the next
being to legislate for all new buildings to have sustainability
certificates.
... / Ends
Further
Information
Mr James Shaw: Tel: 0422 622 144 or 08-9286 3811
(Journalist) Jacinta Goerke: Tel: 0412 338813