In the mid 2000s a company called
TBB was appointed by the Subiaco Re-Development Authority to elicit
ideas, drawings and recommendations on what should be done with the
Fine China site. The Fine China site was a very large piece of land
in central Subiaco with some heritage listed buildings and a
factory on it.
The local council was aware
residents were keen for something appropriate to be done with land.
As part of the process, TBB approached Ecotect-Architects to
conceptualise and submit drawings and a master plan that would
complement the environment and where sub-divisions would maximise
use of solar access.
The architects at Ecotect-Architects
made constructive use of the heritage listing building and factory
in which they made them central to their design theme as people
like history and old buildings. The architects also carefully
ensured the placement and location of roads and lots would take
advantage of solar access and reduce potential noise pollution. The
planned integration of houses, galleries, cafes, waterways and
vegetation corridors also ensured human behaviour and insect
movement was integrated. The easy movement of bees, frogs, birds
and other animals is critical to the health and wellbeing of humans
which means vegetation corridors and waterways form part of climate
sensible urban design. As part of the process, Ecotect-Architects
liaised with builders, engineers, hydraulics' professionals,
economists, residents and others to ensure the design would enhance
Subiaco as a healthy and sought-after place to
live.
It is understood a different
developer was appointed the job and the land was; subsequently,
carved up to maximise a financial return on investment. This is
disheartening as humans gravitate toward vegetation, waterways and
appealing buildings and get turned off by building after building.
Nonetheless, other councils and property developers are realising
the significant 'long-term' return-on-investment on carving up land
that takes advantage of solar access.