Tag Archives: Ecotect-Architects

Eco Compound is 17 years young!

17 years ago the Eco Compound project was passed for construction by the Cottesloe Council.

Eco Compound

It seemed to be a turning point in thinking at the time. We buried a time under the house explaining why there was such a strong focus was on Sustainable Architecture from the beginning of the 20th Century.

See the then Mayor Rob Rowell and then leader of the Opposition / future Premier Colin Barnett, Julia Hayes and Garry Baverstock putting some weight into the shovel.

Mayor Rob Rowell and then leader of the Opposition / future Premier Colin Barnett, Julia Hayes and Garry Baverstock

Passive solar design of houses is needed more than ever. Energy efficiency measures are a step forward but it really is up to the community to do something positive to avert Climate Change. Building a passive Solar home or retro-fitting to lower energy use is still the most effective way

to lower emissions in the atmosphere. Ecotect Architects can advise you on this.

Unfortunately the architecture and building professions have over the last decade taken the foot off the pedal in pushing this invaluable approach to home design.

Now that Climate Change ravages are starting to bite into our economic future, it is time for a resurgence in designing and building our homes to maximise energy efficiency. We need to use the sun to maximize the heat our homes in winter and ventilate and shade for natural cooling in summer.

Innovative New Wing for Indigenous Aboriginals

Ecotect architect, James Shaw, is excited about the design aspects of one of his new projects. The Mandurah Retirement Village (MRV) currently has around 100 beds and provides comprehensive services that range from independent living units to specific wings for dementia patients. A 20 bed extension wing is planned in the South West corner of the MRV to specifically accommodate elderly and homeless indigenous Aboriginals.

James Shaw at Ecotect Architects office in Cottesloe

An MRV First

This is the first time that the MRV has incorporated a specific wing in consideration of the special needs of elderly Aboriginal people by housing them in a special wing of their own due to their cultural linkages. In the design, James stated that these people needed to be together when old as they relate better with their own kind and they can age with dignity in a compassionate environment.

The wing in the South West corner will be accessible from the external road while still being linked to shared health services, but slightly separated from the main complex. It will have its own kitchen and communal areas and a series of interlinking courtyards. All units will face North to maximise light and the complex will be a passive solar building. The units will all open onto verandas which will be adjacent to courtyards and provide the cultural affinity indigenous people have to the outdoors.

The design is in its early stages and James is liaising with the regional Communications Manager for Aboriginal Health Services, George Wally. MRV manager, Don Pember, who has extensive experience in this field working up north in WA, instigated the project. As the design develops, James Shaw will provide further updates to this highly innovative project by Ecotect Architects.

Photo Credits: Nick Melidonis, www.nickmelidonis.com

Re-visiting the Architectural Design of the Mandurah Retirement Village

Dementia Wing: Mandurah Retirement Village

The existing dementia wing within the village has been designed by Ecotect to maximise the passive solar nature of the site. An example of this innovative design is that all bedroom windows, regardless of whether they face North or South access North light with their specially designed high level windows.

The bedrooms are clustered in two wings around a central garden courtyard with a ‘Wandering’ path with all rooms looking out onto landscaped garden court areas. Another feature is the clear and simple route from the bedrooms to the communal dining area which is located away from the main circulating spaces. This means that dementia patients are not agitated by excessive movement of staff going about their daily routines.

Communal Dining Area

The communal dining area has been set out into niches creating intimate spaces. Again, this area obtains North light and warmth throughout the depth of the space with the use of high level clerestory windows and has space views onto the gardens and main central court.

There is potential for secure internal and external circulation ‘wandering’ routes with points of interest along the way. Further enhancements include smaller intimate spaces in the library entrance, sunroom, passage niche, central court solar pergola and dining solar pergola.

Storage facilities are also well designed and incorporate a functional service yard and service equipment storage area.

Ecotect-Architects take pride in designing facilities such as these to maximise light, functionality and enjoyment of life for patients and a great working environment for the carers.

Swanbourne Sculpture for all Seasons

Award winning WA sculptor, Max Ball, has recently unveiled a stunning metal masterpiece.

His artistic design is currently gracing a vacant block earmarked for an environmentally and community sensitive residential village in Swanbourne.

Leading Perth architect, Garry Baverstock AM, approached Max, also an architect, in late 2015 to commission him to come up with an innovative and inspirational public artwork. The final work would reflect the spirit that lies at the heart of the new Swanbourne Village that is in the final planning process.

The Swanbourne Sculpture Design

Max’s design concepts immediately turned towards nature and natural forms. Polished stainless steel together with metal parts that will rust with time, provided a rich, tactile texture representing lemon tree leaves. This reflected the Mediterranean aesthetic that was Garry’s creative design concept for the village.

Max described his new work as having “Fluid curving lines with thin stemlike members and leaf forms. I wanted to achieve a visual sense of growth and a striving for height whilst maintaining a connection to the ground. I have used a rust staining steel for the lower leaves to visually anchor the piece to the ground and stainless steel for those reaching to the sky. A vine like support framework holds the leaves in place whilst allowing subtle wind movement with variations of colour and light reflection.”

The public can see and enjoy Max’s striking work of art on the corner of Congdon and Railway Streets, Swanbourne.

Ecotect Architects is a leading, award-winning architectural practice that provides tailored, professional services to people who want to live and work in energy efficient urban designed buildings that are water and energy efficient. Click on Environmental Architects Perth to see more.

Photo Credits; Nick Melidonis, www.nickmelidonis.com