Environmental

The philosophy of “Green Architecture” is gaining ground. Simple adaptions to suit our climate are all that is needed to achieve a satisfactory internal environment without excess energy input. The energy costs associated with constructing and running a building are significant, yet there is often little consideration of this at the design stage.

We need to:-

- look at energy life cycle costing,
- give more consideration to the environmental credentials of our building services and materials
- Make better use of passive heating and cooling techniques
- Minimise and effectively deal with waste..

Roger has had a long association with the centre, which began when the Caloundra based Estuarine Research Group leased three single mens' quarters within the Beerwah Forest Centre in 1989. Roger designed an amenities block built to high environmental standards. The centre was later run by the Australian Marine Conservation Society and has made an important contributation to environmental education, community action and awareness.

Medium density housing needs better acceptance if we hope to preserve areas of natural environment. The Sea & Sky Units at Golden Beach use fibro cladding with a texture finishes. this allows use of colour and minimises maintenance.  Sun control is carefully considered .The style is reminiscent of the 50s and 60s beach houses. The Project won the Sunshine Coast Housing Industry Association's (HIA) Energy Efficiency Award for 2000

We are fortunate that our climate is so benign that protection from the elements is not an issue of survival. But there is a downside. There is not the incentive for improvement. We see energy efficiency as being a marginal issue, and we are affluent enough to simply waste energy on additional heating or cooling.

The Queenslanders show us a tradition of light weight construction, timber detailing, cross ventilation and concern for shading. Beach houses reflect a relaxed lifestyle, make use of new and efficient materials, and strive for simple, effective building techniques. Engineering for cyclone resistance has improved markedly in recent decades. Our climate gives us the ability to utilise external areas as extended living space. Many Sunshine Coast architects are learning from the past and striving for better solutions. It has been suggested that a regional style is developing.

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