Lecturer to lift lid on top tropical design ideas
The community’s thirst for knowledge about tropical architecture has prompted a Charles Darwin University lecturer to reveal some of the construction industry’s best-kept secrets at a meeting in Darwin this evening [27 April].
Building design drafting lecturer Lisa Jeffery said she would discuss several key “passive design principles” at the National Association of Women in Construction’s two-hour workshop at Casuarina campus from 5.30pm.
“These are principles that have the potential to reduce costs and to improve the standard of living for residents in the greater Darwin area,” Ms Jeffery said.
“Anyone wanting to build, buy or renovate may implement these ideas to achieve the maximum benefit.”
Ms Jeffery said she was aware that many new and established residents wanted to “do better” but were uncertain how; or even if it were possible.
“It is possible to build a cool, comfortable home that has a low environmental footprint and that doesn’t look like a southern-style box,” she said.
“The trick is to make it work for today’s rules and regulations, land sizes, design covenants, and which overcomes today’s challenges in property crime, noise pollution and changing seasonal conditions.
“I’ll talk about some of the tried and tested ideas for capturing prevailing breezes, limiting dry season dust and creating shade in all the right places. And it need not cost more than houses currently being built.”
Ms Jeffery said there would be a practical component to tonight’s workshop that would allow participants an opportunity to design a small studio.
“I will show them how to sketch in perspective, how to illustrate their ideas, and encourage them to be creative with materials and shapes.
“With the right knowledge, everyone can play their part in shaping their built environment.”
Ms Jeffery said she had been involved in construction and design for all her life, including the past seven years as a lecturer at CDU.
“I’m from a family of builders. I was a building design student at CDU before moving into the industry proper and now I teach what I know.
“With a bit of luck, some of tonight’s workshop participants might enrol in the Building Design Drafting course that we’ll be running from semester two.
“There are great careers for graduates with the skills and knowledge to design buildings optimally suited to tropical conditions.”
Tonight’s workshop, hosted by NAWIC NT, is open to the public but limited to 24 participants. It will be held in the Drafting Studio (Orange 11.2.17), Casuarina campus from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
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