Internationally renowned architect, and Director of Marra+Yeh Architects, Carol Marra has been designing sustainable and climate-resilient single and multi-residential homes and masterplans for more than 20 years. Now, she has summarised her learnings in a new toolkit for homeowners.
The toolkit, aptly titled Design for Climate, Design for Change, addresses the key challenge facing home design today — building new houses and refurbishing existing homes to withstand the effects of climate change, including extreme heat, storms, floods, and bushfires.
“I created this toolkit to fill what I saw as a gap in the current literature available for homeowners,” Carol says. “Here, readers can access highly practical yet strategic steps to help fortify their homes against a range of extreme weather events.”
The toolkit contains research on historical precedents, contemporary case studies, and expert analysis of climate-resilient design strategies. Diagrams, drawings, and photography convey key concepts of climate-responsive design to enhance comfort, privacy, and liveability, with a particular focus on homes in a range of environments.
Drawing from personal experience, Carol reflects on her own home which she designed in the bushfire-prone Blue Mountains. “The house performs on so many levels — it’s warm and cozy in winter, cool and breezy in summer, bright on a cloudy day, and high and dry during the big storms,” Carol says. “Best of all, it is beautiful and calming.”
Marra+Yeh’s philosophy honours the wisdom of First Nations Australians, who have long managed the land with deep respect and understanding of its power. According to Carol, as nature calls for our active participation to ensure its wellbeing, our homes can reflect these changes by responding thoughtfully, embracing opportunities, and adapting to challenges.
Design for Climate, Design for Change is freely available to everyone online. To obtain your copy click here.
Enjoy reading Eco Voice? Please help us by purchasing a GIFT Voucher or send one to a friend and encourage people to purchase trees or seeds via The Native Shop – www.nativeshop.com.au
Plants, seeds & more delivered to your door!
www.nativeshop.com.au
Advertisement
