Knowledge

Sustainability

At Hames Sharley the philosophy of sustainability underpins our goal in enabling communities to flourish. It is one of our key values employed by all staff as we believe it is crucial in safeguarding the future. From the outset, we understand that our clients need to create assets that maintain or increase in value. This must be considered from an ecological, social and economic standpoint. Our design process takes this into account and is outlined by a three-fold approach that combines commercial intelligence, considering future risks and design; to create intergenerational assets that stand the test of time.

Hames Sharley define intergenerational assets as any type of natural or built asset that increases in value over time. To do this, we aim to design places that produce benefits to those that will use the space both in this generation and for generations to come.

Thumbnail for the article 'Towards a regenerative future' by Yaara Plaves, Paris Jacobs, Talia Uylaki, Dr Emil E. Jonescu

Towards a regenerative future

Yaara Plaves, Paris Jacobs, Talia Uylaki, Dr Emil E. Jonescu

Our Research & Development team recently undertook a study to explore the power of regenerative design as it impacts our work, our industry and our future – it’s the next frontier of sustainability.

Thumbnail for the article 'The journey towards Mandatory Climate Reporting: Are you ready?' by Yaara Plaves

The journey towards Mandatory Climate Reporting: Are you ready?

Yaara Plaves

In January 2025, the Australian Government’s long-awaited Mandatory Climate Reporting is due to be phased in for large Australian corporations and financial institutions - we are ready to work with clients on their sustainability journey.

Thumbnail for the article 'Shifting the tide'

Shifting the tide

Preparing our cities for rising sea levels

To better understand the impact of climate change, we recently investigated how different LGAs are approaching the imminent threats of Rising Sea Levels (RSL) and Rising Flooding, Coastal Erosion and Climate (RFCC) on our coastline morphology and communities.

Thumbnail for the article 'The shape of water' by Yaara Plaves, Madeleine Steele & Talia Uylaki

The shape of water

How regenerative design can save our public pools and improve water safety

Yaara Plaves, Madeleine Steele & Talia Uylaki

Australia is an urban coastal nation – we love the water and our well-known fascination with the beach and water is part of our cultural DNA. But despite the strong culture around water, recent figures reveal that drowning deaths are increasing. The infrastructure of public swimming pools is also fast approaching its use-by-date, meaning we’re falling short in meeting the contemporary and anticipated future needs of our communities. However, we believe design can help.

Thumbnail for the article 'Food for thought' by Talia Uylaki

Food for thought

Talia Uylaki

What are the current, and possible future initiatives food retailers in Australia have enacted to respond to the expectations of their consumers to be socially and environmentally proactive?

Thumbnail for the article 'Designing resilience against climate change' by Talia Uylaki

Designing resilience against climate change

Talia Uylaki

Without immediate action, people, the planet, and infrastructure will suffer the consequences of dying biodiversity, loss of habitat, rising global temperatures, rising sea levels, food shortages, catastrophic natural disasters (droughts, floods, bushfires, etc.), and we will see a new phenomenon in our modern world: climate refugees. Architecture and design firms can play a critical role in adapting our communities to climate change.

Thumbnail for the article 'Defining regenerative design'

Defining regenerative design

The foundation to systematic understanding, adoption and practice

The world is currently on the brink of irreversible damage due to climate change. At the 2019 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it was noted that many vulnerable communities had already started to experience food insecurity and ecosystem crises, with the projected rise in global temperatures set to cause such significant environmental damage that it would displace an estimated 200 million global citizens by 2050. That’s less than thirty years away.

Thumbnail for the article 'Is building with timber really sustainable?'

Is building with timber really sustainable?

Hailed as one of the most environmentally friendly building materials, timber is versatile, strong, renewable, and beautiful. However, wood is often associated with deforestation, and the frequency of forest fires have increased in recent years. And so, we ask Yaara Plaves: is building with timber really sustainable?

Thumbnail for the article 'An EPiC initiative to build more sustainable cities'

An EPiC initiative to build more sustainable cities

With global temperatures steadily increasing, sustainable design is more important than ever. But beyond constructing energy-efficient buildings, embracing biophilic design and finding clever ways to capture and recycle rainwater, architects must also consider the life cycle of their building materials for minimal impact on the environment.

Thumbnail for the article 'Getting back to nature'

Getting back to nature

Pressure on the environment is increasing and more than ever, there’s a need to dissipate that stress and its effect on our health. It’s the perfect time to realise the benefits of Biophilic Design…

Thumbnail for the article 'The Design Matrix'

The Design Matrix

How Simulated Environments are Shaping our Future

Exploiting the data provided by new technologies is making a big difference to the architectural process, with environmental simulations becoming increasingly important in early project design.

Thumbnail for the article 'Taking cars out of the urban planning equation' by Hayley Edwards and Oliver Fenner

Taking cars out of the urban planning equation

Hayley Edwards and Oliver Fenner

If cars are so detrimental to the health and wellbeing of our cities and their inhabitants, why haven’t we phased them out? We look at some of the issues involved, and how urban designers and architects can respond to the problem.

Thumbnail for the article 'Sustainability: why there’s more to it than you might think' by By the National Sustainability Forum

Sustainability: why there’s more to it than you might think

By the National Sustainability Forum

It’s no big secret that one of the greatest problems facing the world in the 21st century is stemming the decline in the environment. Everyone can – and indeed should – do their part to ensure that future generations need not contend with climate change and a collapsing ecosystem.

Thumbnail for the article 'Designing for Humanity' by By Georgina Spooner

Designing for Humanity

By Georgina Spooner

While conditions in refugee camps are often insufferable, is it time to start thinking outside these boxes? Hames Sharley Project Assistant and Member of the National Sustainability Forum (NSF) Georgina Spooner looks at how architects and designers can help the displaced to feel like they belong in our communities.

Thumbnail for the article 'We’re gonna need a bigger Allen key'

We’re gonna need a bigger Allen key

There’s no denying that flat-packed, modular furniture is well-established feature of the modern design landscape. Well, get ready, because plans are afoot for flat-packed, modular design to become part of the actual landscape, too.

Thumbnail for the article 'Reusing materials for LEED certification'

Reusing materials for LEED certification

Many building designers have started prioritising LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification in their projects over the past decade, as the industry has caught up with the need for better long-term design solutions. As a result, the reuse of building materials has increased.

Thumbnail for the article '6 ways biophilia can improve economic prosperity' by Darren Bilsborough

6 ways biophilia can improve economic prosperity

Darren Bilsborough

Based on his paper titled The Biophilic City: Can it Improve Economic Prosperity, here, Darren Bilsborough summarises his paper into six key areas: biodiversity, climate change, urban farming, cooler cities, bio-sequestration and health and productivity.

Thumbnail for the article 'Measuring the value of biophilia' by Hayley Edwards

Measuring the value of biophilia

Hayley Edwards

An increasing importance of investing in people has resulted in a reawakening of the philosophy of biophilia and the importance of biophilic design.

Thumbnail for the article 'World Environment Day' by Jacinta Houzer

World Environment Day

Jacinta Houzer

Humans are both the users and creators of their environment. Therefore, the need for environmental protection and improvement is of vital importance, and to highlight this, the United Nations have established a World Environment Day.

Thumbnail for the article 'Residential campaign' by Jacinta Houzer

Residential campaign

Jacinta Houzer

The way we fund and build apartments in Australia is just one of the factors contributing to the country’s housing-affordability crisis, however, an emerging financial model known as Baugruppen might help to solve the problem.

Thumbnail for the article 'How to sustain Australia’s rural-urban communities; a case study part 2' by Shannon O'Shea

How to sustain Australia’s rural-urban communities; a case study part 2

Shannon O'Shea

A Spatial Framework was developed in response to Serpentine Jarrahdale’s expected population growth and embodies the values and outcomes expressed by the Serpentine Jarrahdale residents.

Thumbnail for the article 'How to sustain Australia’s rural-urban communities; a case study part 1' by Shannon O'Shea

How to sustain Australia’s rural-urban communities; a case study part 1

Shannon O'Shea

Serpentine Jarrahdale have a predicted population growth of 1.5 million people in 20 years. Hames Sharley has assisted in creating a strategy and vision together with the Shire and the community.

Thumbnail for the article 'Staging a comeback' by Jacinta Houzer

Staging a comeback

Jacinta Houzer

Building infrastructure for global events can make or break a city – so what’s the best strategy for using these structures once the show’s over?

Thumbnail for the article 'When design comes naturally' by Peter Schwerzel

When design comes naturally

Peter Schwerzel

Architects and designers can learn a lot from Mother Nature – Peter Schwerzel looks at biomimetics and how taking cues from the world around us can produce outstanding results.

Thumbnail for the article 'Middle Metro Suburbs: Dotty and Mike’s Story' by Andrew Russell

Middle Metro Suburbs: Dotty and Mike’s Story

#Adelaide2027lifestyles - Part 1

Andrew Russell

Hames Sharley has been a proud contributor to Deloitte’s recent ‘Make it a plan Adelaide’ report released late last year. In part 1 of a continuing series, we follow Dotty and Mike’s story.

Thumbnail for the article 'Inner Urban: Pierre, Simone and Evette’s Story' by Andrew Russell

Inner Urban: Pierre, Simone and Evette’s Story

#Adelaide2027lifestyles - Part 2

Andrew Russell

Hames Sharley has been a proud contributor to Deloitte’s recent ‘Make it a plan Adelaide’ report released late last year. In part 2 of a continuing series, we follow Pierre, Simone and Evette’s Story.

Thumbnail for the article 'Transit Corridors: Peter and Bob’s Story' by Andrew Russell

Transit Corridors: Peter and Bob’s Story

#Adelaide2027lifestyles - Part 3

Andrew Russell

Hames Sharley has been a proud contributor to Deloitte’s recent ‘Make it a plan Adelaide’ report released late last year. In part 3 of a continuing series, we follow Peter and Bob’s Story.

Thumbnail for the article 'Middle Metro: David and Lucy’s Story' by Andrew Russell

Middle Metro: David and Lucy’s Story

#Adelaide2027lifestyles - Part 4

Andrew Russell

Hames Sharley has been a proud contributor to Deloitte’s recent ‘Make it a plan Adelaide’ report released late last year. In part 4 of a continuing series, we follow David and Lucy’s Story.

Thumbnail for the article 'City Central: Mai and Cheng’s Story' by Andrew Russell

City Central: Mai and Cheng’s Story

#Adelaide2027lifestyles - Part 5

Andrew Russell

Hames Sharley has been a proud contributor to Deloitte’s recent ‘Make it a plan Adelaide’ report released late last year. In part 5 of a continuing series, we follow Mai and Cheng’s Story.

Thumbnail for the article 'Bigger Adelaide, Better Lifestyles' by Andrew Russell

Bigger Adelaide, Better Lifestyles

Andrew Russell

Hames Sharley has been a proud contributor to Deloitte’s recent ‘Make it a plan Adelaide’ report. We share their view that a key strategy in transforming and growing South Australia’s economy is to grow its population.

Thumbnail for the article 'Drones to take on choppers?' by Michael Cooper

Drones to take on choppers?

Michael Cooper

Each year, 15 billion trees are chopped down. The rate at which they are felled currently makes it difficult to keep up with replenishing them. Fortunately, drones are now available to help…

Thumbnail for the article 'Geography students learn from Subiaco Case Study' by Jacinta Houzer

Geography students learn from Subiaco Case Study

Jacinta Houzer

Hames Sharley’s collaborative initiative to educate Year 7 students about Transport Oriented Developments (TOD) and interconnected communities.

Thumbnail for the article 'Designing communities that flourish' by Vanessa McDaid

Designing communities that flourish

Vanessa McDaid

Hames Sharley’s Associate, Shannon O’Shea, and Manager Planning for WA, Malcolm Somers, explain why their disciplines play a key role in the resurgence of urban neighbourhoods.

Thumbnail for the article 'Cities taking great strides towards walkability' by Vanessa McDaid

Cities taking great strides towards walkability

Vanessa McDaid

Cities such as Seoul, Barcelona and London are transforming parts of their cities by increasing walkability and bringing pedestrians back, bringing about a new lease of life to urban areas.

Thumbnail for the article 'What’s new in home automation' by Vanessa McDaid

What’s new in home automation

Vanessa McDaid

Home automation is getting a whole lot closer to the average family. Currently the domain of top-end residential builds and the tech-savvy, the Internet of Things (IoT) is coming soon to a neighbourhood near you…

Thumbnail for the article 'The legacy of World Expos: what’s left after the fair?' by Vanessa McDaid

The legacy of World Expos: what’s left after the fair?

Vanessa McDaid

Hosting a major world event is in many ways seen as a coming of age for host countries. Seen as a way of putting a city on the map, World Expo organisers attempt to showcase their city to the world in an extravaganza of cutting edge technology, sustainability, design and architecture. But what happens when the fair leaves town?

Thumbnail for the article 'Function and form in protecting buildings from earthquakes' by Michael Cooper

Function and form in protecting buildings from earthquakes

Michael Cooper

As Mexico recovers from the devastating effects of its recent earthquake, The Malay Mail has reported on a Japanese innovation that looks to add protective functionality to buildings while introducing an aesthetically pleasing, sleek design motif.

Thumbnail for the article 'Who gives a crap? A lot of us, apparently' by Vanessa McDaid

Who gives a crap? A lot of us, apparently

Vanessa McDaid

There is a motza to be made in the sustainability industry, according to the successes of some of Australia’s leading sustainability entrepreneurs. Dana McCauley reports that two such winners are KeepCup and Who Gives a Crap.

Thumbnail for the article 'What makes a BiodiverCity?' by Michael Cooper

What makes a BiodiverCity?

Michael Cooper

Each of the most biodiverse countries around the globe shares a common trait – rapid urbanisation. In a recent piece, The Guardian have attempted to calculate which city is the world’s most biodiverse and found some interesting results…

Thumbnail for the article 'Colouring your judgment' by Pete Kempshall

Colouring your judgment

Pete Kempshall

According to colour psychologists, green has the ability to put us at ease, and not just for its natural connotations…

Thumbnail for the article 'Scenery, not greenery?' by Pete Kempshall with Rachel Seal

Scenery, not greenery?

Pete Kempshall with Rachel Seal

It’s common knowledge that if you want to rediscover your calm you head back to nature. But could it be that we’re too narrow in our view of what we experience as uplifting, and could architecture have the same effect on our mood as parkland?

Thumbnail for the article 'Breathing space' by Matt Seddon

Breathing space

Matt Seddon

Creating ‘buildings that breathe’ is an ideal for designing in the subtropics – but it’s also a worthwhile goal in any climate.

Thumbnail for the article 'Encyclopedia of man-made plants and animals released' by Vanessa McDaid

Encyclopedia of man-made plants and animals released

Vanessa McDaid

From tuskless elephants and hornless rhinos to glow in the dark fish and square apples, the modification of flora and fauna has been going on for eons, both by design and accident.

Thumbnail for the article 'More than just vegeburgers…' by Pete Kempshall

More than just vegeburgers…

Pete Kempshall

While some parts of the scientific community are looking at using cultured meat to solve a potential world food crisis, others have decided that the way to ensure the world has all the protein it needs is by cutting out the middle… er, animal.

Thumbnail for the article 'Wholly cow!?!' by Pete Kempshall

Wholly cow!?!

Pete Kempshall

Its composition is the same as the stuff you’d carve off cattle, but is the world ready to eat meat created entirely in a laboratory? And if we could all be persuaded to chow down on faux-flesh, what would the effect be on the environment, both natural and built?

Thumbnail for the article 'Is architecture falling behind sustainability aspirations?' by Vanessa McDaid

Is architecture falling behind sustainability aspirations?

Vanessa McDaid

It would appear that sustainability in architecture and great design are still largely mutually exclusive, according to a recent stoush between the American Institute of Architects and Aaron Bestky…

Thumbnail for the article 'Maximising workforce engagement: the corporate conundrum' by Michael Cooper

Maximising workforce engagement: the corporate conundrum

Michael Cooper

Countless surveys indicate that an engaged workforce is more productive and profitable. Yet maximising employee engagement has become one of the 21st century’s biggest corporate conundrums, with alarming statistics showing far more than 80 percent of staff lack workplace engagement.

Thumbnail for the article 'Mercedes-Benz continues its assault on Tesla’s energy storage solutions' by Vanessa McDaid

Mercedes-Benz continues its assault on Tesla’s energy storage solutions

Vanessa McDaid

Luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz has made its promised entry into the home energy storage market in the UK, taking on Tesla and its Powerwall, according to a recent article in Road Show.

Thumbnail for the article 'The Roadmap to Power' by Vanessa McDaid

The Roadmap to Power

Solar Panels and Battery Storage to Lead the Way

Vanessa McDaid

The CSIRO and Energy Networks Australia have just released a new plan to secure Australia’s energy supply, reduce our bills and reduce our emissions to zero by the middle of the century. Their roadmap relies upon a coordinated approach by the states in order to potentially save Australians AUD$1 billion by 2050 and cut residential power bills by an average of $414 annually.

Thumbnail for the article 'From off grid homes to high-rises' by Kate Fuller

From off grid homes to high-rises

Kate Fuller

Move over driverless cars, Tesla is ready to make an even bigger impact on our lives, our cities and our homes, with their recently announced off-grid solar technology offer. But how will this accessible new solar technology impact our lives, economy, environment and our architecture?

Thumbnail for the article 'Future food for thought' by Billy Adams

Future food for thought

How Australian architects and planners can learn from bid to serve up sustainable NYC.

Billy Adams

Influential architect Michael Sorkin believes more local food production is vital to stop the world ‘going to hell in a hand basket’. He’s working on an alternative masterplan for New York, and highlighting issues that could profoundly influence the future design of Australian cities.