environmentally sustainable design
Profile
WD Architects is a registered company of architects and designers based in the Noosa Hinterland. Founded in 2007 as an expansion of Andrew Webb's practice since 2001, WD Architects combines the complementary strengths and experience of Andrew Webb, Christopher Duffy and our skilled support staff.
We have unique expertise in pushing the envelope of sustainable design, using natural and low-toxicity materials to best advantage within energy-efficient and beautiful designs. Our work ranges from aid work in remote mountain villages to multi-million dollar public transportation facilities; “bare-foot” clinics in remote China to the largest wildlife hospital in the world for Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors.
WD Architects takes a holistic approach to its work by striving towards cradle-to-cradle systems and specifications, energy- and resource-efficient outcomes and actively advocates and promotes solutions that minimise the impact of the built environment on natural environment.
Underpinning all of our work is a passion for the environment in every respect. Design excellence cannot be achieved without being serious about sustainability and serviceability. It also cannot be achieved without serious concern for the economic viability for our clients. We are ambitious with our work and have the expertise to follow through.
We run our office based on these same principles: using 100% recycled paper*, recycling and composting office waste, buying 100% wind power, and using recycled, low-toxicity and re-used items for our office fit-out.
* Except for drawings larger than A3, as we haven't found a source yet.
Quality Policy
WD Architects is committed to delivering design excellence in an environmentally sustainable manner. We take a holistic approach to our work by striving towards cradle-to-cradle systems and specifications, energy- and resource-efficient outcomes and by meeting each client's needs according to site, budget, climate and construction procurement method. We are committed to providing technically appropriate and cost effective solutions tailored to each client's needs.
We operate our policy system in accordance with AS/NZS ISO 9001-2000 requirements. Our office systems incorporate procedures, checklists and proforma designed to control and demonstrate that we provide consistent quality services to all clients.
We recognise the benefits of continuing professional development for all staff and we encourage and support knowledge seeking and sharing amongst all staff members as well as clients, consultants, suppliers and builders.
We will only undertake commissions that are not at odds with our environmentally- and socially-responsible principles.
Services
WD Architects specialises in environmentally sustainable architecture.
WD Architects brings together the skills and experience required to provide comprehensive services in all aspects of Master-Planning, Building Design, Interior Design, Documentation and Contract Administration. We aim to provide creative and technically proficient solutions to all commissions, be they single buildings or major complexes.
We use sophisticated computer aided design tools and energy modeling software from initial concepts through to contract documentation. We have an effective Quality Management system which is maintained in accordance with ISO 9001 requirements. We subscribe to Ecospecifier and maintain a comprehensive library of environmentally preferable products.
Our work includes:
- Computerised energy analysis (we run BERS Pro for residential energy assessment and DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus for detailed analysis of any building type)
- 3d computer renderings for 'photo-realistic' visualisations
- Detailed construction drawings and specifications to minimise uncertainties and discrepancies during construction
- Arranging and coordinating the work of engineers and other consultants
- Liaising with councils and certifiers
- Inspecting builder's work to obtain quality control and value for money throughout the construction contract
Not every project or client requires full service and we can tailor our work and fees to suit.
Most often we will quote a fixed fee after meeting to discuss your needs and define the scope of work. For small or speculative projects we can also work on hourly rates.
Please let us know if you have any questions about building materials, good design practice, our services, professional contacts or anything else.
People
Click name for details
Chris Duffy, Director
Andrew Webb, Director
Steve Campbell, Building Designer
Semjase Hand, Interior Design
Sandra Dibbs, Architectural Technician
Wendy Duffy, Office Management
Andrew Webb, Director
- Registered Architect in Queensland, #3632.
- Green Star Accredited Professional.
- B.Arch. with Distinction, 1996.
With 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Andrew has designed and built projects ranging from intimate residential spaces to large public infrastructure schemes. He is well versed in many 'alternative' and conventional construction techniques and can advise on the positives and negatives as they apply to each project.
Andrew has designed and built many environmentally sustainable building projects in India and China and has been practicing in Australia since 1997. He brings versatility and a wide range of experience to his work.
Chris Duffy, Director
- Registered Architect in Queensland, #4126.
- Green Star Accredited Professional.
- B.Arch. 2002
Chris has a Bachelor of Architecture gained while at the University of Queensland and has 12 yrs experience in the building industry. He has worked in a number of Brisbane practices and since graduating has been living on the Sunshine Coast working on a range of projects. These have included detached housing, multi-residential, resort, commercial and industrial building types.
Chris is committed to environmentally sustainable design and building practice that improves the quality of the built environment and the lives of the inhabitants that use it, halts the destruction of local and global ecosystems and brings about the long term reformation of the building industry that is currently the single largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
Steve Campbell, Building Designer
Steve has experience in the building industry since 1982, working on aspects of large commercial and public buildings such as Parliament House in Canberra and Melbourne Aquatic Centre. He has designed and built many eco-friendly buildings including passive-solar mud-brick houses using recycled materials, as well as the Master Planning of Noosa Pengari Steiner School on the Sunshine Coast, in conjunction with Baxter & Jacobson Architects, and the Master Planning of Milkwood Steiner School in Darwin. He completed a Diploma of Building Design and Drafting from Charles Darwin University in 2006.
Semjase Hand, Interior Design
Semjase has a Diploma of Interior Technology with 6 years experience in the design industry. She has extremely good taste and knows it too. She has worked in a couple of Sunshine Coast practices and has worked on numerous projects around the traps. These include residential, multi-residential, resort, commercial and industrial building types. Growing up with both parents being antique dealers she knows what look will be around long after the suede-effect paint peels.
Sandra Dibbs, Architectural Technician
Sandra is working her way towards a Bachelor of Building Design through Central Queensland University. This will formalise her design experience gained over more than 20 years in the design and construction industry and over 30 years passionate advocacy of sustainability issues. She is determined to maintain this green and blue planet in a fit state to nurture future generations.
Wendy Duffy, Office Management
Wendy is passionate about sustainability, worm farms, composting toilets and accounts being paid on time.
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Links
GOOD DEVELOPMENTS
The Tibet Society of the UK
This Fund responds to requests from Eastern Tibetan communities who live and work alongside the greater Chinese community and who want, through education, to acquire the skills to compete in a modern world, whilst supporting their own heritage and culture.
Appropriate Technology Asia
Appropriate Technology Asia (ATA) is a British international non-governmental organisation (INGO) mainly working in the Himalayan and post-Himalayan plateau belt regions, running long term and well-established programmes in India, China, and Nepal.
Siddhartha School, Ladakh, India
In June 1995, through the joint efforts of the Siddhartha School Project boards (U.S. and Ladakh) and the local Stok village community, the Siddhartha School was opened in rented quarters with 25 pre-school age children. Since then the school has grown to over 190 students and five buildings.
Medecins sans Frontieres
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organisation that provides emergency medical assistance to populations in danger in more than 70 countries.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
Your home
Good Residential Design Guide
Living Smart Noosa
This is your local directory of businesses who are genuinely working towards more sustainable housing and lifestyle options for the Sunshine Coast.
Green Building Council of Australia Launched in 2002, the GBCA is a national, not-for-profit organisation that is committed to developing a sustainable property industry for Australia by encouraging the adoption of green building practices. It is uniquely supported by both industry and governments across the country.
Green Roofs Australia Green Roofs Australia is a not-for-profit membership organisation with an elected committee that draws together the various governmental, organisational and businesses groups and individuals interested in being kept informed about green roof science, technology, practice, regulations and specifications. We promote green roofs as an effective response to climate change and city heat island effects, and to reduce buildings’ carbon footprints.
Eco Cottages Pty Ltd is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that integrates best practice construction training and building ecology into a real work site environment.
Their goals are:
- integrating sustainable building principles and practices
- developing employability skills with students and apprentices
- building environmentally friendly relocatable cottages
Yesterday, today, tomorrow straw bale construction
Licensed builders specialising in strawbale construction. Their aim is to provide the highest quality workmanship to build healthy, environmentally friendly and energy efficient houses with an emphasis on sustainability and permaculture principles. Working throughout NSW.
Rammed Earth Constructions P/L
Rammed Earth Constructions Pty Ltd is an award winning building company specialising in rammed earth projects, taking on full building projects and also subcontracting for rammed earth walls. The company has experience in building commercial and residential projects in a variety of styles and for a range of budgets.
One Earth Landscaping
The One Earth team is reliable, hard working, highly skilled and experienced, and is committed to creating amazing gardens with passion and enthusiasm. Whether you live on a suburban block, or small to large acreage, the One Earth team can help you. If you are looking for a professional landscaping company with a ‘Creative, Organic approach’, then look no further. Based in Pomona, Qld.
Back Building - Michael Back
Michael has been involved in the Building Industry for 15 years now, and has succeeded in providing his clients with the outcome they desire. His work includes New Homes, Renovations, Extensions, Decks...etc . Based in Cooran, Qld
Ausbale
The Australasian Straw Bale Building Association
The Last Straw
International Straw bale Journal
Ontario Straw Bale Building Coalition
Hosts of the 2006 international straw bale building conference
Straw Bale WIKI
Straw Bale Construction Related Resources & Technical Studies
MATERIAL ISSUES
PVC Alternatives Database - Greenpeace
Although it appears to be the ideal building material, PVC has high environmental and human health costs that its manufacturers fail to tell consumers.
ENERGY & WATER USE
Greenpeace Climate Change Pages Greenpeace campaigns to stop dangerous climate change and champion solutions like renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Water Services Association of Australia
Used to have good product info, now a lot of info is members only. Must be some industry pressure not to aim too high.
Energy rating Australia
Find energy-efficient appliances
CONSUMPTION
SCRAP Ltd
SCRAP stands for School Communities Recycling All Paper. They are a non-profit body which exists to help schools, other educational, government, non-profit bodies, private individuals and companies become environmentally-friendly and encourage you - whether you are a student, a teacher or a member of the wider community - to understand how to do this better.
Ecodirectory
Australia's guide to Sustainable Living
The Green Directory
Promoting Sustainable Living
Eco Shop
Australian Eco-Friendly Shopping
BOOKS & MEDIA
Free Development Books
New Zealand Digital library - see the humanity development library for sustainable building
Development Bookshop
Some of the most useful books around.
ZNET
A community of people committed to social change.
ECOLOGY
Wildlife Warriors
Wildlife Warriors Worldwide's Objectives
- To protect and enhance the natural environment
- To provide information and education to the public and raise awareness of wildlife issues
- To undertake biological research
- To research, recommend and act in the protection of threatened or endangered species.
- To enter into cooperative arrangements with like-minded organisations
The Wilderness Society
The Wilderness Society is a community-based environmental advocacy organisation whose mission is protecting, promoting and restoring wilderness and natural processes across Australia for the survival and ongoing evolution of life on Earth
SUNSHINE COAST ISSUES
Save the Mary River
Do we really want to Dam the Mary River?
Queensland Conservation Council
Mary River pages
Sunshine Coast Environment Council
For more than 25 years, the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, commonly called SCEC, has educated, engaged and advocated for the protection of our unique Sunshine Coast environment and lifestyle.
ENERGY & SOCIAL ISSUES
Nuclear facts
from New Internationalist Magazine
Chernobyl photo essay
from New Internationalist Magazine
FRIENDS
Nikki Bezel Photography
Nikki Bezel is Noosa's finest architectual and prestige property photographer, specializing in exteriors, interiors and lifestyle photography.
Oriental Guest House, Ladakh
The best place to stay when in Leh
Aton Luminaires
Organic in material and form, aton luminares: lighting that elegantly walks the line between function and art.
Duffy Residence, Cooran
Energy-efficient house with extensive use of recycled and non-toxic materials. 2007.
Scheenhouwer Residence, Margate
Extension and renovation to timber cottage by owner-builder, 2004.
Slater Residence, Airlie Beach
Naturally ventilated tropical house.
Completed 2006.
Small Residence, Nambour
8 star energy-efficient high-set house with reused materials, non-toxic and low-embodied energy materials
Currently under construction.
Scott-Holland Residence, Cooran
Energy-efficient straw bale and timbercrete house with non-toxic and low-embodied energy materials
Currently under construction.
Baxter Residence, Ocean View
Energy-efficient rammed earth house.
Manjushri School, Ladakh, India
Passive-solar mud brick and stone community school with Montessori kindergarten. Completed 1998.
Damsna and Gailing Schools, Kargil District, India
Passive-solar retrofit and extensive renovation of dilapidated school buildings in war-torn region. Completed 2003 for Appropriate Technology Asia.
Castlemaine Steiner School, Victoria
Mud brick Preschool and Multi-function Space built by Steve Campbell 2005.
Boddington District High School, Western Australia
Passive heating and cooling with attention to daylighting. Completed by Andrew Webb while working for MPS Architects, 2001.
Mundijong Primary School Library, Western Australia
Passive heating and cooling with attention to daylighting. Completed by Andrew Webb while working for MPS Architects, 2000.
Capu District School, Qinghai, China
Rammed earth and compressed earth block, passive-solar school in earthquake-prone region. Andrew Webb designed and supervised first stages of construction, taught passive design and earth building principles to the local workforce. Completed 2002 for Appropriate Technology Asia.
Tondashun School, Yunnan, China
Stone and brick passive-solar primary school including masterplanning, classroom blocks, dormitories, staff quarters, assembly hall, kitchen, library and composting toilets. A project funded by
The Tibet Society of the UK. Completed 2005.
Medical & Health Projects:
Wildlife Warriors Worldwide - Australian Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah
The largest wildlife hospital in the world. Mix of straw bale, rammed earth and conventional construction. Maximised use of recyclable, non-toxic and sustainably-sourced materials. Completed 2008.
Recovery Enclosures - Australian Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah
Naturally ventilated, daylit wildlife recovery enclosures. Completed 2007.
Health & Hygiene Projects - Changthang Plateau & Kargil District, India
A wide-ranging group of projects for Appropriate Technology Asia with the aim to improve health, hygiene, food security, and educational opportunities for disadvantaged Tibetan refugees and war-affected Muslim communities. 2002-2003.
Shachong & Aandiche Clinics, Qinghai, China
Clinic facilities for remote Tibetan communities in support of 'bare-foot' doctor training and public health programs. Completed 2002.
Commercial & Mixed Use Projects:
Sirius on Moreton, Margate
6-storey mixed-use residential and retail tenancies for Aion Group. Highly energy-efficient residential units (up to 10 stars). Construction to be completed late 2009.
133 Sutton Street, Redcliffe
8-storey mixed-use residential, retail and commercial tenancies for Aion Group. Construction to be commence mid-2009.
Kerman Contracting Head Office, Applecross, WA
Energy-efficient office building designed by
Bernard Seeber Pty Ltd with Andrew Webb as part of the team. Winner of RAIA 2003 state awards for Commercial Architecture and Interior Design.
Old Court House Development, Maroochydore
Designed by Young Architects with Chris Duffy as part of the team.
Beach House Hotel, Harvey Bay
Designed by Young Architects with Chris Duffy as part of the team.
Noosa Museum - Mill Point Cemetery
Interpretive display structure to commemorate the location of historic cemetary. Structure is designed as a lynch gate in keeping with the traditions of the era. To be completed early 2009.
Cooran Eco Market Bandstand
Multi-function stage for Cooran Eco Market and community events. Currently in for Development Approval.
Maylands Railway Station, Western Australia
Railway Station upgrade in heritage area. Extensive Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) features. High standard of Universal Accessibility due to proximity to several support services. Designed to be constructed with minimal interference to operating rail line; not a simple feat for a pedestrian underpass in a high water table. Completed 2001 by Andrew Webb in the employ of MPS Architects.
Ladakh Women's Alliance, India
Passive-solar mud brick and stone community community centre, office and hostel for women's aid organisation. Completed 1997.
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