Compass 2024 Video - Designing with Sustainability in Mind

Designing with Sustainability in Mind with Talina Edwards, Director, Envirotecture

In this Compass 2024 video, presented by COLORBOND® steel, architect Talina Edwards of Envirotecture shares her insights on the importance of designing with sustainability in mind. Talina’s career has centred on her passion for biophilic design, exploring how humans and nature are inextricably linked in creating connected spaces.

Talina explains that sustainable design is the core focus at Envirotecture, shaping their unique approach to every project. She highlights the importance of ensuring the building envelope performs effectively in response to its landscape and conditions. Through thermal modelling technology, her team can better understand and optimise how buildings will perform, helping to “make sure whatever we are designing will be a bit more future-proof,” she says.

Her biophilic design philosophy emphasises humans' innate connection to nature, both visually and physically. Internally, Talina incorporates textural or patterned materials that introduce opportunities to show dapples of light. Externally, she favours gentle colour palettes that are subtle and work in harmony with the surroundings. She also explores the psychological aspects of biophilic design, particularly how it can foster feelings of safety and refuge within a building. For Talina, biophilic design is “all different things, but it's not just a boring white box.”

"When we're speaking about biophilic design, we are also looking at the whole life of the building. We want to make sure that the building is going to be resilient and there for a really long time. So we want to make sure that every single choice is going to be more sustainable and resilient and durable," Talina explains.

Looking ahead, Talina is excited about the future of sustainable design. She believes that solving climate challenges and creating a future in harmony with nature requires a multitude of solutions - and that everyone has a role to play. She looks forward to seeing the new solutions that will emerge and contribute to this important work.

Watch the video: Designing with Sustainability in Mind with Talina Edwards, Director, Envirotecture

Further information:

• See our sustainability resources on steel.com.au
   
• Watch more videos from Compass 2024:
  • See the entire Compass 2024 event
  • Compass Opening with Shelley Craft, TV Presenter, The Block and Mark Vassella, Managing Director and CEO of BlueScope
  • Built Environment of the Future: Insights from Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia
  • An Engineer's Approach to Decarbonisation with Raed El Sarraf, Principal Engineer, WSP
  • Future Design Trends and Aesthetics with Alexander Symes, Director, Alexander Symes Architect   
  • BlueScope Innovation and the Fitzroy River Bridge Case Study, A Collaborative Future for Steelmaking and Renewables
  • Directors Cut – Renewables