Masters Thesis Research Paper - A Sustainable Design Future

Positioning and Understanding Environmental Assessment Method's in the Future of a Sustainable Australian Building Industry. A Qualitative Study.

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Abstract
The Australian building and construction industry is strongly considered unsustainable. Many mechanisms and means have been utilised to establish higher standards of building design. Environmental Assessment Mechanisms such as Green Star has been the most significant tool for introducing accountability and higher ‘green’ standards. More recently the Australian building industry has witnessed the introduction of the Living Building Challenge. The LBC brings a further level to the sustainability discussion. However it has become apparent that EAM’s are now not only the central focus for delivering green design, but seemingly relied upon so heavily it comes at the expense of other change mechanisms. In light of other research there was a need to understand the role EAM’s have established within the Australian industry, and whether this role was productive in achieving the necessary change industry professions and institutions calls for. This research has sought the opinion of experienced industry professionals, heavily involved and knowledgeable of the industry and the green building movement in particular. Their views in combination with established research provides an insight to the value, contribution and role of EAM’s. Furthermore the paper discusses mechanisms and means for change that go beyond EAM’s, seeking avenues to return them back to an important, however decentralised role of quality assurance. A series of recommendations are proposed that opens avenues of further discussion and research, providing the Australian building industry with a clearer path forward in the goal of achieving true sustainability.