Creating models for urban sustainability.

Possibly the most significant physical change experienced across the planet over the last half century has been the enormous increase in global urbanisation. The development of massive urban centres and huge linear cities is now a reality, as is the pressing need to develop appropriate models to accommodate, feed, service and employ the inhabitants of these vast places.

How to achieve this humanely and responsibly is the real challenge facing everyone in the future.

The architect
Central to this process is the architect. No other discipline addresses the complexities of urban existence as completely or intensely as architecture. This is why so many people, both young and old, are currently turning to the study of architecture.

New directions
For several years now, Australia has been recognised as one of the centres where new directions in architectural thinking are being developed.

The Sydney-based firm, Kennedy Associates Architects, is one of the leading exponents of this new architecture, architecture which is both visually and aesthetically rigorous and environmentally and contextually responsible. Kennedy Associates’ client base includes major hospitals, local authorities, religious and community organisations, private developers and numerous private clients.

Kennedy Associates’ thesis is that, ESD, the concern for making societies, buildings and environments which are both socially and ecologically responsible, must be the fundamental principle guiding both city planning and the design of all architectural projects. Kennedy Associates’ commitment to both ESD and the continuity of the modernist tradition has resulted in its winning numerous awards and accolades. Notable among these are its selection in 1999 as one of the leading emerging practices in NSW, receiving a medal in 2001 at the inaugural Green Building Awards and, more importantly, having its designs for site-specific projects adopted by local authorities as the models for new planning controls.

This year, Kennedy Associates Architects has been appointed lead consultant to design a major urban infill development in Sydney which is to critique, benchmark and model the highest standards of architectural and environmental design.

Email: mail@kennedyassociates.com.au