The radical centre: a manifesto for bushfire resilient architecture

The creative work comprises a one-hour digital presentation of original digital images and designs produced by the author and was accompanied by verbal provocations and technical explanations. The work was presented/performed (by invitation) at the annual Australian Bushfire Conference in Leura NSW on 7th Sept 2018. With an audience predominated by architects, building designers and certifiers, the work outlines the author’s manifesto for bushfire-resilient architecture, exposing current outdated paradigms and misconceptions and advancing a ‘call to action’ for innovation in the most extreme ‘flame-zone’ hazard sites. The work provides technical guidance - with built case-study exemplars (by the author) - to articulate a ‘roadmap’ for building designers to explore innovative design approaches via new performance-based provisions in Australia’s National Construction Code (NCC). RESEARCH STATEMENT: Background: This research contributes to, and reinforces, the emerging field of ‘bushfire resilient design’, which has emanated from the broader fields of ‘resilient design’ and ‘sustainable design’ in the international context of natural disasters. Unlike other countries with bushfire-prone landscapes, Australia is unique in that its regulatory framework (the NCC) now encourages design innovation. But very few building designers have embraced the opportunity to resolve a key challenge, which is the reconciliation of the (otherwise) conflicting management goals of bushfire safety and biodiversity conservation. That is; how might designers of bushfire resilient architecture achieve the aim of biodiversity conservation when natural vegetation is the primary source of fuel for bushfires? Research Contribution: The greatest barrier that curtails innovation in building design is the misconception that bushfire safety and biodiversity protection cannot co-exist. The author challenges this paradigm with his provocation of the "The Radical Centre: a Manifesto for Bushfire Resilient Architecture". This creative work is innovative in manner in which the argument is presented: rather than seeking a moderate balance between safety and vegetation clearing the work instead presents a mode of operating from within the ‘conflict zone’ outwards. In doing so instigates novel design thinking and encourages innovation in practice (by others). The research produces new knowledge by demonstrating how a performance-based certification pathway can accommodate innovative, cost effective design solutions in bushfire prone landscapes, which hitherto were considered a constraint on innovation. Research Significance: Dr Weir was invited to present the work at the annual Australian Bushfire Building Conference (Leura NSW) in Sept 2018. In the lead up to the conference, at the request of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, Dr Weir was interviewed by Simon Lauder (presenter) on ABC NSW South Coast radio (18th July 2018). Preliminary drafts of the work were presented (by invitation) to the Queensland chapters of the Australian Institute of Architects and Australian Institute of Building Surveyors in March and June 2018 respectively