Transforming ageing housing: A sustainable approach to housing development

Associate Professor Sandra Loschke at the University of Sydney’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning is seeking to make building renewal a mainstream strategy. This approach aims to transform underperforming buildings into larger, low-carbon, high-quality living spaces, offering a sustainable alternative to new construction while reducing environmental impact and enhancing community well-being.

Central to this effort is the ARC Linkage Project: Transforming Ageing Housing through Co- and Re-design. It focuses on converting substandard apartment buildings into sustainable, adaptable, and community-oriented homes, without the environmental and social costs of demolition. By extending the life of existing buildings, the project aims to create more sustainable urban environments, reduce waste, and promote social cohesion.

The project’s key objectives include:

1. Sustainability: Developing re-design solutions that improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.
2. Adaptability: Creating buildings that evolve with changing societal needs and enhance resilience.
3. Community Engagement: Co-designing spaces that foster social interaction and inclusivity.
4. Increasing Housing Stock: Unlocking the potential of existing structures to create additional housing units through extensions and infill.

Ultimately, the project seeks to promote sustainable, adaptable, and socially responsible housing solutions, contributing to the creation of cities that are resilient, equitable, and environmentally responsible.

A major component of this project is a “Co-Design Guide,” which offers tools and guidance for effective collaboration among apartment owners, residents, and design professionals. This co-design process helps overcome challenges unique to multi-owned apartment buildings, where renewal requires consensus across stakeholders. Through collaboration, owners and residents will be empowered to play an active role in shaping their buildings’ futures.

One surprising finding from the project was the potential to leverage existing buildings to increase housing supply by up to 30% through innovative infill and extensions. Yet, as Loschke points out, such strategies are often overlooked in urban development policies, including New South Wales’ Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy.

“This strategy (TOD) aims to promote sustainable urban growth by situating medium-density housing within walking distance of public transport. However, it often leads to the demolition of existing homes in favour of higher-density blocks, which can be socially, environmentally, and economically unsustainable in many scenarios.”

The alternative strategies proposed by Loschke and her project team, such as adding extra floors, winter gardens, and infills between blocks in existing structures, can increase housing density sustainably with minimal disruption.

“Instead of displacing local residents, a more viable solution would be to densify and upgrade existing housing,” argues Loschke.

“This approach not only preserves communities but also enhances the sustainability of urban development. The Codesign Guide can assist in this.”

While there is an urgent need for investment in green housing renovation, Loschke notes that Australia is falling behind Europe and North America in this crucial area.

“Despite the proven effectiveness of these initiatives in decarbonising the housing sector and transitioning to circular building practices, Australia has yet to embark on significant efforts in this essential field,” she explains.

However, this means Australia has a unique opportunity to fast-track a sustainable future by drawing on best practice from abroad.

Loschke notes, “By leveraging the valuable lessons learned from early adopters in other regions, Australia can implement innovative solutions that enhance energy efficiency and foster sustainable living environments.”

In addition to academic collaboration with UNSW, this project involved industry and government partners including Cox Architecture, Government Architect NSW, ERA Architects in Toronto and Transsolar Climate Engineers in Stuttgart. These partnerships enable the team to leverage cutting-edge knowledge from around the world, turning practical experience into expertise that can be applied to the Australian context.

This project exemplifies the potential of industry and government collaboration in shaping the future of Australian cities and achieving meaningful sustainability goals. Together, stakeholders can tackle housing issues while supporting a circular economy, extending the life of its buildings, and reducing environmental impacts.

“As the urgency of climate action intensifies, it is crucial for stakeholders—including government officials, industry leaders, and community advocates—to unite in prioritising green housing redesign initiatives,” says Loshcke.

“Together, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient built environment that benefits all Australians.”

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