Episode 1.10: Can we solve the housing AND climate crisis at the same time with Ammon Beyerle and Jeremy Mansfield OAM

Australia needs 1.2 million new homes by 2029, while housing stress, homelessness and climate risks continue to intensify. A typical new home releases around 185 tonnes of CO₂ before anyone moves in, and housing and construction already account for nearly 20% of national emissions. Can Australia deliver the homes it needs without locking in more carbon?

In Episode 10, I spoke with Ammon Beyerle, Architect & Director of Here Studio, and Jeremy Mansfield OAM, Board Chair of Green Cross Australia and Founder/Director of Mansfield Advisory Pty Ltd about how adaptive reuse and nature-based urban design can deliver the homes we need while cutting carbon and building more liveable communities.

Key questions explored:

• Can adaptive reuse help meet housing targets while cutting embodied carbon?
• If 90% of existing buildings need redesigning by 2040, why keep defaulting to new construction?
• Could underused heritage buildings in regional towns become new housing?
• Can lightweight timber extensions add three or more housing floors without demolition?
• How can nature-based urban design reduce emissions and improve wellbeing?

The discussion also considers planning consistency, the $1.3 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund, and why housing success should be measured through inclusion, health and resilience as well as carbon.

#AdaptiveReuse #SustainableHousing #NatureBasedUrbanDesign #BuiltEnvironment #NetZero