Swayn Open Research
The Alastair Swayn Foundation is committed to information sharing and transparency of the research it funds. We believe that research supported by the Foundation should be made discoverable and readily accessible online. The Swayn Open Research repository provides a place for researchers to promptly have their findings published on an open access basis, to benefit the architecture and design community.
Adaptive Reuse and Canberra: How does the application of adaptive reuse of commercial office buildings for residential purposes fit into Canberra’s urban planning goals for 2030?
In Canberra, adaptive reuse has been applied to museums, galleries, hotels, and student accommodation, primarily through interior modifications. However, office-to-residential conversions remain rare due to strict building regulations, and no such projects exist in the Canberra CBD, despite its potential.
Beyond the Traditional Stadium: Strengthening the Relationship Between the Stadium and the City
This research challenges the conventional view of stadia as single-purpose spaces, exploring how hybrid stadium adaptations can foster a stronger connection with the city. By examining the potential for 24-hour functionality, this study aims to inform government and built environment professionals on designing multi-use stadiums that enhance Canberra’s urban landscape.
Retuning the Ex Govie: A guide to renovation and extension of the Canberra 400 series ex government houses
As the city evolves, so do its housing needs. While ex-govies played a vital role in housing and community development in the 1960s, they are increasingly becoming outdated. This research explores three major housing challenges facing Canberra today, along with three specific challenges unique to ex-govies.
Suburban Heat: An Examination of the Urban Heat Island Effect in Canberra, through an In-Depth Analysis of the Suburb of Wright and a Review of ACT Government Policy
In recent policy documents, the ACT government has identified increasing canopy cover as their primary response to the urban heat island effect. This research sought to understand how attainable the identified 30% canopy cover target was, particularly in Canberra’s newer existing suburbs, which have some of the lowest levels of canopy cover in the city.
Could Build-to-Rent be an ACT housing affordability measure? Observations on the potential of the Build to Rent model to address affordability goals outlined in the ACT Housing Strategy (2018)
The intent of this research project is to conduct a literature review to ascertain if and how, the Build to Rent (BTR) model has had an effect on housing supply and affordability.
Canberra’s Urban Soundscape
This research looks at the engagement of the urban soundscape to be a visualisation tool to further understand the characteristics of the noise experience.