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.
The Future of Living goes to Campsie: The Extension of the Suburban Block
Campsie comprises hundreds of red-brick apartment buildings. Developed in the 1960s and 1970s, they are close to reaching the end of their functional lives. Intervening in this awkward, yet quintessential housing typology could offer a possible alternative to medium-density living in Sydney’s suburbs.
‘Place Agency’ Podcast: Social Sustainability in Australian Architectural Practice
Place Agency presents a series of conversations with 6 prominent Architectural practitioners and academics in Australia and the UK, considering the intersection between design, social value and the power of social connection.
Folk Costumes for Indo-Pacific Air: An Exhibition
Curated by Urtzi Grau and Guillermo Fernández-Abascal, Folk Costumes for Indo-Pacific Air constructs the prehistory of the region’s contemporary masked state. The installation reproduces five atmospheric conditions of the end of 2019 and collects the architectures for the body they produced, providing visitors with an insight to the region’s highly politicised air.
Hope in High-Rise: An Exploration of Urban Density and Apartment Design
Hope in High-Rise: An Exploration of Urban Density and Apartment Design seeks to unpack the historical, the socio-cultural and the economic factors which have shaped and continue to shape high-density housing.
New Agency: The Future of Dwelling and Ageing
The research culminates in the publication New Agency: The future of dwelling and ageing that collates the findings, including the provocation of a cooperative housing model in order that land and housing in Australia are provided for the common good – for both young and old.
Design Considerations for Residents with Impeded Cognitive Functioning: Conversations with People with Schizophrenia
The research has investigated the relationship between the built environment and people who have impediments to their cognitive functioning.
New Ways of Working (NWOW) Beyond COVID-19: With Special Reference to the Activity Based Workplace (ABW)
COVID-19 has challenged the whole world to fundamentally re-think about their lifestyles in leading towards an ‘unpredictable’ future.
Another Canberra House: Assessing the Historical Environmental Impact and Future Performance Possibilities of Existing Housing Stock Via Retrofit
This study identifies and environmentally profiles performance-based retrofit options for a typical Canberra ‘ex-Govie’ house against the criteria of energy efficiency, embodied energy and cost.
Australian Design Index Exhibition
The Australian Design Index exhibition is 3-D virtual exhibtion featuring more than sixty objects selected as good design for the Australian Design Index.
Building Community Engagement with Architectural Services in Bushfire Affected Communities
A collection of conversations and projects examining the role of architects as critical participants in the making of public and private spaces before and after bushfires.
The Doyenne Interviews: The Doyenne Interviews is an Australian Arts Podcast by Architect Bridget Nathan.
In each episode, Bridget interviews a different women about the many facets of their inspiring careers to share ideas and knowledge. Illustrated by Grace Yeo, and accompanied by custom music by Anon, the podcasts discuss process, creativity and design culture.
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.