Architect celebrates year of success

SUSTAINABLE architect Talina Edwards is wrapping up a successful 2020 in business, having received six industry awards in the last twelve months.

The Passivhaus design expert and principal of firm Talina Edwards Architecture has a green focus, creating homes that are healthier to live in, and can be heated or cooled with minimal use of energy.

At the ArchiTeam Awards she won the Contribution and Innovation Medal, and Sustainability Medal on the behalf of Architects Declare.

The Sustainability Awards saw Ms Edwards named Emerging Sustainable Architect/Designer, and at the Design Matters National Awards she took the Best Residential – New House Up to $500,000 to $1 million for her Owl Woods Passive House.

At the BDAA Awards the same project won the National Design Excellence Award and the Best New residential building that was 251 to 350 square metres and over $2500 per square metre.

“I am so honoured to have received so much recognition at industry awards this year,” Ms Edwards said.

“It has been quite overwhelming and unexpected, but it also allows to me to share stories of Passivhaus so it becomes desired by all Australians, as we can help to educate more people to learn about how to expect more from our buildings.

“We deserve better in the design of buildings, and it doesn’t require much change to be able to design buildings that will improve the quality of our lives, while reducing the amount of energy required to live comfortably in them, resulting in healthier people and a healthier planet. Who wouldn’t want that?”

The unique Owl Woods Passive House is in Trentham and was completed last year. It’s one of the initial 20 Passivhauses to be certified across the country.

“I’m passionate about helping people create a healthy, beautiful, functional, comfortable and sustainable home, and life, that they love and that doesn’t cost the earth,” Ms Edwards said.

“A certified Passivhaus gives the quality assurance that your home environment will be healthy to live in and require minimal heating and cooling throughout the year, even in places like Ballarat and Trentham where it snows.

“If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s how important our health and wellbeing is…but we also need to respond to the climate crisis and design more buildings with a lower carbon footprint.”

Ms Edwards was shortlisted in the sustainability category of the HOUSES Awards for the Owl Woods Passive House, and was a Women in Sustainability finalist at the Sustainability Awards.