SUSTAINABILITY AT JCA

 The Australian Institute of Architects has long advocated national policies to set clear sustainability targets for the built environment. The NSW Government requires embodied carbon design/construction reporting for new buildings to meet specific targets by 2030. As architects and members of the Institute, JCA recognises our responsibility for emission reduction and champion good practice.

JCA developed a Sustainability Action Plan; an initiative focused on helping our clients reduce emissions through consideration of whole-of-life project costs, improve building resilience and extend building longevity. Our SAP strategy consists of five key principles;

01 
REFURBISHMENT

The most sustainable building is one that is saved from demolition, with its lifespan prolonged through repairs, maintenance, and adaptive re-use. International targets recognise that refurbishment projects should make up at least 20% of all construction projects (IEA, 2022). 

Refurbishment of existing buildings is central to our practice, accounting for approximately 80% of our workflow. We recognise that occupancy patterns evolve and functional requirements shift over time and buildings should be adaptable and resilient

Understanding service and maintenance requirements is fundamental. Separating the base build from fit-out and services ensure architecture can be made adaptable. Flexibility and ease of disassembly, enable buildings to accommodate changes over time, extending lifespan and enhancing long-term value. 

02 
MATERIALS 

Early decisions based on cost analysis often prioritise capital expenditure above all else. Life cycle costs to operate and maintain are rarely considered in a ‘race to the bottom’. Many education buildings have a lifespan of 50 years or so (Andersen & Negendahl, 2022), a good number become obsolete well before that. Designing to double the lifespan can achieve cost savings of around 25% over a 50 year period (Circuit Project, 2023)

Material selection plays a very important role. Durable, high-lifespan materials can significantly reduce the frequency of repair, replacement, time, cost and waste compounded by operational downtime.
For example, high-quality hardwood window joinery, when properly maintained, can outlast aluminium glazing systems by three to four times and may achieve a lifespan well beyond 100 years.

Solid hardwood, masonry, stone and precast elements have a long service life and outperform popular alternatives such as aluminium, FC and other lightweight cladding systems.

Materials should be selected based on resilience and repairability. Lime mortar and renders have a lower carbon footprint than cement (EWI, 2024). Lime is breathable, allowing vapour to pass through, and supports ‘healthy’ buildings. It has been in use since Roman times, is self-healing, and enables disassembly. It dropped out of fashion in the early 20th century in favour of Portland cement, which offered higher strength and faster curing times but is not vapour permeable and it cannot be  disassembled.

03 
CONSTRUCTION METHOD 

A well considered construction methodology can help reduce whole-of-life costs and impact positively upon maintenance, repair and replacement.

Fixings are an important consideration. Mechanical fixings are generally superior to most modern chemical fixings and high-strength epoxy-based adhesive, enabling materials to be removed, repaired or salvaged.

Mechanically fixed systems support disassembly and circularity. Components can be removed,  damage patched and repaired. Materials can be retained and upgraded with significantly less waste and lower long-term cost. The use of high strength adhesives should be discouraged as they prevent repairs while encouraging material replacement

04 
REUSE & RECYCLE

JCA seeks to incorporate recycled and reclaimed materials into projects. Traditional construction methods with mechanical fixings enable materials to be re-machined, extending their useful life. 

A key example from a recent project is recycled ironbark from old bridges being repurposed as rafters and stair treads

PROJECT LIFE CYCLE 

A graph first developed by Boyd Paulson for the Journal of the Construction Division 1979 (and the Macleamy Curve 2004) demonstrated that the ability to influence cost and function declines rapidly as a project progresses beyond the design phase. 

The greatest opportunity to shape whole-of-life outcomes is at pre-design and concept design stages. Decisions on structure, envelope, services strategy and material resilience, influence the whole of life costs as well as a building’s resilience and adaptability. 

Best practice sees collaboration prioritising long-term value over short-term savings, greater resilience and reductions in both embodied and operational carbon. The SAP can deliver a measurable impact, emphasising a ‘whole of life’ approach, supported by the graph which demonstrates that early decision making influence functionality, cost and design.

"The most sustainable building is one that endures, designed with resilience, shaped for adaptability, and crafted for longevity, so it can evolve and remain valuable for generations"

01 CASE STUDY

JOHN CUNNINGHAM STUDENT CENTRE

This project aims to double the lifespan of an educational building to at least 100 years. Life Cycle Analysis and selection of highly durable, long-lasting materials—designed to endure well beyond a century—were central to the design process:

Dry Pressed Bricks are known for durability and strength, when laid in English Garden Wall Bond. The wall is very stable with high resistance to movement. The 500mm wall thickness provides excellent thermal mass and acts as natural insulation, eliminating the need for additional insulation.

Lime render & plaster are used in place of contemporary cement render for their ability to regulate moisture, prevent dampness, condensation and mould growth. Lime render is self- healing and resistant to cracking. An oxide pigment was added to the mix, to minimise maintenance and eliminate the need to re-paint.

Sandstone in the facade was sourced from the excavation at 200 George Street during the construction of the EY Centre. This material was salvaged and repurposed, reducing the embodied carbon footprint.

Lead is used to form flashings, gutters and cladding. It is known for its durability, resistance to corrosion and high recyclability. With its exceptionally long lifespan, lead requires minimal up keep compared with contemporary materials.

Specification of Australian Certified Timber aligned with our commitment to environmental responsibility. It minimised the use of imported timber, lowering the embodied carbon footprint associated with logistics. Used as key architectural elements, solid hardwood meets the goal of lasting 100 years or more, including the parquetry flooring throughout.

Recycled ironbark has been used for architectural features including exposed roof rafters providing structural support, accentuating the vaulted roofline. As a structural element, Ironbark is very stable. It is also a very hard timber, suitable for high pedestrian traffic and has been used for stair treads, risers and landings.

Solid bronze frames and panels were used to create windows and doors which are durable and patina naturally, creating a visually-appealing protective layer, resistant to corrosion, which doesn’t require re-coating or re-painting.

HVAC system was designed to last a minimum of 25 years, exceeding the typical lifespan of 10–15 years.

Material selection and durable construction detailing eliminated the need for frequent maintenance typical of conventional buildings—removing the necessity to refurbish the façade and replace the fenestration every 25 years or to repaint the façade every 10 years. 

Reusing the existing structure—including post-tension beams, concrete slabs, columns, and foundation piers—significantly reduced the embodied carbon associated with production and assembly of concrete structure

Read more about the project here >

02 CASE STUDY

MAIN SCHOOL BUILDING

This project exemplifies our dedication to the adaptive reuse strategy, showcasing innovation and sustainability. JCA has been working closely with the Client since 2006 progressively upgrading the heritage-listed building, while addressing the College's evolving needs and ensuring compliance with contemporary standards. 

It was built in 1915, designed by Power and Adams Architects. It was part of an expansionary phase at the campus, introducing new classroom blocks for a growing cohort.

By carrying out facility upgrades and refurbishment, the lifespan of the building is greatly extended, reducing the embodied carbon that would otherwise result from demolition and new construction. 

Moreover, future-proofing the facility represents a strategic financial advantage, eliminating the considerable upfront expense associated with constructing an entirely new building.

The ongoing conservation and adaptive reuse of the Main School Building ensures it will continue to serve for and be appreciated by the Scots Community for another century or more.

Read more about the project here >

"Buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions: 28% from operational emissions, from energy needed to heat, cool and power them, and the remaining 11% from materials and construction."

SUSTAINABILITY AT JCA

SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN

01 CASE STUDY

02 CASE STUDY