Paul F Downton
BSc(Hons) BArch(Wales) PhD ARAIA
Architect & Urban Ecologist
Internationally acknowledged ecocity advocate & theorist, prize-winning architect & designer
REGISTRATION & PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Entry for Paul Downton in the book celebrating the "Peoplescape" 2001 Centenary of Federation event. (Click on image to enlarge)
PROFESSIONAL & ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
- Principal Architect & Urban Ecologist, Director - Ecopolis Architects Pty Ltd, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA: 1991-current. Registration #2359. Ecopolis Architects Pty Ltd specialises exclusively in
ecological architecture & bio-urban design & is a Corporate
Member of the RAIA.
- Elected "Expert" Member (Heritage & Environment) - Development Assessment Panel, Adelaide City Council, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA: 2003-2004; 2004-2005
- Guest Lecturer - Including "Final Year Studio" &
"Technology in the Built Environment", School of Architecture,
Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, University of Adelaide,
AUSTRALIA: 2003-current
- Guest Lecturer - "Greener Building: Sustainable Cities" in the
Environmental Management Program, School of Social Sciences, University
of Adelaide/Ngee Ann Education Centre, SINGAPORE: 2003-current
- Principal Architect - Ecopolis Architects Pty Ltd, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA: 1990-current
- Architect - Private Practice, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA: 1985-1990
- Lecturer - School of Architecture and Design, University of South Australia, AUSTRALIA: 1984-2001
- Visiting Professor - School of Architecture, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA: 1990
- Lecturer & Architect - Department of Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yarmouk University, JORDAN: 1982-84
- Sole Practitioner - Private Architectural Practice, Cardiff, CYMRU (Wales): 1981-82
- Assistant Architect - Planning Department, Rhymney Valley District Council, CYMRU (Wales): 1979-81
- Designer - Maple Design Engineering Co., Somerset, ENGLAND: 1977-79
- Co-Presenter & Author - Ecological Building Course, Workers Education Association, Cardiff, CYMRU (Wales): 1977
- Worker/Director - Felcon Building Co-operative, CYMRU (Wales): 1976
- Architectural Assistant - Project Design Consultants (Architects), Treforest, CYMRU (Wales): 1974
- Trainee Surveyor - Cluttons, Chartered Estate Agents & Surveyors, Wells, ENGLAND 1968-70
The Christie Walk project in the City of Adelaide
has been selected as a case study and exemplar of ESD development by
the Australian Building Energy Council, the Australian Greenhouse
Office, the Federal Government's Inquiry into Sustainable Cities, and
in international textbooks on urban planning and development.
AWARDS
- 2006, "Christie Walk EcoCity Project", Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment & Development (APFED), Japan, Silver Award.
- 2005, (with Emilis Prelgauskas & Taylor Cullity Lethlean) "Ramsay Rebuild - Affordable, sustainable & wheelchair-accessible dwellings",
Housing Competition, The Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association of
South Australia (PARAQUAD SA) with Archicentre, South Australia, First Prize.
- 2005, "Christie Walk EcoCity Project", World Habitat Award 2005, Building & Social Housing Foundation/UN-HABITAT, UK, Finalist.
- 1994, "Halifax EcoCity Project", World's Best Eco-city Project Award, Berkeley, California, Outright Winner.
- 1992, "Halifax EcoCity Project proposal", Civic Trust Award , Adelaide, Commendation.
- 1992, (with Gar Smith), Environmental Journalism Award, USA, Co-Winner with Editor of Earth Island Journal.
- 1987, "Logo Design for the International Union of Architects", UIA Logo International Competition, Mention.
- 1987, "Design for Extensions and Additions to West Pier Brighton, U.K.", West Pier 2000 International Competition, International Union of Architects XYI Exhibition, Selection.
- 1983, "Demountable Tent Structure for an Annual Musical Extravaganza", Lightweight Structures Competition, U.K., Mention and Publication.
- 1982, "Proposal and Design for Local Community Involvement in an Inner-city 'Urban Wasteland' Improvement Project", Prince of Wales Trust Environmental Improvement Project, Cardiff, First Prize.
- 1981, "Wine Fountain Design" , National Competition, Architects Journal, U.K., First Prize.
- 1981, "Portable Theatre Design for Edinburgh Festival", Mobile Theatre Design , Edinburgh, Runner-up.
- 1980, "Intelligent Architecture" (computerised ecological housing concept proposal), Tomorrow's New Community, Wales, Mention & Publication.
- 1979, (with Martin Roberts) "Tractor-transportable Sheep Shelter for Welsh Hill Farms", Civil Engineering (Mobile Hill Farm Shelter), Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Frenhinol Cymru/Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales, First Prize.
Ramsay Rebuild
The jury, made up of architects, a landscape architect & experts in accessible housing & sustainable design, was ‘impressed with the way this entry attended to every aspect of the design brief’.
Further, the design
‘strongly connects the interior with carefully designed outside
spaces. The high level of natural light & access to views to
courtyards ensures the occupants can benefit from the natural
environment.’
‘This is
exactly the type of outcome we were hoping for – something that
exemplifies good design, and, through a subtle quirkiness, draws
attention to the many beneficial aspects of the project’ said PARAQUAD SA president Mr Fabbro.
Christie Walk
Sustainability specialist Danielle McCartney cited… Christie
Walk, a mixed-density community housing project in Adelaide that
demonstrates that sustainable living can be achieved in the inner city.
She notes this pilot project reintroduces the idea of "community" to
the city. Car dependency is reduced and community facilities that have
been the vital core of Northern European co-housing developments for
decades create a "calm oasis" in the middle of Adelaide. This design
project should be praised, says McCartney, for what it gives back to
the community.
Catriona McLeod, "Sustainment in a Shrinking World" p.36 Architecture Australia Sept/oct 2004
ARCHITECTURE & URBAN DESIGN PROJECTS
Paul’s
longstanding commitment to ecological architecture & urban design
encompasses dozens of projects that range from the design of individual
dwellings & community buildings to multi-unit dwellings & whole
town plans (see ‘Ecopolis Projects’ portfolio).
KEYNOTE, PLENARY & INVITED SPEAKER
CHINA, BRAZIL, ITALY, USA, CANADA, INDIA, MALAYSIA, NEW ZEALAND, ENGLAND & AUSTRALIA
Including:
- Ecopolis Forum 2004 - International Forum on
Adaptive Ecopolis Development to Meet the Challenge of Fast
Urbanization, Ningbo City, CHINA: 2004
- Ecopolis - Visions and Means, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND: 2004
- The Fifth International Ecocity Conference, Shenzhen, CHINA: 2002
- EcoCity IV - Fourth International EcoCity Conference, Curitiba, BRAZIL: 2000
- Green Building Challenge 98, Vancouver, CANADA: 1998
- 20th International Conference on Making Cities Livable, Sante Fe, USA: 1997
- Ecological Cities, towards a sustainable development, Padova, ITALY: 1995
- Community Sustainability Across America, Washington DC, USA: 1993
- The Other Economic Summit, Sydney, AUSTRALIA: 1993
- Partnerships for Change, Manchester, ENGLAND: 1993
- 29th Australian Gas Association Convention, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA: 1993
- EAROPH, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA: 1992
- EcoCity 2 - Second International EcoCity Conference, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA: 1992
- Architecture of Cities International Conference, Calcutta, INDIA: 1990
- First International EcoCity Conference, Berkeley, California, USA: 1990
PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA
Several book chapters, hundreds of papers, articles &
interviews (radio, tv, video & printed media)
on architecture, ecology & city planning (see Publications).
EDUCATION
- PhD* University of Adelaide, AUSTRALIA: 2002
- BArch, University of Wales, CYMRU (Wales): 1975
- BSc (2.1 Honours), University of Wales, CYMRU (Wales): 1973
- RIBA Part 3, UK: 1980
DISSERTATION
*Ecopolis - Towards an Integrated Theory for the Design,
Development and Maintenance of Ecological Cities.
"This is certainly the most unusual thesis I have ever seen - a tremendous amount of work of very high quality…"
(Dr Steven Szokolay)
"…the body of work carried out by the
author (and his colleagues, who are gracefully acknowledged in the
text) over the last decade is a significant contribution to the
creation of knowledge that will be needed… to effect a
transition to a more sustainable society." (Dr Robert Vale)
RESEARCH & TECHNICAL CONSULTANCIES
- Editor - New &
revised content for third edition of the ‘Your Home’
Technical Manual of Residential Design Guide, Australian Greenhouse
Office: 2005
- Contributing Author & Editor - Interactive DVD of Technical Manual of Residential Design Guide, Australian Greenhouse Office: 2003
- Principal Author - Fact Sheets on Sustainable Landscape, Straw
Bale, Rammed Earth, Adobe, Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
construction, and Medium Density Housing case study for Technical Manual of Residential Design Guide,
Australian Greenhouse Office: 2002-2003
- Reviewer and Contributing Expert - Reviewer and Contributing Expert for
development of Building Environmental Rating System, Sustainable
Industries Branch Environment Australia: 2001-2002
- Technical Adviser - Steering Committee Good Residential Design Guide, Australian Greenhouse Office: 2000-2003
- Principal Author - Glenthorne Estate Urban Ecological Analysis & Review, CSIRO: 1999
OTHER EXPERIENCE
- Nominee - State Planning Strategy Reference Group: 1993-current, & SA Planning Review: 1991-92
- Member of Management Team - The Halifax EcoCity Project - Ecopolis Adelaide: 1992-1998
- Conference Co-Convener - Greenhouse 91 Adelaide: 1991, Second International Eco-city Conference: 1991-92
- Invited Delegate - Building Regulations Review Board, National Workshop on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Sydney: 1991
- Invited Delegate - National Workshop on Ecologically Sustainable Urban Development, Melbourne: 1991
- Founding President - Greenhouse Association of SA Inc: 1989-91
- Associate Member - Royal Australian Institute of Architects 1984-91/1996-current.
Organising Committee RAIA National Housing
Conf 2001, Vice President Education 1989, Chair Education Committee
1989, Initiator & Chair Environment Committee 1989-90, Mentor
Scheme Sub-Committee 1987- 90, Chair of Assessors' Panel Beaumont Tiles
Award competition jury 1987-88, Chair Schools of Architecture Task
Force Architecture Week Committee 1987, Chapter Councillor 1986-88-89,
Practice Committee1984-86, Organising Committee RAIA 1986 National
Convention 1985-86:
- Assistant Editor - Building + Architecture, Adelaide: 1987-89
FAMILY
- Chérie Hoyle, Spouse
- Dafydd, 35
- Seren Mari, 34
- Rhiannon Gaea, 26
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