- Liam Noble, Complete Urban
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How many plants you fix on the face of a building or layout across the roof or plant around or through a building, has no real bearing on how green a building is. Many ‘jungled up’ buildings perpetuate a far greater carbon footprint in there upkeep than a spatially and materially well thought out building that is sympathetic to its aspect, location and climate.
There seems a need to demystify the green roof. ‘Green’ roofs are easy to implement, particularly for new structures. They can be defined as “Value adding to a community while reducing environmental impact”. They can provide beautiful dramatic aspects and valuable additional breakout space in densely populated areas taking pressure off other public spaces. They can provide a heat sink, opportunities for thermal and stormwater buffering and habitat for a myriad of interesting and beneficial flora and fauna. There is also great potential for power generation, and the benefit of passive surveillance and site activation.
Over the past decade green roofs have grown significantly in popularity. Many start as simple explorations of WSUD principles or rooftop design projects, often both together and often evolving as additional to the original brief. The expansion of projects to include these aspects beyond the requirements has generally lead to an increased sales potential and a more positive reception from Development Approval Authorities, thus more enthusiastic funding from clients.
The cost of implementing a correctly considered accessible roof park area compared to the cost of the overall project is minimal. Beyond the cost, roof parks attract buyers and tenants in greater numbers. They also increase the value of the space from a property perspective.
As roof parks have continued to grow in popularity, a number of subtle discoveries have been made regarding how WSUD principles or rooftop design projects can be implemented technically and politically, which have thereby simplified the achievement of sustainability objectives. These sustainability objectives are the true benefits from a development, community and environmental perspective.
BIO:
Liam Noble began his career as a demolition construction labourer in 1987 then Landscaping and working as a Landscape Foreman while studying Horticulture and Engineering. Eventually going on to study landscape Architecture at UNSW where he still takes time out from work from year to year to Tutor design students. He has a BLA Hon 1, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, University of NSW (Hons 1) - Thesis: Management of Hybrid Ecosystems in the Sydney Region (Hons 1); Assoc.Dip Hort Eng.; Associate Diploma Engineering/ Horticulture/ Land Management, Ryde Horticultural College.
From 2003-2008 he worked for 3600 Landscape Architects, Design Lead, Senior Landscape Architect. He was a Tutor at UNSW, Final year design studio with Professor James Weirick. 2002-2003. L.A.N.D. Horticultural consultancy and design. (self employed consultancy) 2000-2002. Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture, Landscape Architect Urban Design / Public Works projects: Sydney University multi-area landscape improvements, Bronte Retail Centres Public Domain Improvements Plan, Broughton Anglican College (Sydney), St Peters Anglican College (Sydney).
Liam is currently a Senior Landscape Architect at Complete Urban.
COMPETITIONS AND AWARDS
• 1998 Lindsay Robertson Memorial Prize for design.
• 1999 Nominated for the Hassall Prize.
SOME MAJOR PROJECTS
• 2003- Present Sam Fizsman Park Bondi, Client; Waverley Council
• Merino Central Wool store Conversion, Client; Caverstock
• Silos, Client; Grant Samuel Property
• Westons Biscuit Factory Conversion, Client; MM Group
• Sugar Valley West Walls End Newcastle. Client; Australian Enterprise Holding
• Penrith New Town Centre, Client; The Davis Group
• Redfern National Indigenous Development Centre, Client; Indigenous Land Corporation
• 207 Whale Beach Road, Client; David Wilkie