Sustainable Clever Design

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: Tasmanian architect Mike Cleaver commissioned Anna Johnson to write an introductory essay and series of case studies for 'Sustainable Clever Design'. This book was self-published by Cleaver and the project was sponsored by 15 building, design and materials industry partners, including Dulux and Building Designers Australia (BDA). These sponsors have also run advertisements in the book. RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION: Johnson's critical overview essay explores how Cleaver's design incorporates environmental sustainability with residential design and discusses which architects have influenced this work (for example Hans Haring, Hans Scharoun and Peter Corrigan). Johnson discusses sustainability and architectural language, foregrounding that architecture driven by sustainable issues can also challenge preconceived notions of what environmentally responsive architecture should look like. The case studies review 17 important Cleaver projects. Whilst the book was published by Cleaver himself, the writer had compete scope to explore the work, his ideas and architecture in a reflective way that trace relevant influences, trajectories through his practice. Johnson's contribution has been to locate the work within broader discipline specific discourse and critically reflect upon the origins of Cleaver's work and what it contributes the building practice in Australia. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE: Although this book was self-published, it has achieved peer review in industry and design publications. It was reviewed in Building Designers BRIEF Australia, a quarterly magazine (Winter 2012 issue, see attached). It has also been reviewed in the Bulletin, book reviews and Luxury Contemporary Home Magazine. The book is in the collection of 9 libraries, including the National Library of Australia and is sold in reputable bookshops such as Readings and the Brunswick Street Bookshop.