The Brickworks Living Building Challenge design competition run by the Living Future Institute of Australia and Frasers Property Group, asked participants to explore the concept of regenerative design to apply to the design of a retail centre and to redefine ‘best practice’ for the sector.

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Biomimicry Australia was part of the collaborative design team that won the major award, the Professional Candlebark Prize, with dwp|suters, Aurecon, CJ Arms, EcoHarvest, Future Food and WATPAC for “The Difference is Living”.

 

One of the foundations for our team's response was a focus on Biomimicry and Biophilia. The judges said the team’s entry “comprehensively creatively” addressed the principles of the Living Building Challenge, particularly with its modular construction, market roof, bush tucker gardens, green walls and billabong wetlands. The billabong served multiple functions, that included: acting as an ephemeral wetlands to manage stormwater; a biophilic design element addressing water, seasonality, connection to natural systems, and as a place for community to engage with each other and nature.