Learning Environments Australasia Design Awards 2023
PBDG’s St Thomas Aquinas ELC Naturescape has been honoured to receive the Commendation in the 2023 Learning Environments Australasia Design Awards(LEAD)!
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Giralang Naturescape Stage 1 and Yarning Circle Completion
The Giralang Naturescape Stage 1 and Yarning Circle have been completed!
Giralang Naturescape Stage 1
We transformed the existing grove area and created a new naturescape using the rocks, logs, swale and berms, dry creek bed and water harvesting systems…
Read More Giralang Naturescape Stage 1 and Yarning Circle Completion
International Conference on Regenerative Design
Thanks to the Department of Education, Taipei City Government and Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Taipei for the invitation! Paul Barnett was invited as a keynote speaker to talk about the Metamorphosis in Design: Regenerative Community and Ecology through Architecture and Landscape…
International Visit: Naturescapes and Early Childhood Education
We are pleased to present our Educational projects to our international visitors who were interested in the Regenerative Naturescapes as an outdoor classroom and Early Childhood Education.
Read More International Visit: Naturescapes and Early Childhood Education
Habitats for Life TedxTalk: Regenerative Microvillages
As the year 2022 comes to a close, Director Paul Barnett’s Tedx Canberra Talk has reached over 1k views! In the talk, he proposes a more sustainable way to design our homes through Living Pod Designs, and a way for design to enhance communities through Regenerative Microvillages.
Read More Habitats for Life TedxTalk: Regenerative Microvillages
International Eco-House Design Competition
PBDG’s design submission is in the final review process after being invited as one of the qualifying firms for the ICIMOD Eco-House Design Competition! We are so happy to be involved in this exciting project that will open up huge opportunities for sustainable design everywhere.
Blue Gum Science Pod Completion
What an incredible space! Our whole team was left in awe after seeing the completed site in person just this week. The project looks exactly the same as the visual 3D renders, and we are very proud of it.
Macquarie Primary Native Garden Completion
The Macquarie Native Garden has been completed! This small courtyard area had a very steep slope held by a rock wall. For our design, we imagined opening up the wall so that children can run, play, and interweave through the different levels more easily…
Maribyrnong Masterplan Stage 4
Collaborating with Maribyrnong Primary School Principal Andrew Buesnel and the school team, PBDG is preparing the design and other processes to start stage 4 of the master plan!
Naturescapes are growing!
PBDG wishes everyone a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year! This year, we have completed the transformation of many landscapes into naturescapes, microforest, and natural outdoor learning classrooms across the territory. We have also witnessed the rapid…
Official Opening of the Maribyrnong Winyu Naturescape
Thank you to Maribyrnong Primary School Principal Andrew Buesnel for inviting PBDG Director Paul Barnett to be a guest speaker at the Official Opening of the Maribyrnong Winyu Naturescape last week.
Read More Official Opening of the Maribyrnong Winyu Naturescape
Invited Speaker at MBA Conference: Sustainability in Construction, Technology, and Business
Director Paul Barnett was invited to the inaugural MBA Conference about Sustainability in Construction, Technology, and Business. It was a great experience to speak alongside fellow sustainability experts
Affordable Living Pod Housing in Regenerative Villages
Director Paul has been providing advice to the Watson community regarding affordable Living Pod housing in regenerative villages in support of their negotiation with the government on the development of Section 76. They have included a Cohousing site, and these developments are very closely aligned with Director Paul’s beliefs.
Read More Affordable Living Pod Housing in Regenerative Villages
Seminar with Staff from International Department of Education
How exciting for our Director Paul Barnett to be invited to speak with the Department of Early Childhood Education at an international exchange seminar. The participants will hear the concepts behind naturescapes and waterharvesting and see the growth of various case studies’ environments.
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ICIMOD Living Mountain Lab Eco-House Design Progress
Since being invited as a qualifying firm for this competition, PBDG has been developing Living Pod solutions for the ICIMOD International Eco-House Design Project.
Read More ICIMOD Living Mountain Lab Eco-House Design Progress
Blue Gum Art Studio Official Opening
Congratulations to Blue Gum Preschool Dickson for the official opening of their Art Studio! So exciting to have Minister Steven Smith declare the space open.
Macquarie Primary Naturescapes: Starting Construction
2022 October The Macquarie Naturescape Plan for the relatively small, but steep and bare area will be turned into a native microforest. The retaining wall rocks will be reused to…
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National Catholic Education at St Thomas Naturescape
Thank you to the Catholic Education Department for inviting Director Paul Barnett to talk to the delegates of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) at their Early Childhood meeting in Canberra.
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Learning Environments AUS at St Thomas Naturescape
We are so proud to have St Thomas Naturescape selected as one of 2022s best Learning Environments AUS Campus Renovations. During the tour and sharing meeting, the designers, school representatives and guests discussed the core concepts of this campus project and the design concept of the naturescapes.
Read More Learning Environments AUS at St Thomas Naturescape
Macquarie Primary Naturescapes
The Macquarie Primary School Site will be experiencing the magic of naturescape design, construction, and growth very soon. PBDG has been brought on to direct the water flow with waterharvesting trenches…
Dickson Shops Revitalisation- Preliminary Discussion
PBDG has entered the preliminary discussion for a Dickson Shops Revitalisation Masterplan Project. The goal of the redesign is to create a high-quality, safe, human-centred, ecological, inclusive, and aesthetic public space suitable for leisure and play for all ages.
Read More Dickson Shops Revitalisation- Preliminary Discussion
Refurbishing Ex Gov. Homes
PBDG can offer a whole range of options to design and refurbish your home so that it can accommodate changing family structures that are different to the traditional nuclear family.
Giralang Primary Masterplan
Thanks to the many workshops and feedback from the school community, Giralang’s Primary’s Masterplan has been completed, have a read about the design concept below.
New Residential Projects
PBDG is excited to be working on RESIDENTIAL Projects! We are look forward to see these projects complete!
Living Pods Demonstration Housing
Living Pod, Housing, and Residential enquiries have been through the roof this past year because of the huge demand for homes that meet the needs of all different people after this Covid Pandemic
Manuka Oval Facilities Upgrade
Manuka Oval Facilities like the Bar and Offices are getting an upgrade, photos of completion will be updated soon!
Giralang Primary Masterplan Workshops
Several masterplan workshops with students, staff, and the P&C were conducted with the Giralang School Community. The Masterplan will be completed over the School Winter Break, and ready for further discussion and feedback from the school.
New Project: Aranda Magic Garden
Over the years, Aranda Primary School has gradually become a Nature Play oasis for children and the school community thanks to the school leadership team’s continued progress on the school Masterplan.
Rain in Waterharvesting Trenches
Canberra has had a torrential amount of rain this year, but thankfully, with waterharvesting trenches,the water can be retained and slowly seep into the soil, filling up the trenches where the roots of nearby trees can reach.
New Project: Adelaide on the Hills
PBDG is excited to be working on an interstate Living Pods Project! This project is all thanks to the positive referral from our previous clients combined with this client’s persistent enquiries…
Australian Institute of Architects President’s Award
Paul Barnett was awarded the President’s Award 2004 ACT Architecture Awards, RAIA ACT Chapter for the work done at Orana School.
Read More Australian Institute of Architects President’s Award
Recognition of volunteer efforts at Hackett Community Swales
The Bragg St Park in Hackett is getting recognition for the volunteer backed efforts to transform a steep dustbowl with a lot of water runoff into a thriving park with 7 interesting and practical water swales to capture and hold water.
Read More Recognition of volunteer efforts at Hackett Community Swales
Aranda Primary Masterplan Zone 3
The main elements of Zone 3 of Aranda Primary School’s Masterplan have been completed, but of course, the growth of plants and trees will continue for many years.
New Project: Hackett Shops Urban Open Space
2022 March A new project to renovate an open space in the suburb centre. The space wishes to combine naturescape, habitat life, Sitting spaces/meeting with friends and garden, etc for the…
International Architectural Internship in Australia
Students were granted a scholarship opportunity from the Taiwan Department of Education to travel to Australia for an Architectural internship with Associate Professor Paul Barnett.
Read More International Architectural Internship in Australia
International Architectural Lectures and Design Workshop
After 8 weeks of Regenerative Design lectures, the students were involved in 4 days of “International Architectural Lecture and Design Workshop” based on the topics of the lecture.
Read More International Architectural Lectures and Design Workshop
EXPERT TALK- Australian Green Building Certification Systems II
After the Master Lecture Series- Paul Barnett Interview Part 1 released. Now the “Master Lecture Series- Paul Barnett Interview Part 2” is launched!
Read More EXPERT TALK- Australian Green Building Certification Systems II
Certificate of Recognition as Regenerative Practitioner
Certificate of Recognition as Regenerative Practitioner 2021 December After many years of passion for this topic, Director Paul Barnett has finally obtained the Regenerative Practitioner Certificate from the Regenesis Institute…
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Canberra College Innovation Pavilion Completed!
Thank you to Canberra College principal Michael Battenally and the school for inviting us to the Commissioning of the Innovation Pavilion. The design concept of the space…
Playscape Design for Community Play
Majura Primary School naturescape is an example of the perfect community nature playscape that allows children to freely play and explore their creativity and gross motor skills.
Natural Design for Crazy Play- Naturescapes
Naturescapes have many benefits to the climate and ecosystem of Australia. However, many places across the world also have…
Canberra Builder Edition 3/2021- Passive House Design
Paul Barnett was a part of the sustainability-focused edition of Canberra Builder 2021- Stories of sustainability and achieving longevity in the industry.
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EXPERT TALK- Australian Green Building Certification Systems
Paul Barnett was invited by Green Building Magazine to feature as a Master Lecture Series Interviewee in their latest book publication- “Green, Buildings, People”.
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Paul Barnett Appointed as Associate Professor
Paul Barnett has been appointed as a cross-discipline Adjunct Associate Professor for the Departments of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and…
Multigenerational Covid Living
One of the things we have all experienced during this Covid Pandemic is missing family and loved ones, and working, socialising, parenting, and living all within the confines of our homes.
Nominated for THINK BRICK AUSTRALIA AWARD 2021
2021 November PBDG’s Blue Gum Preschool Dickson has been nominated for the THINK BRICK AUSTRALIA, HORBURY HUNT COMMERCIAL AWARD category. Thanks to our partner consultants Monarch Building Solutions (Builder), Keith…
Paul Barnett in the Australian Institute of Architects
Paul Barnett in the Australian Institute of Architects 2020 June Paul Barnett was elected as the Chair of the Australian Institute of Architects Sustainability Committee from June of 2019 and…
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Institute of Architects President’s Medal
Paul Barnett has won the President’s Medal at the 2019 National Architecture Awards, “the highest honour bestowed on an individual by the ACT …
Master Builders Excellence Award 2021
PBDG’s Blue Gum Preschool Dickson has won the Master Builders Association ACT Building Excellence Award for Commercial Refurbishment of less…
MBA People’s Choice Awards
Blue Gum Preschool Dickson has won another award with over 230 individual votes for the MBA People’s Choice Awards on the MBA Facebook page!
Design Matters National 2021 Building Design Awards
At a virtual event on the 28th of October, Blue Gum Dickson Preschool Extention Project won the Excellence in the Use of Bricks at the Design Matters National 2021 Building Design Awards.
Read More Design Matters National 2021 Building Design Awards
Friendship with Local Businesses
PBDG is located in the business centre at O’Conner, where there are also many local Canberra restaurants and businesses. All of these places have great services and products,…
International University Education Exchange
Two Taiwanese university design faculties have joined classes to hear Paul Barnett talk about the regenerative design language, and how to live more sustainably…
Energy-Efficient Homes: Affordable for Everyone
We have been awarded the Housing Industry Associations highest accolade for the 2015 Greensmart Energy Efficiency Home of the year – and we are so proud!
Naturescapes as Natural Outdoor Learning Classrooms
PBDG have officially published our Naturescapes brochure on ISSUU.com! Click on the cover page below to read.
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Habitat Design for Orana Kindergarten
Orana Steiner School involved Paul Barnett 20 years ago in the design of the educational-philosophy-inspired school environment and his very first naturescape project…
Hackett Community Park Swales Work
Hacket Community Association received an ACT Government Grant, Nature in the City, to create waterharvesting swales at Bragg St/Brennan St Park. The park has…
Passive House Design Principles: Green Building Certification Systems
Green Building Magazine has featured 3 of PBDG’s projects that were designed with passive house principles. Scroll down and click on the covers to read the featured articles.
Read More Passive House Design Principles: Green Building Certification Systems
UC Risk Management and Contracts Presentation
The Department of Architecture at the University of Canberra invited Paul Barnett for his annual presentation on Risk and Contracts. He shared his…
Maribyrnong Primary Courtyard Yarning Circle
The New Yarning Circle at Maribyrnong Primary School has just received the big rocks! This is stage 2 of Maribyrnong Primary School’s Master Plan…
Appointed as International Reviewer for Conference
Paul Barnett was appointed as an international reviewer for the International Conference, Design Decoded 2021 on Design Industries and Creative Culture…
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Majura Seeding Working Bee with Local Community Group
On the weekend, PBDG met with local community group, Living Streets Association, at Majura Primary to share ideas on nature play and plant grass and flower seeds on the naturescapes.
Read More Majura Seeding Working Bee with Local Community Group
Blue Gum Dickson: a Masterpiece in the Making
Watch the video below to hear some insights from Blue Gum Community School, Paul Barnett Design Group, and Monarch Building Solutions about the design …
Recapture the Magic of Childhood- Learning Environments Australasia
PBDG’s project was featured in Learning Environment Australasia’s article, “Recapture the magic of childhood: LE ACT explores nature playscapes at Blue Gum Community School”.
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Master Builders Awards Evaluation- Blue Gum Preschool Dickson
PBDG’s Blue Gum Preschool Dickson is a Finalist in the Master Builders ACT Awards! We look forward to the virtual Excellence Awards Ceremony to be held on…
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ACT Smart Energy Efficient Homes
As part of the ACTSmart Sustainable Home Advice Program, Paul Barnett gave a talk about “MAKING HOMES MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT”. With his 30 years…
Community Youth Group Mentoring and Coaching
This year, Paul Barnett has been involved with a local community youth group, Living Streets Association as a mentor and coach for young people.
Blue Gum Philosophy and Creation
Paul Barnett shares the design and philosophy behind the Blue Gum Community School Hacket Site projects. Learn more about how the design of this school site benefits children and their growth and development.
Maribyrnong Masterplan Workshops with Students, Parents and Staff
PBDG have produced a Masterplan after consultation with Maribyrnong Primary School students, parents and staff in a series of presentations and…
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Sustainable Living for Familial Community and the Planet
2020 Green Building Magazine published an article on PBDG’s concepts of Living Pods and Naturescapes, with case studies from Aranda Primary School, Majura Primary School, Orana Steiner School, and St…
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North Ainslie Masterplan Workshops
Paul Barnett Design Group has been working on the North Ainslie Primary School Masterplan since June 2020. A series of community consultation and workshop…
Watson Community Village
Watson Community Association invited Paul Barnett to share his ideas on a sustainable village design for section 76 in Watson. He brought together…
Learning Environments Australasia Awards- Blue Gum Preschool
PBDG’s Blue Gum Community school was featured in the Learning Environments Australasia Awards for Excellence in Education Facility Design 2020 Award publication. Extract from the 2020 Awards Publication-
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Covid Work/Home Life Article
PBDG was interviewed about their Covid Work/Home Lifestyle in the article for Green Building Magazine. On top of some questions about how the office…
International University Education Program
Paul Barnett assisted them in learning about local culture, landscape features, and design elements to create uniquely Canberran children’s play equipment.
Passive Design Principle Homes
2019 Green Building Magazine looks at case studies Carwoola House and Turner Microvillage to discuss elements of Passive House Design Principles such as embodied energy, solar passive design, and thermal…
ACT State of the Environment Case Study-Aranda Primary Waterharvesting
2019 PBDG’s Aranda Primary School waterharvesting project was featured as a case study in Chapter 4 Urban Trees in the ACT- Nature in the City. Scroll to page 82 of…
Read More ACT State of the Environment Case Study-Aranda Primary Waterharvesting
Majura Primary P&C Presentation and Workshop
Paul Barnett presented the Majura Primary Naturescapes Masterplan to the Majura P&C and community this week.
SIGNED! Australian Architects Declare Climate & Biodiversity Emergency
Paul Barnett Design Group has signed the Australian Architects Declare Climate & Biodiversity Emergency.
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Nafu Japan Summercamp Presentation
Paul Barnett attended the NAFU Annual Conference in Japan and did a presentation on Creating Life-Sustaining Habitat Across Generations. He spoke…
ACTSmart Solar House Day
ACTSmart Solar House Day 2019 July As the Chair of the Sustainability Committee of the Australian Institute of Architects, Paul Barnett organised the ACTSmart Solar House Day and invited directors…
Study of Biomimicry and Biophilia- Orana Steiner School
Paul Barnett talks about the biomimicry and biophilia of Orana Steiner School in the natural spatial patterns and natural analogue patterns…
Read More Study of Biomimicry and Biophilia- Orana Steiner School
ABC Radio Naturescapes Interview
Breakfast on ABC Radio Canberra interviewed Paul Barnett and Paul Totterdell about how Naturescapes and Waterharvesting work, how it started…
Risk Management Lecture
Paul Barnett shares his 30-year experience of risk management in the built environment industry with the University of Canberra’s Department of Architecture Students.
National Sustainability in Business Conference
Paul Barnett was invited as a guest speaker to talk about the Living Pods concept at the 2018 National Sustainability in Business Conference in Brisbane.
Transforming Residential Areas into Sustainable Living Environments
The Association for Sustainability in Business has posted an article in their blog about Living Pods and Naturescapes. Read on below or click this link…
Read More Transforming Residential Areas into Sustainable Living Environments
Stormwater as a Valuable Resource- Featured in Architecture and Design
PBDG’s Aranda Primary School Adventure Garden was featured in Architecture and Design’s article, 3 case studies that utilise stormwater as a valuable resource.
Read More Stormwater as a Valuable Resource- Featured in Architecture and Design
TEDx Canberra Adventure-Living Pods for Expanded Families
Paul Barnett shares his alternate way of housing through Living Pods at the TEDx Canberra Adventure- Open Mic Night.
Read More TEDx Canberra Adventure-Living Pods for Expanded Families
Liveable Cities Conference
Paul Barnett attended the Healthy Cities 9th Making Cities Liveable Conference as a speaker to talk about Living Pods and Natural Waterharvested Landscapes.
Habitats for Life: Sustainable Micro Villages I TEDx Canberra
Why do we live the way we do? In this talk, architect Paul Barnett challenges us to look at why we live in the kinds of houses we do, and proposes a more…
Read More Habitats for Life: Sustainable Micro Villages I TEDx Canberra
Canberra Weekly- “Promoting Excellence”
Paul Barnett Design Group has been featured in the Canberra Weekly Magazine! Have a read below! Paul Barnett Design aims to create beautiful buildings and environments that engage master builders and craftspeople.
Canberra Times- “Great outdoors Transforms school’s new home”
Director Paul barnett said he tried to evoke the “artistic impulse” of the school and natural geometric shapes also inspired the refurbishments of the school buildings,
Read More Canberra Times- “Great outdoors Transforms school’s new home”
RAIA Awards for Orana Projects
Paul Barnett Design Group was awarded the Royal Institute of Architects ACT Chapter Commendation and Awards in 1996, 1999, and 2002 for Projects completed at Orana Steiner School.
CREEDA Business Awards
Paul Barnett Design Group was awarded the CREEDA Business Centres Special Achievement Award in 2001, and the CREEDA Working ON the Business Award in 2002