Miss Alison McDonald

This person does not currently hold a position at QUT.
Biography
Alison is a chartered UK architect, registered QLD architect and low-energy architecture consultant. She co-ordinates the Sustainability Minors and Real Studio QUT for Queensland University of Technology. In addition to her passion for low-energy architecture, her interests include sustainable communities, the metabolism of cities and eco-retrofitting. Alison has had a long relationship with sustainability, her family were founding members of the world’s largest permaculture community and she is a member of The EcoVillage at Currumbin. She has also worked on aid projects in remote and developing areas and for clients with special needs, such as physical disabilities and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS). She also has a passion for ocean sailing, is a British RYA Yachtmaster; and an amateur sculptor.
Personal details
Keywords
Application of Emerging Sustainable Design Methods, Building Performance, Eco-Cities, Eco-retrofitting, Low Energy Architecture, Metabolism of Cities, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Positive Development, Sustainable Communities, Universal Design
Discipline
Other Built Environment and Design, Architecture
Field of Research code, Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC), 2008
Professional memberships and associations
- Australian Green Development Forum (AGDF) Director/Board Member
- Australian Green Development Forum Education Committee Member
- Australasian National Sustainability Initiative (ANSI) Board Member
- Society of Sustainability and Environmental Engineers (SSEE) Committee Member
- AIA Member
- RIBA Member
- ACA Member
- Emerald Alliance
Experience
- Eco-retrofitting Communities for Sustainable Urbanisation
- Domestic building envelope performance in humid sub-tropical climates
- Building performance of domestic buildings in the UK
- Post-occupancy study of non-domestic BREEAM buildings in UK (http://www.euleb.info)
- An energy and comfort study on Battle McCarthy Office
- Light and energy efficiency proposal for Natural History Museum, London
Select Project Experience:
- Real Studio QUT (http://www.facebook.com/Real.Studio.QUT)
- Co-author Sustainable Urbanisation: a resilient future chapter
- Green Star Communities Technical Working Committee and Expert Panel - Liveability sub-committee
- Positive Communities Forum
- Co-author/Contributor of Liveable Buildings for ADUPC Design Guidelines
- Author of Brisbane City Hall: Sustainability Benchmarking of a Heritage Building
- Sustainability Design Consultant for Thames Gateway Sustainability Plan and Energy Assessments
- Leftbank, Brisbane: Awarded RAIA Highly commended. Architect
- British Embassy, Moscow: Stirling Award nominee. Graduate Architect
- Caboolture Hub. Project Architect
- Blanchardstown Institute of Technology, Ireland. Project Architect
- Blackfriars Pier, The Thames, London. Project Architect
- Jubilee Line Extension, London. Project Architect
- Private commissions for various dwellings: sustainable design and universal design dwellings for disabled
Selected publications
QUT ePrints
To find publications by Alison, visit QUT ePrints, the University's research repository.
Awards
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2011
- Details
- Vice-Chancellor's Performance Award in recognition of a significant and superior contribution to the work of the University for dedication and commitment to principles of sustainability, and high calibre course coordination.