Humanity-centred design: Designing the world’s first coral ‘ark’ Past Event
Join the team overseeing the world’s first dedicated coral conservation facility, the Living Coral Biobank, for a live conversation on designing for humanity.
The Living Coral Biobank aims to secure the long-term future and biodiversity of corals worldwide which are under severe threat due to climate change. Designed by Australian architects Contreras Earl Architecture, with leading engineering and sustainability consultants Arup and Werner Sobek for the Great Barrier Reef Legacy, the primary goal of the facility is to keep alive and nurture over 800 species of the world’s hard corals.
The new building typology – a ‘living ark’ – will be the only dedicated facility of its kind in the world. Through its innovative design and engineering it will be a world leader in next-generation renewable energy design, creating optimal conditions for coral storage while minimising energy consumption and solar gain.
The Living Coral Biobank will be located at the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef in Port Douglas, North Queensland, Australia.
Rafael Contreras
Born in Lima, Peru, Rafael completed his Masters of Architecture and Urbanism in London and later worked with Zaha Hadid Architects, leading international teams on competition-winning bids and commissions including the Grand Theatre in Rabat Morocco, Tokyo National Stadium and New Beijing Daxing Airport – the world’s largest airport terminal. He was project architect and designer for landmark residential and mixed-use projects in Australia by Zaha Hadid Architects including Mayfair in St. Kilda (VIC), Grace on Coronation in Toowong (QLD) and Mariners Cove, on the Gold Coast (QLD)
Monica Earl
Born in Cairns, Australia, Monica graduated from the University of Sydney, winning the coveted Design Medal from the Australian Institute of Architects. She received the Frank Knox Fellowship to Harvard University, where she completed her Masters of Architecture and Urban Design. In Sydney Monica worked with leading residential practices Tribe Studio and Scale Architecture before moving to London to work with Foster + Partners on the ICD Brookfield Place (Dubai) project, and with Carmody Groarke on the British Museum (exhibition design) and Windermere Jetty Museum in the Lake District.
Dr Dean Miller
Dr. Miller is a marine biologist, adventurer, film maker, photographer and writer. He is the Project Director of The Living Coral Biobank and also the Managing Director of the NGO ‘Great Barrier Reef Legacy’ which is a group of experts dedicated to conservation of coral reefs around the world with focus on the Great Barrier Reef.
Richard Vincent
Arup engineering is responsible of the world’s most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry. Richard has considerable experience leading a multi-disciplinary MEP and ESD Group in the UK and Australia on a wide range of award-winning projects including residential, commercial, public, transport and education buildings. Richard leads the Regional Arup Environmental Parametric Design Group
Thomas Winterstetter
Werner Sobek is internationally synonymous with engineering, design and sustainability, producing sophisticated designs for load-bearing structures, technical building services, and facades. Thomas has spent most of his career focusing on the design and construction of complex building envelopes and structures, and he completed a wide range of projects across the globe, ranging from supertall high-rise buildings to cultural facilities. Thomas is also an Honorary professor at the University of Stuttgart/Germany.