Gareth Cole

From the past:

“My current fascination with life is Sacred Geometry and my eco Farm in Bathurst”

from 2004

Born Sydney - Aug 1947. Lived at Manly until I was 12 and moved to West Pymble 1957. Was in the first year at ABHS and finished in 1965. Mother died that year and had to repeat last year

Did architectural drafting for 3 years and won a scholarship to do Architecture at UTS. Won the Highest aggregate student award and graduated with honours in 1976. Won 3 more scholarships and attended Sydney Uni for a masters degree. Wrote my first book in 1981. Produced my first documentary film on Solar energy in 1983. Second book 1985. Second documentary in 1987. Fourth book done and sold out.Married in 1973. divorced 2009 2 kids -son Daman 37 - CEO and manager for Yingli Solar daughter Yasmin is in the fashion industry. My dad just died in his home at 94 in 2008 and had lived in the old house at West Pymble, which I renovates as modern stone house and sold for just under $1mill in 2009I spent all of my school holidays on my uncles farm at Jamberoo so had a taste of farming.He was always my mentor and taught me so many things about the land. So as life goes full circle, one of my passions is my hobby farm at Wattle Flat 38 k's out of Bathurst.My current fascination with life is Sacred Geometry and I had combined that with the ESD work and my lectures when I was in USA lecturing on sacred geometry, Feng Shui and ESD.

1978 - 2016

Started in private practice with a strong focus on Solar Design and Energy Efficient building types.1990 - 2000Work focused towards designing individual energy efficient residences, eco-villages, autonomous housing and community buildings which have all included sustainable building design and construction.1990 –2000 Building my own eco house in Wattle Flat that does not use any water, power sewer or waste from out side the site, it is a totally autonomouse home. Trying to subdivide it at the moment into 3 x 1hectare lots and leaving me with 199 acres to look after.Individual residential buildings and standard ‘system’ designed buildings, B&B accommodations, alterations and additions to existing homes, community projects such as a Pre School, subdivision planning and design for eco village living. both in and around Sydney and QueenslandEducation:Conducted since 1992, seminars on Energy Efficient Building Design and construction materials and construction methods and energy systems graphically explained in one day workshops to clients, architects, trades and suppliers to understand the benefits and techniques required in designing and building energy efficient residential projects.Other specialist seminars have also been personally conducted for the building and construction industry educating professionals about ecological construction materials.

• 1998-2004 International seminars / workshops conducted to professionals and the general public on ESD principles in South Africa, East Timor and the United States. Involvement with Ecological Sustainability Issues:
• 96-04 Energy Efficient Residential Seminars - General Public & Sydney Councils plus talks in Timor , South Africa and USA
• 98-99 Speaker Co-ordinator of the Ecological Architect’s Association Eco Forums for the Building and Construction Industry:
• 97-01 President of Ecological Architects Association
• 1996 ESD Consultants - Olympic RAS Show ground.
• 1995 Completion of the first ESD Assessment Model for City West Development Corporation.
• 1995 Member of the NSW RAIA Environment Board
• 1995 Convenor on the RAIA Energy Talkfest Forums
• 1995 Made a fellow of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects
• 94-95 Chairman - RAIA NSW Chapter Energy and Environment Group
• 94-95 Chairman - RAIA NSW Ecologically Sustainable Database Group
• 1994 Director - Archinet - Architects’ Email System
• 1994 Reader on the Environment Design Guide - funded by the Research Grant from ERDC, EPA and the RAIA
• 1993-1996 Director - ESD Consultants
• 78-94 Member of the National RAIA Energy and Environment Group

Associations and Projects:

I was involved with the compilation of policies and strategic checklists on residential energy efficiency and ESD for NSW Councils, advice and reports on specific developments. Additionally, a method of assessing a building or development on terms of ESD principles (DTAP) was developed by 1990 As a partner of ’ESD Consultants’ I worked as an ESD advisor for the Olympic Show ground. Using in part my program call Solecta which won and national energy management award. Preparing the initiatives and incentives for many architecture and construction companies on the Olympics. Most of this work was the forerunner for what is now know as Basix- the basic sustainability index

I was a member of the RAIA NSW Chapter Environment Board for over 20 years. Also, the Energy and Environment group (EEG), Chairman, involved in the preparation of the Environment Design Guide. The Environmental Design Guide notes were produced with the support of the Energy Research & Development Corporation (ERDC) and the Environment Protection Agency. I was also a judge of the National Energy Management Awards. I have delivered seminars on ESD, Energy Efficient Design, and retrofitting buildings for improved energy efficiency since the 1980’s.

I have written three books on the principles of passive solar design and energy efficiency. Produced 2 documentary films and written some 18 papers. The eco principles are practised in my own ‘green office’ architectural practice, and I insist my clients do to likewise.

Awards won- some 45 awards for my work, including the JJ Greenland award , and 2002 the silver medal and gold medal from the Francis Greenway Society ( J.J. Greenway was Australia’s first architect ) which was very special to me .

My life today revolves around my architectural practice, project developments with my new partner Maria and my hobby farm near Bathurst- no big chunks of gold yet

and I wonder when it will all stop.

Gareth