When researching the most interesting sustainable buildings and regions for my book Hyperlocalization of Architecture, I kept ending up in Australia.
From the largest office building in the southern hemisphere to a tiny cabin in the outback, these projects consistently challenge and provoke. They push to the outer edges of environmental architecture.
One of the stand-out features in Australian contemporary building design is a quality of movement — a kind of kinetic design that allows buildings to be adaptable and comfortable. Some buildings open to provide a path for the prevailing cooling breeze, or close to protect from wildfire or prying eyes.
In the book, architect Sean Godsell describes it as "animated architecture" that keeps buildings from being predictable.
Kinetic architecture creates extraordinary experiences by engaging with building occupants. Most importantly, it's perfectly adapted to a region already undergoing the stress of climate change.