Michelle Monaghan, Accredited Thermal Performance Assessor, LMD Studio Chloe Overton, Building Designer, Eclo Designs, Tasmania Geoff Alexander, Principal Designer, Alexstar Building Design Ingrid Hornung, Building Designer, Designs for You Andrea Cochrane, Thermal Performance Assessor, Utopia Thermal Assessments

An INTERSECT regular feature, we interview five members from across Australia who share their personal stories about what design and sustainability means to them. We also talk to the next generation of student designers who share their inspirations and hopes for the future.

04 Who’s Who

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Name: Michelle Monaghan Title: Accredited Thermal Performance Assessor Company: LMD Studio

Name: Chloe Overton Title: Building Designer Business: Eclo Designs, Tasmania

Name: Geoff Alexander Title: Principal Designer Company: Alexstar Building Design

Full name: Ingrid Hornung Title: Building Designer Company: Designs for You

Name: Andrea Cochrane Title: Thermal Performance Assessor Company: Utopia Thermal Assessments

Below: Geoff Alexander rates Marina Bay Sands, Singapore as his favourite international building.

04 Who’s Who

Name: Michelle Monaghan Title: Accredited Thermal Performance Assessor Company: LMD Studio

Why did you join Design Matters National?

I joined Design Matters National for my TPA NatHERS accreditation and to gain access to great CPD sessions and technical support.

To date, what has been your biggest business challenge and how did you overcome it?

The ups and downs of the industry. I have tried to say “yes” to as many opportunities as possible - some of these have opened doors to other opportunities and relationships that have lasted almost 10 years.

Why did you become a thermal performance assessor (TPA)?

My background was actually in Conference and Event Project Management however when my children were small, I developed an interest in sustainability and energy ratings and went on to become a TPA. I now work full time as a TPA.

What are you working on now, and could you share something unique you’re bringing to the project?

I’m working on moving towards Whole of Home and 7 stars. It is a challenging and exciting time for our industry.

What is your favourite software tool?

FirstRate 5 - it has certainly changed a lot over 13 years and keeps getting better with each software update.

How has thermal performance assessments and energy efficiency changed over the years?

When I first started, 5 stars was the industry standard and I became accredited by completing a 3 day course. Now it is rightfully more difficult to become accredited however there is a lot more support and advice available to TPA’s.

Do you have any words of wisdom for students wanting to be part of your profession or those currently working in your profession?

Say yes to as many opportunities as you can, keep learning and growing your knowledge and stay true to your standard of work.

Right: St George’s Cathedral, Perth.

04 Who’s Who

Name: Chloe Overton Title: Building Designer Business: Eclo Designs, Tasmania

I’m currently undergoing one of our own projects which includes restoring a 1930s cottage and building accessible housing behind.

It’s quite unique because we are using the old Haines bricks we took out from the huge chimneys in the renovations and are reusing them on the new builds. We also built a cubby from the recycled materials. I try to be sustainable where possible.

I love working on homes of friends and family because I get to help them bring ideas to life and it’s so rewarding visiting after completion to see them enjoying living there. After working on so many other projects it’s very gratifying to design spaces within our own home where I can characterize my personal ideas.

Being a working mother, I was juggling running a new business, mentoring a trainee and a hands-on renovation, whilst caring for newborn twins plus a toddler.

Adding a new building grant in an already busy industry during a worldwide pandemic also added to the challenge. I’ve learnt to ask for help and only wear one hat at a time.

You have to love what you do, find your niche, and run with it.

I found the content was very informative with a variety of relative topics I’m passionate about, such as sustainability and efficiency. I also love networking and connecting with like-minded professionals and staying up to date with what’s important within the design industry.

Improving building methods and adapting to smarter technology.

Natural materials in their raw state. I love macrocarpa timber let to weather to grey, paired with rammed earth.

I don’t know if I have a favourite, however I like mid-century modern, and also have a sweet spot for heritage charm.

Waterfall Valley Hut is the first hut along the overland track, which is a popular multi-day bush walk in the center of Tasmania.

Expecting a log hut in such a remote location, I was pleasantly surprised to see a 34-berth hyper insulated, tripled glazed, gable peaked beauty.

The Statue of Liberty. Technically it’s a sculpture but, I love the natural oxidizations from the raw copper to a beautiful green. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water house is also a favourite.

I can appreciate the work of other designers but I like to keep my designs authentic, with the clients brief at the forefront of the design inspiration.

When I was young, Mike Clever of Clever Designs in Hobart inspired me in my career when I toured his home and saw the use of thermal mass via these fascinating water tanks used as a balustrade. 04 Who’s Who

Left: The Statue of Liberty, a New York landmark.

04 Who’s Who

Name: Geoff Alexander Title: Principal Designer Company: Alexstar Building Design

I’m currently working on a number of projects, one is a front fence – sounds simple, but matching customer expectations with Council expectations is a complex task. Also I’m working on another project that is a 15-storey building, bringing together the architect’s vision, the engineer’s requirements, and the customer’s expectations. It’s the ability and willingness to work on a diverse range of projects that I think is the most unique aspect of my work.

It is hard to pick a favorite project, because they are all so diverse. How do you compare a shed with a swimming pool or a multi-million dollar home with a small addition?

They are all important to the owner, and relative to their budget. But the best ones are where we can work out a solution for the customer, where previously, others have not been able to.

The biggest business challenge is finding the time to do the business part, as well as the drawing part.

Finding the right people to join the team is how I plan to overcome it.

Put down the books, pens and computers, and go and get on the dirty end of a shovel, hammer, paint brush etc.

Whilst designing, learn how your drawing relates to a physical building, the ‘pretty renders’ are useless if the building cannot be built. I switched from the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors to Design Matters National as it is a professional body that relates more to what I am currently doing, and I think it is important to be part of an industry association

In the current building climate, I want to know more about alternative technologies that are affordable and can be locally made.

Also, I would like to see a replacement of some of the traditional construction methods that are in short supply and holding the industry ransom, with long delays and huge price rises

Natural Light is my favourite feature. It makes everything about a room or space more enjoyable

I’m going to say contemporary modern, because it’s the era we are in and because ‘what is in harmony with its location’ isn’t a style.

A Gothic Mansion is great on a large stately site, but is just not right on a 300m2 allotment in general suburbia

Whilst I’ve not been there, I like MONA Museum in Tasmania, because the building itself is part of the museum experience.

MONA has also been beautifully designed so the building itself and its surroundings are perfectly tied together.

There’s a difficult question…I’m going to say the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore

I like the work of Max Pritchard. He ties the building into its surroundings better than most I’ve seen

Top: The Museum of New and Old Art (MONA) located in Hobart, Tasmania.

Above: The Marina Bay Sands located in Singapore.

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Full name: Ingrid Hornung Title: DMN President and Building Designer Company: Designs for You

On most of my current projects we are designing various options; to allow my clients to adapt to any price shocks, in this volatile environment…..

Don’t ask me to choose! – It’s like asking a parent who their favourite child is!!

My favourite result is when clients say: ‘I love coming home every day now!’

The biggest challenge has been, matching our capacity to do work with the workload that comes in – and as part of that, learning to say no to work, occasionally!!

Do this because you love it; and don’t stop learning, EVER!

I wanted to join a professional organisation that supported me in developing my career, and my business. In Design Matters National, the members respect and support each other; and professional development is valued and promoted; it is a great environment to grow my practice in.

This photo: A view of the open plan kitchen of ‘Kew House’ Below right: Completed rear extension of ‘Thornbury House’ Below left: Designing a space for rest at ‘Alphington House’ 04 Who’s Who