Swayn Open Research
The Alastair Swayn Foundation is committed to information sharing and transparency of the research it funds. We believe that research supported by the Foundation should be made discoverable and readily accessible online. The Swayn Open Research repository provides a place for researchers to promptly have their findings published on an open access basis, to benefit the architecture and design community.
Home Office: Feasibility of Housing in Vacant Commercial Office Buildings of Sydney
What if Sydney’s empty office towers could hold the key to solving its housing affordability crisis? This research investigates how underused commercial buildings can be cost-effectively transformed into high-quality, flexible affordable housing.
Retain, Repair, Reinvest: An International Catalogue of Precast Panel Refurbishment Projects
This is the first research report to compile a global catalogue of precast panel refurbishment projects, aiming to inspire a shift in how aging public housing stock is viewed and managed.
Adaptive Reuse and Canberra: How does the application of adaptive reuse of commercial office buildings for residential purposes fit into Canberra’s urban planning goals for 2030?
In Canberra, adaptive reuse has been applied to museums, galleries, hotels, and student accommodation, primarily through interior modifications. However, office-to-residential conversions remain rare due to strict building regulations, and no such projects exist in the Canberra CBD, despite its potential.
Retuning the Ex Govie: A guide to renovation and extension of the Canberra 400 series ex government houses
As the city evolves, so do its housing needs. While ex-govies played a vital role in housing and community development in the 1960s, they are increasingly becoming outdated. This research explores three major housing challenges facing Canberra today, along with three specific challenges unique to ex-govies.
Towards an Ethic of Care: Designing and delivering alternative housing models
This research uses a case study approach to undertake a ‘deep dive’ into innovative and exemplary housing projects. The interviews and case studies identified nine key insights relevant to the entire design and delivery process, from housing policy, through to the ongoing operation and maintenance of buildings.