Teulo Talks: Beyond the Well-Worn Paths: Passive vs Sustainable Design Principles

A Presentation by Friedrich Strey of Strey Architects | 10am - 11am

CPD Points: NZRAB: 5 Design, 5 Project Management | LBP: 1 | Australian Formal: 1

Some of the ideas I’ll be sharing may feel like common sense to some, while others might find them thought-provoking—or even contentious. My goal is simply to spark a constructive dialogue that encourages reflection, challenges perspectives, and inspires better design outcomes for a better world.

Our resources—our land—are precious and scarce. The essence of every great design begins with the land: the potential you see in it, and how you choose to unlock or neglect that potential. When I talk about a site, it doesn’t need to be a dramatic clifftop property with sweeping views of Rangitoto, the Harbour Bridge, the city skyline, or lakes and mountains. It could be a discarded patch of the city (as is often embraced in Japan), a nondescript lot between uninspiring buildings, or even “unbuildable” land (due to flood plains, SEAs, lack of access, or steep terrain). It might be land that no one else sees value in. But if you can recognise opportunities where others didn’t, you can unlock its potential through vision, creativity, and determination.

That is the power of architecture.

My philosophy is to be daring. Too often we let red tape, procedures, or the opinions of others dictate what we, as architects, can or should do. Anything is possible if we are determined enough.

We need to seek alternative pathways. If we continue to follow only the well-worn tracks, we cannot move forward—we stagnate and end up in the same place every time. That is not our role as architects.

Our clients entrust us with the responsibility of creating great amenity for them—whether in a home or a commercial building. They deserve more than recycled ideas and conventional solutions.

One way forward is through collaboration and deep listening—to clients, to the team, and to the context. By carefully considering local conditions, climate, and microclimate, and combining these with sustainable and passive design principles, we can make the most of the resources available to us.

Many believe a building is valued primarily for how it looks—and we cannot ignore that fact. Aesthetic appeal matters. But it is also about much more. A project must represent the client, their brand, and their needs. It must be smart, it must shape an environment where they can live, work, or play. And it must go beyond even that: it should speak to the senses, the mind, and the soul. And today, it must also perform—like a Sail GP racing yacht.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Site analysis and optimising findings are fundamental to both passive and sustainable design.
• New Zealand’s climate zones require specific design responses, especially for passive design objectives.
• Client collaboration unlocks innovation, fit-for-purpose solutions, and stronger client satisfaction.
• Local context, materials, craft, and community upliftment should guide design outcomes.
• The Building Code is not a target, but a bare minimum standard.