NADINE SAMAHA
As an architect, Nadine understands the Sense of a Place, the particular need for a context, and the integration of Biophilic Design. She established with her partner, level architekture>konstrukt 26 years ago to fulfill the need for a comprehensive interdisciplinary service that pursues sustainable built outcomes in Design and Construction. The practice's construction continuum pushes the boundaries in construction techniques and explores new methodologies. From incorporating off-site construction of steel pod modules to CLT and Glulam off-site construction. The practice completed in 2021 the construction of an autonomous house in Ceres, Geelong that achieves net-zero emissions and is carbon positive with over 2500 native trees planted so far.
As an AIA Chapter Councilor, and chair of AIA Sustainable Architecture Forum (SAF), Nadine advocates and promotes Sustainability, Regenerative Design, Beyond zero-emissions, and Carbon Sequestration. This is done through support to AIA advocacy and policies, promotion of sustainable design to architects and the public.
As an ESD lecturer at RMIT, Nadine empowers students with Passive and Regenerative Design tools and methods to improve the future design of the built environment and to address Climate Change.
As a researcher, Nadine collaborates with Academics and Industries to challenge the status quo of sustainable design through published papers and projects. Having won a grant in 2019 from the RMIT ECP Urban Future, Dr. Jordan Lacey and I developed a proposal for "Transforming Motorways' Noise Barriers". This project focuses on transforming the motorways' noise, reducing air pollution, and improving livability for the surrounding areas.
As a Permaculturist, and an active local resident, Nadine is involved in few local environmental groups where she works on addressing climate change to rewilding our local areas. As part of Rewilding Stonnington Group, Nadine is converting nature strips from grass planting to native planting. They will be starting this year a pocket forest in accordance with Akira Miyawaki's method in our local area. These actions among other benefits will attract pollinators, boost biodiversity, reduce the heat island effect, and sequester carbon.