On the House

Dr. Tony Matthews: Future-Proofing — Building for Sustainability and Efficiency | On the House #62

Is your home prepared to endure over time? Learn how to create homes that are both environmentally responsible and financially viable. Tune in to hear their expert advice on making your home more sustainable!

Meet Dr. Tony Matthews

Dr. Tony Matthews is an urban planner and global advocate for better cities. His work focuses on addressing urban challenges through research and practical solutions, benefiting policy-makers, professionals, and communities. As a Senior Lecturer at Griffith University, his expertise spans climate adaptation, green infrastructure, sustainable design, and the relationship between urban environments and human health. 

Dr. Tony has collaborated with various high-profile clients on topics such as smart cities and renewable energy. An active public speaker and commentator, he co-founded the Urban Broadcast Collective and has influenced urban planning policies through his research, particularly on urban greenery and climate change adaptation.

About the episode

In the episode of On the House, Dr. Tony Matthews explains that household management goes beyond managing physical spaces and extends to personal life management. He highlights the ongoing housing supply issues in Australia. Additionally, he criticizes the poor quality of much recent housing stock, noting that both high-rise and suburban homes are often poorly built and fail to meet people’s long-term preferences and needs.

Dr. Tony discusses the complexities of housing density in urban areas. He argues for innovative alternatives to high-rise developments that can achieve similar density without compromising aesthetic or cultural needs. He also advocates for creating a diverse range of housing types and configurations that cater to intergenerational living and community needs.

Dr. Tony emphasizes the challenges of building sustainable homes, noting that constructing new buildings is inherently unsustainable, regardless of materials used. He highlights the importance of sustainable design. Furthermore, he discusses the critical role of materials in sustainability and advises homeowners to be vigilant about maintenance to protect their investments and ensure a safe living environment.

In conclusion

This episode emphasizes that future-proofing a home involves adapting to technological advancements, energy efficiency, and environmental standards. It showcases valuable features, such as solar panels, external insulation, and air renewal systems, as well as cutting-edge technologies available to homeowners. It also highlights the trade-offs of sustainability.

Be the first to see our next episode. Follow us on social media to stay updated:

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

LinkedIn

You can also subscribe and listen to the show on your preferred podcasting platforms:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Amazon

iHeart Radio

Podbean

PlayerFM

Podchaser

Google Podcast

Nadine Aref

Recent Posts

A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Teenage Mood Swings with Understanding

Parents, have you ever experienced a moment when your teenager appeared very happy one minute…

2 days ago

How to Share Caregiving Responsibilities for Aging Parents with Siblings

One way to show love to your parents who cared for you as a kid…

3 days ago

Embracing Discomfort to Grow

Growth requires exploring the unknown. Taking this leap of faith is daunting due to the…

1 week ago

Overcome Quarter-Life Crisis Through Hope

Being in your 20s can feel like an exciting adventure, but it can also be…

2 weeks ago

Using Your Commute to Decompress and Boost Creativity

In today's fast-paced world, commuting to work is a constant challenge. Traveling from home to…

2 weeks ago

Smart Kitchen Storage for a More Functional, Clutter-Free Kitchen

One question always arises when organizing the kitchen: “How do you get more storage?”  Whether…

2 weeks ago