Paola Leardini
- Email:
- p.leardini@uq.edu.au
- Phone:
- +61 7 336 53957
- Mobile:
- 0426041867
Overview
Background
Dr Paola Leardini is the Program Convenor of the Master of Urban Development and Design and the Bachelor of Design of the University of Queensland’s School of Architecture; she is a leading researcher of the Centre for Future Building Structure, and a member of the Australian Government funded Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive. She studied architecture with a focus on green technologies in Milan, Berlin, Leicester and Copenhagen, and holds a PhD on building energy efficiency and environmental quality from the Politecnico di Milano (Italy). Her doctorate work was undertaken under the guidance of Prof P. Ole Fanger, one of the world’s leading experts in the field of thermal comfort.
Dr Leardini has worked as an ESD designer and consultant, and taught in tertiary institutions in Italy, Switzerland, Germany and New Zealand, before joining the University of Queensland in 2015. Her current professional and academic work aims at dissolving the apparent dichotomy between design and performance in architecture and urban design, promoting smart and resilient built environments through integrated water and energy design strategies for engaged communities and multifunctional public space. This overarching goal has driven her latest research on circular economy in construction with a focus on mass timber prefabrication and adaptable/scalable housing, water sensitive urban design and flood resilience.
Her research focuses on environmental impacts and resilience of the built environment, including investigation and assessment of multiple intervention strategies for low to positive energy buildings and urban districts. Through her academic and professional activity, she has built up extensive experience in building diagnostic and retrofitting, and urban regeneration. In 2003-04 she contributed to the major urban regeneration and social housing retrofitting program of the historical district “Quartiere Mazzini” in Milan (Italy), funded by the Lombardy Regional Council. Later, her research focused on eco-retrofitting of state housing developments in New Zealand, financially supported by the University of Auckland and industry partners. As a certified Passivhaus designer, in 2012 Dr Leardini became founding member of the Passive House Institute New Zealand (PHINZ), and in 2018, joined the Australian Passive House Association (APHA). In 2015, Dr Leardini became a member of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities, a government funded, inter-disciplinary research initiative involving over 80 research, industry and government partners, to deliver socio-technical urban water management solutions to make Australian towns and cities water sensitive. Since its inception, she has been an active research member of UQ Centre for Future Timber Structure, a Centre of excellence to generate knowledge-based innovations and accelerate engineered timber products uptake by the building industry, contributing to de-carbonising the built environment. Dr Leardini is also a member of the Design Excellence Panel: Queensland social and affordable housing, recently established by the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy in partnership with the Office of the Queensland Government Architect.
Her studies on comfort and energy efficiency of new and historic residential buildings, as well as quality and resilience of public space have been published internationally. Dr Leardini serves as a board member and a reviewer of scientific journals and has been invited to join judging panels of prestigious sustainable architecture competitions, including the Climate CoLab by the MIT Centre for Collective Intelligence.
Memberships
- Design Excellence Panel: Queensland social and affordable housing (since 2020)
- Centre for Future Timber Structures (since 2016)
- Scientific Committee of New Zealand Academy of Applied Research (since 2016)
- Australian Passive House Association (since 2018)
- Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities (2015-2021)
Availability
- Associate Professor Paola Leardini is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Masters (Coursework) of Architecture, Politecnico di Milano
- Doctor of Philosophy, Politecnico di Milano
Research interests
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Circular design in timber construction
Strategies, processes and tools for transitioning the Australian prefabricated timber construction industry to a circular economy through modular design for adaptability, disassembly and reuse.
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Pathway to net zero multi-storey buildings in tropical and subtropical Australian climates
Design and assessment of optimised construction systems and details to improve the environmental performance of multi-storey buildings in tropical and sub- tropical climates, with focus on their hygro-thermal behaviour and airtightness.
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Water and energy smart suburbia
Impacts of urban growth (on hydrological performance, resources efficiency, urban heat, and liveability) and regeneration opportunities enabled by infill development of consolidated suburban areas.
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Water sensitive cities
Urban densification and green/blue infrastructures: design strategies and technologies for water sensitive sites, precincts, cities and regions.
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Passive House Standard in tropical climates
International Passive House Standard in warm and humid climates and development of context-responsive building solutions.
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Diagnostic, conservation and reuse of buildings of cultural and historical significance
Development design strategies for adaptive reuse and performance upgrade of the existing building stock in socio-economic regenerated contexts.
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Building (performance) and human interaction
Qualitative and quantitative data-driven investigation and assessment of indoor air quality and comfort, energy efficiency and human behaviour interaction in residential, commercial and educational buildings.
Works
Search Professor Paola Leardini’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Journal Article
Design for adaptability, disassembly and reuse – a review of reversible timber connection systems
Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike, Yan, Zidi, Brandner, Reinhard, Leardini, Paola, Fink, Gerhard and Jockwer, Robert (2023). Design for adaptability, disassembly and reuse – a review of reversible timber connection systems. Construction and Building Materials, 400 132823, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132823
2023
Journal Article
Development of Design Optimization for Smart Grid (DOfSG) framework for residential energy efficiency via Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) approach
Razak, Ahmad Haqqi Nazali Abdul, Ahmad, Nur Azfahani and Leardini, Paola (2023). Development of Design Optimization for Smart Grid (DOfSG) framework for residential energy efficiency via Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) approach. International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering and Technology, 14 (3), 21-39. doi: 10.30880/ijscet.2023.14.03.003
2023
Conference Publication
Towards adaptability and circularity of timber buildings
Jockwer, Robert, Öberg, Vera, Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike, Leardini, Paola and Goto, Yutaka (2023). Towards adaptability and circularity of timber buildings. 13th World Conference on Timber Engineering: Timber for a Livable Future, WCTE 2023, Oslo, Norway, 19-22 June 2023. As, Norway: World Conference on Timber Engineering. doi: 10.52202/069179-0203
2023
Conference Publication
Validating moisture-safe energy efficient CLT assemblies in hot and humid climates using experimental testing
Strang, Marcus, Leardini, Paola and Shirmohammadi, Maryam (2023). Validating moisture-safe energy efficient CLT assemblies in hot and humid climates using experimental testing. 13th World Conference on Timber Engineering, WCTE 2023, Oslo, Norway, 19-22 June 2023. As, Norway: World Conference on Timber Engineering. doi: 10.52202/069179-0577
2023
Conference Publication
Design experiences through “urban mining” processes
Rogora, Alessandro and Leardini, Paola (2023). Design experiences through “urban mining” processes. Recycling, Rome, Italy, 26 May 2023. Rome, Italy: Anteferma.
2023
Conference Publication
Adaptable and scalable housing for Australian households and stages of life
Kuiri, Lisa and Leardini, Paola (2023). Adaptable and scalable housing for Australian households and stages of life. 55th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association. Architectural Science and User Experience: How can Design Enhance the Quality of Life, Perth, WA Australia, 1-2 December 2022. Perth, WA Australia: Architectural Science Association.
2023
Conference Publication
Low-cost procedure for evaluating the thermal resistance of building materials
Rogora, Alessandro and Leardini, Paola (2023). Low-cost procedure for evaluating the thermal resistance of building materials. World Renewable Energy Congress Med Green Forum 2022, Perth, WA Australia, 4 - 9 December 2022. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-33148-0_23
2022
Journal Article
Performance of reversible timber connections in Australian light timber framed panelised construction
Yan, Zidi, Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike, Leardini, Paola and Jockwer, Robert (2022). Performance of reversible timber connections in Australian light timber framed panelised construction. Journal of Building Engineering, 61 105244, 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2022.105244
2022
Journal Article
Smart grid components for residential design application towards energy conservation: a review
Razak, Ahmad Haqqi Nazali Abdul, Ahmad, Nur Azfahani, Ibrahim, Che Khairil Izam Che, Kadir, Ermeey Abdul and Leardini, Paola (2022). Smart grid components for residential design application towards energy conservation: a review. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, 17 (Special Issue 5/2022), 237-251.
2022
Journal Article
Human factors affecting ventilation in Australian classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic: Toward insourcing occupants' proficiency in ventilation management
Snow, Stephen, Danam, Royce, Leardini, Paola, Glencross, Mashhuda, Beeson, Brett, Ottenhaus, Lisa-Mareike and Boden, Marie (2022). Human factors affecting ventilation in Australian classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic: Toward insourcing occupants' proficiency in ventilation management. Frontiers in Computer Science, 4 888688. doi: 10.3389/fcomp.2022.888688
2022
Conference Publication
Experimental testing to validate moisture-safe CLT assemblies in hot and humid climates
Strang, Marcus, Leardini, Paola and Shirmohammadi, Maryam (2022). Experimental testing to validate moisture-safe CLT assemblies in hot and humid climates. 65th International Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST) Convention, Kingscliff, NSW, Australia, 10-15th July 2022.
2021
Journal Article
Mass timber envelopes in passivhaus buildings: designing for moisture safety in hot and humid Australian climates
Strang, Marcus, Leardini, Paola, Brambilla, Arianna and Gasparri, Eugenia (2021). Mass timber envelopes in passivhaus buildings: designing for moisture safety in hot and humid Australian climates. Buildings, 11 (10) 478, 478. doi: 10.3390/buildings11100478
2021
Other Outputs
Water peripheries and new centralities
Leardini, Paola (2021). Water peripheries and new centralities. Catalogo del Padiglione Italia «Comunità Resilienti» alla Biennale Architettura 2021. (pp. 217-226) edited by Alessandro Melis, Benedetta Medas and Telmo Pievani. Rome, Italy: D Editore.
2021
Journal Article
Critical urbanism and the digitally augmented city: envisioning urban commons as civic assemblages in the age of networked translocalism, multi-associative transduction and counterhegemonic transculturalism
Manfredini, Manfredo and Leardini, Paola (2021). Critical urbanism and the digitally augmented city: envisioning urban commons as civic assemblages in the age of networked translocalism, multi-associative transduction and counterhegemonic transculturalism. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 764 (1) 012024, 012024. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/764/1/012024
2021
Conference Publication
Designing a durable multi-storey cross-laminated timber Passivhaus building in hot and humid Australian climates
Strang, Marcus, Leardini, Paola, Brambilla, Arianna and Gasparri, Eugenia (2021). Designing a durable multi-storey cross-laminated timber Passivhaus building in hot and humid Australian climates. World Conference on Timber Engineering, Santiago, Chile, 9-12 August 2021. Santiago, Chile: World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE).
2020
Book Chapter
Living in the Edge
Leardini, Paola and Lo, Adrian (2020). Living in the Edge. Urban Corporis. The City and the Skin. (pp. 62-71) edited by Micheal Milocco Borlini , Lelio di Loreto and Carlalberto Amadori. Florence, Italy: I.U.V.A.S. FIRENZE.
2019
Conference Publication
Blue shades of the green economy: transitioning to water sensitive cities
Leardini, Paola (2019). Blue shades of the green economy: transitioning to water sensitive cities. III International Workshop ‘Modern metropolis: the green economy of a smart city', Moscow, Russia, 19 November 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Material benefits and risks of cross laminated timber for passive house construction in tropical climates
Strang, Marcus and Leardini, Paola (2019). Material benefits and risks of cross laminated timber for passive house construction in tropical climates. 23rd International Passive House Conference, Gaobedian, China, 9-10 October 2019. Darmstadt, Germany: Passive House Institute.
2019
Journal Article
Walan, Bureau Proberts
Leardini, Paola (2019). Walan, Bureau Proberts. Architecture Australia, 108 (5), 66-72.
2019
Conference Publication
Hygrothermal Performance of Engineered Wood Multi-Story Buildings in Australian Tropical and Sub-Tropical Climates Australian Tropical and Sub-Tropical Climates
Strang, Marcus and Leardini, Paola (2019). Hygrothermal Performance of Engineered Wood Multi-Story Buildings in Australian Tropical and Sub-Tropical Climates Australian Tropical and Sub-Tropical Climates. 5th Pacific Timber Engineering Conference (PTEC2019), Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-12 July 2019.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Paola Leardini is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Water Sensitive Design and Urban Performance Analysis
Major cities in Australia expect significant infill development over the coming decades. This urban densification could have significant impact on hydrological performance, resources efficiency, urban heat, amenity and liveability of urban areas. Urban renewal and redevelopments enabled by infill are great opportunities to reshape cities for sustainable and resilient urban growth and facilitate moving away from unsustainable linear “extract-use-dispose” urban water management practices. However, there is limited knowledge, and tools, for the assessment of water performance of infill development. This research focuses on water sensitive design models for infill development in suburban areas; it will contribute to building cities that minimise disturbance in natural hydrology, maximising resources efficiency, amenity, and liveability.
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Design of adaptable modular timber buildings
This project aims to address housing performance and affordability in Australia by deploying adaptable design for spatial reconfiguration and component reuse, to advance offsite timber manufacture towards energy efficient and healthy homes as mainstream practice. The intended outcome is the development, prototyping and monitoring of an offsite manufactured panelised lightweight timber system for high-performance homes, that is adaptable to all Australian climates and long-term household changes. This will contribute to the sustainable growth of the Australian housing market with significant benefits on housing affordability, adaptable design and long-lasting performance, while boosting the offsite manufactured timber construction sector.
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Passivhaus standard in tropical and subtropical Australia
The Passive House (or PassivHaus) standard was originally developed in Germany and has since spread throughout Europe. In recent years it has found popularity, and has been implemented in diverse climatic regions. To date over 40,000 houses, schools, offices, and other building types have been built to the PH standard around the world, only a few in Australia. This research project aims to verify if and to what extent this standard can be applied in tropical and subtropical Australia under its specific climatic and socio-economic conditions. Given the PH is a performance standard rather than a list of prescriptive requirements, the study will identify “local” conditions relevant for the application of PH principles in the country and, accordingly, develop design strategies, to be validated by the simulation tool Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) released by the Passivhaus Institut in Darmstadt and internationally used for certification.
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Timber Reuse in the Australian Circular Economy
The existing building stock is a repository of secondary timber that could be extracted for reuse or repurpose, reducing construction and demolition waste as well as the demand of virgin material. This project aims to increase the reuse and repurpose potential of timber products in the future Auatralian circular economy, including the identification of new construction products using recovered timber, scenarios for the reuse of existing timber components, and design for disassembly and reuse (DfDR) guidance for timber products.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
Future homes for a resilient and healthy Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Timothy O'Rourke
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Doctor Philosophy
Climate-based Urban Development Approach in Rapid Development Metropolitan Areas in Indonesia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sonia Roitman
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Doctor Philosophy
DEMISE OF LIFELINE (of a city) & THE QUEST FOR WATER URBANISM
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Offsite Timber Manufacture Potential for Incremental and Transformative Housing In Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lisa Ottenhaus
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Doctor Philosophy
Designing mixed reality to foster making practices in low socioeconomic status communities
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fred Fialho Leandro Alves Teixeira, Dr Dhaval Vyas
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Doctor Philosophy
Design and performance evaluation of reversible connections for modular adaptable timber buildings
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lisa Ottenhaus
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Moisture Safety for Energy-efficient CLT Envelopes: Pathways to Net-zero Operational Energy for Engineered Wood Multi-storey Buildings in Australian Tropical and Subtropical Climates
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Juan Hidalgo Medina, Dr Lisa Ottenhaus
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Restoring the natural water cycle in cities: an urban design framework
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Kenway, Dr Sara Alidoust
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Midlife Crisis: reducing life cycle energy use in Brisbane's older apartment towers
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andrew Wilson
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Craft and Craftsmanship: Transforming Traditions and Futures for Vernacular Buildings in the Western Himalayan Region of Ladakh (India)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Manu P. Sobti
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Paola Leardini directly for media enquiries about:
- building energy retrofitting
- climate and flood resilience design
- high energy performance multi-storey timber buildings
- passive house standard
- smart cities
- urban regeneration
- water sensitive urban design
- zero/positive energy building
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