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
2014
Conference Publication
Energy upgrade to Passive House standard in New Zealand
Leardini, P. M. and Manfredini, M. (2014). Energy upgrade to Passive House standard in New Zealand. Building a Better New Zealand Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, 3-5 September 2014.
2014
Conference Publication
How do Passive Houses perform in New Zealand? From simulation to fact
Leardini, P. M. and Cholmondeley-Smith, B. (2014). How do Passive Houses perform in New Zealand? From simulation to fact. 18th International Passive House Conference, Aachen, Germany, 25-26 April 2014.
2014
Book Chapter
Hypothesis on urban space mutations (and its representation)
Leardini, Paola M. (2014). Hypothesis on urban space mutations (and its representation). Shining dark territories: 100 thoughts on architecture. (pp. 39-46) edited by Massimo Gasperini and Alessandro Melis. Pisa, Italy: Edizioni ETS.
2013
Conference Publication
Building passive houses in subtropical climates? A lesson learnt from New Zealand
Leardini, P. M., Iliffe, J. and Gronert, R. (2013). Building passive houses in subtropical climates? A lesson learnt from New Zealand. 17th International Passive House Conference, Frankfurt, Germany, 19-20 April 2013. Frankfurt, Germany: Congress Center Messe.
2013
Book Chapter
Addiction by design: the spread of air-conditioning in New Zealand buildings’
Budin, H., Leardini. P. and Byrd, H. (2013). Addiction by design: the spread of air-conditioning in New Zealand buildings’. Engaging values for a sustainable future. (pp. 1-13) Wellington, NZ: Victoria University Foundation.
2013
Book Chapter
Evolution of Malaysian housing sector: terraforming terrace housing typology for a smarter, responsive and sustainable dwelling
Leardini, Paola M. and Razak, Ahmad Haqqi Nazali Abdul (2013). Evolution of Malaysian housing sector: terraforming terrace housing typology for a smarter, responsive and sustainable dwelling. Engaging values for a sustainable future. (pp. 1-13) Wellington, NSW, Australia: Victoria University Foundation.
2012
Conference Publication
Impact of green infrastructures on urban microclimates: A critical review of data collection methods
Motazedian, Asieh and Leardini, Paola (2012). Impact of green infrastructures on urban microclimates: A critical review of data collection methods. 46th Annual Conference of the Architectural Science Association, Brisbane, Australia, 14 -16 November 2012. Brisbane, Australia: Griffith University, Department of Architecture.
2012
Conference Publication
New Zealand Labour Party State Housing: From Energy Retrofit to Urban Regeneration
Leardini, P. M. and Gronert, R. (2012). New Zealand Labour Party State Housing: From Energy Retrofit to Urban Regeneration. Retrofit 2012 Academic Conference, Manchester England, 24-26 January 2012.
2012
Conference Publication
Ventilation's pivotal role for indoor air quality of houses in New Zealand
Leardini, P. M., Rosemeier, K. and Ong, A. (2012). Ventilation's pivotal role for indoor air quality of houses in New Zealand. 10th International Conference on Healthy Buildings 2012, Brisbane, QLD, 8-12 July 2012. Santa Cruz, CA, United States: International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate.
2012
Conference Publication
Photovoltaics in Malaysia: Challenges and Strategies towards Resilient Rural Areas in Malaysia
Ahmad, N. A., Byrd, H. and Leardini, P. (2012). Photovoltaics in Malaysia: Challenges and Strategies towards Resilient Rural Areas in Malaysia. International Malaysia Research Conference in Auckland 2012 (iMaRCA), Auckland New Zealand, 7th December 2012.
2012
Conference Publication
Eco-retrofitting analysis, strategies and pilot project for State housing in Auckland, New Zealand
Leardini, P. M. and Manfredini, M. (2012). Eco-retrofitting analysis, strategies and pilot project for State housing in Auckland, New Zealand. Retrofit 2012 Academic Conference, Manchester England, 24-26 January 2012.
2011
Conference Publication
Trends in Airtightness of New Zealand Homes
Leardini, P. M., McNeil, S., Quaglia, L., Cunningham, M., Overton, G., Plagmann, M. and Smith, I. (2011). Trends in Airtightness of New Zealand Homes. 19th International Congress of Biometeorology, Auckland New Zealand, 2011. Auckland, New Zealand: Centre for Continuing Education, University of Auckland.
2011
Conference Publication
Green buildings: issues for New Zealand
Byrd, Hugh and Leardini, Paola (2011). Green buildings: issues for New Zealand. 2011 International Conference on Green Buildings and Sustainable Cities, Bologna, Italy, 15-16 September 2011. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.proeng.2011.11.2041
2010
Conference Publication
Light and colour in architecture: a shared experience between Scandinavia and the Mediterranean
Leardini, P. M. and Rogora, A. (2010). Light and colour in architecture: a shared experience between Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. International Conference Colour and Light in Architecture, Colour and Light in Architecture, Venice, Italy, 11-12 November 2010. Verona, Italy: Knemsi.
2010
Book Chapter
Restructuration of a traditional quarter in Beijing
Leardini, P. M. and Scheck, P. (2010). Restructuration of a traditional quarter in Beijing. Department Architecture Portfolio 2010 Regensburg. (pp. 126-127) edited by Scheck, P.. Regensburg: University of Applied Sciences Regensburg.
2010
Conference Publication
Indoor air quality and health in New Zealand’s traditional homes
de Groot, Holger and Leardini, Paola (2010). Indoor air quality and health in New Zealand’s traditional homes. 44th Annual Conference of the Australian and NZ Architectural Science Association, On the Edge: Cross-disciplinary & intra-disciplinary connection in architectural science, Auckland, New Zealand, 24-26 November 2010.
2010
Conference Publication
Design for airtightness and moisture control in New Zealand housing
Leardini, Paola M. and Van Raamsdonk, Thomas (2010). Design for airtightness and moisture control in New Zealand housing. New Zealand Sustainable Building Conference, Innovation and Transformation. New Zealand Sustainable Building Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, 26-28 May 2010.
2010
Book Chapter
Living patterns in the ghost city
Leardini, P. M. (2010). Living patterns in the ghost city. Re-thinking the historic city. The architecture of Famagusta Walled City. Architectural and Urban Design Studies on Sundurme Space in the Eastern Mediterranean Exopolis. (pp. 43-51) edited by Manfredo Manfredini. Istanbul, Turkey: Mimarlık Vakfı, Istanbul (Architecture Foundation, Istanbul).
2009
Conference Publication
Deciphering The Historic City: Heritage And Sustainability In The Domestic Architecture Of Auckland Super-City Area
Leardini, P. M. and Manfredini, M. (2009). Deciphering The Historic City: Heritage And Sustainability In The Domestic Architecture Of Auckland Super-City Area. Ecocity World Summit 2009, Istanbul Turkey, 13 - 15 December 2009. Ecocity Builders.
2009
Conference Publication
Sustainability in preservation of architectural heritage: energy efficiency upgrade of existing housing stock in Auckland
Leardini, Paola M. and Zhang, Derek (2009). Sustainability in preservation of architectural heritage: energy efficiency upgrade of existing housing stock in Auckland. 26th International SAHANZ Conference: Cultural Crossroads, Auckland, New Zealand, 2-5 July 2009. Auckland, New Zealand: Society of Architectural Historians.
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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Doctor Philosophy
Offsite Timber Manufacture Potential for Incremental and Transformative Housing In Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lisa Ottenhaus
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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
Design and performance evaluation of reversible connections for modular adaptable timber buildings
Associate 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
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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