Jenny Dudgeon, Research Consultant, Sustainable Built Environment and Materials

Jennifer Dudgeon graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Architecture with first class Honours in 1999 (and was awarded the Building Science Forum Study Prize for Academic Achievement), and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Design in 1995. She also undertook a student exchange at the California Polytechnic University (Calpoly) in San Luis Obispo, California, USA as part of her final year of studies. Melbourne based since 1999 and registered with the Architects Registration Board of Victoria, she worked for over 5 years at DesignInc Melbourne before joining RMIT Centre for Design as a research consultant in sustainable buildings and materials in 2006.

Jennifer developed a strong interest in ecologically sustainable design (ESD) early in her architectural training and focused on projects that push a wider sustainability agenda and facilitate change within the design and construction industry. Her interest in the relationship between sustainable development and high quality design outcomes spans grass roots community development and complex high tech architectural projects.

Notable projects Jennifer has worked on include the K2 Apartments, a pioneering sustainable public housing project for the Department of Human Services, and CH2, the new Melbourne City Council headquarters building, considered one of the greenest buildings in the world. Her roles have ranged from project architect to in-house research, to external environmental consultant to the Manningham City Council, reviewing planning proposals, managing the development of a series of sustainability guidelines and tools, and providing in-house training to the council officers. Design and assessment tools development continue to be a key activity for Jennifer, as gathering industry transformation requires increasing amounts of research and capacity building across all aspects of ESD application.