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PEOPLE
SBE is made up of a diverse range of people with architectural, engineering
and environmental experience. The faces and experience of SBE are laid out
below with short staff CV’s.
     
   
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Jane Toner
B
Arch. RAIA
Position in firm: Senior Associate
Primary role at SBE: Project Team Leader / ESD Consultant
Professional Memberships: RAIA (since 1996)
ARBV Registered Architect
Green Star Accredited Professional
LEED Accredited Professional
Architects Without Frontiers
Jane Toner is a registered architect with ability to
assess and identify ESD opportunities in a broad range of building types.
Since joining SBE in 2003 Jane has provided innovative and practical ESD
advice for leisure and aquatic centres, residential projects, ecotourism,
hotels, offices, healthcare and retail. She has also contributed to the
development of ESD Guidelines, such as the DEH ESD Operations Guide.
As a GreenStar Accredited Professional and LEED Accredited
Professional she has provided ESD advice for tourism projects across
Australia and South-East Asia. Jane’s expertise in Ecotourism guided
the project team for Alila Villas Uluwatu Resort in Bali to achieve the first
Green Globe 21 Design and Construct Certification in Indonesia.
Jane is passionate about sustainability and maintains
advocacy for it through her activities that include: presenting at the
Sustainable Living Festival and International Green Building Forums. She is
also an editorial advisor for Green Magazine and has adjudicated for a range
of competitions for organisations such as the Student Organised Network for
Architecture (SONA) and the National Australian Women in Construction
(NAWIC). Prior to joining SBE, Jane ran her own architectural practice where
she honed her skills in the integration of practical passive design solutions
for residential projects.

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Sean McArdle
B.A. (Arch), B Arch (Hons)
Position in firm: Senior Associate
Primary role at SBE: ESD Consultant
Professional memberships:
Green Star Accredited Professional
Sean McArdle is a registered Architect with a significant
background in tertiary facilities development as a senior project architect.
Sean has had first hand experience at briefing and
designing academic facilities that embrace ESD principles. His project
experience has been tempered by the rigour of tight budgets and high
expectations. He has learnt how to prioritise and justify ESD initiatives and
ensure their implementation is managed successfully through to project
completion and beyond.
ESD buildings must be fit for purpose for both the users
and those that manage and operate the facility. A thorough consideration of
the full life cycle cost of the building during design will deliver
optimised, beneficial and lasting environmental outcomes.
Sean is a firm believer in the contribution indoor
environment quality (IEQ) can make towards increased productivity and
improved learning outcomes. A good ESD building will embrace IEQ as a
fundamental design influence.

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Danielle
McCartney
MPhil (Env. Design) Cambridge University, UK
BArch (UNSW)
Position in firm: Senior Associate
Primary role at SBE: Sydney Office Manager
Professional memberships:
Green Star Accredited Professional
Australian Green Development Forum (2008- )
Alternative Technology Association (2008 - )
Danielle McCartney manages the Sydney office of SBE. She
has a strong technical background in architecture and specialises in
integrating sustainability into the built environment.
Danielle has provided ESD advice and direction for a range
of new buildings, fit-outs and refurbishments, including commercial,
residential, education, aged care, community and public buildings as well as
mixed-use, master planning and Defence projects.
Danielle has been involved in the development of ESD
strategies, with this work including the development of design briefs, target
setting, recommendations for sustainability initiatives, implementation
advice, and performance measuring. She has further project experience in
materials selection, “greening” specifications, feasibility
studies, research and development, building thermal modelling and project
management. Danielle has authored content for the Australian
Government’s Your Building and Your Development websites and is on the
steering committee for the Your Home publication. Danielle’s area of specialist
expertise is sustainable master planning.
Danielle firmly believes that the collaborative
integration of architectural and engineering services from the earliest
concept design stage and the establishment of a framework for embedding
sustainability into each stage of the planning, design, construction,
operation and management process will optimise the sustainability performance
of buildings and developments in operation.
Danielle previously held the position of Senior
Sustainability Consultant with Maunsell Australia and gained invaluable
experience on innovative European projects whilst acting as an Environmental
Consultant with FaberMaunsell’s Sustainable Development Group in
London. Danielle has a strong technical background in architecture, having worked
with Romandi and De Luis Architects in Sydney, as well as Deffet Architectes
et Partenaires in Belgium.

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Nicki Taylor
B. Env. Eng (Hons), B Arts (Asian Studies)
Position in Firm: Senior Associate
Primary role at SBE: ESD Consultant
Professional memberships:
Society of Environmental Engineers, Australia (2006-)
Australian Water Association Young Professional (2007-)
Green Star Accredited Professional (2006)
MUSIC – Integrated Stormwater Treatment Trained (2007)
Alternative Technology Association Member (2007-)
Nicki Taylor is an Environmental Engineer and Senior
Associate of Sustainable Built Environments which has offices in Melbourne
and Sydney and associated offices in Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and London.
She has a strong technical background in the development, review and use of
assessments tools to measure building performance.
Nicki has provided ESD input and direction in over 200
projects. Nicki has been an ESD consultant to integrated design teams in
based in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Tasmania. She has provided ESD advice
on commercial, residential, aquatic and public buildings being either new
building designs, refurbishments or fit-out. Notable projects include the 500
Collins Street refurbishment, Northbank, Lacrosse and the Carlton Housing
Redevelopment.
Nicki has worked with both state and local government
bodies on the regulation and adoption of ESD principles in the building
industry, and involves herself in research projects on a continual basis to
ensure that her knowledge is current. Recent research and development
projects have included; the development of Class 2 benchmarks, Planning and
ESD, and cost benefits analysis of 6 star HERS dwellings.
Nicki has been involved in the training of professionals
in all of her professional roles and strongly believes that communication and
the translation of theory is the key to better environmental outcomes. She
has published papers on embodied energy, building modelling validation
post-construction, and the autonomous home.

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Steve Moller
B.E. (Mech) M. AIRAH; M. ANZSES
Qualifications: Accredited Green Star professional and
NABERS Assessor
Position in Firm: Senior Associate
Primary role at SBE: Engineering Team Leader
Professional memberships:
Australian Institution of Refrigeration Air conditioning and Heating (1982-)
Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (1982-)
Facilities Management Association (2007-)
Steve Moller is an energy specialist with significant
experience in the development and application of energy modelling tools for
commercial buildings.
In his current role at SBE, Steve has proposed and
evaluated many measures for improving sustainability in many new and existing
buildings, including the Dandenong Educational Precinct and the refurbishment
of an historic hotel in Castlemaine. In many cases VE computer modelling has
been used to test energy, ventilation and daylight strategies. Steve has also
provided technical input to industry resources such as Your Building, City of
Melbourne “Greening your building” and DEWHA ESD Operations
Guide.
In his previous role with CSIRO, Steve was instrumental in
the design and implementation of building simulation programs including
Energy Express, Accurate and NATHERS. Steve also provided specialist ESD
advice on a range of projects including the Sydney Olympic village, St James
Theatre in Wellington, Gosnells Civic Centre in Perth and BlueScope Steel
headquarters in Lonsdale St, Melbourne.
For more than 25 years, Steve has coordinated the
implementation of building energy efficiency measures across the globe. He
has been instrumental in producing valuable guidelines on energy efficiency
and associated budget implications for a range of building typologies.
In addition to his energy efficiency specialisation, Steve
has also designed mechanical services and conducted building energy audits
for a range of commercial, institutional, health and educational projects.
This has provided him with in-depth knowledge of the implications of energy
efficiency measures in building design and operation.
Steve’s knowledge and experience adds valuable
energy efficiency expertise to the SBE team.

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Karen Hovenga
B.Eng. (Mech)
M. AIRAH
Position in Firm: Senior Associate
Primary role at SBE: Senior ESD Engineer
Professional Associations:
Registered Building Professional
Green Star Accredited Professional
NABERS Accredited Assessor 2009
AIRAH Energy Auditing Course
Karen Hovenga is part of the Management Team at SBE. She
has extensive background in the design of Mechanical and Fire services within
buildings and the incorporation of sustainability measures in many different
types of buildings. Her project experience includes aged care facilities,
schools, community facilities, apartments, offices and warehouses.
Karen is a Green Star Professional and has been assessing
buildings using the Green Star tools since 2004. At SBE Karen coordinates and
prepares Green Star submissions, including the preparation of modelling
reports for Energy, Daylight and Thermal Comfort, using the simulation tool
“IES Virtual Environment”. Karen's recent projects include the 5
star certified Linfox Group Head Office and the tenancy fitout for the
Building Commission's new premises at the Goods Shed North, also a 5 star
certified building.
Karen is an accredited NABERS Assessor and has experience
in building audits for a range of commercial, institutional and educational
projects, recently completing audits for lawyers Herbertgeer as part of the
CitySwitch project.
Karen’s building services experience is used at SBE
to translate innovative environmental ideas into efficient and practical real
world solutions. Her knowledge is backed by her ability to balance the
economic and environmental impacts of services design.

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Chris Begert
MEng (Sustainable Energy)
Position in Firm: Associate
Primary Role at SBE: ESD Engineer
Professional memberships:
Alternative Technology Association
German Engineering Association
Green Star Professional
After studying mechanical engineering in
Germany, Chris obtained his
Masters Degree in Sustainability from RMIT. This dual qualification enables
him to approach design opportunities from a wider perspective and to foster
collaboration between disciplines. He has worked on a large range of projects
as an ESD and Mechanical Engineer as well as a Green Star Professional.
Chris has a keen interest in the built environment and
believes that applying ESD practices enhances, not only the energy
performance of buildings, but can also improve the tenants’
productivity and well-being. He promotes implementing ESD measures at an
early stage to ensure that these benefits can be maximised.

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Chew Cheng Imm
BPD (Arch), B Arch (Hons)
Position in firm: Graduate Architect
Primary role at SBE: ESD Consultant
Professional memberships:
Green Star Accredited Professional
ABSA
Imm is a graduate architect from the University of Melbourne with
experience in architectural projects through her previous work. She has a
keen interest in the practical application of ESD principles, particularly in
the early integration of ESD initiatives at the initial planning level. She
believes in the involvement of people in the whole process and is thus,
developing the necessary communication skills in order to achieve the
environmental objectives.
With an accreditation in ABSA’s FirstRate 5, Imm is able to
provide residential energy assessments. She is also capable of energy and ESD
assessments of large scale projects using environmental assessment tools such
as Docklands ESD, Moreland STEPS and Sustainable Design Scorecard.
Imm is responsible for the materials research portfolio at SBE. She undertakes
on-going research into the environmental impact of materials and the
specification of sustainable products in the built environment. She has
worked with a range of architects, clients and product manufacturers and
suppliers to establish the improved environmental outcomes through precise
materials selection.

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Anetta Pizag
B Architecture and Building Engineering
Position in Firm: ESD Project Architect
Primary role at SBE: Project Architect / ESD Consultant
Professional memberships:
Green Star Accredited Professional
Anetta graduated from Technical University of Budapest,
Hungary, and worked in The Netherlands, Belgium and New Zealand prior to her
arrival in Melbourne, in 2005. She has a strong commitment to sustainable
architecture, from the initial concept through to the technical design
details that ensure aesthetically, ecologically and economically sustainable
solutions. Anetta's design philosophy is to consider the physical and social
contexts of the project through a holistic design approach and integrated
construction methods.
In addition to her international design experience, Anetta
is skilled in the application of residential and commercial ESD rating tools
and is an accredited Green Star Professional.
Anetta is committed to making a positive contribution to
the built and social environment and to helping others understand the broader
environmental consequences of their design and construction decisions. She
recognises the power of the natural and built environment on the mental and
emotional well-being of individuals and is particularly concerned with its
impact on work performance, health and quality of life. Her vision is to
contribute to the design of architectural places that are beautiful,
environmentally sustainable and have positive energies that ensure
inhabitants feel great and empowered.

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Bernardo Cuter
BPD (Arch) B Arch (Hons)
Position in firm: Graduate Architect
Primary role at SBE: ESD Architect
Professional Membership:
Alternative Technology Association
Ben is a graduate architect from Deakin University.
He has experience in a number of architectural projects through his previous
work. He brings a depth of environmental understanding to SBE, and continues
to develop this interest in both his personal and working environment. He is
currently furthering his knowledge by undertaking a Masters degree at Deakin University researching how sustainable
urban water infrastructure theory can be used to frame policy development
within strategic planning at local government level.
Ben has significant experience working with Energy assessment tools,
particularly in STEPS / SDS. In addition to working at SBE, he is currently
working part-time with the City of Darebin
as the ESD officer in the Urban Development Branch.
Ben has extensive experience in sustainability both in Melbourne
and overseas in Swaziland
and Sweden.

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Pratik Pinakin Shah
M. Design Science (Sustainable Design) and (Building) University of Sydney
B. Architecture, India
Position in Firm: Graduate Architect / ESD Consultant
Primary Role at SBE: ESD Consultant
Affiliations: Council of Architecture (Licensed Architect
– CA/2005/36961, India)
Green Star Accredited Professional (2009)
Alternative Technology Association (2009)
ANZSES [Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society] (2009)
Building on his architectural degree, Pratik sought to
deepen his understanding of sustainability in the built environment and
graduated from The University of Sydney with Double Masters in Sustainable
Design and Building in 2008. He also acquired a certificate for Energy
Efficiency in Commercial Buildings for Building Code of Australia Section J
(2006) during his Australian education.
For several years before his post-graduate education,
Pratik worked in India on a wide range of architectural, interior design and
documentation projects including residential and retail developments. He also
did the graphic design, coordinating project publication and branding.
Pratik advocates low-tech solutions and asserts that these
lead to deeper reductions in energy and water usage. The benefits of natural
ventilation lead him to research the natural ventilation possibilities for
thermal comfort in high rise buildings. On an urban level, Pratik developed a
rating tool encompassing the sustainability indicators and environmental
attributes for precinct design as part of his education in Australia. His
love for landscape design has led to ongoing research on green roof
technologies. His ideas on facade design have led him to study and design
exotic as well as functional shading devices based on solar geometry.
Pratik believes in reducing the ecological footprint of
the built environment by carefully considering the resource cycle based on a
cradle to cradle approach. With appropriate integration of innovative
architectural details and clever engineering services a more sustainable
built environment can be achieved.

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Nicholas Bishop
BEng Hons (Elec)
Position in Firm: Graduate ESD Engineer
Primary role at SBE: ESD Consultant
Nick is a qualified Electrical Engineer with several years experience both within Australia and overseas in the areas of building services, residential energy auditing, and electronics. He has had experience in the electrical design of large educational and residential projects. Nick has a keen passion for sustainability, with a personal interest in energy efficiency measures that lower energy usage whilst providing better end-use services, which he believes is a crucial component of a low carbon future. Nick has a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Queensland and is currently enrolled in a Masters of Engineering in Sustainable Energy at RMIT.

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Jessica Town
B. Contemporary Arts (Major in Dance), Deakin University
Dip. Classical Yoga, Australian
College of Classical
Yoga
Position in Firm: Business Manager
Primary Role at SBE: Everything
Professional Memberships:
Alternative Technology Association
Bicycle Victoria
After graduating from Deakin with a degree in Contemporary Dance, plus
a lifetime dedicated to prancing around, Jessica spent a number of years
walking on her toes. During these years she led a double life as a publicist
for semi-professional performance artists in addition to working as an
administrator in “the real world”.
Adding to this contradictory life, she also teaches yoga.
Her “real jobs” for RTO’s, NGO’s and now in the ESD sector, have taken her to
interesting places and as the resident whip cracker for SBE, she enjoys
working alongside the great people mentioned above. As Business Manager
at SBE Jess is responsible for all administration, finances, team
co-ordination, marketing, our website and PR.
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