Throughout a career spanning 40 years, Paul Haar has been immersed in architectural practice informed by deep green principles and active inside small local economic and social systems.
Our climate, biodiversity and COVID emergencies now highlight the imperative of this approach.
His early years were dedicated to revitalising a self-help housing culture amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
This brought him a solid understanding of material science, timber and earth construction, land, water and energy systems. He has lectured and mentored widely on these topics.
For the landmark Mullum Creek eco-housing project, Haar framed and oversaw design and construction practices that deeply mitigate environmental impacts embodied in construction materials and tied to the lifetime operation of homes.
A lifelong collaboration with CERES prompted Haar's instigation and ongoing support of CERES Fair Wood, a now thriving not-for-profit timber retail enterprise that promotes and celebrates the use of sustainable wood products.
Haar has also received 13 national awards for his work in architectural practice and education, and has contributed to books, professional journals and magazines, all with dedicated environmental focus.
The 2020 Sustainability Awards Lifetime Achievement category was proudly sponsored by Woven Image.
Photography: Paul Haar, Kristian Laemmle-Ruff.
