Professor Philip Oldfield

I am Head of School at UNSW Built Environment and a Professor of Architecture.

My research examines how we can meet the needs of society by creating housing, buildings and infrastructure, while also reducing the environmental impact of our built environment to mitigate climate change and achieve net zero outcomes. This includes special interests in embodied carbon, tall building architecture, high-density housing, and climate literacy in architectural education. I am an active member of the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), and sole author of the book “The Sustainable Tall Building: A Design Primer” published by Taylor and Francis in 2019. I have led over $800k of funded research projects with diverse inter-disciplinary teams from industry, government and academia, tackling issues varying from how built environment leaders use evidence in the creation of buildings, to measuring the reduction of embodied carbon possible in the Australian office sector. Research i have led on embodied carbon has contributed to national methodologies and industry-wide guidance.

I have a passion for teaching in higher education, across both architectural studio and science courses, recognised with an appointment as a Scientia Education Fellow at UNSW (2017-2021). In addition, i am passionate about science communication, being a former British Science Association Media Fellow (2015). I write regularly about my research and the need for a more sustainable, equitable and resilient built environment for The New York Times, The Guardian, Dezeen, Architecture Australia and more.