Elizabeth Seuseu

Architectus Senior Associate, Liz Seuseu has over 20 years of experience working in design practices in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The Melbourne-based Kiwi has made sustainability a key driver in her work, which largely focuses on residential development.

“We have finite resources, but what percentage of the world is still building five-bedroom homes for two people? It's about how we distribute those resources and manage a housing shortage and housing unaffordability,” Seuseu says.

“My interest has always been in multi-unit precincts, integrating into larger ecosystems like cities, blocks, or neighbourhoods, benefiting both new and existing communities.”

Image courtesy of Architectus: Macquarie University’s Ainsworth building, NSW, Australia.

Seuseu has played a role in developing the Architectus sustainability design framework, benchmarking against UNESCO's guidelines, the 'Architects Declare' movement and other climate action initiatives. She emphasises that sustainability is now a standard part of project planning, with clients increasingly setting ambitious environmental goals.

“We're working with State Government, institutional investors, not-for-profits - they all have clear goalposts as an organisation but are also committed to making a positive contribution to the global climate situation. Five years ago, ESD was a specialised field. Now, it's integrated from the start, alongside structural and service engineers,” she says.

However, Seuseu highlights the challenges of pushing boundaries in Australasia, particularly with sustainable materials like timber.

Image courtesy of Architectus: Macquarie University Incubator project, NSW, Australia.

“It's a challenge. Regulation is an Achilles’ heel that keep us from progressing. We’re bound by compliance and other deciding factors such as money and time.

“I remember working on a project in Melbourne where an alternative CLT timber solution was being considered. Some concerns were that, to deliver a different method meant [the contractors] would likely overprice the project, forcing the client to pay a premium for the innovation. The capacity of the industry, competency and capability within the trades needs to develop for these new methods to be adopted across the board. she says.

State government standards vary which complicates sustainable projects. "Each state in Australia has slightly different regulations and design guidelines, making innovation challenging and often more expensive."

“It's about choosing your battles. We don't try to redefine every single element of a project, but I think what we try to do is find the opportunity to do something different and create a conversation where we can push the dial a little bit further, and of course, arrive at a design solution that has long-term benefit for everyone”, she says.

“For instance, we are considering mass timber on a current project. We’re working with an engineer to lay the concrete slab which will get us to the first floor. By managing ground conditions, we’ll achieve a clean foundation that allows a lightweight structure atop.

So, we're talking a lot about hybrid and experimenting with the most effective combination.

So, what needs to happen to see more mass timber used in Australia? One significant obstacle is industry capacity. Seuseu cites how large projects can monopolise local timber supplies, impacting other projects. Additionally, she points to the National Code of Construction (NCC) expanding to accommodate various methods of mass timber.

“Government and statutory bodies need to facilitate industry capacity to deliver more sustainable buildings. Ensuring clients get certification for liveable buildings is crucial,” she says. "The more timber projects we complete, the more people see the benefits."

Image courtesy of Architectus: Macquarie University’s Ainsworth building, NSW, Australia.

Architectus has notable timber projects in education, such as Macquarie University’s Ainsworth building and Incubator project, and Barker College Maths and Senior Student Hub showcasing hybrid structural solutions. Seuseu work on a major housing development balances sustainable ambitions with practical design flexibility.

Another project on the boards includes a build-to-rent project with a high ESD mandate and more than 20% of dwellings allocated to affordable housing - along with green features and targets such as Passive House certification and potential mass timber construction.

Image courtesy of Architectus: Macquarie University Incubator project, NSW, Australia.

“From the outset, we set up a premise with the client to design for mass timber because for whatever reason down the track it doesn't stack up, the principles of the design can be easily converted to a more conventional method of construction. But it's harder to go the other way, to design a concrete structure and then go, “I want to do this in timber now”,” she says.

The other thing Seuseu says is always challenging when proposing timber construction is that everyone thinks about those projects where you're in an open space and there's beautiful timber exposed, but sometimes in residential, you can't expose much of it.

“And then you have these conversations: “Why do it if I can't see it?” Then you have to sell all the benefits of the fact that it's not about what’s seen, it's about the whole package of the project.

“The biggest challenge as a design team is to keep the client committed to the set goals and present design solutions and benefits to guide them through difficult decisions,” she says.

Ultimately, Seuseu believes in steadfastly pursuing clients' sustainability goals.

Image courtesy of Architectus: Macquarie University Incubator project, NSW, Australia.

“We act as guardians of their targets, championing their vision and demonstrating feasibility. Our role involves strategic decision-making early on, ensuring long-term benefits for place, planet, and people.”

Her philosophy centres on finding the right answer for every project, prioritising better outcomes over ego.

“We're always measuring how far we can push boundaries, but it should always be for the better,” she says.