Termite nests offer new inspiration to architects (ABC)

Australia's top architects have gathered at a conference in Melbourne on the state of design, with some predicting a better future for our cities as they adapt to climate change. Mulling over the current state of design, some predicted a future where designers would stop making useless "stuff", turning their minds instead to creating practical systems that help people function in a drastically altered environment. Architects will look to the natural world for inspiration, with accomplished Australian architect Lindsay Johnston saying climate change means "game over" for design as we known it. "I think that the design industry that's based on the production of unnecessary stuff is going to be in threat. We're in for a massive change," he said. As the convenor of the Architecture Foundation Australia and former dean of... [read full story]