Neil Cownie

I have always been fascinated by the relationship between people, place and climate, and by how thoughtful design can help communities adapt to the conditions around them. Living and working in Western Australia has deepened that interest as we face a future of increasing heat and declining rainfall. I am driven by a desire to help create places that remain liveable and resilient, rather than leaving future generations to solve problems we could address today.

I am an experienced architect and urban designer advocating for strategies that can help Australian communities navigate increasingly challenging climate conditions. My work focuses on how government investment in sustainable infrastructure can overcome gaps in the development process that currently limit commercial developers from delivering more climatically responsible new suburbs.

My passion for Western Australia shaped my 2026 winning entry in the Australian Urban Design Research Centre / UWA international urban design competition, Future House – Future Home. The competition challenged entrants to design for Perth’s forecast 2100 climate, including an average temperature increase of four degrees and 30 per cent less annual rainfall.

At the heart of my proposal was a system of sustainable infrastructure connecting water, energy, transport and the natural environment. It explored how investment in wastewater treatment could support sustainably powered public transport and provide treated water for vegetated wetland corridors. These corridors could reduce localised heat, support existing wetlands and establish continuous tree canopy through new suburban development.

At the scale of individual buildings, I am also interested in reconnecting with ancient climate-moderating techniques from regions including the Mediterranean, North Africa and East Asia, and considering how these approaches can inform contemporary Australian design.

Through my Churchill Fellowship, I hope to learn from international leaders designing for extreme heat, water scarcity and changing climates. I will bring this knowledge back to Australia to strengthen my advocacy and demonstrate what is possible when sustainable infrastructure and climate-responsive design are embedded into the way we plan and build our suburbs.

My vision is for Australian communities to be better prepared for the climate of the future, with urban environments that keep people cool, connected and healthy for generations to come.