The Conversation Hour Designing heat resistant homes
Jan 27, 2026
Nadia Pires, RSPCA senior animal care manager, offers quick tips to keep pets and backyard chooks cool. Matthew Kinleyside, Mildura library leader, explains libraries serving as air-conditioned community refuges. Rob Murphy, Jellybrand resident, shares on-the-ground bushfire evacuations. Anthony Burke, architecture professor, discusses passive design, insulation, shading and retrofits for heat-resilient homes.
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A Resident's Close Call And Community Response
- Rob Murphy evacuated late after local fire activity and followed a CFA crew to leave safely.
- He described community WhatsApp groups and local hubs like the pub used to keep people informed.
Libraries As Community Cool Spaces
- Mildura libraries act as air-conditioned heat refuges during extreme heat.
- Matthew Kinleyside notes people arrive early to collect items and then bunker down to stay cool.
Different Eras, Different Weaknesses
- Both old and later 20th-century Australian homes perform poorly for climate but for different reasons.
- Older homes leak and can't retain conditioned air; 80s/90s mass builds often lack insulation and shading.