GAME CHANGERS
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF CREATIVE THINKING
Innovative thinkers changing the world.
Meet our powerful game changers – people who have disrupted the status quo with their ideas and actions, to make positive changes in the way we live. These are the unsung heroes, the leaders who are finding solutions to some of the challenges we face today.
Sustainability manager Clare Gallagher considers her current project. “The office spaces I am working on now are prioritising clean air, high-quality lighting, and using low-toxicity materials. They are being designed to reduce the ailments associated with ‘sick buildings’ – like headaches and respiratory diseases.”
After studying architecture at the University of Auckland, and spending several years working in architectural offices in London and New Zealand, Gallagher found herself focusing on sustainable design. She is now based in Sydney where, working for Built (a construction, refurbishment and fit-out business), she is leading the implementation of sustainability and wellbeing initiatives in projects across Australia and New Zealand.
We all know that mould and asbestos can negatively impact health, but every indoor space can improve or impair our health. “Over a 24-hour period, consider how much of your time is spent indoors,” says Gallagher. “For most of us it’s 80 to 90 per cent of our day. The architecture around us has one of the biggest impacts on our state of health, and therefore is inextricably linked to our ability to enjoy life free from illness or pain.”
Gallagher firmly believes that sustainable and healthy buildings should be for everybody, and not a
“I strive to make decisions that are right for the present and for the future.”
premium product that’s reserved for those who can afford to pay extra. “Buildings can be around for a long time, and there is a responsibility to consider and respect that,” she states.
“I strive to make decisions that are right for the present and for the future. Design that is resilient, that allows for adaptation and offers the occupants not just a beautiful space but also an environment that can improve their wellbeing is what I always prioritise.”
Last year Gallagher received an inaugural WELL Leadership Recognition Award from the International WELL Building Institute for her role in propelling health and wellbeing in the built environment. She says, “I was the only recipient in the Australia and New Zealand region, and going to Chicago for the award ceremony, where I met leaders and experts in this field, was one of the most inspiring events of my career.”
Gallagher’s passion for her work is inspiring. “The opportunity that comes with each new project is invigorating. I love the brainstorming and problemsolving, and being part of a team all pulling together to take ideas through to a physical building. I’m also highly motivated by the fact that change can happen fast, and it feels like there is a lot of momentum and innovation happening now.”