Dr Aysu Kuru is an architectural designer, sustainable building engineer and lecturer in architecture and construction. She was awarded a PhD in Architectural Design and Science from the University of New South Wales on a thesis on climate adaptive building skins inspired by nature. She received First Prize and a People’s Choice Award for the presentation of her doctoral research. She was a postdoctoral researcher at the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living, where she developed climate emergency performance targets and pathways for net zero operational carbon for the Australian building sector. She co-authored a climate emergency design guide and book based on this research. With her leadership as the Chair of the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning Sustainability Team, the School declared a climate emergency with a commitment to developing a sustainability strategy and action plan.

Dr Aysu Kuru chairs and leads the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning Sustainability Team which is formed by academic and professional staff members with a keen interest in sustainability.

Photography by Louise M Cooper