Tone Wheeler has been a pioneer of sustainability in Australian architecture for 50 years. He’s been at the forefront of R&D around new technologies, design methodologies, policies and resources, and construction materials that we now take for granted. These include NatHERS, BASIX, the Your Home website and building products developed with BlueScope Steel, James Hardie and Austral.

Over the course of his career, Tone’s wide-reaching and generous contribution has been influential across many fields of endeavour including education, research, advocacy, community engagement, policy development and leadership.

In terms of research, Tone has partnered with industry to advance R&D around new sustainability technologies and design methodologies.

Tone is also renowned for advocacy and community engagement around sustainability and architecture, and has delivered more than 350 talks to architects, building Industry peers and the public.

He makes regular media appearances as a sustainability expert across radio, television, print and online platforms including ABC Radio and TV, Channel Nine’s Burke’s Backyard, the Architectural Review and Architecture&Design.

It’s almost inconceivable to think about sustainability in the Australian built environment sector without remarking on Tone’s incredible contribution and legacy.

Photography by Tim Wheeler (Wheeler Studios) and Owen Zhu.