What is special about ANSI?

Experiential education

ANSI will provide innovative approaches to experiential education and interactive communication and interdisciplinary displays. The centre will house changing exhibitions on eco-technology, biohistory and sustainability issues. Display units for eco-office accommodation will be open to the public. The eco-hotel units will provide low-cost accommodation for student groups on their tours of the nation’s capital and educational facilities in central Canberra. Facilities for non-government organizations will be provided to facilitate collaborative research and Positive Development projects.

See Education

Interactive learning

ANSI will enlist and integrate the arts, sciences and humanities in sustainability education. It will focus its educational programs that create a synthesis of different kinds of knowledge - science, indigenous sensibilities and practical experience - with the communicative power of creative, aesthetic expression. Briefed by scientists, indigenous leaders and community advocates, cultural practitioners (such as visual artists, composers, musicians, dancers and storytellers) will engage visitors about sustainability. The site plan and facilities will encourage community events run by a range of government and non-government organizations.

Bio-regional networking

ANSI will feature information about Australian bioregions, to encourage an understanding of the rich social and biological diversity that can be found anywhere if people know what to look for. Fora for regional narratives from around Australia will promote sustainable solutions through collaborative problem solving and development of action plans. Reciprocal links with other nearby national institutions having educational missions (Questacon, National Gallery, CSIRO Discovery Centre, National Museum, etc) will benefit from their educational repositories.

Low carbon transport

Low-impact transport will be provided from public transport hubs such as the nearby train and bus stations. A boat dock for existing tour boats and ferries is part of the proposal. Student groups staying on the ANSI site in eco-accommodation can circulate between them in a Parliamentary Triangle circuit on bicycles, kayaks, skates, etc, which can be rented on site. The ‘temporary’ parking area will display alternative transport technologies to show how people could have arrived at the site conveniently and more responsibly.

Demonstration buildings

ANSI will set a new world standard for sustainable development. It will be reversible, flexible and adaptable as well as ‘net positive’. To achieve genuinely sustainability, cities must reverse the negative environmental impacts of previous development, ensure ‘meaningful’ life choices for future generations, and increase the ecological base (natural capital, biodiversity, ecosystem goods and services, etc). The structures themselves will be integral with education, participation, and research. Some building walls will be composed of ecospheres operated by community groups, such as local herpetology and ornithology groups.

Design description