Ric Butt

Image of 37 and 39 Finniss Crescent, Narrabundah.

Ric Butt (1953–) is an architect, builder and environmental designer, recognised as an important practitioner of energy efficient, passive solar design and construction with a series of unique, organic style passive solar houses. As principal of the Canberra based firm Strine Design he has been committed to raising the public profile of indigenous Australian architecture and promoting environmentally sustainable practice in design and construction. His houses and projects have won a range of RAIA, housing industry and building awards

Vernacular architecture

His affection for the vernacular architecture of the Australian bush is reflected in his low-line houses and use of materials such as corrugated iron in roofing, cladding and as a feature. His liking for gently curved rooflines dates from when, as a youth, he observed the Sydney Opera House being built.

Houses designed by Ric Butt are typically warm, bright and spacious, with full glazing to the north. Solar heat is trapped and stored in solid internal walls and insulated concrete slab floors during the day and released at night. The principle of reverse brick veneer is used, with internal/external tilt-concrete walls and full insulation to all external surfaces ensuring that heat is retained. The curved roofs and ceilings create convection currents, pushing hot air rising from the north side of the house to the cooler south side.

Environmentally sustainable design

Butt gained degrees in Environmental Design and Architecture from the Canberra College of Advanced Education in 1977 and 1980. While a student of environmental design, the energy crisis of the late 1970s stimulated an interest in environmental issues. He became a registered architect in 1981 and established Strine Design in 1982. Butt has been responsible for architectural, urban and environmental design on a wide range of residential, commercial, industrial, resort and environmental projects.

Butt has a national profile in environmentally sustainable and low energy buildings. He was involved in the formation of the Australian Building Energy Council, the development of its building energy code and has been Chairman of the RAIA National Environment Committee (1998-2000). He was the National President of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) from 1997-98 and was made a Life Fellow of the RAIA in 1998. He was also made an Honorary Member of the American Institute of Architects in 1998.

Houses profiled on this site

Other works in Canberra

  • Platypus House, 139 Kosciusko Avenue, Palmerston, 1993
  • Hull House, 12 Quiros Street, Red Hill, 1998
  • Wesley Uniting Church extension, National Circuit, Forrest, 2002

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