about us

Ecoliving Design is Nick Radford, Jenny Skillen and Associates, based in Bellingen, NSW. Nick and Jenny work together on every project, carrying out most or all of the design & drafting. If required we co ordinate specialist detail with our wonderful associates. We have a small, flexible core with a wide range of expertise at reach.

Nick (in wetsuit) rescuing a great white shark

Nick Radford

B.Sc. (Architecture)

Associate Degree (Environmental Science)

Cert IV Architectural Technology with an

Award for Excellence in Sustainable Building

Cert IV Horticulture

Cert IV Permaculture

Permaculture Design Certificate

Cert III Organic Farming

Member AILDM (Australian Institute Landscape Designers and Managers)

Member ATA (Alternative Energy Association)

In the early 1990's I was influenced by the sustainable cultures I visited in Nepal and South America. I was impressed by their passive solar houses, simple building methods, productive gardens and beautiful environment. In 1996 I moved to the Bellinger valley to try to live sustainably. I owner built a low cost, natural home, grew a variety of organic food and revegetated rainforest.

I've worked on the ground as a landscaper, native nursery hand, in bush regeneration and on an organic farm. I've worked at the drawing board with architects, landscape architects and engineers. I've studied part time for over twenty years, and thank all the good teachers who have influenced me. I try to remind myself of Alistair Knox's motto "Choose a designer with his head in the clouds and his feet on the ground".

I spend my spare time surfing, with family, bushwalking and involved in community groups.

Community Activity (past & present)

Bellingen Environment Centre
Bellingen Sustainable Building Forum
Bellingen Community Gardens
Soccer coach, Repton Primary School
Mankind Project

Associates

Colin Broadfoot

Expert native nurseryman. Owner Boggy Creek Natives (6655 1335) and author of "Growing Native Plants on the North Coast of NSW".

John Ross

Expert rainforest nurseryman and bush regenerator. Owner Lacebark Native Nursery (6654 4373)

Jenny Skillen

Certificate in Fine Art

Bachelor Social Science (Welfare)

GraduateDiploma Museum Studies

Diploma of Art (Furniture Design)

My work as a museum professional taught me about materials,conservation, offgassing, toxicity, and spatial design.

While studying furniture design, I focused on ethical sustainable design and experimented with non toxic natural and recycled materials. My research into materials has extended to specifying to create healthy homes. I use art and design skills to create colour schemes that make interesting spaces. I am most interested in re-use and recycle styles such as modern vintage, handmade modern, retro chic, recycled home, and ethnic eclectic.

I teach Museum Practice at TAFE, am a mother of a young child, as well as being part of Ecoliving Design. Furniture designs are currently commission only until I am less busy! I love reading, second-hand shopping and scavenging, making jewellery from recycled bits'n'bobs, and research about sustainable design.

Associates

Flame Tree Consultancy

Specialist fauna and flora surveyers.

Mick Corcoran

Green building consultant.

Green Synergy

Thermal modelling and energy assessment.

Ben Nicholson

Green roof consultant.

Paul Guy

Building designer, planner, tricky questions consultant.

Michelle Naidu

"Adapt" Eco Interior Design