Powerhouse Wizard 2006
In September 2006, Dominic Dowling, was announced as the 2006 Powerhouse Wizard.
An expert in the area of earthquake safe adobe-mud brick housing, Dominic Dowling has more than ten years experience in international and community development. He has completed his doctorate with the Faculty of Engineering at UTS, where he developed QuakeSafe, a low cost, low-tech reinforcement system for use in developing countries where millions of people live in vulnerable mud brick houses.
Hailing from Newcastle, Dominic has long since been aware of the impact of earthquakes, and has experienced first-hand the effects in El Salvador in 2001. He has applied his research and expertise in designing and constructing a child-care centre in El Salvador, working with the local community. Dominic continues to use his QuakeSafe Adobe system in developing countries susceptible to earthquake damage.
During his term as Powerhouse Wizard, Dominic Dowling has participated in a number of public programs, including the building of a mud brick QuakeSafe Adobe in the Grace Bros courtyard of the Powerhouse Museum in July 2007. The structure designed in two sections, with one end as a traditional mud brick house reinforced with Dominic’s QuakeSafe Adobe system, and the other as a traditional contemporary home. The project shows the potential use for Dominic’s QuakeSafe Adobe reinforcement in a contemporary setting, and is showcased during the Ultimo Science Festival and Sydney Design 07.
Tricia Ho, industrial designer and inventor of the EV ergonomic violin, received a highly commended citation in the 2006 Powerhouse Wizard award.
