Zinc Roofing & Cladding
Zinc roofing and cladding has a long track record overseas, but for many Australian architects and specifiers, the material’s properties and system options are still unfamiliar territory. As sustainability credentials, life cycle performance and material longevity move to the centre of specification decisions, designers are looking past surface aesthetics to ask harder questions: how long […]
The importance of acoustics in educational settings cannot be overstated. Beyond making it difficult for students to hear their teachers, the negative impacts of poor classroom acoustics can be significant. From the students’ point of view, these include effects on cognitive functioning as well as an increase in behavioural problems, which in turn, have negative […]
Facade fire safety has become one of the most closely scrutinised areas of building compliance in Australia over the past decade. Aluminium composite material, or ACM, remains widely specified for its appearance, workability and cost, but its fire performance varies considerably depending on the core material used. For architects, specifiers and building surveyors, the challenge […]
Thermal performance has always been a fundamental consideration in building design, but as the NCC raises minimum energy efficiency requirements, the pressure to specify insulation that reliably performs over time has never been greater. For many architects and specifiers, rigid insulation remains a product category that is understood in general terms but less well understood […]
In an environment of increasing regulatory scrutiny and evolving standards, fire compliance is no longer something architects can delegate—it’s a shared responsibility, and it begins at the design stage. From the tragic La Crosse cladding fire to the legislative reforms that followed, Australia’s building industry has been reshaped by the need for better fire performance […]
Beyond the Surface: Rethinking Interior Materials in Contemporary Architecture takes a practical, design-led look at how engineered wood panels and surface technologies are selected and integrated into interior environments. We’ll explore how different material typologies, such as particleboard, fibreboard and compact panels, work together with decorative surface technologies to deliver performance, durability and design outcomes. […]
Designing Healthier Homes – Rethink the Power of Daylight takes a practical look at how daylight shapes the quality, health performance and comfort of residential buildings. We’ll examine the biological, regulatory and design dimensions of daylighting and explore how architects can move beyond minimum compliance toward genuinely healthier homes. By the end of today’s session, you’ll […]
‘Specifying colour in Architecture: How materials, lighting and spatial context shape perception’ takes a practical, performance-based look at how colour is specified in architectural environments. We will examine the perceptual, material and contextual factors that influence colour selection and unpack how lighting conditions, surface properties and spatial relationships affect how colour is experienced. By the […]
Australia’s bushfire-prone environment presents unique challenges for building design, particularly when it comes to windows and doors. These elements play a critical role in protecting structures from ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame exposure. Compliance with bushfire construction standards is not just a regulatory requirement—it is essential for enhancing resilience and safeguarding lives and […]
This CPD Understanding Acoustics will explore how windows and doors contribute to the acoustic performance of the building envelope. We’ll unpack the fundamentals of sound, how it is measured, and how it behaves in built environments. Then we’ll move into testing standards and acoustic ratings before examining real-world design and specification factors for windows and […]