Designing Healthier Homes – Rethink the Power of Daylight
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 […]
This session is based on the latest research from James Hardie, the Modern Homes Forecast 2026, developed in collaboration with WGSN, that identifies the key social, economic, environmental, technological, and human factors shaping how Australians want to live. We will walk through how these macro drivers are translated into clear home living trends, design principles and ultimately […]
Commonly known as ‘forever chemicals’, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals used in consumer products (to enhance non-stick coatings and waterproofing properties), and also in firefighting foams and various industrial processes. ‘Microplastics’, on the other hand, are defined as small plastic pieces that measure less than 5 mm in length. […]
Balconies are a popular feature in multi-residential buildings, offering occupants an appealing blend of indoor and outdoor living. However, these spaces present specific challenges in terms of drainage. Without effective water management systems, they are susceptible to water accumulation, which in turn, can lead to structural issues and building degradation. As multi-residential developments continue to […]
Defined as building components derived from natural, living organisms (such as plants, fungi, and bacteria), biomaterials are experiencing a renaissance. Beyond the most obvious material (i.e. timber), we are beginning to see a broad range of such products in the built environment. One of the key attractions of such materials is that, when specified appropriately, […]
Sometimes architects find that their project has a special requirement that can’t be met by standard products or systems. To maintain design integrity, customisation is the preference– and in many cases the only – option. Suppliers can often propose solutions using standard products in a different way from usual or embark on producing something entirely […]