Creating Spaces That Are Welcoming To All – Handrails, Balustrades & Accessibility Requirements
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as of 2022, 5.5 million Australians (21.4% of the total population) were living with disabilities. Many of these people face ambulatory challenges. For various reasons, they find it difficult to navigate uneven surfaces, to climb stairs, and so on. Add to this the effects of ageing, and the […]
Within wet areas – in bathrooms, laundries and kitchens – there exists an ongoing risk of overflows and excess water accumulation. Needless to say, the negative consequences of such events – which range from musty, damp, and unhealthy conditions to corrosion and building damage – are worth avoiding. In Australia, regulatory requirements are in place […]
Not to be confused with products that feature crystalline silica, which represent an OHS threat and have been banned in Australia since July 2024, sintered stone is an alternative man-made [KD5] [DM6] surfacing material, typically made from a mix of clays, feldspar, and natural mineral oxides. Waterproof, UV resistant, and hygienic, it delivers a range […]
Within today’s architectural landscape, maximising space efficiency is a critical challenge. With increasing urban density, stricter regulations, and evolving user demands, architects and designers must find ways to optimise building layouts without compromising functionality, aesthetics, or long-term adaptability. In this session of CPD Live, we explore how space planning and innovative engineering solutions can unlock […]
In the residential sector, the net-zero imperative and the drive towards thermal efficiency has given rise – among other things – to the ‘Modern Sealed Home’. Houses and apartments, in which the movement of air to and from the outside is controlled, homes of this type have the capacity to moderate HVAC usage and cut […]
Right now, the way architects design schools and universities is in the process of transformation. The changes they are putting in place are set to have significant impacts on not just the look and feel of educational institutions, but on those who learn and work within them. Thanks to a combination of increasing population density […]
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 […]
A lightweight cellular concrete building material, made from sand, cement, lime, gypsum, water and expansion agent, autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is manufactured as either steel reinforced panels or unreinforced blocks. Thanks to its many benefits – which include strength, excellent thermal and acoustic properties, fire resistance, non-toxicity, low cost, workability, and ease of handling – […]
Suitable for a broad range of applications – including everything from ceiling linings, privacy screening and garage doors, to public spaces, feature walls, and high-rise commercial buildings – aluminium battens and lining come with many benefits. Realistic in terms of appearance and delivering all the biophilic appeal of their ‘natural timber’ counterparts, they are also […]
Aluminium façade systems are far from a one-size-fits-all proposition. Broadly speaking, specifiers seeking such products can choose between solid aluminium panels, corrugated core panels, and non-combustible mineral core panels. As is the case with most types of architectural products, each has its own strengths and benefits (in terms of design potential, function, and performance), and […]