Navigating Weatherproofing Certifications & Standards for Cladding & Façades

There are several factors to keep in mind when specifying external cladding and façade systems. Beyond design considerations, the materials chosen should be durable and easy to maintain. They should be sound in terms of thermal performance, environmentally sustainable, acoustics and fire safety. And they should be waterproof. Dependent upon local conditions, façade systems need […]

Defined, respectively, as storage/warehousing and manufacturing/processing facilities, Class 7b and Class 8 buildings form the structural backbone of Australia’s industrial and logistics sectors. Generally characterised by the high-density nature of their operations, such facilities represent a fire risk. In response, the National Construction Code (NCC) mandates stringent Fire Resistance Levels (FRLs), particularly under Type A […]

For architects and designers, the pressure to deliver sustainable, low-carbon buildings has never been greater. This session of CPD Live is intended to empower these professionals to navigate the growing demand for carbon transparency and make smarter, more informed material choices. It will focus on ways to assess, benchmark, and select materials based on carbon […]

Fire protection is a fundamental requirement in modern construction, ensuring that buildings not only meet regulatory obligations but also safeguard occupants and property from fire risks. This CPD course, delivered by Promat Australia, provides architects, designers and specifiers with essential knowledge on passive fire protection within wall and ceiling systems. The session explores the key […]

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 […]

As demand for sustainable materials accelerates, few products are as sought-after or as scrutinised as timber. Valued for its natural beauty and carbon-sequestering properties, wood has long been considered a go-to material for environmentally conscious design. But as we face growing climate targets, supply chain pressures and an end to native logging in parts of […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Architecture is a powerful medium for storytelling, offering the chance to forge meaningful connections to place and culture. For Indigenous communities, these connections are deeply tied to the concept of Country—a holistic relationship with land, water, and sky that shapes identity and traditions. While Indigenous perspectives in architecture have historically been underrepresented, architects and designers […]