Talking Architecture & Design Podcast (Episode 232) - Sam Morris on mass timber design and why Architectus' Barker College Maths Hub won the Editors Choice Award at the 2024 Sustainability Awards Listen Now

Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling

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Case study: The Base, Cobbity, NSW

The Base, designed by J Mammone Architecture, is a modern home blending into Cobbitty’s landscape. Emphasizing expansive views, it uses glass, concrete, and timber for a timeless design. Challenges of thermal efficiency were met with AWS's high-performance glazing and doors, providing seamless indoor-outdoor living. This residence harmonizes with its environment, offering both visual splendor and energy efficiency.

Resource | 15/08/2024

Facades for the future: Sustainable design considerations and material selection

The facade can account for up to 30% of a building's embodied carbon footprint. In the face of climate change, future facades will need to not only deliver iconic aesthetics and weather protection but also drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the structure throughout its entire life cycle. Specifying sustainable facade materials is a crucial first step in accomplishing this objective.

Resource | 29/09/2023

Save the planet: Turn off your air conditioner

For Australia to achieve net zero and reduce carbon footprint will require a significant change in the way we live. To date a lot of the talk has been about alternative energy generation and reducing fossil fuels, which is important, but this will not be enough to achieve sustainable change.

Resource | 28/06/2023

Sustainable buildings start here

The benefits of a more sustainable building are endless, but it can be hard to know where to begin. At Schneider Electric, we are experts in sustainability and energy efficiency, and we want to help you retrofit your healthcare facility in three easy steps: Strategise, digitise & decarbonise.

Resource | 26/06/2023

Energy-saving heat pumps and underfloor heating: Design, installation and space considerations

Energy input is necessary for heating an interior space, so if this can be controlled and reduced, there are opportunities to make significant energy savings. Combining a heat pump with hydronic underfloor heating can provide unmatched comfort while minimising energy consumption. However, while the benefits of these solutions are indisputable, they need to be considered early in the design phase.

Resource | 06/04/2023

Setting the 7-Star standard: The benefits of uPVC windows for energy efficiency and performance

As the National Construction Code increases its 6-star minimum NatHERS rating to 7, with even further increases likely in the future, the requirements for high-performance windows become more significant than ever. While popular in modern building design, it is predicted that neither aluminium nor thermally broken aluminium windows will be able to meet future increases in energy rating requirements. So, what are the alternatives?

Resource | 18/11/2022

Energy-efficient roofing systems for commercial buildings: Designing for NCC Section J compliance

Every aspect of the building envelope, including the roof and ceiling, must be carefully evaluated in relation to its impact on thermal performance. To meet the increasingly stringent energy efficiency requirements in Section J of the National Construction Code (NCC), the interface between the roof system and insulation must be given special consideration.

Resource | 07/09/2022

The future of home heating: Choosing the right heating system in the changing energy landscape

The shift away from fossil fuels has begun, but renewable energy sources are not yet an option for many Australian homes. When it comes to specifying heating and cooling systems, designers must balance meeting immediate user needs with providing enough flexibility to adapt to future changes to the energy landscape.

Resource | 12/05/2022

Blinds & window coverings: A pathway to sustainability

By helping users manage heat gain, blinds can reduce the energy consumption associated with artificial heating and cooling systems, thus enabling buildings to reduce their carbon footprint over their lifespan. However, each product has different environmental impacts across its lifecycle. What factors should you consider when specifying blinds to achieve truly sustainable outcomes?

Resource | 12/04/2022

Fire the imagination: The benefits of modern electric fireplaces

Providing warmth, ambience and a mood of relaxation and calm, a fireplace can raise the character of any residential and commercial space. However, in many applications, wood-burning or gas fireplaces are simply not practical. With an electric fireplace, it is possible to utilise fire’s sensory properties to elevate the design of modern spaces.

Resource | 13/01/2022

A truly connected smart home: Design considerations for effective home automation systems

With over six million smart home users expected by 2025, home automation will be a huge factor in a growing number of new builds and renovations over the next few years. Architects, designers and specifiers will need a better understanding of smart home planning and design to meet the evolving lifestyle needs of modern Australians.

Resource | 09/12/2021

Building Circular Economy: Thinking into your next kitchen and laundry design project

The Circular Economy is an economic model focuses on designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use to reduce ecological impact, and regenerating natural systems. How can this approach be applied to building design and construction?

Resource | 29/09/2021