Add more products
Although sustainability has long been a critical focus for the design and construction industry, the term itself is sometimes used without a clear definition or substantive objective, making it merely a buzzword rather than a strategic, meaningful and actionable concept. However, in recent years, environmental considerations have galvanised the global architecture and design industry.
Read More
While the use of wood in construction certainly isn’t new, and timber products occupy a well-established place in the long-standing tradition of building, the innovative use of timber structures has been gaining significant momentum both in Australia and globally.
Apart from being an author of a widely read book on the design of timber structures and a founder of structural engineering software, Paolo Lavisci is also a Program Manager of WoodSolutions’ Resilient Timber Homes. Here, he talks about the organisation's sustainability aspirations and reveals why his date of birth makes him a natural climate optimist.
Ask anyone in the architecture, construction, and design industries about certifications and they’ll tell you the same thing: certifications are essential, but not all certifications are created equal. In fact, one of the better measures of a company’s commitment to sustainability is to look at their certifications with an understanding of how rigorous and involved the processes for each are. One particularly well-respected certification is the Declare program.
There are a great many products in the world that claim to be sustainable. The unfortunate fact is that many contribute much less than they purport, and that can lead to distrust in markets (of all types, not just architecture and construction). So, it’s always worthy of pause when a genuinely sustainable product is launched - as is the case with EGGER’s Eurodekor 25mm range.
“Sustainability – that is, reducing our environmental impact – has always been important,” says Brendan Glen, Engineering Manager at GH Commercial. "But it’s gone from being something that’s seen as necessary, to a key focus point of every stakeholder; something which requires innovation, continued investment in new technology and demands progression.”
As an Australian-owned supplier who has been importing timber into Australia since 1879, ForestOne has seen significant change in the industry throughout the company’s lifetime. And it’s fair to say that some of the most significant shifts have happened in sustainability.
There’s no doubt that single-use plastic bags, coffee cups and bottles are frowned upon - and with good reason. Traditional plastic bottles are made out of non-biodegradable polyethylene terephthalate (PET), meaning one plastic bottle can take almost half a century to decompose. But that’s not all – it is estimated that one 500ml plastic bottle of water has a total carbon footprint equal to 82.8 grams of carbon dioxide, too.
For Lachlan Howell, passion for sustainability was born alongside the Great Ocean Road – and it’s been a crucial part of his career path ever since. Here, Lachlan talks about how his perspective on sustainability has evolved, GH Commercial’s updated sustainability framework – and the company’s latest initiatives in that space.
Originally built in the 90s, the Parkwood Tavern has been one of the cornerstones of the local community for over three decades. And while a series of minor refurbishments has seen this Gold Coast venue updated throughout the years, Parkwood’s favourite meeting place was in need of a revitalisation project that would transform the locale into a contemporary space for its diverse demographic spanning hospital workers, families and students.
For each towering commercial edifice, there exists a diminutive yet innovative counterpart that receives less recognition. These modest spaces harbour start-ups, small-scale enterprises, and brands that add to the economy in their own domains. In the quest to curb emissions and combat global warming, every individual must play their part. This is why Architecture & Design proudly advocates for the endeavours of architectural firms that create such diminutive commercial spaces.
As the world becomes more aware of the need to protect the planet, sustainable design has become a key consideration for architects and developers alike. And when it comes to large commercial buildings, the importance of sustainable design cannot be overstated.
