Sustainability Awards | Architecture & Design

Unearthing the infinite: The outstanding traceability of Kaolin’s tiles

Porcelain is often associated with sublime aesthetic and incredibly sophisticated design potential, however, this durable material can withstand a lot. In fact, the white, shiny exterior of the Porcelain Tower of Nanjing, built in the 15th century with porcelain bricks, is still glistening in the sun to this day. “Still intact, and just as beautiful,” Anton Bourtsev, Director of Kaolin, says with a smile. “Really, there is no life expectancy on porcelain tiles.”

Q&A with Cyril Giraud, Head of Sustainability at Holcim Australia and New Zealand

Concrete is the most omnipresent man-made material on Earth - and its environmental impact is just as far-reaching. Holcim Australia, a leading supplier of aggregates, concrete, and concrete pipe and products, recognises the importance of their sustainability agenda in reducing the industry’s footprint. Here, Holcim’s Head of Sustainability, Cyril Giraud, explains why transparency is such an important pillar of Holcim’s sustainability agenda - and strong sense of responsibility one of its main enablers.

Holcim’s sustainability journey: Shifting conversations, trailblazing transparency and concrete commitments

The outstanding benefits of concrete have been appreciated for thousands of years, with the first official record of its use as a building material dating all the way back to the 6,500 BC in the United Arab Emirates. In fact, some of the structures erected hundreds - if not thousands of years ago - like Rome’s renowned Colosseum, which was built with travertine limestone, volcanic rock, and brick-faced concrete - are still standing, as a testament to concrete’s unmatched durability.

Laying the way to sustainable laminate flooring with EGGER GreenTec

Laminate flooring may not have the best reputation when it comes to environmental impact, but EGGER’s GreenTec innovation is about to change that! Launching this July, EGGER’s new GreenTec flooring range is set to challenge traditional perceptions associated with laminate flooring and redefine what’s possible in this decorative product category.

Supplying sustainably for a better built environment

In 2020, Tony Rouady and Kim Regler founded Network Architectural. A subsidiary of Network Building Supplies, NA works directly in conjunction with architects supplying built environment professionals with facade and ceiling solutions.

Timber: the key to adaptive reuse

Timber is one of our most precious natural resources. Able to be sustainably sourced and easily duplicated, it has become a choice for architects when undertaking projects in both an interior and exterior capacity.

On public display

These days our public facilities are multi- purpose and they can be used to provide a range of services in the areas of medical, transport and recreation.

Large architecture leading the sustainable charge

The beauty of the big building is something to behold. Every minute detail is considered by an architect, with each piece of the puzzle forming a monolithic jigsaw.

The culmination of a career worthwhile

The most renowned of architects are in practice for the long haul. Creating and influencing design through the built environment from top to bottom, Australian built environment professionals are at the coalface of this change, from the moment they complete their Master’s degree.

Prioritising thermal comfort of the occupants – and the planet – with SpecLab® by Big Ass Fans

The importance of thermal insulation and thermal comfort – and their inherent relationship with wellbeing and productivity, alongside the environmental impact of the building – has been a fast growing consideration, particularly in light of aggressively evolving weather patterns and significant increase in temperatures across the country and the world.

Big Ass Fans for big temperature fluctuations at Darwin International Airport

With convenient access to people arriving from Asia, America and Europe, Darwin International Airport is an invaluable gateway to Australia for international travellers. And as the only airport serving Darwin – and the busiest airport in the Northern Territory – it is also a crucial domestic destination. This strategic position of the facility means that over 2 million travellers pass throughout the airport every year.

Q&A with Ario Narisworoputro, Engineer at Big Ass Fans

While it may be difficult to imagine life in Australia without the comforting hum of the air conditioning in the background – particularly in states like Queensland – HVAC systems can have a negative environmental impact. Here, Ario Narisworoputro of Big Ass Fans, tells us about the importance of thermal comfort, effects of “sick building syndrome” – and how specifiers can improve both comfort and sustainability profile of the project by combining HVAC with ceiling fans.