Intersect April, 2020

ED25 APRIL 2020



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DESIGN MATTERS NATIONAL BUILDING DESIGN AWARDS

2020

2 YE

ANN

ENTER NOW The Design Matters National 25th Annual Building Design Awards will go ahead. We appreciate the enormous amount of effort made by members to prepare submissions and we are absolutely committed to this event proceeding with or without social distancing.

Categories include: • Residential New Home • Alterations and Additions • Small Home • Heritage • Multi-Residential • Environmentally Sustainable • Bathroom

• Kitchen • Excellence in Documentation • Excellence in use of materials including glass, steel, masonry, timber, concrete, lightweight materials, recycled materials

Entries extended until Monday 20 July 2020 Restrictions imposed by COVID-19 sees many members unable to gain access to their designs to take photographs and complete their submissions for this year’s Building Design Awards.

Register at: designmatters.awardsplatform.com

• Non-Residential building design.

As a Building Designer this is an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills and be recognised for your excellence in building design. 

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Contents

Thank you to our sponsors of Victoria appreciates the support and assistance of our sponsors.

01. Project Matters

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- Holmesglen Student Hub & Learning Commons

- Same But Different

02. InterVIEW

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03. Member Matters

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04. Business & Technology Matters

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25 EAR

Sponsors Matter Design Matters appreciates the support and assistance of our sponsors and partners.

05. Planning Matters 29 06. Industry Matters 33

NIVERSARY

Here for members during COVID-19

Our team at Design Matters National is set up to work remotely to ensure there is no interruption to services provided to our members. We are here to help, so email us at info@designmatters.org.au or call on 03 9416 0227

DISCLAIMER Publication of an article or inclusion of an advertisement in this edition does not infer that Building Designers Association of Victoria Inc trading as Design Matters National agrees with the views expressed, or message conveyed, nor does it imply endorsement of products. In addition, Design Matters National does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. No content may be reproduced without the written permission of Design Matters National. Requests should be lodged to The Editor, at info@designmatters.org.au. ďťż

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Issue 25

01.

Project Matters:

Holmesglen Student Hub and Learning Commons

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“The vibrant central ‘urban square’ was conceived as a new social heart for the campus to promote activity, drive collaboration and provide flexible study environments for students”

01. Project Matters: Holmesglen Student Hub and Learning Commons

Winner New Project ++ The new building acts as a billboard, providing clarity of movement and promotes activity at the heart of the campus ++ The project involved adaptive re-use of an existing 1970’s building and construction of a new wing to provide an innovative new Learning Commons, formal & informal meeting spaces and Student Hub/Information Office facility The Student Hub and Learning Commons building is a landmark project for Holmesglen Institute of TAFE at their Moorabbin campus. Crosier Scott Architects cohesively connected a campus of disjointed buildings within a complex multi-facility learning centre. Through clever planning the Learning Commons works as a single facility made up of several flexible study and social zones.

Prior to development the campus lacked a social heart or civic space and distinction between Holmesglen and Healthscope Hospital.

The user experience was one of fragmentation and a lack of coherence. External public spaces were disconnected and unwelcoming and the campus lacked any kind of identifiable entry-point.

The evolution of teaching and learning models along with increasing student numbers necessitated the creation of new spaces for learning, socialising and everything in-between. Crosier Scott Architects embraced this opportunity to design a building that supports the college’s pedagogical ideals by creating an innovative new multi-modal facility.

The concept of a ‘Sticky Campus’ was adopted, that is a place that will make students want to stick around even if they have no lectures to go to. Included in the design brief were spaces where students feel comfortable, an environment that was easy to navigate, access to outdoor areas, natural light indoors and a range of attractors, including a decent cup of coffee, a comfortable place to rest and a range of spaces to study alone or in a group.

The Student Hub functions as the main entry to the campus, providing a much needed amenity including a world-class library, concierge point, cashier and banking facilities, exhibition space, a variety of flexible learning and meeting spaces, a vibrant social area, a number of quiet study nooks, and retail spaces.



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01. Project Matters: Holmesglen Student Hub & Learning Commons The new building provides a range of useful settings that engage students and give them ownership over their learning journey. The design strategically uses windows to expand sightlines across the campus and improve green space connections. Natural light filters through voids and windows in a unique way to brighten and enhance the student experience. The colours adopted are fun, vibrant and cool.

The way the new building aligns itself spatially was a pivotal strategy to open up access and circulation around the campus.

The central hub gathers the campus together thematically, while offering a visual lightness and porosity for easy orientation across the campus, providing a public realm that emphasises the generous open forecourt and expansive galleria while unifying disparate elements and weaving them together as an integrated whole. The surrounding piazza is attractive, accessible, functional and safe, drawing on three-dimensional connections with the landscape, footpaths, open space, and trees.

The success of the new building can be measured by its use and adoption by the student cohort. This was achieved by designing collaboratively and with clarity of purpose, producing a built response across a number of varied-use spaces under a single conceptual idea. The building’s form is both expansive and porous, bringing legibility to the internal functions. The architecture produces a strong connection to climate and landscape, employing clear and honest expressions of structure and material underpinned by concepts that exploit space, light, shadow, and view opportunities.

Key sustainability innovations were led by the adaptive reuse of existing building stock to create a higher usage building, consolidating built form and maximising open space that connects to the existing network of the campus.

The design utilises the site’s orientation to integrate passive heating and cooling, utilising prevailing shadow, breeze and views while prioritising the deployment of environmentally and ethically sustainable materials, structural elements and construction methods.

Long-term sustainability is provided by delivering spaces that are flexible and multi-modal in a porous building envelope shaped to create a variety of spaces for learning, recreation and outdoor activities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Designer:

Crosier Scott Architects

croscott.com.au Builder:

Raysett Constructions

Building Surveyor:

McKenzie Group Consulting

Structural Engineer: Hive Engineering Services Engineer:

ECM Group

Fire Engineer:

WSP

Quantity Surveyor: Wilde and Woollard Photographer:

Jack Lovel Photography

MAJOR SUPPLIERS FOR THE PROJECT

Viridian Glass Perforated Screens, Urban Design Group Interpon Powder Coatings Architectural Cladding Australia Pty Ltd

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“The important experience of arriving at the facility has been re-described to provide a vibrant destination & central hub with the inclusion of an active ‘urban square’ and a distinctive landmark building.”

Crosier Scott Architects Holmesglen Student Hub and Learning Commons



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01.

Project Matters: Same But Different 

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Issue 25



“A significant emphasis on the use of natural light and materials to provide refined living for the modern family”

01. Project Matters: Same But Different

Winner Multi-Residential ++ The design uses an array of natural materials in a broad, neutral palette to provide a modern yet sympathetic connection to its surroundings ++ Detailed drawings for each planning and engineering element were presented as ‘one requirement per page’ ++ A significant native Eucalypt is a key feature of the site, providing balance and framing to the design solution Same but Different delivers two luxury, spacious townhomes in an evolving coastal village environment. The true success of the double storey multi-residential development by Holman Designs’ lies in its ability to promote a sense of “one integrated home” rather than part of a multi-residential project.

Set in a quiet pocket of Barwon Heads and set back from an urban street with limited infrastructure, the site is within walking distance to local beaches and village center. A significant native Eucalypt frames the front of the property and was retained as a key feature of the site, providing balance, connection to the existing natural environment and framing to the design.

The East to West slope of the block demonstrated a fall of 1.2m over 20m of block width, this in turn impacted the level and straight lines of the design. Due to the width of the block, side setback compliance (including height) was a significant challenge. The lack of infrastructure for drainage meant the design response had further considerations and limitations to allow for drainage response.

To overcome site challenges, a site cut and retaining wall was utilised to mitigate the slope, with fill included in lower lying areas to provide levelling and support the ‘straight’ facade appearance.

The level of the soakage pit as drainage infrastructure was determined first and the design built around this, utilising strategic room placement to ensure design height compliance. The compliant floor plan was then mirrored for the second townhome.

An environmental scan of the surrounding streets was undertaken, examining consistency in built form and materials used in new and existing dwellings. This demonstrated accepted design styles and was fused with client preferences to inform the concept.

Significant consultation was undertaken with the responsible council regarding planning controls and engineering, ensuring the design was compliant with relevant regulations as well as overall response having ‘in principle’ council support.

Detailed drawings for each planning and engineering element were presented as ‘one requirement per page’ while the overshadowing challenges were mitigated by providing detailed shadow diagrams, along with extensive neighbour and council consultation.

The design response utilises an array of natural materials in a broad neutral palette to provide a modern yet sympathetic connection to the surrounding environment. The facade materials tie into their respective end points, the charred timber to the tree canopies and rammed earth to the sandy soil that is characteristic of the area.

The floor plan maximises planning considerations, natural light, available living space while the internal atrium supports energy efficiency for both townhomes, as well as a connection to nature.

Design features reaffirm continuity between indoors and out. The atrium and feature tree brings the spaces to life whilst promoting tranquility and connection to the very environment that draws both visitors and locals to the Barwon Heads community.

When considering characteristics of the Bellarine Peninsula, the rammed earth party wall speaks for itself as the standout feature of the design. The wall stands 6.5m high and imposes a quiet, yet rugged dominance to both the upper and lower levels of the home.

Both levels are connected by the texture and tone of the wall, which provides a feast for the senses with neutrality to suit any interior palette. The muted, sandy tones, pay tribute to the nearby beaches and horizontal lines draw guests on a journey through the home, whilst maintaining connection to the outdoors.



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Issue 25

01. Project Matters: Same But Different The significant use of natural materials is first and foremost a sustainable design solution. Timber cladding utilised as a design element provides carbon storage, supporting reduced emissions.

The rammed earth party wall provides for excellent thermal mass.

The north facing aspects of the main living zone provide for passive solar opportunities. The party wall challenging solar performance has been mitigated by the integration of the internal atrium as a central light well of both townhouses. ‘Same but different’ balances its evolving village surrounds with outstanding attention to natural features characteristic of its Bellarine Peninsula environment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Designer:

Holman Designs Pty Ltd

holmandesigns.com.au Builder:

Vand Builders

Structural Engineer: AGB Engineering Soil Testing: Structerre Building Surveyor: Peninsula Building Surveyors Network Planning Consultant: Coastal Planning Pty Ltd Photographer: BWRM

MAJOR SUPPLIERS FOR THE PROJECT

Rammed Earth Victoria Hurford Wholesale Colorbond cladding Hardwood Cladding Coastal Stairs Precision Plastering Stegbar Eco Living Concrete Grinding

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“Both rugged and refined, ‘Same but Different’ draws inspiration from nature and purveys a luxurious visual and textural experience interwoven throughout both townhomes.”

Holman Designs Pty Ltd Same But Different

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Issue 25

02.

InterVIEW



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02. InterVIEW

Wayne Gorman Wayne Gorman is the CEO and Founder of Consulting Plus Tasmania and has been involved in the building and construction industry for over 25 years working on residential, commercial and industrial projects. Wayne started out as a crane driver with rigger & dogman tickets. He then moved into project management with industrial and commercial construction. A transition into residential brought about an opportunity to experiment with energy efficiency that had always been a strong interest.

Wayne is an accredited NABERS assessor, First Rate 5 assessor and can provide expert opinion on energy efficiency for residential and commercial buildings covering Class 1, Class 2, Class 4 and Class 5-9 under the BCA. Wayne delivers training for the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors – AIBS, the Building Designers Association of Tasmania – BDAT, the Master Builders Association – MBA, private companies and specialised in-house training contracts.

His vast experience of the building industry, regulations and energy efficiency give him a level of understanding that is rarely matched by other practitioners.

When I was a child I wanted to be?

I wanted to be a train driver, as we lived near a railway line.

Canvas hanging at the MBA head office in Hobart.

Before I did energy ratings I… was inspecting buildings and still do.

What are your favourite project/s to work on, and why?

I like standard 4 bedroom/attached garage projects and enjoy the simplicity of the designs.

What is the biggest obstacle to achieving a satisfactory outcome?

Usually too much glass on the worst orientations.

I am most inspired by…

Medieval Builders & their massive construction projects.

I joined Design Matters because…

Photography exhibition in Yarraville.

To receive accreditation for TPA & participate in functions.

My words of wisdom for anyone thinking of entering the field of energy ratings?

Keep learning.

Outside of work, I am passionate about?

Working on my renovation of a 1910 Cottage & incorporating passive solar design principles. Photographing the Tasmanian countryside & editing photos.

At the moment I am reading/listening to?

A podcast about condensation in buildings.

My life in four words?

Say YES when possible.

Renovation showing winter sun penetration. 

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Issue 25

YO U K N OW B U I L D I N G

WE K N OW INSUR ANC E Specialist Insurance Providers to the Building Industry

Sketch Building Design Pty Ltd Photographer: Dana Beligan

BUILDING DESIGNERS • CONSTRUCTION • ARCHITECTS • ENERGY RATERS • ENGINEERS

W E B B E R I N S U R A N C E . C O M . A U / D E S I G N M AT T E R S designmatters@webberinsurance.com.au

• 1300 668 553

WEBBER INSURANCE SERVICES PTY LTD | ABN 88 648 036 929 | CAR: 413233 As Authorised Representative of Webber Insurance Group | ABN: 70 612 339 894 | AFSL: 488465 

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03.

Member Matters

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Issue 25

A great day was had by all at Woodlands Golf Course

03. Member Matters

2020 Design Matters Golf Day Last month we hosted the annual Design Matters National Golf Day at the prestigious Woodlands Golf Course in Mordialloc. Our sincere thanks to everyone who participated. We were blessed with the weather and the course was in great condition.

Congratulations go to: •

Winning Team Gavin Cox, Josh Fraser, Steven Reid, Darryl Stephenson

•

Last Place (NAGA) Greg Blanch, Neil Jones, Owen Kleindon, Howard Marsland

•

Nearest to the Pin Ashley Stride (Hole 5) & Troy Wallington (Hole 11)

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Longest Drive Julie-Anne Smith (Ladies on Hole 15) and Darron Lyons (Mens on Hole 15)

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Straightest Drive: Rod Armstrong (Hole 9)

And, of course, events such as these do not happen without the support of sponsors. We take this opportunity to acknowledge Webber Insurance for their wonderful support to make this a memorable event.

Thank you once again to all the participants. We hope to see everyone again next year!

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DESIGN MATTERS NATIONAL Issue 25

Upcoming CPD Events INNOVATING THE WAY WE CONNECT While we have been successfully implementing webinars for more than 10 months, some of our programmed training options have been delivered in the traditional face-to-face workshop environment.

To ensure we can continue to deliver these important programs during the current environment and support our members with their CPD needs, we are in the process of redesigning the way we delivery of our face-to-face events

to create effective virtual interactive learning environments.

Follow us on Facebook for updates and announcements.

While this is a challenging time for everyone, it is an opportunity for us to innovate the way we connect and inform our members. Nothing would be more valuable than to hear your suggestions for how we can adapt into the future. Please email e.centeno@designmatters.org.au

Volume 1 NCC 2019 Section J Update & Fire Testing Group Number Changes for Soffits

The Latest Advancement in Timber Constructions

Tuesday 28 April 2020 | 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Monday 25 May 2020 | 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Presented by Ryan Hitzman, Kingspan Insulation

Presented by Adam Jones Engineering Advisor WoodSolutions | Mid-rise Advisory 1 CPD Point

1 CPD Point From May 1st 2020, thermal bridging needs to be addressed and building designers could be forced to build thicker walls.

Thermal bridging is a big change in Section J & will result in significant implications to building design and thermal requirements.

In many cases, it will affect the size of the windows and doors, forcing designers to reconsider thermal design and performance.

Join us with Ryan Hitzman, National Business Development Manager Kingspan Insulation, Australia for an informative discussion on the NCC changes, what to look out for and the impacts the changes will have on your designs.

Since the changes to the 2016 National Construction Code, the market for mid-rise timber buildings are on the rise. With these types of buildings it isn’t just about wood products, but a multi-disciplinary systems based approach to deliver the required finish. Designers are moving to timber as the preferred solution for zero carbon commitments, biophilic design and in search of productivity improvements through prefabrication.

A range of structural timber system options are available for the construction of mid-rise timber buildings, providing a variety of ways to optimise the needs for a specific project. Adam Jones will discuss the design options for mid-rise timber apartment buildings, including light-weight stud frame, CLT and post and beam.

Become a master Revit User with our 10 part training series Our Revit Training Series is designed to help Revit users get the most out of the software by providing insights and tips to help participants design, faster, smarter and better.

Revit Training Series Part 3

Revit Training Series Part 4

Friday 24 April 2020 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Friday 29 May 2020 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Sample Families – Webex

1 CPD Point

This session will be all about Families in Revit. We will look at making Families from scratch, and from converting AutoCAD and FormIt families. We will also revisit directory security settings to make sure rogue families don’t end up in your projects.

Missed Revit Training Part 1?

Architectural Project – Webex

1 CPD Point

This fourth session will start working on an Architectural project using an old AutoCAD file as our base. Here we will learn how to create floors, walls, doors and other elements required to create our first Architectural project.

Catchup online with our pre-recorded versions.

Available for download from the Webshop www.bdav.org.au/shop

To book your next CPD Event visit

www.eventbrite.com.au/o/design-matters-national-12405391099/

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Issue 25

Bupa offers the value you need Discover the benefits of being a Bupa member, which you get in addition to your corporate benefits, to help you take care of your health and wellbeing and live a healthier, happier life.

Pay nothing for dental check-ups

Taking care of your mental health

Pay nothing for regular dental check-ups, mouth guards, bitewing X-rays, scale and cleans and fluoride treatments at Members First Platinum dentists when you have selected combined Hospital and Extras cover (up to yearly limits).2

To support our members, we pay towards the cost of both psychology and counselling, at recognised providers, under our mental health category on most Extras and packaged covers.

Age-based discount on all Domestic Hospital covers

Corporate cover with great benefits

If you’re aged 18-29, you could be entitled to receive an agebased discount on your Domestic Hospital cover in addition to your current corporate benefits. The discount is calculated at 2% for each year you’re aged under 30, when you first purchase Domestic Hospital cover. 3

Bupa have teamed up with your employer so you can access a range of health and wellness services as well as unique corporate benefits. Join your colleagues on your corporate health plan to take advantage of these benefits, including discounted health insurance premiums that may be available to you.



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04.

Business & Technology Matters ďťż

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Reliable and easy-to-use video conferencing for real-time communication 04. Business & Technology Matters

Keeping connected while working remotely With so many of us working from home to reduce the spread of COVID-19 it is good to know there are ways to keep connected and productive with staff as well as clients. Video conferencing over the web allows individuals to meet and work together productively “face-to-face”. This makes meeting remotely much more human, which is essential in order to help staff and clients feel and stay connected.

ZOOM Meetings Advances in technology means that reliable and easy-to-use web conferencing has become accessible and affordable. ZOOM is a cloud-based video conferencing service you can use to virtually meet with others - either by video or audio-only or both.

Now that you’re set up on the app you can start to schedule meetings.

Start a new meeting instantly by clicking Schedule Meeting to book a meeting for the future.

Enter the meeting details (i.e. title, times etc.) then click Save to finish.

To get started all you need is: 1. Internet connection 2. A PC, Mac, Laptop, Tablet or SmartPhone with a built-in camera and audio 3. Optional – for better audio you can connect your headphones or Airpods

Copy the meeting link to your calendar or email invite to attendees.

Step 1: Create a ZOOM account – it’s free to sign up!

Visit: https://zoom.us/signup The free version is a great solution for one-on-one unlimited video calling and group calls with up to 100 participants for a maximum of 40-minutes per meeting.

There is a Pro version that doesn't have a time limit available, but if you just need a quick solution to meet on video in short bursts, the free version provides all the capabilities and features you need.

Step 2: You will then be sent a confirmation email.

Click on the Sign In button in the email and you are ready to go

Zoom lets you create recurring meetings. Use the Repeat option when setting up your meeting and you can join calls using the same URL link for your regular meetings.

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All the meetings you schedule will be displayed in the Upcoming Meetings Tab

When you join any meeting (regardless of who has scheduled it) the following screens will display. Simply click Join with my Computer Audio in the pop up and then the Start Video icon located in the black bar at the bottom of your screen. Your video feed and all other participants will appear.

Once your meeting is underway there are some great features:

If you haven't prescheduled your meeting, you can invite attendees on the spot,

Select Manage Participants to view who is logged into the meeting

The in-meeting Chat allows you to send chat messages to other users within a meeting. You can send a private message to an individual or you can send a message to the entire group. As the Host, you can choose who the participants can chat with or to disable chat entirely.

Turn your audio on or off.

You may have a distraction in the background that you want to block out while you are not talking.

Display your image on the screen so everyone can see you.

You can share a document or web page on screen so all participants can see the same document.

Step 1: On your computer, open the document you want to share.

Step 2: Once you have started your Zoom Meeting open click the Share Screen button on the bottom bar. A window with all the documents open on your computer. will appear Select the one you want to show to your audience then click Share Document.

The Share Screen feature is a great way to take a client through plans and/or a 3D walkthrough.

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Issue 25

Top tips for working from home

04. Business & Technology Matters

A guide to navigate working remotely With the presence of COVID-19 working from home has suddenly become the new norm. Loneliness from lack of connectivity is a risk with restrictions on socialising and extended periods of working from home. And for those of us juggling home schooling and keeping kids entertained with our regular workload as there is the added risk of burnout.

Here are some things to consider when working remotely.

Create a dedicated work space

Structure your day like you would in the office

If you have a dedicated room for a home office, perfect. If you don't rather than locking yourself away in your bedroom or lounging on the couch it is important to dedicate a specific room or surface in your home to work.

When working from home, you’re your own personal manager. Without things like in-person meetings to break up your day, you can be quick to lose focus or burn out.

Locate your work space as far from any distractions or comfort. A distracting, loud and disorganised atmosphere could hinder your productivity levels. Avoid setting your work space up close to the bed or couch… it might make you sluggish and could hamper your productivity.

Finding it hard to find a quiet space ? Invest in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

Pretend like you are going into the office The mental association you make between work and an office can make you more productive, and there’s no reason that feeling should be lost when working remotely.

You might be tempted to forgo the shower and stay in your pajamas all day, but this isn’t a good recipe for productivity. So do all the things you’d do to prepare for an office role: Set your alarm, make (or go get) coffee, shower before you start working and put on something other than pajamas to get out of the 'lazy' mindset.

To stay on schedule, make a list of what you need to do and by when during the day. If you have an online calendar, create personal events and reminders that tell you when to shift gears and start on new tasks.

Focused work If you are finding that you have constant interruptions from phone calls or video conferences, set aside some time in the day for focused work that require clear thinking or regular tasks that need to be completed. Focused work time allows you to tick things off your to do list without the distraction of email, phone calls or notifications from your phone.

Stay connected Lack of connection and loneliness are key risk factors of working from home. Now more than ever, it is crucial to intentionally stay connected.

There are a number of online platforms to help you keep connected with clients and staff such as ZOOM (refer to our article on page 24), Facetime/Skype, Slack, Instant Messaging or Facebook.

Standing or sitting - be sure to be comfortable

Tip: Your kids can also use these platforms to keep connected with their friends.

Get a good chair. You may not have given thought to the chair you use at home but given you could be sitting in it for a large part of the day, an uncomfortable kitchen chair could cause back pain.

For Design Matters National members, we have set up a Facebook Group to help members to stay in touch, beat isolation and feel connected. See opposite page for details on how to join.

Good posture is important, and you don’t want to strain your back or neck while hunched over your computer screen.

Take regular breaks

Choose a chair that’s comfortable, but not too comfortable - your living room recliner won’t position you correctly for work. A good chair that supports the lower back could be your saviour. Or you may want to consider investing in a stand-up desk.

If we were at the office, we find many ways to subconsciously take a break from focused work such as informal meetings beside the desk, the time taken to walk to a meeting room, refilling your water bottle.

So, while at home it is important to schedule in regular breaks to refresh your mind and body.

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Use your breaks to get away from your desk. A break could include a meal break, a quick walk, refilling your water bottle, 15 minutes of stretching, talking to the cat or dog or even a social video or phone call with a friend.

Be mindful of what and when you’re eating Research supports the link between food and mood. Working from home can lead to random eating and snacking, or sometimes not eating at all. Be sure to: •

schedule food breaks into your routine

•

avoid eating at your desk

•

stock up on healthy snacks that give your mood a boost

•

keep a water bottle handy to sip from during the day to help keep you hydrated

•

prepare your meals early in the day so you can ensure a structured eating plan for all the family.

Keep on the move and schedule in some sunshine Incorporate daily movement into your regime. It is important to get up and move around every hour or so to keep your body and mind refreshed.

Schedule a time to stop work You might be under the impression that working from home establishes more work-life balance but be careful with that assumption. The danger when working from home is that work and personal life start to blend together, and you begin to feel like you’re always “on”. This can be unhealthy.

In lieu of coworkers, whose packing up and leaving the office reminds you to do the same, set an alarm at the end of the day to indicate your normal work day is coming to an end. You don’t have to stop at exactly that time, but knowing the work day is technically over can help you start the process of saving your work and calling it quits for the evening Don’t get trapped in the “I will just take 5 minutes to finish this” or popping back into the office after dinner for “one more thing”.

Understand the boundaries and how to turn the lights off and walk out of the office… just like you would an office building. Try closing the door to your home office at the end of the day.

Get a good night’s sleep Getting a good night’s sleep is important in managing stress, mental health, immunity and overall well-being. Rest and relaxation are important so you can start a fresh day tomorrow.

Never underestimate the power of fresh air and sunshine. Even though we are at home we should aim to get some fresh air and sunshine. Can you take the laptop or iPad outside and soak up some sunlight and natural Vitamin D? Or organise to read a document or do some creative thinking in the garden.

There is currently a constant flow of important information we need to share with our members, BUT we don’t want to spam you with emails. Please join our Members Only Facebook Group to stay informed.

This Facebook Group is a closed forum, not only for us to keep you up-to-date, but also to enable all of our members to communicate, contribute and collaborate with each other.

Stay informed and connected.

Join our Members Only Facebook Group

It’s a forum to stay in touch, to beat isolation and feel connected, advertise for some help, look for work, ask questions and provide answers. We have 2,000 members, that’s a lot of people who are already connected through our organisation, and who can help each other.

Click here to join now If you need help to set up Facebook or join the group, please email us at info@designmatters.org.au or call our office on 03 9416 0227 and we will walk you through the steps.



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05.

Planning Matters

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Issue 25

Little bits that can make a big difference to your town planning outcomes

05. Planning Matters

Recycling, Planning Applications during COVID-19 and Contaminated Land Better Recycling for Victoria In February 2020, as part of a plan to reduce waste going to landfill by 80% over the next decade, the Victorian State Government announced a container deposit scheme and a new ‘fourth bin’ for households.

The four bins would be: •

household waste – red lid

•

plastic, metal and paper recycling – yellow lid

•

glass recycling – purple lid

•

food and garden organics – green lid

The change provides a separate bin for glass (for more efficient and effective recycling) and is planned to be rolled out in 2021, as existing collection contracts end.

For planning permit applicants, this means additional bins to plan for when designing proposals for new buildings and extensions. The likely impact on your projects is that additional space will be required to be set aside for on-site bin storage and on nature strips, for collection day.

Existing applicants should be aware that current planning permit applications, particularly larger multi-unit residential development and apartment buildings, may be required to increase the space currently allocated for bin storage and collection.

The Government’s announcement to make waste collection an essential service may curb the trend of Councils forcing applicants to rely on private collection services.

In addition, we expect that Councils will give additional weight to the issue of waste storage, management and recycling when assessing your applications.

The State Government also announced that it would make waste collection an essential service with a dedicated Authority to better govern the recycling system.



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COVID-19 and Your Planning Applications This article was authored on 25th March, and may be redundant by the time you read it, but...

COVID-19 is changing our lives. Clause 1 Planning sincerely hopes you and your loved ones can successfully navigate the coming months and we look forward to seeing you all on the other side.

Below is a brief summary of what we know are some of the relevant impacts on Council and VCAT for planning permit applicants.

Councils are scrambling to separate staff and set up home/ remote access for their employees. Some are looking to provide larger offices to ensure staff remain a suitable distance apart.

All of the Council’s we have spoken to have confirmed their intent to continue accepting and assessing applications over the coming months. Although, it would be easy to conclude that these issues could cause delays, Clause 1 is anticipating a significant drop in new applications. We expect that Council’s may actually become a little more efficient in processing applications due to this decline in workload.

VCAT has announced that all hearings scheduled up to 17th April 2020 have been postponed to dates yet to be determined.

Parties involved in postponed proceedings are receiving Orders from the Tribunal setting their matters down for administrative mentions in 4-5weeks time. By the date of the administrative mention, all parties are required to confirm whether the matter is suitable to be determined on the papers (without a hearing based on written submissions) or should be scheduled for a video-conference hearing.

It is currently unclear what is likely to happen with hearings scheduled beyond 17th April. Clause 1 expects these matters are likely to be run as scheduled via video-conferencing or resolved on the papers, if preferred by the parties.

Our advice for parties to VCAT proceedings is ‘sit-tight’. The Tribunal appear to be managing their case-load as well as can be expected. They will be in touch 2-4 weeks prior to your scheduled hearing time to confirm arrangements. It appears any delays will be in the realm of 2-3months.

Auditing potentially contaminated land when there is no Land Regular planning permit applicants will be aware that the Environmental Audit Overlay seeks to ensure that potentially contaminated land is suitable for a use which could be significantly adversely affected by any contamination.

It also requires that before a sensitive use (residential use, child-care centre, pre-school centre or primary school)

commences or associated buildings and works are carried out that an appropriate environmental assessment is undertaken in accordance with the Environment Protection Act 1970.

The work normally required to be undertaken onsite, as part of such an environmental assessment, includes soil and ground water sampling, laboratory testing and remediation works, in instances where contamination is found.

So, what happens if the subject site is on the 11th storey of an existing office building within Melbourne’s CBD? Is the owner really required to test the soils beneath the building?

This was the question put to the Tribunal in Almia Pty Ltd v Port Phillip CC (Red Dot) [2020] VCAT 613, in which the permit applicant was seeking to convert the existing 11th floor office into a dwelling.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) effectively said ‘yes’, the applicant should be required to undertake a full assessment of the site and that the “site” should include the land beneath the existing building. Council effectively took the position that; if the EPA says yes, then we say yes – because the EPA is the authority here.

Thankfully, the Tribunal took a more sensible and pragmatic stance.

In determining that the relevant parcel of land was only that area within which the sensitive use will be undertaken, in this instance the 11th floor, the Tribunal noted: 31.

… the owner of the land on Level 11 does not own the land on other levels, including the ground or basement levels. Save for limited rights and access over common property, the owner of Level 11 does not have the legal or practical ability, for example, to drill holes through the concrete basement level to enable soil or groundwater contamination to be tested. Nor would this be directly proportionate or responsive to the sensitive use proposed on Level 11. The planning scheme cannot have intended these outcomes. Moreover, as I understand it, the owner of Level 11 could not be made responsible for the clean-up of any contaminated soil or groundwater discovered through the audit, as it is not the relevant owner or occupier of the contaminated land nor the person who caused the contamination.

That’s one for common sense. But you can’t help wonder why it got to the Tribunal in the first place.

These tid bits are part of the regular contribution made by Clause 1 Planning to Intersect. For more information visit www.clause1.com.au

Ph: 03 9370 9599 www.clause1.com.au 

31

Issue 25

In s u l ati o n

How will you deal with

thermal bridging after 1

st

May 2020?

National Construction Code (NCC) 2019 adoption is looming and from May 1st 2020, thermal bridging needs to be addressed and architects & designers could be forced to build thicker walls.

Section J, thermal envelope calculations need to be considered from an early stage of building design.

Thermal bridging is a big change in Section J & will result in significant implications to building design and thermal requirements. In many cases, it will affect the size of the windows and doors, forcing designers to reconsider thermal design and performance.

Specify Kingspan Kooltherm® products, which easily address thermal bridging. Kingspan Kooltherm® is thermally efficient with a slim profile, helping you save real estate space while keeping the building thermally efficient.

Call Kingspan Insulation for technical assistance at 1300 247 235.

Image Courtesy Australian Building Codes Board

Kingspan Insulation Pty Ltd Tel: 1300 247 235 Email: info@kingspaninsulation.com.au

www.kingspaninsulation.com.au Authorised Stockists: Eureka Sustainability Group Pty Ltd | Primo Building Services Pty Ltd | PlastaMasta Melbourne City | PlastaMasta South Side | Network Building supplies | Hume Building Products | Archiclad Building Products Pty Ltd | Archiclad Pty Ltd | Melbourne Building Supplies 

32

06.

Industry Matters

ďťż

33

Issue 25

Energy efficiency ratings can put designers’ and residents’ minds at ease 06. Industry Matters

Energy efficiency for a growing population

By Emma Green, NATSPEC Communications More and more new houses spring up every year: houses that will be homes for families, young professionals, retirees, housemates, pets and everyone in between. Living in a newly built home can be a risk—it hasn’t yet stood the test of time—but it can also offer the best of current design practices. This means proven exceptional quality.

One factor that greatly influences a home’s quality is its energy rating. Aside from being a government requirement, energy efficiency ratings can put designers’ and residents’ minds at ease in a world where environmental awareness has never been higher. The construction industry contributes a considerable percentage of harmful greenhouse gas emissions every year. Anything the design and construction professionals can do to reduce its impact will, little by little, have a positive effect.

The country’s population grows by about 1.5% each year—that’s over 380,000 people. At 2.1%, Victoria has the highest population growth rate out of all the states and territories. Because human activity is the major cause of global warming, this puts pressure on communities’ and governments’ sustainability goals, making clarity of vision essential. Population growth entails further development of the built environment to accommodate everybody’s needs, which includes energy use for heating and cooling. This is also affected by increases to average annual temperatures.

Countering the potential harm that the construction industry can cause to the earth and its atmosphere is the power of good design to significantly reduce energy consumption.

Houses, as well as major renovations, must meet certain energy efficiency requirements according to the NCC. These requirements relate to a home’s heating and cooling needs, taking into consideration its design, construction materials and the climate where it is built.

Energy efficiency is measured by particular software and summarised into a NatHERS energy rating out of ten stars. The star rating applies to the house in its entirety. The higher the NatHERS energy rating, the less energy a house requires for its heating and cooling.

Consequently, a more highly rated house is also cheaper in terms of energy bills. Different rating systems, including the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) and Green Star, exist for offices, apartment blocks and other types of buildings.

Energy use often differs between areas, including suburbs in different cities. Suburbs inland from a coastal city’s centre, such as many areas of Melbourne and Geelong, don’t benefit from the relief brought by ocean breezes during the summer months as much as coastal suburbs do. This means that residents may be more reliant on using cooling energy in their homes in order to achieve thermal comfort. A well-designed home with a high star rating is therefore essential.

To stipulate these environmental considerations, building designers need specifications. As legal documents that function alongside drawings, specifications clearly present a designer’s choices. There is no ambiguity, enabling all parties involved to be on the same page. Using specifications prevents miscommunication and reduces costly repairs, which are neither economically nor ecologically sustainable.

The National Building Specification, maintained by NATSPEC, provides building designers with documentation of unparalleled quality. Clear and concise, the specifications are updated twice a year to ensure currency with changes to the NCC, Australian Standards, legislation and industry practices. Most factors affecting a house’s energy efficiency rating come from design decisions and performance requirements recorded in the specification. The National Building Specification allows building designers to make these choices and improve the overall sustainability of the final construction, as well as its quality.

The NATSPEC TECHnote DES 013 NCC Energy efficiency protocol and software for housing outlines the different rating software that assessors and others can use to verify a house’s energy efficiency and compliance with the NCC. It is available for free online.

We spend a great deal of time in our homes. Houses’ efficient use of energy is crucial to the sustainable development of the built environment as metropolitan areas grow. To achieve the desired energy rating, building designers must use all the tools at their disposal. Specifications can clearly show design decisions relating to energy efficiency and construction materials’ properties, which gives designers better control over their vision and its realisation. NATSPEC’s high-quality documentation is indispensable.

NATSPEC is a not-for-profit, Government- and industry-owned organisation. It maintains the National Building Specification for Australia and has been a valued part of the construction industry for 45 years.

For more information, visit www.natspec.com.au.



34

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Issue 25

Why do we need to better define competencies for fire safety engineering?

06. Industry Matters

Australia needs clear competencies for Fire Safety Engineering

By Peter Johnson, Principal and Fellow in fire safety engineering at the global consulting firm of Arup, written on behalf of the Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering. This article was first published in Sourceable www.sourceable.net The fires in the Lacrosse and Neo 200 buildings in Australia and the Grenfell Tower fire in London shook the building and construction industry to its core. The structural failures in the Opal Towers and the Mascot Towers simply reinforced the need for a complete overhaul of the building regulations, professional engineering practices, certification and control of construction materials.

Unsurprisingly, both the Hackitt report in the UK and the Shergold/Weir “Building Confidence Report” in Australia directed a good deal of their attention to the role and competence of fire safety engineers.

Hackitt suggested a lack of ‘knowledge, skills and experience” should be met with “increased levels of competency” in order to “drive a shift in culture’ in the construction industry, and in fire safety engineering in particular.

Likewise,Shergold/Weir suggested there was an urgent need in Australia for a lift in “standards, competency and integrity”, with national consistency of registration of engineers, including fire safety engineers, and additional “competency and experience requirements”.

The Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering has been conducting independent, evidence-based research into the regulatory controls, future role, competency, education, and audit and enforcement of fire safety engineers across Australia in a project entitled “Professionalising Fire Safety Engineering”.

A key question to answer was why do we need to better define competencies for fire safety engineering? In a sense, the answer is obvious, given the fires and failures of buildings, and the poor quality and safety identified through a number of Government enquiries. However, the recognition for competency improvement came from the fire safety engineers themselves, who called for the Warren Centre research even before the Grenfell Building fire.

The need for reform was also demonstrated through some survey research carried out by Brian Meacham and published internationally in 2019. He suggested that a very significant percentage of fire safety designs and reviews in Australia and globally were undertaken by practitioners who were unqualified as fire safety engineers.

There are clear benefits across the whole built environment if we could achieve proper levels of competency and fully professional

practice, with early participation of fire safety engineers in design processes. These benefits have again been highlighted

by Hackitt and Shergold/Weir and in the Warren Centre reports.

These benefits include: •

More innovative but robust design solutions

•

Increases in design and construction productivity

•

The “golden thread “of data with transparency of information and a clear audit trail

•

More cost-effective construction

•

Lower life cycle costs for asset management

•

Improved quality and safety outcomes for building owners, managers, and occupants

•

A restoration of trust and confidence in the building industry

If we don’t have significant reforms in fire safety and other aspects of building and construction, we will continue with poor quality buildings, continuing significant fire safety and other risks, and, as Hackitt has stated and Shergold/Weir has concurred, we will be left with “a culture and regulatory system not fit for purpose”.

Based directly on the recommendations of Hackitt and Shergold/Weir reports, the Warren Centre has developed a new set of roles for fire safety engineers, including those undertaking designs, independent peer review and working within the fire authorities.

These new roles demand that new competencies for future practice be developed to meet these new role definitions. The roles include working from concept design through to handover, addressing all fires safety NCC Performance Requirements holistically, and involvement in construction inspections, commissioning and handover.

The competencies which have been used up to now for professional accreditation of fire safety engineers by Engineers Australia  36

and the Institution of Fire Engineers, on which state and territory registration schemes depend, are ones developed and adopted 25 years ago. They are simply 18 statements of fire safety knowledge, which are not written in modern competency language. They are completely unsuitable for a radically different and modern performance based building code and ever changing built environment with new materials and technologies and innovative architectural designs.

As a result, a key research task of the Warren Centre has been to develop a whole new competency framework for fire safety engineers.

This work is encapsulated in a Warren Centre “Competencies Report” based on world’s best practice, including that of the International Engineering Alliance (IEA). The competencies follow the Stage 1 and Stage 2 competency framework now used by Engineers Australia to address learnings gained through academic qualifications and professional experience. The report covers the need for continuing professional development (CPD) and the requirement for regular auditing of competency.

These new competencies address not only subject specific knowledge, but also skills, and personal and professional attributes, including ethics. The competencies include: •

Development of design solutions

•

Problem analysis

•

Environment and sustainability

•

Project management and communication

•

Stakeholder consultation

•

Legal and regulatory requirements

VBA update

In light of the current COVID-19 situation, VBA have moved all their services and regulatory functions online while ensuring all practitioners and the broader community can continue to interact with the VBA. VBA are continuing to audit and inspect building and plumbing work right across Victoria. With construction sites and plumbing services excluded from the Victorian Government’s Stage 3 restrictions, we’re busy visiting sites to protect consumers, safeguard the reputation of industry professionals and maintain standards across the sector.

From Friday 3 April, the Goods Shed North office and reception in Docklands will be closed, and staff will be working remotely.

•

Understanding of fire dynamics and fire development

•

Problem solving using CFD

•

Human behaviour in fire

•

Fire performance of structures

•

Fire brigade intervention and suppression

Town Planning Consultants

All are set in the context of fire safety engineering with indicators of attainment with examples such as:

The next step is to have this complete competency framework, CPD and new assessment criteria adopted by Engineers Australia (EA) for their National Engineers Register (NER) scheme and also have IFE adopt it similarly. Given the Warren Centre has been working closely with EA and IFE, it is expected that adoption should occur reasonably rapidly.

In turn, the state and territory regulators need to incorporate the competency changes in NER and IFE accreditation into their registration schemes for fire safety engineers. And the education institutions such as the University of Queensland need to adjust their academic programs in fire safety engineering to deliver the Stage 1 competencies and grow the number of graduates to meet the professional demand.

The Warren Centre project on “Professionalising Fire Safety Engineering” is nearing completion, and the three final reports with detailed recommendations are well under way. The reports are wide reaching, but a significant lift in competency and standard of ethics of fire safety engineers is vital to help transform the culture and safety outcomes for buildings in Australia.

Warren Centre reports on regulatory controls, education and accreditation, technical methods, roles and competencies are freely available at www.thewarrencentre.org.au

Where Your Vision is Our Purpose 435 Nepean Highway Frankston Victoria 3199 03 8765 2455 info@townplanningco.com.au townplanningco.com.au

Issue 25

A valuable discipline to add to the building design team

06. Industry Matters

Building materials scientists People typically think of building designers, architects and engineers as the primary disciplines involved in designing buildings. Building Designers and Architects design the space to meet client needs, as well as the aesthetic appearance of the interior and exterior of the building.

Engineers are primarily responsible to ensure the design is safe and meets all appropriate building codes. Engineers focus on making buildings safe and functional by selecting structural materials, determining the structural members of the design, and specify the electrical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing systems and other building-related systems.

A comprehensive and strategic design approach includes building materials scientists as another discipline that is important to the design team. Building materials science is an interdisciplinary field of materials science, also commonly known as materials science and engineering, and involves the design and discovery of new materials, particularly solids.

Materials scientists emphasise understanding how the history of a material (including how it is processed) influences its structure, and the material’s properties and performance. Materials science is also an important part of forensic engineering and failure analysis — investigating materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not function as intended, causing personal injury or damage to property.

Contemporary building science is a broad discipline that is concerned with the entire life cycle of buildings, including: •

Planning

•

Codes and standards

•

Design

•

Preservation and conservation

•

Restoration and retrofit

•

Forensics and rehabilitation

•

Commissioning

•

Demolition/deconstruction and recycling

•

Construction

•

Facility management.

Consideration of a building as a system has evolved from modern systems theory and the application of building science principles to building behaviour and performance. Innovation increasingly has played a significant role in achieving new forms of architectural expression in the past century, including analysis and review of building failures that indicated traditional approaches to design were inadequate. The building systems approach requires designers to deliberately and precisely consider the interactions between the following primary elements comprising the system: •

Building enclosure (building envelope system)

•

Building occupants (humans, animals, and/or plants, etc.)

•

Building services (electrical/mechanical systems)

•

Building site — landscape and services infrastructure

•

External environment (weather and micro-climate) building must endure.

Contemporary building science supports the objective of sustainable architecture by balancing the physical constraints and the functional requirements, without compromising architectural aesthetics and high performance. The predominant area of interest for building science relates to functional requirements.

The control of moisture in building enclosure design generally takes precedence over other control measures because so many of the requirements for the control of heat transfer, air leakage and solar radiation are satisfied when all forms of moisture have been carefully considered. Energy efficiency is a primary goal and this objective is not compromised by designing building enclosures to manage moisture. The levels of thermal insulation needed to avoid interstitial condensation leading to durability problems are equal to, or higher, than those required to provide cost effective levels of energy efficiency over the life cycle of a building.

The building enclosure (or envelope) separates the interior and exterior environment and it performs a passive role when the active roles of mechanical and electrical systems are unable to provide an adequate amount of the required heat, air, moisture, and daylight. In other words, the building enclosure is the final barrier between the indoors and the outdoors when all active systems fail.

38

The building materials scientist adds a valuable discipline to the design team because — building systems must be appropriately integrated by designers to achieve defined levels of performance.

Building science provides a disciplined means of dealing with the physical requirements of buildings that is completely compatible with the architectural and engineering design and building construction processes.

Innovation in today’s architecture relies on building science and the systems approach to ensure that building performance meets the expectations of building owners, inhabitants, and society.

The context for building performance has evolved to include issues of ecology and sustainable development. The expansion of performance parameters, combined with increasing consumer expectations, has dramatically increased the complexity of buildings.

Contemporary building science has evolved beyond simple analysis and now offers a range of sophisticated design tools, testing protocols, and performance simulation and validation techniques.

These have become invaluable resources to the building design team due to professional experience and the critical observation of actual building performance. The role of today’s building science within architecture and engineering continues to reinforce the dynamic relationship between theory and practice in the AEC industry and adds valuable insights to the design team.

“In the material sciences these are and have been, and are most surely likely to continue to be heroic days.” J. Robert Oppenheimer, American theoretical physicist and professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley.

New NatHERS Certificate NatHERS Administrator have completed major updates to the NatHERS Certificate to improve its usability and structure.

Improvements include: •

easy to read format

•

unique identifiable watermark for each certificate

•

check list for certifiers

•

glossary of technical terms

•

addition of key information such as National Construction Code (NCC) requirements

•

smaller file size for ease of use and storage

•

relocated “Additional notes” from the back to page two so important assessor notes are not overlooked.

The certificate name has also changed from the ‘Universal Certificate’ to the ‘NatHERS Certificate’.

About the rating NatHERS software models the expected thermal energy loads using information about the design and construction, climate and common patterns of household use.

The software does not take into account appliances, apart from the airflow impacts from ceiling fans.

All certificates include information on the dwelling’s key design features, building materials and parameters used to generate its star rating.

Verification

The NatHERS Certificate allows builders, certifiers and regulatory authorities to quickly confirm that the building has been built to the design on which the energy rating assessment is based.

The new NatHERS Certificate will come into use as software tools transition to the newest version of the NatHERS software (Chenath Engine version 3.21). While the new certificate represents an improvement on the current certificate, and will soon completely replace it, there will be a period where both certificates will be in circulation. Either certificate can be used to demonstrate compliance to NCC 2016 or NCC 2019.

To verify this certificate, scan the QR code or visit hstar.com.au/QR/Generate? p=BrHnboVGP. When using either link, ensure you are visiting hstar.com.au

National Construction Code (NCC) requirements The NCC’s requirements for NatHERS-rated houses are detailed in 3.12.0(a)(i) and 3.12.5 of the NCC Volume Two. For apartments the requirements are detailed in J0.2 and J5 to J8 of the NCC Volume One. In NCC 2019, these requirements include minimum star ratings and separate heating and cooling load limits that need to be met by buildings and apartments through the NatHERS assessment. Requirements additional to the NatHERS assessment that must also be satisfied include, but are not limited to: insulation installation methods, thermal breaks, building sealing, water heating and pumping, and artificial lighting requirements. The NCC and NatHERS Heating and Cooling Load Limits (Australian Building Codes Board Standard) are available at www.abcb.gov.au.

State and territory variations and additions to the NCC may also apply. * Refer to glossary.

Generated on 22 Feb 2020 using CSIRO AccuRate Sustainability V2.4.3.13 for Unit 1, 37 Graham Road , Highett , VIC , 3190

Software tools will begin to generate the new NatHERS certificate from 1 April 2020.

For more information visit:

www.nathers.gov.au/owners-and-builders/ nathers-certificate

Page 1 of 6

Issue 25

Twelve streams of activity will address general public and construction procurement needs 06. Industry Matters

Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings

By Tim Adams, F2 Design The anniversary for National Construction Code revisions occurs on May 1st every three years commencing from 2016.

Reviews require exhaustive engagement and significant changes must be tested through Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) assessment to ensure that efficiencies outweigh any additional work or cost.

Consideration is being given to integration of Electric Vehicle uptake and Photovoltaic proliferation into minimum standards for building construction. This thinking goes to sufficiency of structures for mounting of PV and electrical installation provision that will allow for large fast current flows for charging cars or feeding back to the grid.

With regard to energy efficiency, significant work has been undertaken to establish vision and gain broad acceptance from industry and the wider community.

Broad parameters have been set for some time in the National Energy Productivity Plan.

Balancing the cost effectiveness of building fabric energy efficiency against on-site renewable energy generation will become critical.

The recent process led by the Residential Buildings and Commercial Buildings Team in the Department of Industry has been progressing for some time with input from a vast array of stakeholders. Design Matters being one of them.

Work this year on all fronts will be reported to COAG Energy Council in December 2020.

Apart from major changes to NCC, many programs are working in parallel to collect data, develop new tools and training so that incremental improvements are continuous.

In the area of commercial, institutional and industrial buildings there is a vision for NABERS to be expanded to cover new sectors so that compliance can be confirmed.

On 1 February 2019 Energy Ministers agreed the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, a national plan that sets a forward vision towards zero energy (and carbon) ready buildings for Australia.

The Commercial Buildings Disclosure (CBD) program is being reviewed to the potential for additional building types to be included. The as-built results of building upgrade activities will be assessed against designed and specified intentions.

On 22 November 2019 Energy Ministers agreed to the Addendum to the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings – Existing Buildings.

The Building Ministers Forum is now looking at 6 year time frames to foreshadow and forewarn changes so that industry transition can occur pre-emptively rather than after the event.

Addendum to the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings—Existing Buildings

Trajectory for low energy buildings December 2018

November 2019

ENR107.1019

ENR063.1118

This initiative underpins National Energy Productivity Plan Measure 31

Understanding construction industry product innovation, HVAC systems improvements, financial incentives and Government Operations Energy Efficiency will all be part of deliberations.

40

For residential buildings, twelve streams of activity will address the needs of the general public and all areas of construction procurement.

1. The universal publication, Your Home, will be updated.

2. Industry training requirements will be significant so development of Continuing Professional Development modules will keep the RTOs and Education Industry very busy.

3. NatHERS rating will move from building fabric to Whole of House assessment to include lighting and major fixed appliance loads, being heating, cooling and hot water but excluding cooking and plug loads. The existing NatHERS software providers will have WoH versions ready by late 2020.

Building Approvals data in interactive format

4. Consideration will be given to developing a disclosure framework so that consumers have hard data to assist purchasing decisions.

5. Minimal rental standards will also be developed in response to ensuring that the growing cohort within the community are not left with sub-standard heritage built infrastructure.

6. It is recognised that vulnerable households will need to be part of deliberations to ensure against increased entrenchment of disadvantage as far as energy equity is concerned.

7. Financial incentives like the recently announced Clean Energy Finance Corporation 0.4% mortgage discount facility will assist in providing investment cost benefit justification of energy efficiency improvement initiatives.

8. Updating NCC for 2022 will respond to all of this work and have in-depth consideration of how renovation projects can deliver greater benefits.

9. The added complexities of apartments and strata-title buildings will be considered to broaden effective results beyond the original NatHERS starting point of class 1a dwellings.

10. Greenhouse & Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) will develop in tandem to deal with appliance plug loads that are not included in Whole of House assessment modelling.

11. Design Matters members will be a vital part of the solution in raising the quality and performance of the built environment envisaged within the trajectory for low energy buildings.

12. Greater detail and published reports are available at the Department of Industry.

Industry input based on the many and varied experiences of all practitioners are welcomed. Key contacts below: Stanford Harrison Manager, Commercial Buildings Policy commercial.buildings.team@industry.gov.au Jodie Pipkorn Manager, Residential Buildings Policy residential.buildings@industry.gov.au

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released a new interactive “Story Map”, highlighting Australia’s top growth areas for new residential dwellings approved in 2019.

The Story Map is the first of its kind to be released by the ABS and is a new approach in presenting Building Approvals data in graphically interesting ways. The interactive tool summarises the Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2s) that had the largest number of dwellings approved in 2019 and allows users to find data for a particular region of interest.

The ten largest growth areas for total dwellings approved in 2019 were urban fringe areas (25 - 46 km from the state’s central business district (CBD)) or inner-city areas (1 - 6 km from the state’s CBD) in Melbourne and Sydney, with Melbourne having seven of the top ten,” said Daniel Rossi, Director of Construction Statistics at the ABS. Areas with the highest number of houses approved were all in urban fringe regions (25 - 46 km from their state’s CBD) in New South Wales and Victoria.”

Five of the ten largest growth areas for other residential dwellings approved (i.e. townhouses and apartments) were inner-city areas (within 6 km of the state’s CBD).

Riverstone - Marsden Park (NSW) had the most houses approved (2,142), while Southbank (Vic.) had the most other residential dwellings approved (1,445).

“The Story Map will assist the government and the community to better understand where growth in housing, and therefore population, is occurring. This data can inform key policy areas, such as planning, infrastructure and the environment,” said Mr Rossi.

Access the Story Map at:

www.absstats.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index. html?appid=21eeb8e61634423887a7db30f8e56a73  41

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