Construction & Development

Here come the robots, but are we ready?

By Poppy Johnston -

Building technology has come a long way. There are now robots that can put a wall panel together – put the plasterboard in place, nail it down and cut off protruding bits – based on a digital plan of the panel, all without human intervention.

Green gigs and government tenders: Urban interventions in Canterbury-Bankstown and more

By Mollie Hersh -

Our regular round up of business opportunities. This tender is closing soon 19 June, but it’s interesting. It’s for a suite of “urban interventions” in key centres of the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area. The objectives are to bring to the area “short-term pilot projects (installations or events) that enliven the public realm.” These, says the […]

Inside the sustainable, human-centric Bondi Pavilion revamp

By Poppy Johnston -

The Bondi Pavilion rejuvenation project finally has the go-ahead after many years of impassioned back and forth debate between the community and the local council. In this case the public has emerged triumphant. Included in the plans are green leases for tenants to mandate the use of green packaging and other environmental controls. Developers had […]

Is prefab the answer to pricey Passive House builds?

By Poppy Johnston -

It takes precision and care to construct an airtight building that’s good enough to pass the tough blower door test for Passive House certification. None of it cheap.

Ethics should lie at the heart of the new construction industry

By Martin Loosemore, University of Technology Sydney -

The NSW Building Commissioner’s most recent communication deals with why an ethical and authentic developer or construction enterprise will have the most customers in future. According to David Chandler ethics and authenticity lie at the heart of what makes a construction business distinctive, in demand and ultimately successful. Most leading companies in the construction industry realise […]

Green Gigs and government tenders: Changing Places, hybrid solar power and assessing Sydney motorways

By Mollie Hersh -

Your guide to what’s on offer by way of government tenders this week. New management at Changing Places The Changing Places Initiative is ready for a change in management. Founded in the UK, the Changing Places initiative creates accessible public bathroom facilities such as larger than standard toilets, adult-sized change tables and tracking hoist systems. […]

Confidence in construction has been sluggish but some builders are getting savvy

By Poppy Johnston -

Dean Willemsen, who heads commercial building company Primebuild, is well aware that his sector has taken a bit hit to confidence under Covid, but he’s among some smart operators that are taking the chance to retool the way they do business. While the pipeline looks quite strong in the months ahead for Willemsen’s business, April […]

No thanks to the Henry Ford of buildings; give us Mr Toyoda instead

By Martin Loosemore, University of Technology Sydney -

Last week an article was published in The Fifth Estate titled “We are looking for the Henry Ford of Buildings”. In my view that’s the last thing we need, especially now as we emerge from the COVID 19 crisis and start to rebuild our devastated economy in a just and equitable way. In modernising the […]

Rebound: the amazing potential of the “third sector” to do this brilliantly

By Martin Loosemore, University of Technology Sydney -

Governments need to think differently to spread the benefits of their post COVID 19 stimulus. Building a new “third” construction sector is an excellent place to start. The NSW Government has prioritised 24 housing, school and industrial projects to undergo the fast-track assessment process, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hope is that […]

Property pay yet to slump, young guns still sought after

By Poppy Johnston -

Pay rises in the property industry have not yet taken a hit from the coronavirus pandemic, but future remuneration increases are likely be “modest” as the “year of the virus” unfolds, according to Avdiev’s latest remuneration report.

CRC for better buildings gets under way

By Mollie Hersh -

The Australian government has provided $28 million in funding to a 30-partner collaborative initiative to revolutionise the way buildings are designed and built in Australia.

International Women’s Day: A few wins on the board for women in the built environment

By Poppy Johnston -

It was International Women’s Day (IWD) on Sunday and while breakfasts, cupcakes and criticisms from some quarters that it has strayed far from its radical roots still featured in the 2020 edition, the annual event provides an opportunity to highlight the hard work being done to advance women’s rights, including females working in the built environment.

Futurebuild showcases the technology; we just need the will and the finance

By David Thorpe -

This year’s Futurebuild expo at the ExCel Centre in London was packed with over 450 exhibitors and thousands of visitors coming together under the slogan “Responding to the emergency”. There’s no longer any doubt about the need to go net zero; the effort centres on how to get there.

ISPT tops NABERS Indoor Environment charts

By Poppy Johnston -

Quality air and daylight is no longer a nice-to-have for office workers, according to ISPT’s Alicia Maynard, who says tenants now expect health and wellness in the workplace. Maynard, who heads the sustainability and technical services team at the company, says when looking to sign a new lease, tenants want to “make sure the owner […]

Great green building intent – pity about the execution

By Damian Clarke -

HOLIDAY RENTAL REVIEW: A key part of sustainability is good, useable design and specification so the buildings we create
serve us well from the outset and don’t present us with reasons to want to change them – because changes cost resources and resources cost the earth.