In spite of growing competition in the Australian tender market, the indexed cost of public infrastructure projects continues to contract. The need to close contracts faster and cheaper is more pressing than ever, posing unprecedented challenges for the architecture and construction industries. As supply has scrambled to keep up with demand and cost benefits drive product specification, the long-term quality of projects has suffered.

The benefits of long-span roofing products within the commercial sector offer the market economical and practical solutions. Single skin sheeting and insulated panel systems provide the best solutions. There are however a number of vital aspects that need to be considered when specifying long-span roofing. Failing to do so could ultimately lead to premature roof system failure, as there are a variety of detailing and installation methods that must be considered

The bathroom, and specifically the shower, is often thought of as the most important space to ensure good drainage. However, there are many other spaces that require consideration in relation to adequate drainage. The main function of a drain is to guide water toward a point of egress. Failure to do this can lead to water pooling, moisture build up, and potential hazards. Whether within our homes or without, lack of proper drainage can lead to personal and community-wide hazards or disasters.

A new whitepaper, commissioned by the original linear drain manufacturer Stormtech, has recently been released. The whitepaper examines the current trends in bathroom design and explores how innovation and practical design encourages those trends to become something less temporal and more of a fixed statement. Bathrooms may not be where the majority of anyone’s time is spent, but they do adopt a particularly important role within our homes

Ever dreamed of designing your very own tiny house? With the digital age having seen a proliferation in apps and software to facilitate DIY projects of all scales, it’s easier than ever to design your own tiny house online. Housing prices are on the rise, there are continual problems with urban density, and our impact on the environment is more noticeable than ever.

“You know this is painful spot, yes?” “Yeah man, all good” I reply, full of false bravado and anticipation. The understated industrial style studio is clean. My artist has just finished preparing the bench and the smell of antiseptic is still strong in the air. An arrangement of indoor plants and succulents sits on the window sill, and through the wide-span glass you can see the chaos of the scooter filled street below, which contrasts starkly with the organisation and calm of the studio.

Office design has come a long way since the cubicle farms of the 1950s, where employees were generally treated like cogs in a machine, with little thought given to their health and wellbeing. Thankfully, nowadays, an increasing amount of thought, research, and money is being thrown into office spaces that nurture employee well-being. The crucial factor in this paradigm shift has been a recognition of the pivotal role that office lighting plays in the health and productivity of the workforce.

Asian or Oriental style is a design trend that has become increasingly popular in recent years. As the world becomes more cluttered and overcrowded, the creation of minimalistic, stylish and harmonious landscapes becomes more important to people as a way to escape the hustle and bustle. If you can’t quite imagine what Asian design looks like, or you’ve never experienced the bliss of strolling down a cherry blossom-lined arbor, think of all the enviable Instagram posts from yoga retreats in Bali

Ergonomics is the study of how humans interact with the built environment. It is a concept that is particularly prevalent in workplace design, especially as people spend ever-increasing amounts of time at work. There are a handful of ergonomic essentials that designers should keep in mind when considering workplace projects. Ergonomic chair design and ergonomic desk design are two of the most significant considerations.

While in Australia, utility metering seems to be stuck in a bygone era, there are a number of technologically-inspired changes afoot that are designed to encourage users to change their behaviour. It is this drive for increased user accountability, combined with recent technology advances, that is leading to a slow, but sure, change in the way we approach energy management.

The young emcee has once again teamed up with Kaytranada, as well as Jazmine Sullivan, to deliver a tune that is as deliciously smooth and mellow as dark chocolate, but with just the right amount of kick to keep you grooving long into the night.

The fire crackled, green logs spitting sap into the small inferno. A man and a woman huddled close to the fire. Their silhouettes danced around them. They sat on the cracked flagstones of a ruined tower. The rest was tumbled out around the hillock, long overgrown with moss and lichen. The woman wore a circlet of gold on her greying hair. Her face was dominated by a hawk-like nose that kept watch over lips set in a sharp line.