This note was reviewed and approved in October 2018 - not applicable for update. The BRANZ research organisation investigated the environmental implications of 51 alternative archetype window and door systems commonly available in the Australian ...

This note discusses the difficulties currently being experienced in implementing Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) from a development perspective. It looks at what motivates developers and examines what is needed, either through mandatory ...

Post occupancy evaluations of buildings are noted for their ability to provide vital feedback regarding a building's performance in use. In addition to obtaining physical measurements of thermal performance and energy consumption, it is crucial to ...

The Armstrong-Mobbs sustainable house is a celebrated case study of sustainable refurbishment of an inner-city terrace house. The owners, Michael Mobbs and Heather Armstrong, went to unprecedented lengths to integrate energy and water saving systems ...

This note was reviewed in September 2018 and retained for legacy. This note, originally published in November 1996, was reviewed by Harry Partridge in November 2001 and republished in November 2003. Straw bale construction has achieved considerable ...

This note was reviewed and approved for currency in October 2018. In the Australian subtropics, high rainfall, warm weather and humidity present unique challenges and opportunities for the architects tasked with designing eco-sensitive projects. The ...

This note examines the risks and benefits of using polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, in construction. It looks at environmental impacts of its use and disposal, and the desirability and practicality of its substitution. This note was originally published ...

This note was reviewed and approved for currency in November 2018. The physical destruction accompanying disasters typically creates an urgency to rebuild and help survivors get back on track. There are inspiring examples of how architects and other ...

Lend Lease is the largest developer of urban communities in Australia, operating in nine major population centres, with over twenty projects ranging from large-scale master planned communities in the outer suburbs to high-rise mixed use projects in ...

This paper provides a critique of the Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) paradigm by discussing its congruence with an established sustainable design principle called 'whole system design'. It was found that WSUD is congruent with the whole system ...