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 ...

This note was reviewed and retained for legacy in November 2018. This paper discusses a pilot study which involved altering the thermostat set-points to 2-3°C above the normal summer setting in two air-conditioned buildings during a Brisbane ...

This paper explores the evidence that another factor to be considered in Sick Building Syndrome and Indoor Environment Quality is exposure to prolonged and excessive electromagnetic fields (EMFs).  Enough evidence now exists to justify taking a ...

Read time: 20 minutes Decades of advocacy to achieve progress toward sustainable outcomes have highlighted an urgent need to reframe our relationships with the natural world and with one another. Humans exist within a reciprocal dynamic with one ...

The principles of erosion and sediment control are said to be at the cutting edge of common sense.  These principles have been around for decades, but in many areas current practices fall well short of the proper application of these common sense ...

This paper was originally published in May 1995. It has now been fully reviewed by the author and republished to reflect updates to the topic since original publication. Building design professionals are committed to enhancing the quality and ...

Issue 03 July 2024 Read time: 20 minutes Abstract The disassembly of buildings to recover materials and components for future reuse is not widely practiced in modern construction. This note covers a range of themes and offers a set of principles or ...

The 811 square metre site had been owned by the Mathews family since the early 1970’s, and was used as a car park by nearby businesses up until construction commenced in 2002. In 1998 several family members (including this author) formed a company, ...

This note, DES 6, originally published in August 2000, was revised and rewritten by Nancy Ruck in August 2001. The information herein is considered contemporary and relevant. Daylighting and the impact of daylighting strategies on the lighting, ...

This note was reviewed and approved for currency in October 2018. There has been increasing reliance on mechanical heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to achieve thermal comfort in office buildings. The use of universal ...