BDAV News Nov2017 by Design Matters National

VOLUME 22 • EDITION 10 • NOVEMBER 2017

T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F T H E B U I L D I N G D E S I G N E R S A S S O C I AT I O N O F V I C T O R I A

new Frank Lloyd Wright Study Tour BDAV Member Wins Master Builder of the Year Lots of Award Winners and much more! James Hardie Australia – proudly supporting BDAV Print Post Approved PP: 100001216

BDAV NEWS

Welcome This month’s edition features a great report by Ken Stewart on our recent USA study tour, which focussed on the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. There’s also lots more industry award winners from the Sustainability Awards, Timber Design Awards, and more. Plus all your favourite regular features, and some informative industry news.

In This Edition.... Cover Story: The Essential Ingredient................................................................................. 4 Major Feature: Frank Lloyd Wright Study Tour 2017............................................................................ 10 Industry News: The Challenge is On!................................................................................................... 19

Enjoy the read!

New Workplace........................................................................................................... 33

Giselle Grynbaum Editor

FirstRate5 Certificate Price Increase............................................................................. 37 Timberlink Leads Industry in Sustainability Certification................................................. 37 Nanoclean Technology Cuts Shower Cleaning by 90 Per Cent.................................. 41

BDAV News

Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area ...................................................................... 42

Produced by Giselle Grynbaum for Building Designers Association of Victoria Inc PO Box 174, Carlton South VIC 3053 Web: www.bdav.org.au Phone: (03) 9416 0227 Email: info@bdav.org.au Editor: Giselle Grynbaum

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Tim Adams Todd Pearce Giselle Grynbaum

Award Winners: BDAV Member Named Master Builder of the Year........................................................ 3 Australian Timber Design Award Winners 2017........................................................... 21 Sustainability Awards Winners 2017............................................................................ 23 Golden Trowel Award Winners.................................................................................... 26 Premier’s Sustainability Awards 2017 Winners............................................................ 31 Australian Urban Design Awards 2017 Winners.......................................................... 35 VBA News: Registration Clarification............................................................................................... 27 New VBA CEO............................................................................................................ 27 Protection of Property When Building.......................................................................... 28

DISCLAIMER

The views expressed in BDAV News are those of the contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Building Designers Association of Victoria. Products and services advertised herein are not necessarily endorsed by the BDAV. Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, neither the BDAV nor the publisher nor any person contributing to this publication shall incur any liability in respect to any information contained herein, nor for any errors or ommissions which may occur in this publication. Contributions are welcome, and should be emailed to the Editor to info@bdav.org.au.

COVER PHOTO Tatjiana Pitt Photography

Easy, Low-Cost Steps for Bushfire Protection............................................................. 29 Planning Tidbits:....................................................................................................8 Insurance Issues: Demystifying the Notification Process...................................................................17 Marketing Matters: How to Handle New Enquiries..............................................................................7 Technology: Todd’s Apps.....................................................................................................19 Job Market...................................................................................................................... 41

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BDAV Member Named Master Builder of the Year BDAV Member, First Impressions Projects – a Mornington-based family business established by Robert Rolls in 1995 – was named Master Builder of the Year last month for a three-storey home in Somers on the Mornington Peninsula. The winning Somers project features four bedrooms, a theatre room and an infinity pool. All rooms in the house take full advantage of natural light and unhindered views to the sea. In his comments, judge Neil Evans describes Robert as ‘impressive and articulate.’ “I liked the way he worked through issues to find solutions,” said Neil. Judge Robert McLauchlan, FBDAV, was equally glowing, saying “every area of the home shows exceptional attention to detail.” “This is an exceptionally finished home, constructed in the face of a very difficult site and complex design,” said Robert McLauchlan. Robert Rolls commented about the project, noting it was a new build comprising of three levels cut into a steep seaside site at Somers. It was a difficult site, triangular boundaries reaching out from a small front court boundary, with a steep cliff side, slip zone topography. “Every room in the house takes advantage of natural light and the spectacular location, with amazing panorama views across Western Port to Phillip Island beyond,” said Robert Rolls. “The house utilises external aluminium zinc cladding, Alucabond, tiling and

render, which provides a hardwearing, low-maintenance exterior. Given the extreme weather conditions that a site like this experiences, the house is equipped to withstand the elements.”

commented that the design of the house is wonderful for its beauty and ingenuity. “We love every bit of this house. Selwyn and Robert have done a wonderful job,” said the clients.

Robert Rolls added that architect, Selwyn Blackstone, clearly understood the site and context in which the design sits. The clients said they wanted to have a contemporary, unique house that would do justice to the beautiful site. They

This is not the first Master Builders’ award for Robert Rolls and First Impressions Projects. He was named Young Builder of the Year in 2012. First Impressions Projects also won the MBAV award for Best Renovation/Addition over $1 million in 2010. Robert Rolls established First Impressions Projects to “provide excellence in building and design.” Robert’s holistic approach to building, his understanding of the relationship between client, architect and builder, and his commitment to the small details of each project contribute to his success. First Impressions Projects will now compete in the Master Builders National Excellence in Building Awards to be held in Hobart on 25 November 2017.

Shadow Planning Minister, David Davis (right), presented the award to Robert Rolls at the MBAV’s Excellence in Housing Awards in Melbourne last month.

BDAV NEWS

Cover Story

The Essential Ingredient Building designer uses his prior experience as a chef to full advantage Creative re-use of materials avoids waste Attractive and eye-catching façade pulls the customers, while still allowing the product to shine Wilson id Pty Ltd won the awards for Non-Residential Design - Alterations & Additions and Interior Design - NonResidential in the BDAV’s 2017 Building Design Awards. The project showcases the clever use of an existing space, where minimal demolition works were carried out, and a bold design solution was conceived. The brief was to create a dynamic space which allowed for greater flexibility in the layout of the store and the way in which product was displayed while at the same time re-using as much as possible of the previous fit-out, as well as to give the store a higher profile on the street while reflecting the values of The Essential Ingredient. “The design team has devised a unique geometric shape for the shop-front which implies domesticity and creates a bold brand identity,” said the judges. “This feature has in turn transformed an ordinary shop into a statement along the strip. The use of timber and a strong colour palette frames the façade of an average shop-front, while the transparency of the

window and a door create a porthole, drawing one into the retail business within. Together with new disability access into the shop, all of the design elements were achieved while meeting an incredibly tight budget.” From South Melbourne Market to St Ali and Chez Dre, South Melbourne is firmly entrenched as a Melbourne foodie hot spot. Tucked around the corner from the market, on Coventry Street sits The Essential Ingredient – the go-to shop for rare and specialised ingredients.

Building designer Ian Wilson worked with The Essential Ingredient’s owners to bring this new store to life. Aiding him was the fact that he and the store’s owner have been long-time collaborators. Having spent the first 20 years of his career working as a professional chef, Ian has a clear edge when working with hospitality clients. “As a chef, I understand the product; I understand the industry. But, as with any client, it still comes down to understanding their unique situation.” The site of the store itself presented

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many challenges. With prior incarnations as a hairdresser and a gift shop, the store needed a customised look and feel appropriate for hospitality.

required. The floor plan was also kept open, with clear sight lines to ensure good flow through the displays.

The client wanted to re-use as much of the existing fitout as possible to avoid being wasteful, explains Ian. His approach was to find ways to make the most of the existing fittings. Counters were resurfaced in concrete render. Displays were hung from the novel round skylights to make them integral to the design. A neutral palette of greys, black, and white ‘heroes’ the produce, which contrasts with tiles, timber, concrete and brass.

From the curb, new gable-form timber cladding frames an inviting entrance. The new façade is deliberately overlaid onto the existing building adding texture, warmth and a form which alludes to a rich domestic life while at the same time addressing difficult access issues encountered in the previous shopfront. A burst of apple green tiling, a custom-made rolling-pin door handle, and a new wheelchair-accessible entrance mark this dynamic newcomer to the South Melbourne foodie scene. The design for the façade, says the store’s owner, Syd Weddell, “highlights Ian’s understanding of how a building can attract the interest of customers, without distracting from the retail product being the hero”.

“The Essential Ingredient has an extraordinary range of products, and the staff are so knowledgeable,” said Ian. “The challenge when designing was to find a way to display the items and ensure easy interaction with staff.” This was achieved through careful design of the joinery so that it can be adjusted to change displays easily and comprehensively, and to ensure items can be clustered together as

Acknowledgements Designer: Wilson id Pty Ltd Builder: MRU Construction Photographer: Tatjiana Pitt Photography

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Marketing Matters

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 1 0 N OV 2017

How to Handle New Enquiries Be prompt.

I was recently asked by a client how best to deal with new enquiries; in particular, the sometimes awkward coldcall from a prospective client that can catch you off-guard. This is a great opportunity to have – a potential new client cold calling – because nothing beats a positive first conversation. But have you thought about what sort of first impression you make, or want to make? Or do you sometimes think you could’ve answered that call better? Here are some things to consider:

Don’t pitch prematurely. This is probably the most common mistake, launching into your pitch way too early, without first understanding what the prospect wants. Calling you is a big deal for the prospect, so the focus should be on them, and, importantly for you, determining if the prospect is worth pursuing. Understanding cost per enquiry – being able to separate not-foryou projects early in the conversation from true leads – will help prevent unnecessary hour-long chats or needless (and costly) follow-up meetings.

Implement a process. Yep, sometimes we all need a little process. Consider implementing a quick and easy process (including online or via email), especially if you have multiple staff handling enquiries. Consider who answers the phone and, if you prefer, having a conversation on the spot or scheduling a time to call back. For example, “thanks for your call, is there a suitable time for xyz to call you back to discuss your needs in more detail?” A seamless, professional experience suggests that you have good processes and, equally important, good communication. Vital for any designer.

With so much information available at our fingertips, people expect instant answers, otherwise they move on. Make sure to check voicemail and any general email inboxes frequently. Don’t leave people hanging, or worse, make them chase you. If you’re too busy at the time of the call, book in for when you can give them your undivided attention. Avoid multitasking during ‘sales’ calls. And if enquiries come via email, consider setting up an informative auto-response to acknowledge receipt.

Create a script. How many times have you hung up the phone and thought, whoops, I forgot to ask xyz? Again, share your script with all your staff so they are aware of your preferred process and communication style. Having a script will help in establishing your ideal fact-finding questions, such as budget, location, project typology and client requirements. And don’t forget to enquire as to how they found you. This is important data that can help steer your marketing efforts. You don’t need to follow a script word for word, but it can act as a guideline for your preferred process or a prompt for what questions you, and your staff, need to ask. You can find some useful example questions and tips on best-practice phone etiquette and some further role play phone conversations at: https://thethrivingsmallbusiness.com/ sample-business-telephone-script/ https://www.thoughtco.com/ telephone-conversations-1210222 That first contact between client/ designer is such an important part of the journey (which you may be on for years together), so don’t fluff through

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Verity Campbell

by Verity Campbell

new enquiries; consider implementing a process and make the first call count. Writing, marketing and communications for design and related businesses. Join our weekly newsletter for new ideas, tips and advice. Sign up at www.veritycampbell.com.au/newsletter Verity Campbell Communications: www.veritycampbell.com.au

Planning Tidbits

BDAV NEWS

Little bits that can make a big difference to your town planning outcomes Bushfire Mapping – New and Updated Provisions Victoria’s State Government has identified areas of Victoria still at risk of extreme bushfire, including those affected by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, which are not included in the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO). Planning Scheme Amendment GC13, gazetted on 3 October 2017, updates BMO mapping to implement the recommendations of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. The updated mapping is based on Advisory Note 46: Bushfire Management Overlay Methodology and Criteria, which sets a standardised mapping approach across Victoria. It ensures the bushfire hazard is accurately mapped using a consistent criteria and that bushfire risk is adequately captured in the planning system. In particular the Amendment: – Inserts new BMO maps into 64 of Victoria’s Planning Schemes; – Inserts schedules to Clause 44.06 in 47 planning schemes; – Deletes redundant references to the Wildfire Management Overlay (WMO); and – Deletes the BMO from some areas where the vegetation no longer meets the relevant criteria. The new BMO schedules seek to streamline the planning permit process for applicants and councils by presetting bushfire protection measures and not requiring referral to the relevant fire authority (CFA) if all of the requirements are met. The schedules attempt to provide certainty to landowners about how bushfire provisions apply to their land and a fast track process for applicants and Council. The Government has indicated almost 70,000 properties will be included in a BMO schedule. When considering proposals for buildings and works for the uses specified in Clause 44.06-2 (including accommodation, retail premises, office and many other uses) the new schedules to the BMO may: – Specify that a planning permit is not required; or These tid-bits are part of the regular contribution made by Clause:1 Planning to BDAV News. For more information, contact Ashley Thompson on (03) 9370 9599 or visit www.clause1.com.au

– Specify different application requirements; – Exempt the application from referral to the relevant referral authority; – Specify or exempt notice (advertising) requirements for a planning permit application; – Include specific decision guidelines. The new provisions do have transitional provisions at Clause 44.069, although these are limited. The requirements of Clause 44.06 Bushfire Management Overlay do not apply to a single dwelling, or a dependent person’s unit, when a building permit was issued before 3 October 2017, if: vegetation is managed to accord with the bushfire attack level (BAL) assessment undertaken at the time the building permit was issued; and a static water supply of: – 2500 litres on lots of 500 square metres or less, – 5000 litres on lots of more than 500 square metres, is provided to the satisfaction of Council. no permit was required for such development before 3 October 2017. Important implications for readers include: – Unless you meet all of the transitional provisions listed above, you may have current or even approved planning permit proposals which now require a new or amended planning permit for buildings and works in a BMO; – You will need to check whether controls on your site have changed as a result of the new BMO mapping; – Similarly, you may find you have current applications with Council which no longer require a planning permit, if the recent mapping has removed that property from a BMO; – If you are able to design a building that meets the requirements set out in the schedules, a planning permit application need not be referred to the relevant fire authority for comment, increasing certainty and decreasing timeframes for planning decisions; – The BMO schedules need to be checked carefully to understand the provisions and information requirements specific to any property. You can check whether a property is affected by a BMO and the requirements of any schedule at http://services.land.vic. gov.au/maps/pmo.jsp. More information provided by the State Government is provided at www.planning.vic.gov.au.

Ashley Thompson, Clause:1

Councils Fight Back on VCAT Fees Regular readers and applicants will be aware of Section 115CA of the VCAT Act, introduced in 2014. Section 115CA provides that the VCAT application fee for a permit applicant’s appeal against ‘failure-to-determine’ (within the 60 day statutory timeframe) is required to be reimbursed by Council, at the discretion of the Tribunal, unless the council can satisfy the Tribunal that no such order should be made having regard to the following three tests: 1. The nature and complexity of the permit application; and 2. The conduct of the applicant in relation to the permit application; and 3. Any other matter beyond the reasonable control of the responsible authority. Section 115CA presumes the VCAT application fee will be reimbursed unless Council can convince the Tribunal otherwise. Clause:1 has previously reported on several cases in which the Tribunal has upheld a permit applicant’s request for VCAT fees to be reimbursed. The following notable comments have previously been made by the Tribunal in awarding reimbursement of fees to permit applicants: I am not persuaded by the Council’s submission that this matter is a complex one. The proposal comprises five dwellings above a basement car park, in a relatively standard residential setting. The design is not that exceptional or different to many which I would expect Stonnington City Council to handle on a daily basis. The proposal is not of a scale where views of the built form needed to be considered from any locations further away than the immediate context. Further, the review site is not affected by any overlays, and no referral authorities exist in relation to this proposal. Compared to the very large and complex proposals that

Planning Tidbits

Stonnington Council deal with in other parts of its municipality, this proposal is relatively modest and straight-forward. … I do not consider the nature of the staffing arrangements within Council identified in this proceeding to be a relevant matter. Councils regularly need to deal with part-time workers, and staff on leave, particularly in an inner city Council with a relatively large workforce. Where such matters delay the processing of planning permit applications in a timely manner, these are insufficient grounds to avoid the reimbursement of fees in a proceeding of this nature. … I do not consider the failure or refusal of the Applicant to amend the proposal early in the process in response to Council’s stated concerns to be a justifiable reason for the Council’s failure to process the application in the prescribed time. In the event that Council holds dear to those concerns, the failure or refusal of an Applicant to respond at all, or respond adequately, would normally result in a decision to refuse to grant a permit.

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favour of Council. Arguments made by Council that have been supported by the Tribunal include: The permit applicant took months to respond to the request for further information and was not diligent in their pursuant of a timing outcome; A pending planning scheme amendment added complexity to the application; Council’s internal process required that the application be determined at a Council meeting – requiring extra time; External referral authorities took an excessive amount of time to provide advice; The applicant provided ‘without prejudice’ plans, that required additional time to assess and discuss; Council had sought to discuss changes with the applicant, rather than issue a refusal, in an attempt to obtain a better outcome on site. These recent decisions indicate that some VCAT Members are taking a more sympathetic view of the pressures Council planning departments face. Permit applicants seeking to obtain reimbursements pursuant to Sec. 115ca should consider Council’s potential rebuttals and ensure your position clearly addresses the three tests outlined at the top of this article.

… On 28 October 2015, the Council required Mr Le to provide further information in relation to the application. On 15 February 2016, Mr Le provided further information. On the information available to me, I cannot make any finding about whether all the information was provided. These facts are relevant to the calculation of the prescribed date after which an application to the Tribunal may be made. They are not relevant to conduct that may justify delay… I find there is no conduct by Mr Le that justifies the Council’s failure to decide Mr Le’s application within the specified period.

Following on from the above article, a recent VCAT appeal required the Tribunal to consider if it was possible to lodge a request for reimbursement of VCAT fees, pursuant to Sec.115CA, after the final Order for the appeal had been made.

Over recent times, several VCAT decisions have refused the reimbursement of fees to applicants and instead found in

In Le v Greater Dandenong CC [2017] VCAT 491, the permit applicant did not seek reimbursement

When Can I Seek a S.115CA Reimbursement

BDAV CPD Seminar Monday, 13 November 2017 Technology in Design Further information and registration available at www.bdav.org.au of the application fees at the hearing. Rather, an application was not made for reimbursement until after the final Order was issued by the Tribunal. In an attempt to ward off the Sec.115CA application, Council submitted that the applicant: … is required to apply for a fees reimbursement order by no later than the end of the final day of the hearing. It submits that, although section 115CA of the VCAT Act provides a presumption that an applicant is entitled to reimbursement of its fees, the presumption does not apply if there is no longer a proceeding on foot. In response the Tribunal noted:

This submission is misguided. The presumption under section 115CA is for a fees reimbursement order under section 115B. Section 115B provides the Tribunal with the power to order reimbursement of fees ‘at any time’. This includes after the date of final orders. There is no provision that prevents an applicant from applying for an order after the conclusion of the hearing or after the date of final orders.

The Tribunal went on to award Mr Le’s reimbursement. This decision verifies that applicants can make sec.115CA applications whenever they see fit. However, Clause:1 recommends they be made at the end of hearing proceedings, to avoid any unnecessary delays.

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

Study Tour Review

BDAV NEWS

Frank Lloyd Wright Study Tour 2017 by Ken Stewart

It’s All My Wife’s Fault…. My wife Jacinta and I were fortunate enough to attend the fantastic BDAV Study Tour of Spain last year. We left the group at the end of the tour in Madrid and headed for France, the UK and USA. The extended trip meant dragging my lovely wife to many buildings of interest including the Gothic cathedrals near Paris; Rennie Mackintosh’s School of Art and the Riverside Museum by Zaha Hadid in Glasgow; Maggies House designed by Frank Gehry in my home town of Dundee; and the architectural wonders of London. We then flew to the United States to catch up with family, and they took us to Chicago where we visited Robie House and Plano to see the Farnsworth House, which I thought would be a once-in-a-life time experience. When we returned home to Ballarat, Jacinta read in the Melbourne Age that MoMA in New York was staging an exhibition entitled ‘Frank Lloyd Wright Unpacking the Archive’ celebrating 150 years of Wright’s work. I said that I wanted to go; Jacinta said “I’ve had enough of buildings, but you should go.” I didn’t really want go on my own, so I enquired with Giselle at the BDAV if it would be possible to get a study tour up and running that would include the exhibition and buildings of interest in New York, Chicago and also a visit Taliesin. Thanks to her and Mike Tuzee from

Impact Events, I was able to go with 16 likeminded people.

Monday, 25 September 2017 We met our guide, Rob Maass, and started our walking tour of the Art Deco buildings of New York. Rob gave us some very informative background information and architectural details of the various buildings we were visiting. However one of the most stunning buildings was the New York Library – really a classical style building but the intricacies of the

ceilings in the various reading rooms were absolutely decorative and stunning to look at. Another spectacular Art Deco building in New York is the Chrysler building which happened to be two blocks from our hotel. Within this area also is the ‘Met Life Building’, formerly called the ‘Pan Am’ building that was designed by Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer and Pietro Belluschi. When I was studying architecture in 1973 one of the books on the reading list was ‘Will They Ever Build Bruckner Boulevard’ by Ada Louise Huxtible (who died in January 2003, she served as Curatorial Assistant for Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art). Below and connected to the Met Life Building is Grand Central Terminal. This Beaux Art Building was redesigned and opened in 1913. Grand Central covers 19 hectares and has 44 platforms; more than any other railroad station in the world. Its platforms, all below ground, serve 30 tracks on the upper level and 26 on the lower, though only 43 tracks are currently in use for passenger service. I was able to offer further information regarding the mural painted on the vaulted ceiling. Charles Basing was born in Ballarat in 1864 the son of a cab driver. Basing went to New York in 1906 and was commissioned to paint the massive work depicting the constellations of the night sky between 1910 and 1913 and the critics ridiculed him for painting it as

Grand Central StationTerminal

Study Tour Review

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Frank Lloyd Wright Study Tour 2017 (continued) friends and work colleagues that day. That personal touch had a profound impact on me.

Wednesday, 27 September 2017 The next day we were scheduled to visit the Museum of Modern Art. When we travel, one thing my wife keeps emphasising is to enjoy the trip and the unexpected experiences and things found on the way, not just arriving at the destination. My tendency is focus on arriving at the end goal and absorbing the final exhibit, view or place. One of my other interests is Formula One motor racing; the striking thing upon entering the museum was finding Alain Prost’s 1992 championship winning Ferrari hanging on the wall in the entry foyer. It reminded me of Clive James’ criticism of the sport: “The ideal solution to the Formula One equation is a piece of modern sculpture propelled by burning money”. It was very exciting to see it in person! viewed from the Southern hemisphere. In actual fact at that time reference pictures were produced in black and white on glass. He had viewed the pictures from the wrong side. Rob took us into the lobby of Rockefeller Centre and, later that day, we had tickets to the ‘Top of the Rock’ where we viewed Manhattan from 70 floors up. After watching the sun set over Manhattan, we all went to Grand Central Terminal where Mike had booked the evening meal at Capriani Dolci, the Italian cafe offering Venetian fare, cocktails and balcony views onto the Grand Central concourse. It was a truly memorable place to have dinner.

Twin Towers stood. The building has that ‘air of reverence’ for the people who lost their lives; it is a place that evokes deep emotions. One of the exhibitions and encounters that stand out for me was the single window and frame that was recovered from the destroyed site. I was staring at the exhibit when the gentleman next to me spoke about this: it was the only window out of 43,600 windows to survive unbroken. He had been working in the building for seven years and he used to look out that window. He lost several

We were ushered up to the top floor of the museum to await the arrival of our guide. Unfortunately the New York subway had become congested and our guide was stuck in the morning train stoppage, so our tour was delayed by about an hour. Eventually we were guided through the exhibition where we saw the original drawings and models of Wright’s projects. The outstanding thing about the models of his commercial projects was the scale of the models. Wright was a master at selling himself, and part of that pitch was the use of the models for promoting his work and style. Seeing the exhibition was wonderful,

Tuesday, 26 September 2017 The following day we experienced the New York subway. Rob took us to Lower Manhattan and we walked up into the High Line. The afternoon was spent looking at the newly rebuilt One World Trade Centre, in particular the ‘Memory Foundations’ project designed by German Architect, Daniel Libeskind, and the ‘Oculus’, a glass-and-steel structure designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava which represents a dove in flight. The Israeli architect Michael Arad of Handel Architects, a New York and San Francisco-based landscape architect, worked with landscape-architectural firm of Peter Walker and Partners on the design for creating a forest of trees with two square pools in the centre where the Our group in reception at Robie House Chicago University

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Study Tour Review

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Frank Lloyd Wright Study Tour 2017 (continued) Frank’s original drawings are masterpieces and an inspiration, and so rare to see all of these in the one place at the one time. It was one of those ‘pinch-me’ moments. Frank Lloyd Wright managed to upset people with his acid remarks; about New York he stated, “The greatest and greediest mouth in the world … its buildings like cruel rat traps.” In 1954, Wright set up office in the Plaza Hotel to carry out professional demands for the construction of the Guggenheim Museum, even though he had been working on it for 11 years. It also provided him with a ‘comfortable place’ for his third wife Olgivanna who often accompanied him on his trips. By the 1950s, New York had become the nation’s undisputed architectural capitol; about 50% of the nation’s licenced architects were practicing in the city at the time, and the leading architectural journals were published there as well.

Thursday, 28 September 2017 Arriving in Chicago just after midday, we all boarded a bus where Mike introduced us to Larry Simon, our architectural guide for Chicago. Once settled in, we made our way down to the Chicago River where we boarded the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise. A very informative guide introduced herself to the crowd on board the boat; she spoke about most buildings that we sailed past and the associated architects to those buildings. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

After returning to the wharf our group disembarked and made our way to Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse – delicious food, but very large serves.

Friday, 29 September 2017 Next morning Larry took our group on a tour of Chicago skyscrapers, including the Rookery by Frank Lloyd Wright. By the way, did I mention that all these tours, New York and Chicago were walking tours, most of our walks taking about four hours to complete? The distances covered were such that I wore out the soles in my shoes! This whole trip was just a continuous series of ‘WOW’

moments, and the Rookery was no exception. The ambiance of the foyer was simply outstanding, and everybody was impressed with Wright’s ability to design volumes and emotional impact when entering differing spatial volumes within a building. Larry had the habit of walking fast and stating that the stop/go signs for pedestrians were just a suggestion and that people would cross the road when there was a break in the traffic, so we would be constantly asking Larry to wait while some of the group had not been able to cross with the green light. Our summation was that Larry was used to taking smaller groups around town rather than a large group of 16 people. Later that day, we wound up at the Fine Arts Building on South Michigan Avenue. Larry has a studio in this building and he brought the group into the building where we saw the studio that Frank Lloyd Wright used to have, and met a couple of current artists in their studio along with a violin bow maker in his own studio. He also took us to the 10th floor where concerts are held, and we viewed the Chicago waterfront of the Great Lakes. I had made a request to Mike Tuzee to stop at the Illinois Institute of Technology on our way to Robie House. Stopping here we were able to view Crown Hall which is listed as a historic architectural landmark of Chicago. When I was studying architecture, Charles Jenks was the leading architectural critic and historian. At that time he had published his third book ‘The Language of PostModern Architecture’. At one point in the

Guggenheim Museum

Study Tour Review

BDAV NEWS

Frank Lloyd Wright Study Tour 2017 (continued) to be there again. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was retained by Dr. Edith Farnsworth to design a weekend retreat during a dinner party in 1945. This wealthy client was highly intelligent, articulate, and intent on building a very special work of modern architecture. The brief was to design the house as if it were for himself. Farnsworth had purchased the riverfront property by the Fox River from the publisher of the Chicago Tribune, Colonel Robert R. McCormick. Mies developed the design in time for it to be included in an exhibit on his work at MoMA in New York in 1947.

book Jenks argued how post-modern architecture had turned the visual images of buildings around: The boiler house had become the campus landmark because the exhaust chimney was now the ‘spire’ with the boiler house has a central nave and two side aisles with clerestory windows and a regular bay system which gives the historic architectural reading of the cathedral. That evening we had a cocktail reception at Robie House where we had the run of the house and we could sit out on the verandah and watch the sun go down and the lights turn on. Larry was quite impressed because he had only been to Robie House during the day and he enjoyed the experience of seeing Robie House lit up at night. It was a magical experience to enjoy this wonderful place in such a way; a very special and memorable evening.

stop by the Adler Planetarium where everyone was able to obtain a great view of the Chicago skyline and waterfront. The afternoon was free time.

Sunday, 1 October 2017 We headed for Madison, with a stop in Plano to visit the Farnsworth House. Larry took us by way of the upper track which leads you round to the original driveway and how you first see the house as Mies intended it. It is a very impressive minimalist building and it was just fantastic

Approaching Madison we made a detour to see the Herbert Jacob’s house in Toepfer Street West Moreland. The building shown in the photographs of Henry-Russell Hitchcock’s ‘In the Nature of Materials’ is very clear and distinct due to all the planting being relatively new; seeing the building today all the plantation has grown up and the building sits well into its surrounds. The outstanding feature – along with Wright’s designed fitments and furniture – was the cat. It is the first time I’ve seen a cat totally unfazed by numerous visitors entering the house where it resides. We eventually arrived at our hotel in Madison and, after settling in, we met at the bar just off from the main lobby. We then sauntered down the street and found the Graft restaurant, which is a very popular place.

Monday, 2 October 2017

Saturday, 30 September 2017 We set off to Oak Park to see Wright’s first house and studio, along with some of the local houses that he had designed in the area. The interesting point I found was comparing these places with the pictures that are in Henry-Russell Hitchcock’s “In the Nature of Materials” (my copy is one of the first paperback publications of 1975). The Thomas H. Gale House was the precursor to Fallingwater, and it sits nestled in the free flowing “S” bend of Elizabeth Court. On the return trip Mike had the bus

Inside the $4 billion Oculus originally called the Hudson Terminal

Study Tour Review

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 1 0 N OV 2017

Study Tour 2017 (continued) The following morning our bus headed for Spring Green, then on to the Wisconsin River valley where the 324-hectare property of Taliesin Estate is situated. This year was the celebration of 150 years of Frank Lloyd Wright and the 50th anniversary of the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Centre. The book ‘In the Nature of Materials’ the definitive study of Frank Lloyd Wright and his near 70 years of work delineates the estate. Getting to Taliesin was the ‘bees knees’ for me; another ‘pinch me’ moment among so many on this tour! We arrived at the Taliesin Visitors Centre in time for our mid-morning tour, starting off with boarding a small bus belonging to the Taliesin Foundation that then heads out onto the Country Road Wisconsin along Route 23 to the entrance to Hillside Home School and Theatre Complex. Our guide took us through the entry door to the complex and explained the layout of the upstairs lounge and lower dining area. We were allowed to walk through the elevated walkway to the drafting room and enter, but photography was prohibited inside the room because there were current projects under way. We were then taken through to one of the ante-rooms where there were photographs on exhibition along with other artefacts. Our guide then led us down to the theatre, where all the tall people had to duck down to avoid hitting our heads on the fascia board and soffit. Frank was of small stature and his emphasis in the horizontal was accentuated to the point where he would create low areas that would be comfortable for his height! We climbed the hill up to Taliesin,

Main hall inside Capitol Building Madison

where we had morning tea. We could see through this wonderful place with terrific views of the valley below. This was Frank Lloyd Wright’s world; where he was architect, interior designer, writer, educator, father of Organic Architecture, leader of the Prairie School, advocate and creator of Usonian Housing and pioneer of open-plan living. He had produced more than 1,000 designs, of which over half were realised, and he created his masterpiece, Falling Water. On our return to Madison, we stopped to view the Meeting House of the Usonian Church in Sherwood Hills. The builder for this complex was Marshall Edman who had graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in architecture. He expected to lose money on the project, but expected to gain more from the experience. The building had several innovations; firstly there are no foundations, the building is constructed upon 230mm deep base of 760mm gravel with 230mm deep steel beams distributing the load of the building to the ground.

The roof consists of a series of tapered trusses. Plaster is applied to the interior while sheet copper with repeating patterns clads the roof with extensive overhangs. At the moment engineers are looking into how to refurbish the front glass and a model has been built to research into how the building weight transfers through the front façade. We finally returned to the hotel in downtown Madison. We all got together for our last meal together, where Michael Tuzee thanked us all for the opportunity to make this event happen; he made a special thanks to my wife Jacinta for making us aware of the MoMA exhibition. Belinda Ross stepped up and thanked Michael on behalf of the BDAV for his work in organising the event, and of course I spoke out about how it was all my wife’s fault for not wanting to go, and I was very grateful that I was able to do this with 16 like-minded people. Before the bus departed back to Chicago most of us went up to see the Capitol Building which turns out to be the third largest capitol building in America. The internal space with the dome gives the atmosphere of a cathedral. There was just enough time to return to the hotel, pack our luggage on the bus and travel back to Chicago Airport where we all went our separate ways, some staying on in Chicago, some heading to LA, some to Las Vegas, some to Washington and, of course, those heading directly back to work in Australia. It was an unbelievable experience; the group was wonderful to travel with, and I would love to do it all again.

BDAV NEWS

Insurance Issues

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Demystifying the Notification Process by Chris Webber, Webber Insurance Services For many business owners, receiving notification that a claim is being made against you or your business is completely unchartered territory. The first question that will most likely come to mind is ‘what do I do now?’ The good news is that as unsettling as receiving that nasty letter is, you are not the first person this has happened to and there is a process to follow to place yourself in the best possible position to handle the matter correctly – and avoid any liability. Below we will discuss the way in which you should handle a notification should you receive one.

1. Do not admit liability This may seem like common sense but you would be surprised at the number of people who respond directly to the party making a claim against them to discuss the matter. In doing so, you may be doing more damage than good by inadvertently admitting liability. The key here is to not discuss the potential claim with anyone or admit liability in any way.

2. Contact your broker Before discussing the matter with anyone, we recommend the first step you take is to contact your broker to notify them of the correspondence as soon as you receive it. It is important that you notify your broker of any potential claims as soon as you are aware of them as this may lead to the nullification of your cover should the claim materialise at a later date, particularly under a Claims Made policy. Your broker will then assess your case to determine if there is a claim present or if there is scope for a claim to arise in the future. From there, your broker will provide you with advice as to how to best handle the situation and what actions you are required to take. Chris Webber is the Managing Director of Webber Insurance Services with diplomas of both Insurance Broking and Risk Management. Webber Insurance Services is the approved Insurance Broker of the BDAV. For any enquiries, please call 1300 668 553 or email bdav@webberinsurance.com.au

3. Investigate In conjunction with your broker, it is important to analyse what lead to the incident/situation that has resulted in the claim or potential future claim. This may involve sitting down and outlining the important facts surrounding the incident. Did an actual incident occur and how did it occur? Is there a possibility that an incident could occur in the future?

you. It will also depend on what Risk Management you have in place to prevent future instances of a similar nature. Each notification has different circumstances so it’s not possible to say categorically what the impact on renewal will be. We can only say that the potential cost of NOT notifying claims is far worse than any increases at renewal.

Was this a result of internal systems and processes or external influences?

The central message from this article is to always contact your insurance broker immediately upon receiving any form notification of a potential claim – and don’t panic.

These types of questions are important to consider to prevent the same incident from occurring again and eliminating any potential insurance exposures for your business.

This is not uncommon in business and the best plan of attack is to contact your insurance broker who will provide you with the best course of action to assist you in protecting your business.

This will also assist your insurance broker in grasping a full understanding of the situation in order to best assist you.

Would you like further information regarding notification? Please contact us on 1300 668 553 or email bdav@webberinsurance.com.au.

4. Damage control Through investigating how the incident came about or how it may lead to a potential claim in the future, you can then start to implement measures to contain the situation and ensure it does not occur again – or occur at all. Again, your broker can provide some advice around how to best manage the situation while the claim is being assessed. 5. Outcome Depending on the nature of your specific situation, there are a number of ways in which your case could result. If you are found to be liable for any incident that may have occurred, your insurance broker will work with you to process your claim and obtain the best possible result under your policy. If it is determined that there is potential for a claim to arise in the future, your broker will guide you through the necessary paperwork that is required to be completed to confirm you have notified your insurer of that potential claim.

6. Potential consequences A commonly asked question after receiving a notification is ‘will this impact me at renewal?’ The answer to this will depend on the frequency, severity and nature of the notification or notifications against

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Todds Apps

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 1 0 N OV 2017

Todd’s Top Apps WoodSolutions Most designers will be specifying all types of timber for various uses around homes and gardens. There are so many species – both local and imported – it’s hard to know what’s available, and what is the most suitable for your application. Even when you do work out what species seems to have all the properties you want then – where can you purchase it or get a sample to test? Well, the new WoodSolutions App may be just what you’ve been looking for. This new Australian-specific app is available for free for android and iOS devices. Boasting over 100+ Australian and imported timber species, the app allows you to search for timber selections based on use, durability, colour, BAL, type and strength. Once you’ve made your selections, the app will also provide you with details of local suppliers for of that timber. Eileen Newbury from WoodSolutions said the App was developed to support professionals in the design and build industry to choose and specify the best

If any other members use or know any new or interesting apps, please feel free to drop me a line to info@bdav.org.au and I’ll share them with other members.

timber species and products for structural, exterior and interior applications. “The App will support design professionals during the research phase of a project and will enable them to find the fit-forpurpose solution for their requirement,” she said. “Our objective was to take all that wealth of resources and information available on wood species and deliver it into a convenient, easy-to-use tool that is available on the go. The app has the potential to make the decision process so much easier and faster,” said Eileen.

Elk Anyone needing to convert currency quickly and easily – either for work purchases or when travelling – may have experienced frustration trying to get Wi-Fi access to google the exchange rate at the airport or even online. If this is you, then Elk is the answer. Providing access to 162 currencies (which I think might be all of them) – Elk allows you to very quickly scroll up and down through a range of logical dollar amounts. If you need to work in 100s and 1000s that’s fine, just swipe across the list and it will ratchet them up for you. Sure, it may just be a currency convertor – how hard can that be? However, the absolute simplicity of the user interface really makes this a stand out and a pleasure to use.

Encryptme With all this news getting about concerning Wi-Fi vulnerability etc – and to be fair most of us won’t be of very much interest to anyone even if they did get through whatever protection we did have – you are at your most vulnerable when out and about, and particularly when connecting to any strange WiFi in foreign cities, cafes and Airbnb and the like. One way to protect yourself is to sort yourself out with a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Essentially, you log into a safe network and they encrypt and bounce your trail around all over the internet so no-one knows who are or where you are coming from. The encryption also makes your data and transmissions more secure. The app is free, and when you choose to use it there is a low monthly subscription fee. Granted this will probably not stop the CIA or ASIO getting into your business, but if they’re looking into you, then you have bigger issues than which VPN to use.

The Challenge is On! The BDAV’s 10-Star Sustainable Design Challenge is on again. This is a fantastic opportunity for BDAV Members to demonstrate their design skills and industry knowledge to a wider audience. Repeatedly, in the media, the industry is called upon to embrace innovative technologies that improve the energy efficiency performance of homes, so this is a great opportunity for you to demonstrate the advancements you have achieved. The challenge is to prepare a residential design across any climate zone in Australia for a single dwelling or multiresidential project and achieve a NatHERS 10 Star energy rating. Any of the currently accredited NatHERS software (AccuRate, BERS

Pro, FirstRate5) may be used to confirm performance. The NatHERS energy rating must be completed by a NatHERS accredited assessor. Whilst entries close on 5 February 2018, this is not an exercise that can be ‘left to the last minute’ as, to achieve 10-stars requires considerable working and re-working of the design, generally in consultation with other professionals. Indeed, past entrants have observed that getting from 9 to 10 stars is a major achievement.

For more information, including the entry form, go to the BDAV’s website, at www.bdav.org.au. (Pictured is 2017 winner, Paradigm Shift by Sustainability House)

Todd Pearce

A monthly review of must have, worthy of looking or just plain interesting apps that are relevant to the design industry. Compiled by Todd Pearce, MBDAV.

BDAV NEWS

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 1 0 N OV 2017

Awards

Australian Timber Design Awards 2017 Australia’s first engineered timber multi-storey office building, International House at Sydney’s Barangaroo, was announced as the winner of the Grand Prix Award at last month’s Australian Timber Design Awards. Among the other winners were Geoffrey Marshall and Jeff Thornton, the recipients of the inaugural annual prizes in the Dangerous Designs competition.

of a forest which gives the building its distinctive character.

Already the recipient of international acclaim and extensive editorial coverage, International House Sydney, designed by Tzannes Architects and developed by Lendlease, is constructed from the increasingly popular engineered timber products, cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (glulam).

The result is a striking structure, a worthy winner in a very strong field in the 2017 Awards. The quality of this year’s entries reflects the increasing popularity of wood and wood products in the built environment. A trend that is expected to increase as more mid-rise residential and other commercial projects realise the significant financial, operational and environmental benefits of using timber systems.

“The architecture of International House Sydney reflects a new form of beauty,” said Alec Tzannes, the principle architect. “Beyond shape and surface, it is a deep design renewing architecture’s role to serve the greater social purpose of lowering carbon emissions.” Describing the design, Tzannes says that they have turned the structural limitations imposed by the use of timber to advantage and celebrated them, forming a unique colonnade form evocative

More than 2,000m3 of CLT have been used for the floors and cores and 930m3 of glulam have been used in the columns and beams of the multi-storey office building. The towering two-storey wooden pilasters, which support the CLT, are reclaimed ironbark timbers.

“I would like to thank all the entrants for their inspirational work and for relentlessly pushing the boundaries of working and building in timber,” said Eileen Newbury, National Marketing and Communications Manager for Forest and Wood Products Australia, the industry services company that resources WoodSolutions, the Platinum sponsor of the event.

Now in their 18th year, these Awards promote and encourage outstanding timber design. They are open to builders, designers, architects, engineers and landscapers: to anyone involved in the design or building of structures that feature timber. A Rising Star Award is available to students and entrants aged 35 or under. “I would also like to congratulate the Dangerous Designs winners, Geoffrey Marshall for his beautiful Conus Lighting Range which received the Grand Prize of $10,000 and Jeff Thornton whose striking Gaijin Chair received the most social media votes and won the People’s SurPrize! award,” Ms Newbury concluded. See the full list of winners online at www.timberdesignawards.com.au and www.dangerousdesigns.com.au.

Gaijin Chair by Jeff Thornton, People’s SurPrize! award winner

International House, Sydney, byTzannes Architects, winner of the Grand Prix award

BDAV NEWS

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V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 1 0 N OV 2017

Awards

Sustainability Awards Winners 2017 Cheese House by Positive Footprints

BDAV Member, Positive Footprints, won two awards in this year’s Sustainability Awards for their Cheese House project, which won Single Dwelling Alterations/Additions, and their Downsize Up(Grade) House which won Single Dwelling New. The Cheese House combines a 7.9star passive solar design, water collection, re-use and phase change thermal mass, low embodied energy construction materials, extensive environmental specification, a retrofit of the existing structure, a new connection with the rear yard and is an example of using a renovation to sustainably modernize an existing house.

The Downsize Up(Grade) House is a 162sqm 8.8-star home built that quite literally butts up to an old double storey stable which was converted at the same time into a garage and art studio. Using passive solar design, rainwater capture (14,000 litre), grey water reuse, environmental and healthy material selection, the architects have come up with a house that is very cheap to run and that has a low ecological footprint. The Judges commented: “Providing appropriate housing for our aging population that is comfortable, enjoyable

and located in peoples’ established ecosystems is fundamental to being able to thrive and enjoy retirement”. BDAV Member, Green Sheep Collective received a Highly Commended in the Single Dwelling Alteration/Addition category for their Smart Home project. From an original pool of 158 entries, the judging panel selected 53 finalists – from which the 13 winners were chosen. The Best of the Best Award was taken out by David Barr Architects for their Gen Y Housing project, which also won the Multiple Dwelling category. According to David Barr Architects: “The Gen Y Demonstration Housing project, located in Western Australia’s suburban White Gum Valley, is a practical demonstration

of sustainable, flexible and affordable housing that suits 21st century lifestyles. With a design strategy of ‘small and raw’ units that are well located and well-priced, the project attempts to conceptualise what is achievable when community, sustainability and cost are prioritised equally”. In technical terms, the architects noted that the project features three, single bedroom apartments within a compact two-storey footprint on a small 250sqm suburban block. Increased density is not at the expense of livability for inhabitants and neighbours – each apartment has private and communal external areas, clever storage, generous ceiling heights and high sustainability credentials. While ....Continued on page 25

Gen Y Housing by David Barr Architects

The Judges said: “Retrofitting our existing housing stock is essential in creating a positive living future – this delightful project showcases many ingenious ideas for how to do this”.

BDAV NEWS

T H E B U I L D I N G D E S I G N E R S A S S O C I AT I O N O F V I C T O R I A â&#x20AC;&#x201C; S U P P O R T I N G T H E E B R E S E A R C H F O U N D AT I O N â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I N V I T E S Y O U T O J O I N U S AT T H E

Keep the date free! BDAV Charity Dinner & Golf Day 2018 Keep the date free!

Monday, 5 March 2018 at Spring Valley Golf Club Heatherton Road, Clayton South.

Surplus funds will be donated to the EB Research Foundation, which focusses on Epidermolysis Bullosa, a debilitating skin disorder and life sentence for children and their families. P.S. Not a golfer? Come along to the Charity Dinner and support this worthy cause.

Further details available soon at B D AV . O R G A U Please send all enquiries to I N F O @ B D AV . O R G . A U

Awards

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 1 0 N OV 2017

Sustainability Awards Winners 2017 (continued from page 23) small, the apartments reflect changing Australian demographics and a future in which single person households make up the fastest growing household type. The project features three, single bedroom apartments within a compact two-storey footprint on a small 250sqm suburban block, where each apartment has private and communal external areas, clever storage, generous ceiling heights and a range of high sustainability credentials. The Judges said about The Gen Y Demonstration Housing project: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tackling the hardest issues: social sustainability and land use. Distinguished by taking on social sustainability: demographics and densityâ&#x20AC;?.

The winners are: Best of the Best Gen Y Housing by David Barr Architects

Downsize Up(Grade) House by Positive Footprints

Building Product Arnhem Lounge Range by Winya Indigenous Furniture Commercial EY Centre, 200 George Street by Mirvac Education Charles Sturt University School of Engineering by ThomsonAdsett Heritage Skipping Girl Vinegar Factory Conversion by ONE20 Architects Innovation or Application La Trobe University Integrated Stormwater Management Project by CJ Arms & Assoc Interior Architecture Henry St House by Eugene Cheah Architecture

Henry St House by Eugene Cheah Architecture

Landscape & Urban Design Adelaide Botanic Gardens Wetland by TCL Multiple Dwelling Gen Y Housing by David Barr Architects Public Sunshine Coast University Hospital by Lendlease Single Dwelling Alterations/Additions Cheese House by Positive Footprints P/L Single Dwelling New Downsize Up(Grade) House by Positive Footprints P/L Achievement Of Merit Breathe Architecture and the Nightingale team Source: Architecture and Design EY Centre, 200 George Street Sydney by Mirvac

BDAV NEWS

Golden Trowel Award The Concrete Masonry Association of Australia (CMAA), Australia’s peak industry body for concrete masonry manufacturers, has announced that the 2017 Golden Trowel Award was won by the team from TAFE NSW Bathurst – Trent Thomson, Michael Ingwersen and Kevin Sawdy (pictured, right). “Bathurst was the winning team because they scored the highest total mark across the various components within the marking scale, including accuracy of plumb, measurement and square, gauge, alignment & level, angles, and jointing and finish as well as the best in overall appearance,” said the CMAA. Organised in cooperation with TAFE and the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF), the biennial Golden Trowel Award saw the best masonry apprentices from across Australia taking part in a unique team competition, where teams had to build a concrete structure with intricate detailing within a limited time. The teams were judged based on precision, craftsmanship and conformity to the design specifications. Elizabeth McIntyre, CEO of the CMAA, said, “Winning the Golden Trowel competition means a lot for their future, as it is the only blocklaying competition for concrete masonry. We had seen an incredible level of quality and craftsmanship in this year’s competition.” “With nine teams coming from as far as Queensland, it was a very close call,” she said. “The winning team, TAFE NSW Bathurst, had the best strategy, time management, and of course craftsmanship and attention to detail.” (Their winning project is pictured.) “The Golden Trowel competition has been running for the past 24 years and is renowned for producing outstanding young blocklayers in a valuable trade facing skill shortages.” The Golden Trowel competition not only encourages excellence among apprentices and recognising and rewarding the skills of young talent, it also showcases the diversity and brilliance of concrete. Ms Chris Pracy, Head of SkillsPoint, Infrastructure, Energy and Construction for TAFE NSW has said: “As a civil engineer, I am enamoured with the product, its durability, fire resistance, energy efficiency, sound insulation properties and thermal comfort, but also share the belief that concrete is, to excuse a euphemism, ‘sexy’.” The Golden Trowel Award is held in high esteem and attended by representatives of the industry, educational institutions and governments.

Awards

Industry News

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 1 0 N OV 2017

Registration Clarification The Victorian Building Authority has issued a clarification bulletin in relation to changes to registration requirements for domestic builders and draftspersons. The VBA said as follows: “Some practitioners have requested a clarification about the change to the registration threshold that was posted on 22 August 2017. “From 1 August 2017, the registration threshold requiring registration with the VBA was raised (by regulation), from $5,000 to $10,000 (including labour and materials) for draftspersons engaged solely in the business of preparing plans and preparing documents related to permits or permit applications for domestic building work. “The changes also apply to builders solely engaged in carrying out domestic building work unless an exception applies. However, any builder who is engaged in the business of re-blocking, restumping or the demolition or removal of a home is still required to be registered, regardless of the cost of the work.

“Consumers should always check whether they need to engage a registered builder to carry out any work, regardless of cost or type. You can check whether a domestic builder is registered with the VBA and authorised to perform the type of building work you are engaging them

to do, as well as whether they have been the subject of any disciplinary action by searching the VBA’s online ‘Find a Practitioner’ tool. We regret any confusion caused by this news item.”

New VBA CEO Sue Eddy is the new CEO of the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), replacing Prue Digby, who retired from the role last month. In announcing Sue Eddy’s appointment as the building regulator’s new Chief Executive Officer, VBA Chief Commissioner, Dr Owen Donald, said Sue is a talented leader with an impressive track record in fiscal management, operational strategy and stakeholder engagement, and was selected from a strong field of worthy candidates. A former Associate Chartered Accountant, Sue Eddy is currently Lead Deputy Secretary Corporate Services at the Department of Economic

Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources where she has direct responsibility for the Department’s near $2 billion operating budget and over 300 staff. She previously headed the Budget Strategy and Reform branch of the Department of Treasury and Finance, overseeing the development of successive State Government budgets. She has held numerous senior positions within government since 2002. Sue Eddy commences at the VBA on 6 November 2017.

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Industry News

BDAV NEWS

Protection of Property When Building With a strong residential building market, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) reminds those proposing building work that they have obligations under the Building Act 1993 to protect adjoining property from potential damage from their building work. If building work is close, or adjacent, to adjoining property boundaries, protection work may be required in respect of the adjoining property. This is to ensure it is not affected or damaged by the building work. According to the Building Act 1993, ‘adjoining property’ means anything from a street or lane to a highway ‘situated in relation to the site of the proposed building work as to be a risk of significant damage from the building work’. As the name suggests, “protection work” provides protection to adjoining property from damage due to building work, and includes underpinning of adjoining property footings, shoring up of the adjoining property, and overhead protection for adjoining property.

When applying for a building permit, the building owner or their agent must provide detailed information about the building work to the relevant building surveyor (RBS), who will determine if protection work is required. There is a series of steps that must be followed: Owners required to carry out protection work must serve a notice on the adjoining owner and provide details of the proposed protection work. Building work must not start until the adjoining owner agrees to the protection work or the RBS makes a determination on it. The adjoining owner has 14 days from being served the notice to respond. If they don’t respond in that time, they are deemed to have agreed to the proposed protection work. VBA Acting Director of Technical and Regulation, Jeffrey Gilmore, said that if the adjoining owner disagrees with the proposed protection work or requests further information, the RBS must decide whether the building work is appropriate. “They must give the owner and

adjoining owner written notice of the determination,” Mr Gilmore said. Either owner has 14 days in which to appeal to the Building Appeals Board (BAB) against the determination. “The owner proposing the building work must ensure a contract of insurance is in force against potential damage from the proposed protection work to the adjoining property, occupiers and the public during the work and for 12 months after completion. The amount must be agreed between the two owners. A standard construction and public liability policy will not normally provide the minimum cover required.” A full survey of the adjoining property must be prepared and agreed upon by the owner with the adjoining owner, recording all existing cracks and defects. Disputes about insurance cover or the adequacy of the survey can be referred to the BAB. For more information on protection work and other requirements relating to building in Victoria, visit the VBA website at www.vba.vic.gov.au or the BAB website at www.buildingappeals.vic.gov.au

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Industry News

V O L 2 2 E D I T I O N 1 0 N OV 2017

Easy, Low-Cost Steps for Bushfire Protection The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has issued an alert that blazes in remote areas of Gippsland have signalled an early start to an expected above-normal fire season, serving as a reminder for people living in bushfire-prone areas to take steps to protect their properties, families and themselves. The VBA has joined Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA), to urge individuals and communities to have their bushfire plans and their properties ready, and we encourage Members to remind their clients accordingly. While most people living in bushfireprone areas will have taken steps during the year to ensure they are prepared should their property be threatened, there are some quick and affordable actions people can still take in the lead-up to summer. Research shows that ember attack was the key factor in more than 85 per cent of houses destroyed by bushfire. Many of the measures to prevent ember attack are low-to-moderate cost and easy to act upon, including:

Seal gaps with joining strips, silicon weather strips, draught excluders etc on side-hung doors; Seal vents and weep holes in external walls with corrosion resistant steel, bronze or aluminium mesh; Seal around roofing and roof penetrations check that is securely fixed and won’t blow off or allow embers into the roof space; If you have an evaporative cooler, protect it with a mesh screen; Clear leaves from gutters and consider installing a leaf-guard type product made from a noncombustible material; Check that your gutters are in good condition and will hold water if you block the downpipes; Apply to a fire-retardant coating product to external timber; Enclose the subfloor of your home with a non-combustible material; Install shutters or metal flyscreens to doors and windows. VBA Acting Director of Technical and Regulation, Jeffrey Gilmore, said a Registered Building Practitioner can

advise on whether property owners can retrofit safety elements, and to what extent it is possible before bushfire season is fully upon us. “In addition to these steps, routine building maintenance, vegetation management and the removal of flammable materials close to buildings are important but easy bushfire protection measures you can take,” Mr Gilmore said. “For example, where window or door metal shutters are fitted, check that they work before there is an immediate bushfire threat.” The VBA and the CFA have produced the Guide to Retrofit Your Home for Better Protection from a Bushfire as practical information for people wishing upgrade their existing homes to be better protected from bushfires. The guide is for properties up to Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) 29. For more bushfire information, visit the VBA website at www.vba.vic.gov.au, or visit the CFA website to view or download the CFA’s Your Guide to Survival at http:// www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/yourguide-to-survival/

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BDAV NEWS

The small house trend is here! We invite Victorian TAFE and University students studying either building design or architecture (full time or part time) to design and submit an innovative response to living in either 45m2, 60m2 or 100m2. Go to our website for competition details and to register.

september 2017 - february 2018 www.smallhomebiglife.com.au

Victorian Advanced Building Studies Network Building Design – Building Construction – Building Surveying – NatHERS

Website coming soon I Contact us: I 04283 43004

Meeting No 01/2014 Friday, 16 May2014

Location: The Gordon

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Awards

2017 Premier’s Sustainability Awards Winners The winners in the (Victorian) Premier’s Sustainability Awards were announced late last month, showcasing the best in Victorian innovation and ingenuity. Melbourne’s eWater Systems won the top honour – the Premier’s Recognition Award – for developing water splitting technology which is used to clean and sanitise facilities such as hospitals, schools, manufacturing businesses and restaurants chemical free. The Premier’s Regional Recognition Award was presented to Exemplar Health, which developed Bendigo’s new hospital, regional Victoria’s largest. The project integrates sustainable thinking into all elements of the site’s design, construction and systems to create a healing and therapeutic environment.

All the winners: BUILT ENVIRONMENT Nightingale Housing – Nightingale 1 A new housing development system that enables like-minded architects to develop design-led, multi-residential housing that is environmentally, financially and socially sustainable.

COMMUNITY The Nature Conservancy Australia – Shuck Don’t Chuck Recycling Project A reef restoration project that represents a regenerative approach to the natural environment by rebuilding shellfish reefs with leftover oyster shells collected from local seafood restaurants.

EDUCATION CERES – Sustainability and Alternative Pathways This sustainability leader celebrates 35 years of community-based learning and action that creates environmentally beneficial, socially just, economically satisfying, culturally enriching and spiritually nurturing ways of living together.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Friends of the Earth – Coal and Gas Free Victoria An awareness campaign run across regional Victoria through more than 100 forums alerts communities to the potential threat of ‘fracking’ and addresses the question of unconventional gas drilling.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park – Orange-bellied Parrot Breeding for Recovery A 20-aviary complex for up to 40 breeding birds and 100 offspring opens – results from the first season from 12 pairs was 25 offspring, helping to save this endangered species of birds from extinction.

GOVERNMENT Moreland City Council – Addressing Urban Heat in a Warming Climate – Moreland Urban Heat Island Effect Action Plan A 2016 – 2026 plan sets a clear approach for Council and maps out vital projects required for Moreland to transition to a cooler, greener and more resilient and liveable city. HEALTH

Western Health – Single Use Metal Instruments Recycling Program Replicatable program that recycles single-use metal instruments (SUMIs) – an

obvious waste of precious metals achieves approximately 500kgs of recycled steel, representing approximately 80% of all SUMIs purchased.

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES eWater Systems – eWater Systems ‘Water-splitting’ technology used in food production as an alternative to packaged chemicals that kills bacteria without affecting food taste – for companies committed to sustainable, organic processing and food waste reduction.

LARGE BUSINESS Exemplar Health (NBH) Partnership – New Bendigo Hospital The largest regional hospital in Victoria integrates sustainable thinking into all elements of its design, construction and systems to create a healing and therapeutic environment for all users.

SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES Kingfield Galvanizing – Sustainable Hot Dip Galvanizer A large, sustainable and highly automated galvanizing plant produces significantly low emissions through a fully enclosed facility that re-uses waste, reclaims furnace heat and recycles water.

PREMIER’S REGIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD Exemplar Health (NBH) Partnership – New Bendigo Hospital The largest regional hospital in Victoria integrates sustainable thinking into all elements of its design, construction and systems to create a healing and therapeutic environment for all users.

PREMIER’S RECOGNITION AWARD eWater Systems – eWater Systems ‘Water-splitting’ technology used in food production as an alternative to packaged chemicals that kills bacteria without affecting food taste – for companies committed to sustainable, organic processing and food waste reduction.

Pictured is the new Bendigo Hospital, winner of the Large Business category by the Exemplar Health (NBH) Partnership

BDAV NEWS

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Project Profile

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New Workplace New workplace for established Australian family construction business is designed to increase socialising and collaboration A new workplace for established Australian business Richard Crookes Constructions has been built to bring the whole work ‘family’ together to socialise and collaborate. Designed by leading interior and architectural design firm, Futurespace, the new workplace brings the family business together under one roof in a laidback, professional and domestic space. Design Director of Futurespace, Gavin Harris said; “Richard Crookes’ family based culture is able to thrive in the new space, with an informal vibe where employees can come together to socialise, to eat together, learn together, and ultimately collaborate to continue delivering innovative solutions for their clients.” “So often our work colleagues become close friends who feel like family and it’s no wonder when you’re spending more than 40 hours a week with the same people. It makes sense to create a more comfortable workplace that feels like home.” The new workplace spans 2,300sqm over one floor in Gore Hill, Sydney, catering for over 140 staff. “We designed a workplace that would feel like home, with many inclusive and informal spaces that encourage a laidback, causal and connected workplace,” said Mr Harris.

“Before we started designing the office, we asked the employees to choose words that would best describe what they wanted in a new workplace. They came back with ‘home’, ‘high tech’ and ‘flexible’, so this has been the focus and outcome of the new office.” An important element in creating this domestic design was the materials chosen by Futurespace. “The choice of materials was less about aesthetic and more about creating an experience that is aligned with the objectives of the project,” said Mr Harris. “We used textured weaves, raw timber, patina metals and naturally aged materials to reflect the core of the company’s operation in construction. The colours we used further reveal the truth of the company with references to cement, terracotta, steel and timber.” Managing Director of Richard Crookes Constructions, Jamie Crookes said; “The new workplace is a total overhaul from our previous, ad-hoc space. The office has been designed to create a home for our employees, creating a domestic feel that promotes collaboration and productivity for our growing team.”

“There has been noticeable shift in the way our teams having been working together since the move. The high-tech element and collaborative nature of the workplace also fosters innovation, producing better outcomes for projects and clients.”

Lock it down with a BDAV Standard Form Contract BDAV NEWS

The BDAV encourages Members to safeguard their relationship with their clients by always using a written contract for each project. The BDAV’s suite of standard-form contracts – developed in conjunction with one of Australia’s leading construction law firms specifically for the building design profession – is an excellent safeguard in your contractual relationship. Four contracts are available: • Domestic Building Works Contract, for use in residential projects (new houses, units, flats, apartments, town houses, dual occupancies, etc); • Domestic Building Works Contract for use in residential alterations/additions projects; • Commercial Contract, for use in non-residential projects (Commercial/Industrial/Institutional); • Commercial Contract, for use in non-residential alterations/additions projects (Commercial/ Industrial/Institutional).

Take advantage of the cost savings offered for multiple purchase of these contracts: • Three copies are useful: one each for the designer, the builder, and the client. • Four copies are useful: one each for the designer, the builder, the client, and the bank. The discounted rates for multiple copies are only available when purchasing multiple copies of the SAME contract in one order.

Orders may be placed online, at the webshop at the BDAV’s website – www.bdav.org.au – but remember to log-in as a Member before accessing the webshop, to avail yourself of the MEMBER rates. Phone: (03) 9416 0227 Fax: (03) 9416 0115 Email: info@bdav.org.au www.bdav.org.au

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Awards

Australian Urban Design Awards 2017 The ambitious transformation of a disused industrial precinct, a dynamic regional museum and a statewide urban design policy have been announced as the winners of the 2017 Australian Urban Design Awards (AUDA). Presented at a ceremony in Brisbane last month, the AUDAs “identify and celebrate the finest urban design projects, policies and initiatives across Australia to provide a clear benchmark for built environment professionals to work towards.” 12 entries were recognised across four categories, with three entries being named winners. Taking out the Delivered Outcome – Large Scale category was the Tonsley Innovation District by Oxigen, Woods Bagot, Tridente Architects, KBR, WSP and Renewal SA. This project transformed the site of Adelaide’s closed-down Mitsubishi factory into a multipurpose employment and education hub. It was recognized by the jury for its design excellence and economic potential. “The retention of the existing building’s raw industrial heritage combined with a range of contemporary design features and focus on achieving high levels of sustainability illustrates a strong desire to unite past, present and future,” the jury noted. The Orange Regional Museum by Crone was named the winner of the Delivered Outcome – Small Scale Award, with the jury impressed by the integration of architecture and landscape to achieve a holistic design. “It contributes to a new identity for Orange, in the central west region of New South Wales, while strengthening current civic conditions on the site,” the jury said of the project.

Winning the Policies, Programs and Concepts – Large Scale award was Better Placed, an integrated design policy for the built environment of New South Wales by the state’s Government Architect. The jury included Jill Garner, Victorian Government Architect. The projects, initiatives and policies recognized at this year’s awards were spread across four states, with four of the seven built projects located in regional or rural areas. The winners are:

Australia Award for Urban Design, Delivered Outcome – Large Scale Tonsley Innovation District (Adelaide, South Australia) by Oxigen, Woods Bagot, Tridente Architects, KBR, WSP and Renewal SA.

Australia Award for Urban Design, Delivered Outcome – Small Scale

Orange Regional Museum; Image Tom Ferguson

convened by the Planning Institute of Australia with the support of the Australian Institute of Architects, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, the Government Architects Network Australia, the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, Consult Australia, Engineers Australia and the Green Building Council of Australia.

Source: ArchitectureAU

Orange Regional Museum (Orange, New South Wales) by Crone.

Australia Award for Urban Design, Policies, Programs and Concepts – Large Scale Better Placed – An integrated design policy for the built environment of New South Wales by Government Architect New South Wales. Image: Government Architect NSW. The Australian Urban Design Awards are organised by Architecture Media and

L S Planning Pty Ltd offers experience and expertise across a broad range of planning issues, such as:  Planning permit application preparation and management  Planning reports  Representation at VCAT  Expert witness advice and representation  Planning Scheme amendments  Strategic planning  Residential development concept preparation Town Planning is a complex field which is constantly evolving and requires a level of expertise to achieve a successful outcome. Please call to find out how the team at L S Planning can assist you, with your next project. Phone (03) 9399 1236 Email lstupak@lsplanning.com.au www.lsplanning.com.au

Tonsley Innovation District; image Dan Schultz

BDAV NEWS

Need someone to conduct an energy rating for you? Use a BDAV Accredited Thermal Performance Assessor! Legislation in several Australian states requires that all domestic construction submitted for building permit approval must demonstrate compliance with energy efficiency requirements. One method for demonstrating this compliance is through the use of software accredited under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). In New South Wales, the BASIX thermal comfort protocol also applies. NatHERS is a star rating system (out of ten) that rates the energy efficiency of a home, based on its design. The BDAV is a government-appointed assessor accrediting organisation for thermal performance assessors and has many accredited assessors as BDAV Members. TPAs accredited through the BDAV are committed to a code of conduct that sets minimum professional standards and responsibilities. To find an assessor for your rating requirements, go to www.bdav.org.au

Building Designers Association of Victoria PO Box 174, Carlton South VIC 3053 P (03) 9416 0227 E info@bdav.org.au www.bdav.org.au

Industry News

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FirstRate5 Certificate Price Increase Along with the announcement of the release of FirstRate5 v5.2.7 (3.13), Sustainability Victoria (SV) has advised that, effective from 15 November 2017 (8am AEDT) the price of FirstRate5 (FR5) certificate credits will increase to the following: New Home credit: $30 ($33 incl. GST)

2. Current prices were originally set in May 2014 and have not been adjusted in three and half years to account for increasing operational costs. The price increase will ensure operating costs are covered and safeguard the long-term financial stability of the FR5 business model.

Existing Home credit: $15 ($16.50 incl. GST)

3. The administrative requirements of the NatHERS Scheme for software providers has increased and SV needs to ensure it is sufficiently resourced to meet these on-going requirements.

Alteration and Addition credit: $15 ($16.50 incl. GST) SV advise that they are increasing the price of certificate credits for the following reasons: 1. In consultation with FR5 users, SV has developed a work program of software enhancements and upgrades that will increase the speed, accuracy and flexibility of the FR5 software application. The additional revenue generated by increasing certificate credit prices will allow SV to engage the necessary resources to deliver this work program over the coming years.

4. The NatHERS software accreditation period will commence in May 2018 and SV needs to ensure it has sufficient resources to complete this process in a timely manner. SV needs to successfully meet all accreditation requirements to ensure FR5 remains an accredited NatHERS software tool and this is a resource intensive process

Transition Period for Price Increase Before 15 November 2017 (8am AEDT) users will be able to purchase certificate

Timberlink Leads Industry in Sustainability Certification Timberlink believes in the legal, ethical and sustainable sourcing of timber and is a staunch supporter of the forestry certification schemes that provide assurance of this to the market. Timberlink’s three mills have held certification since the business commenced operations and following further investment in its Australian mills now becomes the first major sawmilling business in Australia to hold dual certification. Timberlink’s two Australian mills, Tarpeena in South Australia and Bell Bay in Tasmania, recently achieved FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certification on solid wood. This is in addition to the AFS (Australian Forestry Standard)/PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) certifications already held by the Australian sites, which the business intends to maintain, along with the FSC certification already held for woodchips. No other major Australian sawmilling business holds both FSC and AFS/PEFC

certification, something Timberlink is justifiably proud of. Timberlink’s CEO, Mr. Ian Tyson explained that the decision to add to the company’s Australian certifications was made for two main reasons, “Firstly, we only ever use plantation grown Radiata Pine, most of which originates from FSC certified plantations. Secondly, market demand for certified timber has been steadily growing over the last few years, and we wanted to be able to meet our customers’ needs, be they for FSC or AFS/PEFC certified timber”. With Timberlink’s New Zealand mill in Blenheim already FSC certified, the move to certify its Australian mills also makes Timberlink the only Australasian sawmilling business to hold FSC certification for solid wood products across all its sawmills - providing our customers with one certification across all Timberlink products. Go to www.timberlinkaustralia.com.au for more information, about Timberlink.

credits at the current price, i.e. $20 ($22 incl. GST) and $10 ($11 incl. GST). However, credits purchased during this transition period will expire two months after the date of purchase, NOT the standard 12 month expiry period. From 15 November 2017 (8am AEDT) certificate credit prices will increase and the expiry date of credits will revert back to 12 months after the date of purchase. This transition period is in place so users have the opportunity to purchase credits at the current prices to finalise any projects that are near completion. Users who wish to purchase credits with a 12 month expiry period will need to wait until 15 November 2017 (8am AEDT). Relevant changes have been made to SV’s website Terms of Use. To read the full bulletin, go to https://www.fr5.com.au/home.

BDAV NEWS

B DAV MEMBER DISCOUNTS DISCOUNTS & SERVICES AVA I L A B L E TO B DAV M E M B E R S

BDAV Members save over 70% on Building Code of Australia (BCA) +

Referenced Standards Package Subscription (October to September). Visit the BDAV Webshop to redeem, but remember to log-in first as a Member, as this item is not visible to non-members.

15% discount is offered on SpecPack specification bases for current BDAV members.

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For further information, visit www.specpack.com.au or phone (03) 9544 6545.

Contact Webber Insurance Services for your PI and PL insurance needs. Exclusive package for BDAV members offering market-leading coverage. Contact Webber Insurance Services at bdav@webberinsurance.com.au or phone 1300 668 553.

BDAV Alliance Partners

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Disclaimer: BDAV accepts no responsibility for offers or specials that are discontinued/changed by the suppliers

BDAV Members who register for an Officeworks 30 Day Business Account enjoy exclusive contract pricing with Officeworks on everyday items (for selected lines) that you purchase for your business. Take this opportunity to upgrade to the latest business technology, fit out your office with quality commercial furniture or stock up on stationery essentials. Free delivery nationwide with no minimum order quantity.

(Terms and conditions apply). For details on how to register for your Officeworks 30 Day Business Account, go to the MEMBER pages of the BDAV website.

The BDAV has an arrangement with a law firm who provides our Members with complimentary legal advice for about 20-minutes. If that time frame is insufficient for any query, then the Member decides whether or not to engage the law firm for further advice at a fee to be determined between the parties. To access the free 20-minutes, email info@bdav.org.au for details.

Fleet discount available under the Volkswagen Fleet Program. For details on how to access this offer, go to the MEMBER pages of BDAV website.

Fleet discount available under the Holden Fleet Program. For details on how to access this offer, go to the MEMBER pages of BDAV website.

Graduates

BDAV NEWS

Get designs on your future. If you’re a Graduate of Building Design or Interior Design, why not consider a Graduate Membership of the Building Designers Association of Victoria. It’s a great pathway to ensure your future career plan or vision comes true. Amongst other benefits – including free job listings – BDAV Graduate Membership enables you to network with practitioners running their own design practice – who could be your future employers. To see what your future holds, go to www.bdav.org.au or contact the BDAV at info@bdav.org.au

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Job Market

Job Market Full-Time Draftsperson Required Blueprint Design Consultants is a successful business based in Clayton which has been running for over 15 years. Our growing company is seeking a confident, motivated draftsperson who will be responsible for works such as siting projects to completing full sets of construction drawings. You will be liaising daily with clients, councils and project managers. Candidates must have AutoCad experience, great communication skills and at least 2 years’ experience in field. Please email your resume to joe@blueprint-design.com.au.

Experienced Building Design & Documentation Professional Highly regarded diverse city-based business of designers, documenters & planners offers rewarding and challenging opportunity for experienced applicant who is passionate about design, technical drawing, documentation, collaborating amongst a team, and meeting client deadlines. Design experience in Town Planning & ResCode, primarily in the

residential building industry will to be to your advantage. We seek an enthusiastic Building Design Professional, who is ready to take the next step in their career, to be part of our exciting and busy team. Must have minimum 3-5 years’ local experience, proficiency using Revit, keen interest and ability in building design, exhibit ‘design flair’ and be able to apply it. Australian permanent residency – essential. Applications to jobs@dcadesign. com.au, comprising cover letter summarising your skills and experience, plus the attributes that you possess which will satisfy the position requirements. Please include your availability and notice required. Please include your current resume, plus qualifications held, industry and personal references.

Contract AutoCad Drafting Position Seeking an experienced contract draftsperson for help with overflow work. Potential to lead into more in future as business expands. Position will be working from own home or office space, so possessing own computer with AutoCad is a must. Knowledge

Posting Job Listings To have your job listing posted in this column, email your listing to info@bdav.org.au (free service for BDAV Members) of ResCode and building codes is an advantage but not mandatory. Must be proficient with AutoCad. Must have ABN – hourly rate negotiable. Would be preferably located in eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Please contact Alesha via email only at mail@lecadli.com.au.

Contract Architectural Draftsperson Required A Contract Architectural Draftsperson is required for a small design & building company located in the Waverley area. Candidates must be proficient in AutoCad and possess a minimum of 3 years’ Architectural Drafting experience. The work will predominantly be the creation of construction drawings from initial concept plans. Working 2-3 days per week from our Mt Waverley office will be required to begin with. Applications to tony@lagreca. com.au.

Nanoclean Technology Cuts Shower Cleaning by 90 Per Cent Using the latest in Nanotechnology, Stegbar is launching a new shower screen that cuts cleaning time by up to 90 per cent, which your clients will appreciate. The Nanoclean Shower Screen has a coating that bonds with glass and forms an invisible protective barrier that minimises dirt and grime build up. To keep the shower screen clean, a quick wipe down with a microfibre cloth once a week is all that’s needed. “The Nanoclean Shower Screen makes a much-hated household chore easier and quicker – a simple wipe and you’re done,” says Christine Evans, National Marketing Manager, Stegbar. “There’s no need for hard scrubbing or harsh cleaning chemicals, making it better for the environment too.” The Nanoclean coating prevents glass corrosion and damaging lime deposits. It’s abrasion resistant so it won’t wear down or rub off and chemical resistant, repelling both oil-based and water-based substances.

The coating is also UV stable and won’t change colour so the shower screen will stay clear, bright and sparkling. Visit stegbar.com.au for more information.

Industry recruitment specialists for Architects, Building Designers, Property Developers and Interior Designers Remuneration advice, market updates, expert knowledge, permanent, temporary and contract recruitment.

Phone 03 9349 1055 www/bloomfieldtremayne.com.au

Industry News

BDAV NEWS

Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Area The Victorian Government has announced the release of the draft Fishermans Bend Framework, a long term strategic plan to guide the development of Fishermans Bend to 2050. Fishermans Bend is Australia’s largest urban renewal project covering approximately 480 hectares in the heart of Melbourne. Fishermans Bend will consist of five precincts across two municipalities – the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillip – and connect Melbourne’s CBD to the bay. It is expected that, by 2050, it will be home to approximately 80,000 residents and provide employment for up to 80,000 people. Victoria’s Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, has appointed a planning review panel to receive and consider submissions on Planning Scheme Amendment GC81 including the draft Fishermans Bend Framework. The consultation process will be led by the Fishermans Bend Taskforce, part of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELPWP). Fishermans Bend is located to the south-west of Melbourne’s CBD and covers an area of approximately 491 hectares, It is bound by Williamstown Road and Boundary Street to the south,

City Road to the east, the Yarra River to the north, and Westgate Freeway and Todd Road to the west. Three precincts are located in the City of Port Phillip: Montague Wirraway Sandridge Two precincts are located in the City of Melbourne: Lorimer Fishermans Bend Employment Precinct The Planning Minister said “proper planning is all about creating blueprints today for tomorrow’s communities. The Framework sets out blueprints for tram alignments and a future metro station to be considered as the neighbourhood grows. The Framework includes plans for: 80,000 local jobs Four primary schools, a public secondary school and a community hub Open space spanning the equivalent of two thirds the size of Docklands Four AFL-sized ovals, six soccer pitches and eight outdoor courts

Commendation for Member in Bayside Built Environment Awards BDAV Member, Dale Crowhurst of Crowhurst Building Design achieved a High Commendation for a Brighton project in the Best Renovation/Extension category of this year’s Bayside Built Environment Awards, announced last month. The top award – Best of the Best – was won by March Studio for another Brighton project, described as a ‘highly unusual building that is as much a sculpture as habitation. This dwelling includes a ground floor that has been sunken one metre into the earth, a ninemetre ramp of native grasses at street level, and a dynamic copper screen. To see the winners, go to https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/Builtenvironment-award-winners Proper planning controls that spell an end to a free-for-all jungle of high rises Visit fishermansbend.vic.gov.au for more information or to view the Framework.

BDAV membership is the ultimate designers ‘must have’.

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Membership Benefits include: • Belong to a true non-profit Association • Discounts on industry and business tools/services • Monthly Journal: BDAV News • Weekly eNews • Annual Awarded Magazine • Member updates • Continuing Professional Development: comprehensive program of seminars, workshops, webinars, and regional meetings • Documents for building projects: – project specifications – engagement agreements – indemnity documents – standard form contracts for residential and non-residential projects • Reference material, including a great suite of Practice Notes, Advisory Notes, and much more • Free* advice on matters including copyright, contracts, wages and conditions, legislative and regulatory requirements, etc • Access to Professional Indemnity Insurance through our preferred insurance agent • Accreditation for Thermal Performance Assessors • Lobbying and Representation • Annual Building Design Awards to promote your skills as a designer • Annual 10 Star Sustainable Design Challenge to promote knowledge of energy efficiency principles • Free website listing to generate referrals for your business in Find a Building Designer/Energy Rater

One look inside tells you that being a Member of the Building Designers Association of Victoria entitles you to many member benefits. Advantages such as important information to help you to promote your business, advice* for greater efficiencies, and especially our comprehensive Continuing Professional Development program, will assist you to reap the rewards.

• Free Job Listings for Members seeking staff or Members looking for work

Being a BDAV Member is a sound investment for your business – especially for sole-practitioners, who often work ‘in a vacuum’ and value peer support for advice and guidance.

• Help Desk

Phone: (03) 9416 0227 Fax: (03) 9416 0115 Email: info@bdav.org.au www.bdav.org.au *Advice is of an elementary nature. Anything significantly complex should be referred to an appropriate professional advisor. BDAV is an approved CPD Provider for the Victorian building industry, as administered by Victoria’s Building Commission.

• Student Scholarships/Grants/ Awards

• Online Member Forum • Access to latest information from the nation’s leading suppliers • Networking • Use of BDAV logo: provides recognition on your website and business stationery and much more!

designing amazing spaces

Building Designers can offer an incredible range of design skills to your project To get in touch with a BDAV building designer, go to www.bdav.org.au