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14 minute read
Archertec Interiors
GRIFFITH RESIDENCE – KITCHEN DESIGN WITH GLASS BRIDGES ABOVE AND BELOW KITCHEN JOINERY
A DECADE OF STYLE AND DAZZLING DESIGN
Archertec Interiors are a celebrated multi-award-winning interior design company in the Canberra region. This year the business’s founder, Sonja McAuliffe, is celebrating Archertec Interiors 20-year membership with Master Builders ACT. Archertec Interiors have won over 80 awards across industry organisations, for their incredible work.
Archertec Interiors began in 1999 because of Sonja’s passion for interior design and her natural eye for style. She started the company by dabbling in interior design projects, while she was completing her bachelor’s degree in interior architecture. “It was only a temporary thing initially, but the work kept coming through and I was introduced to great projects and great work. I loved that with every new project there was something different and there was a new challenge to tackle.” Sonja continued building her fantastic reputation in the industry and her client based continued expanding.
Her first contact with Master Builders was at the design firm she worked at before starting her own business. They were already Master Builders members, Sonja attended an MBA awards night with her employers at the time, and they won an award for one of their design projects. “I was inspired by attending the MBA building awards, and I left the event with the hope of winning an award of my own one day.” Sonja has won many MBA awards for her stunning projects over the years, including winning Professional of the Year in 2009.
But Sonja’s passion for space planning and colour coordination were there from an early age. From drawing to making things to building models, her innate ability was evident.
She is known for her beautiful contemporary designs and her signature modern style, but she also has a passion for classic, heritage details, traditional features or classical finishes. In all of Sonja’s projects you can see different elements of her signature style, adding a certain thoughtful mastery to each space. Whether it be her use of sleek modern lines or her fondness for marble in her joinery details, all of her design spaces share her efficient planning.
Sonja says it’s important as a designer to have empathy and understanding of your clients’ needs and budget. When she is planning a space, Sonja says it’s key that she does her research on the design for her client. She must consider whether her plan is suitable, sustainable and whether the design has longevity. Whenever she’s approaching a new project Sonja always asks herself the same question, “What do I need to solve here?”. She said it’s important to pretend it’s
20 YEARS
JERRABOMBERA RESIDENCE – INDOOR & OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN LOOKING OVER POOL WITH INFINITY EDGE
your money on a project, and really think about what the client wants and needs and use your experience to help them avoid expensive mistakes.
Being an interior designer in the building and construction industry has changed massively since Sonja worked in her teens at her aunt’s interior design business.
“Technology has changed the industry. We have a lot more building materials and products than we did when I first started in the industry. We’re trying new ideas, trying different cladding materials, engineered materials, it’s not just bricks and mortar like it used to be,” Sonja said.
While technology has had a massive impact on the design industry, Sonja sees new technology as an exciting future prospect, “We have to keep evolving and be creative as designers, but we now have new tools that help us deliver beautiful projects and homes.”
The Building and Construction Industry has massively evolved since Sonja began in the industry; it was predominately seen as a male only industry, “When I was at school career advisors didn’t really support women joining the building and construction industry, I was pushed towards graphic design even though I was showing signs of being a builder at heart,” she said.”
While it is still a mainly male-dominated industry, Sonja says the opportunities are now available for females in the industry, “It’s encouraged now, doors are opening. No matter what you want to do, the education and support is there now.” Sonja is an important part of the door openings for future interior designers in Canberra. She supports the local CIT and universities by giving mentor talks to design students and even sponsoring students. She also allows aspiring designers to come into her business and see how things operate and dip their toes into the interior design world.
FORREST RESIDENCE – UNDERGROUND BAR & CELLAR DESIGN WITH DARK TIMBER AND STONE FINISHES
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Sonja sees the future of interior design heading towards more technology based virtual projection rather than planning a space with solely physical objects, “As our population grows, we are seeing more of a focus on design efficiency, smart homes, smart cities and building vertically rather than out. I think will we also see more technology and virtual reality planning in our homes,” she said. But despite the technological changes, Sonja says spaces still need that element of feel and touch and the designer’s creative essence. She says that there is a blur between workplace and home. She says there is a growing trend amongst commercial office spaces of adopting a cosier, residential interior, which Sonja says is a push for comfortability and stimulation in the workplace.
Master Builders ACT congratulates Archertec Interiors on their 20 years of membership.
Breaking the mould, both online and offline.
STRATEGY | MARKETING | PUBLIC RELATIONS GRAPHIC DESIGN | SOCIAL MEDIA | DIGITAL SALES FUNNEL | CRM MARKETING | DIGITAL MARKETING
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AGENCY9.COM.AU
BUILDING BEYOND COVID-19
BY KATE CARNELL, THE AUSTRALIAN SMALL BUSINESS AND FAMILY ENTERPRISE OMBUDSMAN
As the small business community continues to deal with the devastating impact of COVID-19, the building industry is not immune. Builders and more broadly the residential construction industry, have been hit hard by this pandemic.
A recent Master Builders Australia survey found an alarming 73% of respondents reported a substantial fall in forward work on their books. On average that amounted to a 40% drop in pipeline activity. Clearly the decline in demand for new residential building is something that needs to be addressed.
The stakes are high, with more than 400,000 building and construction businesses, employing 1.2 million workers. The government already has several initiatives in place to help businesses stay afloat.
Among them, the JobKeeper Payment allows businesses to access a $1,500 subsidy per fortnight for up to six months, to continue paying their employees. The payment is available for every eligible full-time, part time and casual employee who has worked for the business for more than 12 months as of 1 March 2020.
Of particular benefit to the building industry is the support available for apprentices and trainees. Eligible host employers can apply for a 50% wage subsidy with a maximum payment of up to $7,000 per quarter, for an apprentice or trainee employed during the 9 months from January 1 2020 to 30 September 2020.
Construction businesses may also choose to invest in new equipment, with the government lifting the instant asset writeoff threshold to $150,000.
While there are a number of support measures already in place, there are several additional levers that could help pull the residential building industry out of this crisis:
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Planning and approvals processes fast-tracked with red tape minimised Further investment in public housing by state and territory governments, amid predictions of prolonged economic contraction
First home buyer scheme boost, by either; expanding eligibility or other options such as underwriting a portion of the interest on the loan
For those jurisdictions that haven’t already, abolish stamp duty for first home buyers According to Master Builders Australia, residential building work directly accounted for about $76 billion worth of economic activity during 2019. It is also estimated that residential building supports activity in other parts of the economy to the tune of about $141 billion annually. Therefore, the industry’s recovery is critical not only to the sectors that rely on it directly but also for the nation’s ability to bounce back.
In 2009, residential building stimulus was a key element in the effective response to the global financial crisis. This approach may need to be revisited as we come out on the other side of this pandemic.
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WATERPROOFING IN CANBERRA
The Australian waterproofing market is reported to be one in excess of $220M per annum and growing. However, a disproportionately large sector of this market is made up from remedial waterproofing on relatively new structures, not just new construction.
Canberra and the surrounding areas provide some of the country’s most brutal conditions for installing and maintaining waterproofing membranes. The highs and lows of temperature and humidity throughout the seasons and the massive temperature swings which can occur in a single day, make the task of waterproofing even more challenging. In the winter, the combination of cold temperatures and increased humidity produce one set of conditions which impedes curing, whilst hot and dry conditions in summer can result in rapid curing.
So, what can we do?
With a seemingly endless range of products on the waterproofing market understanding what system you are using and how it performs in both a hot and cold weather climate is critical to ensuring your project success.
Work-shopping your project, from pre-design to completion, with all stakeholders is a great starting point. It is important to also engage with your product suppliers to understand how you can get the right material and process for your specific application, including hot and cold weather risk, timelines and QA documentation. This could help save your time, your money and your reputation.
CIVIL CONTRACTORS FEDERATION UPDATE
From CCF ACT President Nick Zardo, Civil Contractors Council Chair
Nationally in April, CCF National undertook a nationwide COVID-19 Member Survey of the civil construction industry.
Based on the Survey results, a report was prepared with the following recommendations to ensure both Government and industry challenges are addressed. Importantly, the findings contained in this report are relevant to all levels of Government. These include:
The Federal Government should increase the level of infrastructure investment in the immediate term by bringing forward its 10-year $100 billion infrastructure investment fund and by using debt funding to increase the level beyond $100 billion in the post COVID-19 period.
Additional project monies be allocated in a fair and equitable manner across all jurisdictions.
Develop and release a public agency supplier payment policy as a matter of urgency as a form of injecting cash into the civil construction supply chain by ensuring the immediate payment of all outstanding claims and prompt payment of all future claims.
Adopt procurement policies that incorporates disaggregation of major projects to provide an opportunity for tier 2 companies to tender, for example, through joint venture arrangements.
Reforms to contracts and the procurement policy / process aimed at achieving a more balanced approach to risk allocation and the development of collaborative contracts.
These recommendations have been presented to the Federal Government at the highest level and they appear to be taking notice
The CCF National office also welcomed Duncan Sheppard aboard earlier this year. We look forward to him making a valuable contribution to the CCF National Advocacy agenda.
Locally throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic the ACT CCF Board together with the MBA executive staff have constantly engaged with every level of the ACT Government, advocating
NICK ZARDO, PRESIDENT, CIVIL CONTRACTORS FEDERATION ACT & MBA CIVIL CONTRACTORS COUNCIL CHAIR
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on behalf of the local Civil Construction Industry. It started with the successful campaign to keep the industry open as many industries were shut down. Moving on to assist in ensuring any proposed stimulus was appropriate and planning a road back to normal.
The key message that is being delivered to Government is “we need work.” At the time of writing, despite the economic future being unclear and a very competitive environment the stimulus package has just started to be rolled out and there are plenty of tenders to price, particularly for our smaller members.
I would also like to mention the dedicated MBA team who have not stopped throughout COVID-19 and are continuing to work on behalf of our members during this challenging time.
It’s during these unprecedented times that the value of our Industry Associations the Civil Contractors Federation and The Master Builders Association, really come to the fore. As we move back to normal don’t forget to support the Industry Associations that support us.
On that note, at this stage the ACT CCF Earth Awards have been postponed until the 30th October. Further details will be provided closer to the date, again I encourage you to be a part of this great evening which celebrates the regions Civil Contractors Industry.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the leadership and resilience demonstrated by our Civil members throughout this tumultuous year, thank you. I am looking forward to getting back to normal, not a new normal.
BEST MIX WITH US
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If you’re looking for a ready-mix supplier that delivers quality on time, every time, look no further. Hi-Quality Concrete might be the newest kids on the block, but we’ve got loads of experience to ensure that your load is top-notch for any residential, commercial or decorative purpose.
T (02) 6152 8510 E mdawes@hqconcrete.com.au 14 Tennant Street, Fyshwick
MANAGING YOUR WORKFORCE THROUGH COVID-19
Emily Shoemark, Senior Associate Snedden Hall & Gallop Lawyers.
Business owners in the construction industry manage workforce risks on a day-to-day basis, probably more so than most other industries. The coronavirus pandemic has now raised new employment issues for businesses to manage as employers try to navigate through these unprecedented times.
IDENTIFYING THE RISKS AND THE IMPACT ON THE BUSINESS
The coronavirus pandemic affects each business differently, and the response of each business will be different. The businesses that successfully navigate through the pandemic will be those that are flexible and have identified early on what adjustments are needed to try to maintain business continuity, and what steps can be taken to minimise its impact on the business.
The difficult issue for employers is that when the economy picks up again, work demand may increase quickly, and so decisions made about managing staff and other resources need to factor this in.
EFFECTIVELY MANAGING YOUR WORKFORCE
If the pandemic has or is expected to impact on revenue, then the ability to manage your workforce can assist to minimise the negative impact on the business.
The aim for most employers will be to temporarily reduce hours of employees, or the number of workers engaged in the business, but be able to increase workforce capacity quickly when the economy begins to pick up. There have been no changes to the applicable awards in the industry, and so employers need to be careful to ensure award conditions are still complied with.
For businesses that are eligible for JobKeeper, recent changes to the Fair Work Act gives employers a new ability to direct or
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request an employee as to their employment entitlements that otherwise would not be allowed.
‘JobKeeper directions’ can be issued to direct an employee to temporarily reduce the hours of work, duties or location of work during the pandemic.
JobKeeper Agreements can be entered into where employers agree with an employee for annual leave to be taken or for the days or times or work to change.
For employers who do not qualify for JobKeeper, the options are more limited. The hours of permanent staff and long-term casuals are unlikely to be able to be reduced without employee agreement. The initial considerations for these employers are likely to be:
looking at whether the hours of short-term casuals can be reduced;
considering the engagement terms of sub-contractors to see if work can be varied without penalty; or
discussions to see if any employees voluntarily wish to reduce hours or take leave.
Employers need to be careful in considering redundancy. Permanently reducing staff may cause difficulties in being able to quickly recruit workers again later. There has been no change to an employer’s legal obligations when terminating someone’s employment, and COVID-19 is not in itself a valid reason for termination. Any redundancy process needs to comply with the normal legal obligations to avoid a potential unfair dismissal claim.
The legal parameters that employers need to comply with in managing their workforce during COVID-19 have changed quickly. Before taking any steps that impact on employee entitlements, it is recommended that employers seek advice to ensure all legal obligations are complied with. This will allow employers to focus on keeping the business going through the pandemic, rather than dealing with avoidable employee disputes.