Built environment

AIRAH’s Infection Control and Operating Theatre Practices Special Technical Group is taking a close look at hospital air quality guidelines.

Desiring to use actionable data from our buildings is undoubtedly a good thing. To effectively do this, however, defining terms and allocating responsibility for tasks is essential – especially when the “smarts” from our edifices exist in the space between systems.

What role does data play in the electrification of buildings? With a focus on machine learning, artificial intelligence and the interaction with the electricity grid, a panel at AIRAH’s recent Building Date Forum explored this fascinating topic.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) using electromagnetic radiation in the UV‑C wavelength band of 200–280nm can prevent the reproduction of microorganisms. Several factors related to UV fixtures, HVAC layout and the resulting airflow flow patterns can affect the performance of upper‑room UVGI applications.

Given the considerable amount of transport infrastructure under construction, on drawing boards and taking shape in the daydreams of ambitious politicians, the concept of zero carbon transport buildings is featuring heavily in discussions amount those concerned about sustainability for our stations.

A six-storey Amsterdam building comprising laboratories and office space incorporates sustainable thinking from every possible angle, writes Laura Timberlake.

The hot topic in the world of big data analytics right now is validation. We ask members of AIRAH’s Big Data and Analytics STG: What exactly is it, and why is it so important?

The Data-Driven Smart Buildings Symposium was held at the University of New South Wales earlier this year. Dr Stephen White, L.AIRAH, reports.

A major urban renewal project in South Australia is transforming the former Royal Adelaide Hospital site into a $2.2 billion world-class innovation district. As Sean McGowan reports, Lot Fourteen is bringing curated, collaborative research and business enterprises together to solve complex global challenges.

This paper examines the challenges associated with removing natural gas from hospitals and transitioning to all-electric systems. It emphasises the unique energy requirements of hospitals and the need to prioritise patient care and safety over energy efficiency.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of computer science that emphasises the creation of intelligent agents, which are systems that can learn and act autonomously. AI deals with the question of how to create computers that are capable of intelligent behaviour.

With the release of a fast-tracked pathogen mitigation standard and updates to advice on building ventilation from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the US seems to be taking the lead on indoor air quality. Ecolibrium asked three local experts for their views. Mark Vender reports.

In the GBCA’s Green Star Design and As-Built ratings, projects can now be allocated an extra point by doing a whole-building test – a good thing, according to Sean Maxwell.

An innovative building constructed a decade ago is aging gracefully – and usefully.

The Victorian Pride Centre is one of the first facilities of its type in the world. Located in the Melbourne bayside suburb of St Kilda, the building is a symbol of the freedom of expression and diversity of LGBTIQ communities.

A recent event in Melbourne explored how the themes of sustainability and indoor air quality are intrinsically linked.

The recent Clean Air Forum in Canberra brought together stakeholders across various disciplines to discuss the next steps to improving indoor air quality. AIRAH attended as a peak engineering body.

Given a blank page, an engaged client, a set of unique site constraints and permission to invent new ways of bringing a building to operational life, Cundall’s building services and sustainability engineers have created an award-winning design for a net zero commercial tower in Hong Kong.

An innovative research project initiated by the City of Melbourne has increased energy efficiency in office buildings while also decreasing COVID-19 transmission. Louise Belfield reports.