• Cityscape Philip Flores

    Electrifying existing edifices efficiently

    The GBCA has issued some practical advice about electrification of the existing building stock, writes Rachel Urquhart.

  • 05 22 Eco Forum

    Pushing the boundaries of net zero in the Australian outback

    Using a hybrid of dynamic thermal simulation and detailed hourly spreadsheet calculations, the analysis identified design and operation strategies to size PV and batteries for various degrees of grid independence.

  • Shinsegae 1

    Seoul deep

    Located in South Korea’s capital, the HQ for a luxe fashion brand boasts several sustainability initiatives, including a high-performance façade.

  • Funky Lighting

    Together in electric schemes

    The Australian building industry is on the path to electrification, signalling an end to a reliance on natural gas for hot water, heating and cooking. Sean McGowan explores how this path is being forged with Bruce Precious M.AIRAH, principal consultant at Six Capitals Consulting; Yale Carden, M.AIRAH, founder and managing director at GeoExchange Australia; VA Sciences’ James Moyes and Simon Witts, M.AIRAH; and RMIT industry fellow Alan Pears. 

  • Emergency Cover 281022

    Emergency!

    As part of the i-Hub project, masters-level architectural and engineering students from the University of Melbourne, industry consultants, university academics, and Ambulance Victoria staff embraced the challenge of designing net zero emergency response stations. The university’s Brendon McNiven; Lu Aye, F.AIRAH; and Dominik Holzer discuss

  • 082022 Highq 04

    High Q

    In becoming the first regional NSW project to achieve 6 star Green Star Design and As-Built rating certification, the University of Newcastle’s Q Building has set a new sustainability benchmark for the Hunter region. Sean McGowan discovers how mass timber construction and a smart glass façade contribute to the achievement.

  • Frank Guo 1

    Under the microscope

    Students and academics from the University of Melbourne joined forces with selected consultants from industry and CSIRO’s property sustainability team to explore the question of net zero laboratory design. The university’s Brendon McNiven, Dominik Holzer and Lu Aye, F.AIRAH elaborate.

  • Pge Substation Larkin 1

    Electric atmosphere

    The PG&E Larkin Substation addition in San Francisco is the first building of its type to earn a rating from the Living Building Challenge.

  • 082022 Williamreese 01

    Don’t call me a pessimist

    When it comes to climate change, Professor William Rees believes he sees things as they are, describing himself as a realist.

  • Eco0822 Sand Thermal Storage

    Enter sand, man

    For when the sun doesn’t show and the wind doesn’t blow, sand may just be an option for thermal energy storage.

  • 160822 Eco Harbour

    Harbour ambitions

    The redevelopment of the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct on Sydney Harbour is not only preserving the wharf’s heritage but has incorporated renewable thermal energy to deliver energy–efficient cooling to the facility. Sean McGowan reports.

  • Industryeye Midcentury 01

    Mid-century marvel

    In Memphis, Tennessee, a 1957 building has been converted into a net-zero energy net-zero carbon project.

  • 042022 Rebirthofcool 01

    Rebirth of cool

    A new building material developed at the University of New South Wales holds great promise for ameliorating one of the biggest consequences of climate change: urban heat. Ecolibrium’s Mark Vender breaks bread with its head designer, Professor Mat Santamouris.

  • 06 22 Eco Lead

    See change

    The application of phase-change material thermal energy storage, with a state-of-the-art control algorithm has enabled the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium in Townsville to make full use of its onsite solar electricity generation. Sean McGowan reports on this AIRAH–Award–winning technology.

  • Eco2204 All Electric Future

    An all-electric future

    As we wrestle with the various issues around climate change, one trend has become clear. We are now on an inevitable drive for an all-electric HVAC&R future.

  • 0422 Forum Lead

    Lessons for the future of Australian HVAC from Pilbara mining

    In the future, many Australian HVAC systems may be required to deal with harsher environmental conditions due to more extreme climatic conditions and a push to increase population centres in more northern and central regions of the country.

  • Thebusiness Hansenyuncken

    Post-pandemic panorama

    Hansen Yuncken CEO Peter Salveson has picked out what he calls the four Cs of post-pandemic construction: complex challenges, culture and climate.

  • Thebusiness Agcoombs

    Coombs’ climate commitment

    The A.G. Coombs Group has committed to achieving net zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 operational emissions by 2030. The building services specialist will work with its value chain, industry partners and customers to achieve net zero Scope 3 emissions by 2040.

  • Ecolibrium Landscape 1280x850px 0001 Industryeye Perthheatwave

    Hot in the city

    In mid-January Perth notched its sixth consecutive day above 40°C, breaking the previous record of four days set on three previous occasions. All three were achieved in the past 20 years.

  • Ecolibrium Landscape 1280x850px 0004 Industryeye Lebronjames 01

    Fit for a king

    The LeBron James Innovation Center at Nike World Headquarters (WHQ) embodies the pursuit of excellence in sport and sustainability, writes Mark Vender.