In an era where indoor air quality and building health are paramount concerns, Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) has emerged as a significant threat to occupant wellbeing and property values. SBS is a condition where building occupants experience health issues and discomfort that appear to be linked to time spent in…

A groundbreaking study commissioned by Denmark's electrical trade union (Dansk El-Forbund) and employers' association (TEKNIQ Arbejdsgiverne) has revealed significant potential for automation and robotics to alleviate the country's growing electrician shortage. The research, conducted by robotics consultancy HowToRobot, found that implementing existing automation technologies could address 14 per cent of…

Construction trades have always been about learning on the job, however, none of those practical skills prepared me for the reality of running a subcontracting business. It meant that on top of long days on-site in all types of weather, my brothers and I would be putting in the mental…

Discover why decorative concrete might be a better choice than hardwood floors for durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. When it comes to choosing new flooring, hardwood flooring and ornamental concrete are among the leading candidates. While hardwood floors have long been a popular alternative, decorative including concrete floor polishing, offer many…

Australia is caught in a perfect storm of rising property prices, a shrinking pipeline of new builds and a chronic affordability crisis. Across Asia-Pacific, there is simply not time, materials or trades available to meet the rapidly accelerating demand for housing with our current construction models. It’s clear we need…

Reusing steel can make a critical difference in reducing embodied carbon, as steel can be manufactured entirely from recycled scrap/ secondary steel or from a mix of recycled scrap and new steel. Steel is ideal for structures requiring high load-bearing capacity and large spans, due to its significant strength-to-weight ratio,…

The construction sector in Australia has faced huge challenges over the last year. Although the market accounts for 10 per cent of Australia’s GDP, there has been a slew of collapses in the latter half of 2023, with 1,400 construction firms going insolvent. The rising costs and limited supply of…

Using low-carbon or carbon-neutral insulation materials can substantially improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings. With heating and cooling in buildings accounting for about 40 per cent of global energy consumption, thermal insulation is critical to minimise heat flow and energy use, allowing for a lowering of related emissions.…