Passive cooling is the cheapest method of cooling a home, and as an added bonus is incredibly environmentally friendly. No matter the climate you live in, you'll be using passive cooling to some extent throughout the year.

Whether you live in an apartment or a larger home, your home can be built or modified to allow you to take advantage of passive cooling systems to help you achieve greater comfort. If you already rely on mechanical cooling systems (like air conditioners) you can reduce your energy costs by combining these with passive cooling.

Choosing the most appropriate passive cooling strategies for your home should be guided by the climate you live in. We've listed some of the basic strategies below to get you started!

Want to learn more about optimising the thermal comfort of your project? Read below to learn the basics regarding the Thermal Mass capabilities in certain  building materials! 

BASIX (Building Sustainability Index) assesses the energy and water efficiency of your development. It is one of the most important planning tools currently operating in NSW to ensure buildings are being developed to operate in a sustainable manner. In NSW the State Government requires that a BASIX Certificate is attached to all development plans when submitted for DA approval.

The $500 million Indigenous Infrastructure Investment Fund (IIIF) allocated to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups can be used not only to increase their economic participation, but also promote sustainability in critical resources they have no or limited access to. In this article, we will dig deep into how the funding can be used to promote sustainability in Indigenous communities.

Obtaining a Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) certificate is vital in the development application process in New South Wales and is applicable to all new residential dwelling types. This sustainable, water-efficient, and energy-saving measure is strictly implemented to those who are building a new home.

Earlier this year a structural engineer in Darwin was caught out on building design as it deemed to be considered non-compliant with the National Construction Code. The engineer was rightfully suspended of his engineering registration by the Northern Territory's Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (DPIL).

With New South Wales currently going through a drought, now is the best time to find out ways of increasing water efficiency for your next residential project. This helps in working towards a BASIX certificate, here are five ways that you can design a water efficient home:

A large proportion of Australian architects have followed suit with their English counterparts developing Declare Australia in an attempt to promote a self-sustaining and constantly regenerating environment for future generations. But, what impacts will this have for property developers and builders going forward?

In May 2018, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore wanted new commercial developments to reach a 5.5 NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) Energy Star Rating in a drive towards zero carbon emissions in Sydney CBD. But, how much of an impact will this make on Sydney's CBD area from a environmental sustainability perspective?