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BDAV's 10-Star Challenge

BDAV's 10-Star Challenge

Thursday, March 14, 2013

The Building Designers Association of Victoria's now famous 10-Star Challenge is in it's third year. Ambassador this year is James O'Loughlin of 'The New Inventors' fame who officially launched the Challenge on Wednesday night. Paarhammer is a proud sponsor. The 10-Star Challenge is for conceptual projects that combine admirable architecture with energy efficient planning solutions and materials utilisation. There is increased interest and commitment by consumers to reducing their carbon footprint and minimise ever-increasing energy bills. The campaign helps the design community to focus on the benefits of sustainable design for dwellings. Last years winner of the 10-Star Challenge for
Life Cycle Analysis - LCA

Life Cycle Analysis - LCA

Wednesday, March 06, 2013

What is LCA? Life cycle analysis or LCA is a method of measuring the environmental impacts of building products over their whole life. The aim of a life cycle analysis is to identify, quantify and assess the impact of the energy and materials used and wastes released to the environment throughout the life of a building product. There are many life cycle analysis methodologies and all vary in their range and complexity but it all comes back to sustainability. The life cycle analysis of timber follows the piece of wood from harvesting, manufacture, construction and product life to recycling and
Sustainability - Carbon Store

Sustainability - Carbon Store

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, emit oxygen and store carbon. About half the dry weight of a tree or wood product is carbon; one ton of carbon represents 3.67 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Australia's native forests, timber plantations and wood products are all net absorbers of greenhouse gases. In 2005, they sequestered (or stored) 56.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, reducing Australia's overall greenhouse gas emissions by almost 10%. The combination of carbon sequestration in growing trees and the long term carbon storage in wood products represents a significant net sink and store of carbon for Australia.
Are your windows child safe?

Are your windows child safe?

Monday, February 18, 2013

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in NSW reported that from 1998 to 2011 there have been 113 young children admitted after falling from windows. To reduce such incidents the National Construction Code now requires window barriers to openable windows where the sill is less than 1.7m above floor level and the floor below the window is more than 2m above the surface beneath, effective from May 2013. These new rules apply for all windows in early childhood centres and in habitable rooms in residential buildings. Windows are to be either fitted with a screen or have the window opening limited