Building and construction

Researchers in the institute have been working with industry and government to improve design, construction and development of Australian settlements and communities through research, education and practice since the early 1990's. Specific areas of research are:

• Building design
• Corporate and social responsibility
• Cost differentials of different housing types
• Cultural change within the construction industry
• Embodied energy of buildings
• Energy baseline assessments
• Impact of fire on building design
• Life cycle costing
• Low carbon communities
• Project management
• Renewable energy resource assessment
• Waste avoidance in the construction industry

For both domestic and international clients and markets, researchers also provide:

• Expert specialist advise and consultancy services to the building industry including:
  • development plan review
  • planning and building inspections and reports
  • referees and product testing
  • private certification
  • building surveying and project management
  • quality assurance
• Continuing professional development programs for the building professions
• Short courses in Management and Building Surveying  

For further information, please contact George Zillante

Key projects

Key Barbara Hardy Institute projects within this research capability include:

• Adapting to heatwaves - A framework of adaptation of Australian households to heat waves (NCCARF funded)
• Low Carbon Living CRC - overcoming identified market barriers preventing adoption of cost effective low carbon products and services
  
• Sustainable design culture - Re-considering sustainable building and design: A cultural change approach (ARC Linkage project)


• Sustainable in-fill development - using low-carbon CLT prefabrication: Adaptation for the Australian context (Barbara Hardy Institute Icon Project)