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Draft Code of Practice released for comment

Safe Work Australia has announced the release of draft Codes of Practice to accompany the new national Workplace Health and Safety regulations for public comment. A draft code has been developed for “Safe Design of Buildings and Structures”. The biggest change for Queensland building designers is that their responsibilities for design for safety during construction will in future apply to houses as well as other classes of building.

BDAQ is planning to deliver detailed training on the codes of interest to building designers during the postponed road show in March 2012. We are currently considering making comment on the Code of Practice for Safe Design of Buildings and Structures and would like to share some of the key issues for designers now.

In the same way that designers consider the future impact of a building on environmental sustainability, designers should consider how their design will affect the health and safety of those who will interact with the building or structure throughout its life.

This means thinking about potential hazards and design solutions as the building or structure is constructed, commissioned, used, maintained, repaired, refurbished or modified, decommissioned, demolished or dismantled and disposed or recycled.

In addition to core design capabilities, the following skills and knowledge should be demonstrated or acquired by a designer:

·         knowledge of work health and safety legislation, codes of practice and other regulatory requirements

·         understanding the purpose of the building or structure and how it could be used in the future

·         knowledge of hazard identification, risk assessment and control methods

·         knowledge of technical design standards, and

·         the ability to source and apply relevant data on human dimensions, capacities and behaviours.

This is the reason BDAQ will be using the March Roadshow for some in depth training on the issues included in the relevant codes and the legislation. Members should take the opportunity to update their skills and knowledge in these important areas.

BDAQ is also reviewing our existing documentation proformas to ensure that all members have access to the information and documentation that will make it easier to comply with the responsibilities under the legislation and codes of practice. The revised documentation will be available for the March Roadshow.

If you would like to have your say about the draft codes or would like to add your comment to the BDAQ submission, you can access the drafts at http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/Legislation/PublicComment/Pages/Model-WHS-CoP-Public-Comment.aspx

Intext Wins Documentation Awards

Bert Priest, principal of Intext Design, has taken out the 2011 BDAQ Documentation Awards in both the Residential and Commercial categories from several high quality entries.

The documentation stage begins once the design process has been completed. This stage of work is commonly termed within the industry as the ‘working drawing and specification stage’.

The building industry has recognised that poor documentation is the cause of billions of dollars being wasted on construction sites annually. BDAQ is committed to promoting good documentation to its members and to give recognition to its members who produce first class documentation.

Bert is a prolific winner of the Documentation Awards and BDAQ congratulates him on another demonstration of quality documentation in 2011.

Twenty Years of Building Design - A History of BDAQ

The world has changed a lot in twenty years!

Imagine a world without internet, email or mobile phones!

Now imagine a few business people who happened to hear about pending legislation that would utterly destroy their business and that of many other similar businesses.

This is not fiction, this is the story of Building Designers’ Association of Queensland Inc.

The story of how this news spread throughout Queensland in a flash, of how the fledgling group took on the might of the a professional institute with a hundred years history to first delay and then utterly defeat the legislation, of how the few became hundreds and of how business competitors became business colleagues, is the story of the Building Designers’ Association of Queensland.

It is a truly David and Goliath story that transformed the design industry forever. It is about the creation of a whole new profession and about the men and women who shaped the future and where good building design was given back to the people.

And it was all done without internet, email or a mobile phone! Read more click on the link below!

Mission Accomplished? 20 Years of BDAQ

LUXURIOUS RENO WINS STATE’S TOP BUILDING DESIGN AWARD

A luxurious home renovation design on the outskirts of Eumundi on the Sunshine Coast has earned Building Designer Gerard Smith the Premier Award at the 2011 Queensland Building Designers Awards.

Mr Smith was honoured last night at a glittering ceremony hosted by the Building Designers Association of Queensland (BDAQ) at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

It was the first time in the Awards’ 20 year history a renovation design had won the main prize and BDAQ President Greg Pershouse commended Mr Smith on his triumph.

“It’s a testament to the absolute star quality of Gerard’s work that he has won this award,” Mr Pershouse said.

“Renovations are a category often handicapped by budget limitations and existing building restrictions, so this was no easy feat.”

Working for Noosa Heads’ Mojo Design, Mr Smith completely reworked an existing three bedroom home into a palatial abode complete with new master bedroom and ensuite, media room, gym and powder room.

The design also incorporated a range of sustainability features including passive solar design, subterranean concrete tanks for water harvesting, pre-wiring for a solar energy generation system, and energy efficient hot water systems.

Mr Pershouse said it was a truly fabulous home that would be a delight to live in.

“The inspiration for the palette of materials and colours was drawn from the native bush surrounds,” Mr Pershouse said.

“The design objective was to match the warmth and texture of the interior to the neighbouring trees and this sympathetic approach to the natural environment creates a harmonious balance between interior and exterior.”

The Queensland Building Designers Awards are the centrepiece of the BDAQ’s calendar and showcase outstanding examples of innovation, style and quality in the industry.

This year’s event recognised designs from across the industry, including new houses and renovations, commercial and industrial projects, multi-residential and special feature categories. 

See a full list of winners and finalists by clicking on the link to the right.

BUILDING DESIGNERS CRUCIAL TO AVOID NEW HOME GRANT RUSH

The Building Designers Association of Queensland (BDAQ) has urged new builders to consult its members and beat next month’s rush on the State Government’s $10,000 Queensland Building Boost Grant.

Aimed at stimulating the state’s struggling housing sector, the grant will be available to any Queenslander constructing or purchasing a new home for under $600,000.

The Bligh Government and the BDAQ is planning for hundreds of applications.

With the six-month application window opening on the first of August, BDAQ CEO Russell Brandon said people with building plans finalised early would avoid costly and frustrating delays.

“We expect the industry to take a huge leap when this grant comes in and builders across the state will be pretty busy from the word go,” Mr Brandon said.

“Now is the ideal time for people to get in touch with their local building designer, finalise their plans, and get a head start on the rest of the applicants.

“Getting in early will allow you to secure a better price from builders and set your own timetable.”

Mr Brandon said contacting a BDAQ building designer should be the first port of call for anyone looking to take advantage of the grant.

“Building designers aren’t involved in involved in selling buildings, so we provide unbiased, comprehensive, and expert advice,” Mr Brandon said.

“We also provide a unique set of housing plans that you can shop around to different builders for the best quote.

“That way our clients can stay in control of how their house is built.”

Mr Brandon said building designers designed homes according to the specific requirements of their clients.

“Most builders can only offer ready-made designs, but building a home isn’t about that kind of one-size-fits-all approach,” Mr Brandon said.

“Your local building designer will tailor a home to your needs, not make you adjust your needs to a home that’s already been designed.

“Building designers also have an in depth knowledge of building materials and engineering and construction techniques which puts us at the forefront of the industry when it comes to sustainability and energy efficiency.

“We urge people to go to a building designer first with their brief to ensure they get the design they want.”

Maybe it's time to think about the REAL WORLD

I get seriously concerned about the future of this country when listening to decision-makers discuss the economy. It appears that a huge gulf exists between what is happening in the real world and what data is being used to make the decisions that impact on people’s livelihood.

It has been reported that over one hundred thousand people in Australia are homeless. Another report suggests that 1.2 million people are suffering from financial stress.

This coincides with a slowdown in building design activity which does not bode well for the housing industry for the next little while. The Herald Sun reported (June 1) that “Australians appear to be shelving plans to build or renovate their homes”. That’s not news to most building designers.

Meanwhile there is continued speculation that interest rates will rise again in the second half of the year. JP Morgan economist, Ben Jarman, was quoted as saying that the “current path, combined with our expectation of further policy tightening in coming quarters, supports our view that building approvals will continue to lose ground”.

I have always tried to remain positive about the future prospects of building designers but we all know that the industry is bleeding and needs an urgent shot in the arm. Many building designers are doing it tough and it’s time that the decision-makers realised that a booming mining sector doesn’t mean that everything is rosy in the real world.

It sometimes appears that the economists believe that people are just an inventory in the pursuit of low inflation and, more recently, sustainability.

The reserve bank believes that interest rates still need to move higher even though growth is restricted to just part of the economy.

“Members noted that the significant divergences between different sectors of the economy presented challenges for policy-making, but that monetary policy had to be set for the needs of the overall economy. In this respect, members judged that if economic conditions continued to evolve as expected, higher interest rates were likely to be required at some point if inflation was to remain consistent with the medium-term target.” (From the minutes of the May 2011 Reserve Bank Board meeting)

I have another idea that could be considered.

A one off interest rate drop may just stimulate some of the “divergent sectors” of the economy and get rid of those “challenges” allowing more real people to share in the growing economy.

Speaking of economists, I have some concern about the direction of Australia’s climate change response. The great hope is that the carbon price will change the attitude of all Australians, encourage investment in renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All are worthy aims which I heartily endorse.

I fear that the reality is that those who can afford to use power irresponsibly right now, will continue to be able to pay to use power irresponsibly after the carbon price is implemented. Most of us have already been hit by huge power price increases and are taking appropriate steps now. For an increasing number electricity is becoming (or has become) unaffordable. That is really sad in a country like Australia.

Again. I have another idea that could be considered.

The government could legislate for a mandatory reduction in emissions by industry, build more renewable energy generation infrastructure and place a carbon penalty on households with higher than acceptable energy usage. We would then see some real results.

To those who say we can’t afford the renewable energy infrastructure without a carbon tax, my response is that if faster broadband is more important than climate change, what are we arguing about?

Russell Brandon