Research

Investigating Building Product Selection and Information Transparency

Author or co-authors: Nicole Johnston, Michael Teys

Funders: Alspec

Keywords: Building improvements, Construction, Qualitative research/interviews,

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Summary:

Building product performance is an under-researched area. There are numerous aspects of building products non-conformance and non-compliance that require investigation in order to understand the true extent and intricacies of the problem. For this project, we focus on product selection accountability. This is because irrespective of the extent of the problem, there needs to be confidence that those designing and constructing our built environment are undertaking due diligence to ensure the building products chosen and installed are compliant and conformant.

Investigating passive fire protection defects in residential buildings

Author or co-authors: Nicole Johnston, Michael Teys

Funders: Victorian Building Authority; Plus Systems

Keywords: Construction, Defects, Information available to owners and residents, Repairs and maintenance,

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Summary:

In modern buildings, a combination of passive and active fire protection systems are used in an effort to safeguard residents from death or injury by facilitating safe evacuation, enabling emergency services to safely undertake activities, and limiting the spread of fire to other properties. To avoid a catastrophic outcome, all fire protection systems must complement each other, working together in a holistic way. The aim of this research was to better understand commonly identified passive fire protection defects and the regulatory environment associated with this construction system.

The problem of aging housing: A co- and re-design approach

Author or co-authors: Hazel Easthope, Sandra Karina Löschke

Published: Loschke, S.K. and Easthope, H., 2022. The problem of aging housing: A co-and re-design approach. Architecture Australia, 111(2), pp.55-57.

Keywords: Aged housing, Architecture, Building improvements,

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Summary:

Older apartment blocks represent a significant urban asset, but many no longer suit their current inhabitants. Sandra Karina Löschke and Hazel Easthope look to Europe, where many redesign projects that involve residents in the process have transformed the quality of apartment living. How might we adopt similar methods of renovation in the Australian context?

Adoption of Renewable Energy Systems in common properties of multi-owned buildings: Introduction of ‘Energy Entitlement’

Author or co-authors: Aravind Poshnath, Dr Behzad Rismanchi, Prof. Abbas Rajabifard

Published: Energy Policy

This paper has been peer reviewed

Keywords: By-laws/rules/CC&Rs, Community, Home ownership, Policy, Sustainability,

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Summary:

The multiple ownership of the Renewable Energy Systems (RES) in common properties of Multi-owned buildings (MOBs) develops energy and benefit allocation concerns. The research poses the ‘Energy Entitlement’ of apartment owners as a critical research concept to promote the adoption of RES in MOBs. We scrutinise the factors influencing the adoption of RES in MOBs and the existing energy allocation frameworks proposed in the literature while emphasising the necessity of ‘Energy Entitlement’ that calls for an equitable delineation of energy ownership integrated with land administration principles.

Cracks in the Compact City: Tackling defects in multi-unit strata housing

Author or co-authors: Laura Crommelin, Sian Thompson, Hazel Easthope, Martin Loosemore, Hyungmo Yang, Caitlin Buckle, Bill Randolph

Published: Crommelin, L., Thompson, S., Easthope, H., Loosemore, M., Yang, H., Buckle, C. and Randolph, B., 2021. Cracks in the Compact City: tackling defects in multi-unit strata housing.

Keywords: Defects, Development, Information available to owners and residents, Insurance,

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Summary:

The report addresses the serious and growing problem of building defects in the trillion dollar multi-unit housing sector. The research investigates the prevalence of building defects, why they occur and how multi-unit housing quality can be improved. The findings are intended to inform changes to planning and development policy and regulation, leading to improved building quality and safety, lower costs and stress for owners, more resilient urban communities, and better urban planning outcomes.