Greenwalls work exceptionally well at minimising the effects of the concrete jungle associated with urban infrastructure, while improving social and economic value, says The Greenwall Company Founder Mark Paul Greenwalls in the home Indoors or out, a greenwall in the home not only beautifies the space, it also improves the air quality, provides insulation and improves the mood of each member of the household. Continue →

A recent BRANZ report makes the case for involving facilities management (FM) professionals early in the building design phase The report found that early engagement of FM practitioners in planning and development, particularly in relation to building whole-of-life performance as well as whole-of-life costs, has potential to add significant value. Continue →

Revolving doors function beautifully as airlocks, keep cool air in on warmer days and cold air out in cooler times The result of using revolving doors is a smooth pedestrian flow while saving money on heating, ventilation and air-conditioning. Continue →

Given the challenging nature of the current residential market, builders, specifiers and architects are increasingly looking for ways to differentiate their projects in a crowded marketplace The Urban Developer As today’s kitchens become more integrated with technology and adapt to modern lifestyles, it’s important that builders and developers select appliances that reflect the latest in kitchen technology as well as the prestige of their project. Continue →

Inc. takes a look at offices completed since the beginning of last year and finds the most beautiful and innovative designs, from San Francisco to Cairo to Kuala Lumpur By Kevin J. Continue →

Whether it’s indoors or out, the different greenwall and greenroof applications available today each have their own pros and cons, some are classified as living and others not, while a selection can actually be a fire hazard, says The Greenwall Company founder Mark Paul When it comes to selecting the best option for greening your home or building, the first thing you need to consider is what look and feel you are trying to achieve. Continue →

For many, an office plant is an obvious companion in the workplace. Continue →

As society continues to become more fast-paced, the importance of commercial design is growing – especially as the office quickly turns into the place where people spend most of their waking hours Gray Puksand – The Urban Developer The question is: how can the property and development industry deliver office buildings that satisfy the needs of today’s modern office workers? Continue →

A leading New Zealand access control specialist company, HTS, has introduced a product realisation service that helps building designers, refurbishers and managers to show how good security entrances can look when applied to their own projects HTS distributes Boon Edam security entrances throughout New Zealand, giving the Kiwi market access to a range of architecturally harmonious and stylish products used globally by scores of Fortune 500 companies in 27 countries, including corporate HQs, legislatures, government agencies, diplomatic posts and public and private facility mobility hotspots prone to unwanted attention. Continue →

Diversified property major GPT Group has unveiled plans to build Australia’s largest timber building that will sit atop Melbourne Central mall at 300 Lonsdale Street Ted Tabet – The Urban Developer The new 10-storey building will be a 19,400sq m tower comprising a frame structure that will be exposed through a glass facade and made of cross laminated timber, a lightweight factory manufactured material used in innovative timber structures. Continue →

As boutique residential projects continue to grow in popularity, the design elements of these projects have become essential in attracting buyers and ensuring the project stands out in a crowded market Cottee Parker – The Urban Developer   Soko Penthouse Apartments, West End [Scott Burrows Photography] Although design is an integral aspect of projects of all scopes and sizes, it presents a unique opportunity in boutique residential projects for developers and designers to craft a luxury environment that enhances the lifestyle of the building’s residents. Continue →

I.M. Pei, the Chinese-born, American-trained Modernist architect whose work transformed cities around the world and was widely celebrated by fellow architects, died May 16 at age 102 Ted Tabet – The Urban Developer Pei was lauded for giving “this century some of its most beautiful interior spaces and exterior forms”, said the jury of the Pritzker Prize, which he received in 1983, favouring stone, steel and glass in his creations that bore his hallmark geometry and reverence for light. Continue →

Following the devastating fire that destroyed the roof of Notre-Dame in Paris, architects have stepped forward offering a range alternative proposals for the Parisian landmark By Ted Tabet, The Urban Developer   After Notre-Dame suffered a serious fire last month, President Macron made a televised address promising to restore the cathedral in just five years Last month, French legislators announced that they would be holding an international design competition for how the beloved cathedral ought to be reconstructed. Continue →

Greenwalls have grown significantly in popularity over the last year, and as a result, are more readily available in a variety of designs for bathrooms There are a number of benefits to greening a bathroom, including improved wellbeing and home air quality, absorption of pollutants and noise, and guaranteed aesthetic impact, now home improvement shows are driving the greenwall trend. Continue →

A world-renowned visionary architect will tour five centres throughout New Zealand in October and November Alvin Huang isn’t yet a household name, but in the world of architecture, he’s rapidly becoming one of the most-respected young innovators in his field. Continue →

Designs by five of the world’s leading architects for a landmark high-rise tower in central Auckland have been revealed and the winner will transform Tāmaki Makaurau into a global city The designs include a tower with a Sky Garden representing the Auckland landscape, through to a local design inspired by a Māori korowai (cloak). Continue →

New Zealand’s largest owner of inner-city business space plans to further expand Wellington’s Bowen Campus with two new high-performance buildings As the owners of the Bowen State and Charles Fergusson buildings at 40 and 44 Bowen Street, Precinct Properties’ plans for the new buildings are set to increase the location’s offering with an additional 21,000sqm of office space, which on completion will result in a workforce of 5,000 across the four buildings that comprise Bowen Campus. Continue →

Timber industry and design professionals were honoured for their creativity and ingenuity at a gala event in Auckland last night The Resene Supreme Award went to the iconic He Tohu Document Centre within the National Library, inspired by the form and function of a waka huia (treasure container) Entries in the 2018 NZ Wood-Resene Timber Design Awards demonstrated new and different ways to use timber that nevertheless meet all building codes and criteria as well as being beautiful. Continue →

BIG Partner Kai-Uwe Bergmann is coming to New Zealand in September to headline the Design Experience series and explore the climatic and cultural forces which are shaping global architecture Kai-Uwe is a partner at BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) a Copenhagen, New York and London-based group of architects, designers, urbanists, landscape professionals, interior and product designers, researchers and inventors From the scorching heat of the Arabian Desert to the unforgiving chill of the Finnish tundra, Kai-Uwe will examine the concept of “Hot to Cold” – how are cities and buildings adapting to climatic extremes? Continue →

Leading New Zealand architects Warren and Mahoney are taking on four of the world’s architecture heavyweights in a competition to design a new apartment and hotel development in central Auckland Melbourne-based property development company ICD Property has invited five architects, including renowned London-based firm Zaha Hadid, to create designs for a multi-storey hotel and apartment tower on Federal St. Continue →