Home renovation activity and spending has reached the highest rates reported in New Zealand since 2019, a Houzz survey finds Nearly half of homeowners renovated their homes in 2021 (48 percent), up from 41 percent in 2020. Continue →

Competition for the 2021 Supreme Award was fierce, with 109 properties from around the country vying for the top accolade, but in the end it was Auckland’s new 180m skyscraper that took home the award Precinct Properties’ landmark 97,500 sqm PwC Tower, part of the mixed-use Commercial Bay development, has won the Supreme Award at the 2021 Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards. Continue →

Building company DCD has won the Master Builders Southern Supreme Award and the House of the Year Award for its beautiful low-energy home Te Toka in Jack’s Point near Queenstown The 820sq m Te Toka is completely self-sufficient due to its own water supply, solar array, battery back-up, generator and stormwater treatment. Continue →

Australia will include minimum accessibility standards in the 2022 National Construction Code, but should New Zealand follow suit? Continue →

How will hotel design adapt to meet the new normal? The Property Council of Australia asked specialists from the hotel sector how hotel design will change in a post-pandemic world Infectious disease has always influenced the design of our built environment. Continue →

The coronavirus pandemic might have some long-term effects on the way we design our offices, reports INC As companies look to incorporate better sanitation and implement some of the things they’ve learned during the crisis, many aspects of the office could change–from the materials used for upholstery to the overall layouts of floor plans. Continue →

Sustainability and environmental awareness have set the tone for 2020 and beyond, and companies are shifting their preferences accordingly Companies are implementing more eco-friendly policies, green spaces, and innovative materials into their workspaces. Continue →

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 →