5 Australian Building Innovations You Need to Know  Know About

The construction industry is always evolving, and new innovations are constantly emerging. Here are five of the best Australian building innovations that you need to know about. Whether you’re a builder, contractor or architect, you’ll want to keep an eye on these developments. 

Solar Power

Solar energy abounds in sunny Australia, and the technology to harness it is out there waiting for us. As of right now, though, solar only accounts for about 0.1% of our primary energy consumption. But, in a world where the most common energy sources are also the most polluting, something has to change. The good news is that some of the latest solar innovations look poised to tip this energy source over into the mainstream. These include super-efficient and cost-effective solar panels, as well as solar film for windows and floating solar farms.  

Eco-Friendly Building Materials

The environmentally-friendly changes aren’t limited to solar power. More and more, contractors are turning to sustainable building materials to help them construct and maintain their properties. While it might seem unusual to turn our backs on brick and mortar, there are plenty of strong and durable eco-conscious options that bring with them a whole heap of benefits. Recycled steel, bamboo, and precast concrete are all tried and tested, in construction, and can help save significant amounts of energy. There are sustainable materials for insulation, too, including sheep’s wool, straw, and plant-based alternatives to polyurethane rigid foam.  

Offsite Assembly

Assembling individual rooms and even whole houses offsite is on the rise in Australia. Known as pre-fabrication, this process relies on an assembly line of tradespeople who work on every house from the same location. Once a home or room is completed, it will be transported to and installed at the correct address. It’s a system that has the potential to be less wasteful, more productive, and easier on wallets. In fact, prefabricated homes are cheaper to build by an average of 10% to 15%.  

Buildings are being built faster with the rapid construction of precast concrete panels. This then eliminates the need for expensive scaffolding creating a cleaner and safer worksite. Precast concrete allows increased accuracy and consistent placement of reinforcement when compared to in situ construction. Not only is precast concrete more efficient, but it is also made from recycled cementitious materials which in turn reduces the use of virgin materials and overall environmental burden. 

Flexible Spaces

It’s not just where we build our spaces that look like it’s set to change. How we use that space is also due to an upgrade in these chronically busy times, and it’s up to the construction industry to do something about it. 

You might already have noticed that open-plan living is becoming increasingly trendy. Looking ahead, we’re likely to see what we know as “rooms” shift and become “zones.” These so-called zones will be adaptable to our every need, meaning that we won’t just have bedrooms but leisure spaces, and rather than kitchens and offices, we’ll have work zones. 

For those amongst us who have spent time working from home, this is likely to be good news. Having more open, less rigidly defined spaces in your home means that sudden adjustments to things like remote working won’t be so hard to accommodate. Assembling individual rooms and even whole houses offsite is on the rise in Australia. Known as pre-fabrication, this process relies on an assembly line of tradespeople who work on every house from the same location. Once a home or room is completed, it will be transported to and installed at the correct address. It’s a system that has the potential to be less wasteful, more productive, and easier on wallets. In fact, prefabricated homes are cheaper to build by an average of 10% to 15%.  

Buildings are being built faster with the rapid construction of precast concrete panels. This then eliminates the need for expensive scaffolding creating a cleaner and safer worksite. Precast concrete allows increased accuracy and consistent placement of reinforcement when compared to in situ construction. Not only is precast concrete more efficient, but it is also made from recycled cementitious materials which in turn reduces the use of virgin materials and overall environmental burden. 

Registration for Tradespeople

It’s not just innovative building materials that are shaking up Australia’s building industry. Stricter licensing requirements for tradespeople are also becoming customary across the country, which is leading to higher standards of work. 

However, the legislation surrounding licensing varies depending on where you’re based. So, be sure to keep an eye on the laws in your state or territory. If registration becomes mandatory where you are, look to hire someone who can prove they have the appropriate documentation. 

With innovative building in the construction industry, homes across Australia should be ready for a revamp in the not-too-distant future. So, if you’re thinking of upgrading your home, make sure to do it with the latest technologies, products, and practices in mind.