High performance buildings need to stop being dirty words in Australia and building practices need to change if we are to catch up with the rest of the developed world, says leading building products company CSR.

“We are at least twenty years behind Europe and North America when it comes to high performance buildings. It’s time for Australia to take a long hard look at the way we design, build, maintain and operate our buildings, homes and communities,” Scott Clarkson, Project Manager Innovation at CSR says.

High performance buildings are not all about the environment – they integrate and optimise a building’s durability, life-cycle, and occupant productivity as well as energy, water and lighting efficiencies.

CSR’s innovation team has been investigating ways to improve Australian building knowledge and processes to produce better performing homes.

“There is growing demand for comfort and efficiency in buildings and not just in the commercial sector, as occupants and homeowners seek buildings that suit their lifestyle while using fewer resources. In general such buildings are healthier, more energy efficient, well-lit and properly ventilated,” says Clarkson.

Over the past few months CSR held its first ‘Building Knowledge’ seminar series to provide architects and builders with the latest thinking in building performance. “The seminars provided a platform for us to start practical conversations with professionals about the present challenges relating to the building and construction industries and how we can address these challenges,” he says.

According to Clarkson, there was a lot of interest from attendees on moisture management and condensation in highly insulated and energy efficient buildings. Further discussions highlighted the introduction of higher performance insulation products in Australia and how installation practices across the trades need to adapt to meet these changes.
www.csr.com.au