HOUSING | Inspiring Australia’s building professionals

Master of apprentices: How Scott Cam is helping to build Australia’s future

While you may know him as the no nonsense media personality keeping reality renovators in check, what is less known is that Scott Cam has put in the building hard yards on the tools, which makes him the perfect person to fill Australia’s National Careers Ambassador role.

Same but different

Who looks after granny better? When it comes to planning and building secondary dwellings there are differences between what our states and territories allow.

Opening new doors

Beautiful things happen when building industry professionals join forces, as this townhouse development project can attest.

The ghost in the shell

How a ground-breaking innovation can provide the ultimate protection against termites for Australian builders.

renovation addition concrete and red steel structure

Tales of the unexpected

A glorious, post-modern collision of retro motifs, bold colour and elegant raw finishes, Oak House in Melbourne’s North Fitzroy is a stunning reimagining of Victorian architecture.

The perfect balance

Interior designer Marcus Phillips of Designer Living Kitchens talks about his time in the industry.

Kitchens, Bathrooms and Interiors

Lux Interiors grey bathroom curved nib wall

Curve appeal

Converting a small study into a dreamy master ensuite took some clever thinking but the team of designers and builders at Perth-based Lux Interiors were up for the challenge.

Darren Farquhar Maggie Beer Bethany Sando

The cook and her kitchen

Using just three simple ingredients, Farquhar cooked up the perfect kitchen for celebrity chef Maggie Beer.

What's to come

Ensure your seat belt is fastened and your chair is upright as we venture internationally to get a taste of what’s on the horizon.

Beauty and the basement

This sophisticated home is the ultimate entertainer – and if the dramatic architecture and distinctive finishes don’t bowl you over, the next-level inclusions in the basement will.

Staying in character

Between the vermiculite on the ceilings and the breezeway blocks in the kitchen, there is a nod to its history on every level in this home. Retaining the building’s existing 70’s character proved a success, with the structure becoming the bones and the style providing a heart.

Projects

Rundown-to-resplendent

This renovated Queenslander offers the best of eco-conscious design and smart home technology, a proud accomplishment for its Brisbane-based property developers who are determinedly making strides in luxurious eco-friendly housing.

Preferred Builders renovation addition glass walkway

Preserving the past

Preferred Builders’ carefully crafted quirky extension of a single-storey home offers a sustainable solution to the renovation of a classic suburban Canberra property.

Tales of the unexpected

A glorious, post-modern collision of retro motifs, bold colour and elegant raw finishes, Oak House in Melbourne’s North Fitzroy is a stunning reimagining of Victorian architecture.

timber exterior townhouses integrated garage door

Opening new doors

Beautiful things happen when building industry professionals join forces, as this townhouse development project can attest.

Striking in sorrento

If the Mornington Peninsula is Victoria’s playground for the rich and famous, then this award-winning spec house in Sorrento is in excellent company.

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In Focus

Same but different

Who looks after granny better? When it comes to planning and building secondary dwellings there are differences between what our states and territories allow.

Breaking through barriers

The outlook for women in the residential building industry looks bright, and HIA is working towards their future.

Supporting our future

The importance of apprentices for the future of Australia’s building industry should not be undervalued. HIA mentors are playing a significant role in supporting apprentices to persevere in completing their trade.

Beware the baby boomlet

It pays to watch population trends so you can stay abreast of housing demands.

People

Where culture meets technology

In addition to being chief executive of consultancy company Emergent, Holly Ransom has delivered a peace charter to the Dali Lama, interviewed Barack Obama on stage, was appointed by the Prime Minister in 2014 to Chair the G20 Youth Summit, and was listed by Sir Richard Branson as one of his dream dinner guests.

Master of apprentices: How Scott Cam is helping to build Australia’s future

Beyond Blue and HIA Charitable Foundation

Big donation to help mental health of builders

The HIA Charitable Foundation presented a gigantic cheque to Beyond Blue, with the sizable donation planned for mental health initiatives assisting people working in the residential building industry.

The perfect balance

Interior designer Marcus Phillips of Designer Living Kitchens talks about his time in the industry.

Features

Blue Eco Homes The Sapphire Passive House BAL-FZ exterior

Bushfire protection

Building in bushfire prone areas comes with additional considerations. HOUSING talks to a HIA member who has achieved Passive House certification to BAL-FZ, plus looks at several products that will help you to meet BAL standards on your next project.

Priceless peace of mind

Don’t settle for less than the best when it comes to choosing suppliers.

Sold on kerb appeal

If you wish to make the most of your home’s street appeal there are key external areas of the home and front yard that, along with clever planning and design, will get you the best results.

Common ground

From material type to pattern lay, there are plenty of options as well as technical considerations when it comes to choosing beautiful and long-lasting flooring finishes for a home.

Hot essentials

What influences today’s trends? For some it will always be about visual appeal, beauty in design but for others there is a need for something more; how something synthesises into your life, or even the world around us.

Awards

Winners revealed: 2019 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards

The winners of the 2019 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards were announced on 10 September.

2019 HIA Australian GreenSmart Renovation/Addition Project

This award, partnered by CSR Building Products, recognises an extension or renovation involving structural building work to an existing individual house or other residential building.

2019 HIA Australian GreenSmart Home and GreenSmart Sustainable Home

This home has been awarded the top accolade in the 2019 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards, winning the 2019 HIA Australian GreenSmart Home.

2019 HIA Australian GreenSmart Display/Project Home

HIA Australian GreenSmart Display/Project Home is partnered by InfraBuild and is presented to an individual house currently on display to the public, intended for reproduction as displayed or with standard variations.

2019 HIA Australian GreenSmart Multi Dwelling Development

This award is partnered by RapidRidge and is presented to a multiple dwelling residential project, typically known as dual occupancy (two dwellings on a single allotment), villas (one storey), townhouses (two-three storey) and terrace housing, whether attached or detached, as well as residential apartment buildings of two or more storeys, not including car parking, and containing at least two self-contained dwellings.

Products

The ghost in the shell

How a ground-breaking innovation can provide the ultimate protection against termites for Australian builders.

Sea change

The Comber Lighting Range, the latest collection by Tom Raffield, once again utilises sustainable materials and handcrafted design.

Flush with style

Kohler’s new Reach II back-to-wall toilet suite packs innovation in water efficiency and easy-to-clean features into a compact design.

Clean cooking

BORA has released its latest award-winning cooktop extractor, the BORA Pure.

Business

Sealing your future: how the right franchise can help to bridge a career change

Melbournian Michael Marchment isn’t alone in his desire to find his purpose. From farm life and the armed forces to factory work as a boilermaker, it unexpectedly took a leaky shower to secure his direction. The decision to become a franchise owner gave Michael more than he expected and support when he needed it most.

The right advice

As an industry expert, you’re in a position to give your clients building advice, but you’ll strengthen your brand in the long run if that advice equals quality over quantity.

Preparing for a crisis

Reputation and trust are the pillars of a strong business. Unfortunately, a crisis can unravel both in the space of a few hours, writes PR specialist Phoebe Netto.

Put your best foot forward

The HIA Professional Builder/Renovator Awards are a great way to showcase business excellence to your customers, but you may find simply applying to be more worth your while than anticipated.

Lifestyles

No one likes a negative Nancy

Moods of workers are highly contagious so managing the spread of unhelpful negativity will go a long way in improving the quality of your workplace.

Green living

There are plenty of ways to make your home more eco-friendly without expending much effort. Here are four ideas you can easily introduce at your place over the summer break.

Balkan beauty

The pristine allure of Croatia’s meandering shores and rugged inland provinces are drawing visitors by the millions to experience the cultural delights of this formerly austere tourist spot. HOUSING’s Editor recently returned to her homeland for a family ‘vacay’ and explains why this bustling destination is currently all the rage.

Encouraging healthy thinking

While there is particular attention of mental health during October, it’s important to manage the responsibility of workplace mental health throughout the year.

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Master of apprentices: How Scott Cam is helping to build Australia’s future

Same but different

Opening new doors

The ghost in the shell

Tales of the unexpected

The perfect balance

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