Solution for residential footings

The future of residential construction is approaching at lightning speed. Leading the charge, InfraBuild has created SENSE 600® TrenchMesh™ to deliver a lower carbon footprint solution for the residential and commercial building industries. 

As the industry aims to decarbonise the built environment and safeguard Australia’s future, SENSE 600 TrenchMesh is produced utilising scrap steel and using up to 16.7% less raw material. This innovative design results in a lower embodied carbon solution that is up to 40% less than traditional 500 MPa trenchmesh.

Making it an easy transition for residential builders without requiring any re-engineering, SENSE 600 TrenchMesh is designed as a direct replacement for Grade 500 MPa trenchmesh. On top of this, it provides improved footing performance and is CodeMark certified.

The development of SENSE 600 delivers value to its customers – playing a role in the successful transition to a low-emission economy.

Innovative drainage solution

With a slim 40mm-wide profile, Megaflo Green is a better alternative to conventional PVC agi drainpipe as it’s made of HDPE 100 per cent recycled milk bottles. Its corrugated panel is supported by internal pillars along its length, providing structural rigidity and high-crush resistance.

Available at Bunnings, Megaflo Green can be laid vertically or horizontally without excavating a trench, such as behind retaining walls or under a driveway or path. Testing has found it can save up to 50 per cent of installation costs.

To protect waterways and, ultimately, our oceans, Megaflo Green is covered with Bidim® Green geotextile, which prevents soil and sediment run- off into the stormwater.

Take the plunge

Following this year’s sweltering heat, many clients are considering swimming options ahead of next summer. A quick, inexpensive solution is a tank plunge pool. Designer Tanks manufactures a made-to-measure lightweight pool designed for this purpose under the brand, Designer Plunge Pools.

The shell comprises 316 marine-grade stainless steel coupled with Astral equipment for a complete solution. ‘The dynamic loads imposed on a pool structure is significantly more than a static water storage tank,’ says David Mortimer, who runs Designer Tanks.

‘Using finite element analysis, additional structural integrity is required not only to comply with standards but to simply make the plunge pool safe for its intended use.’

Handle with care

Crafted from solid brass in five finishes, the Aspen cabinetry handle collection suits a variety of interior and joinery styles. The collection from Momo Handles offers curvaceous knobs and pull handles with finishes in dark brushed brass, bronze, brushed satin brass, matt black and dull brushed nickel.

This design-savvy firm was launched in 2008 to supply Australia’s kitchen- and cabinetmakers. Constantly sourcing quality ranges, Momo Handles focuses on stylish and affordable products.

Japanese style

Founded in 1924 after working with Frank Lloyd Wright to produce the terracotta for Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel, INAX combines traditional artistry with cutting-edge technology. This firm has released two tile ranges for its Australian supplier, Artedomus.

The Sugie Series collection of 47x47mm mosaics (on a 300mm sheet) has a variety of colours, from olive and buff to soft greys. Meanwhile, INAX’s Fabe range of 227x60mm brick-look tiles are sold individually, offering a bespoke pattern. A Nano-hydrophilic classification gives Fabe tiles superior stain resistance – which always appeals to clients.

Denmark beauties

When the first VOLA mixer tap was unveiled by Arne Jacobsen in Denmark in 1968, its simplicity and style changed bathroom design. Now, VOLA is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its KV1 one-handle kitchen mixer (right) and FS1 freestanding bath mixer with hand shower.

A pioneering design, the KV1 was selected for MoMA New York’s permanent collection in 1974. The FS1 adds a spa-like serenity to the bathroom. Both products are available in 28 colours and finishes, including the 10 original shades VOLA introduced in 1970.

In addition, the Scandi firm takes pride in its environmental responsibilities, using stainless- steel and lead-free brass. This ensures 100 per cent of the waste produced is recovered and recycled.

Bright lights

Eight years ago, B Corporation Brightgreen unveiled its transformative Tru-Colour® technology — the world’s highest light quality. Brightgreen has unveiled its next offering, the Plus 4.0 Downlight Collection with Tru-Colour® 4. Every component, lens, and chip has been reimagined in its Melbourne studio. The Tru-Colour 4 technology boasts world-first, perfect ‘100/100’ scores for colour accuracy (TM30 Rg) and natural materials (CRI R9).

The collection boasts 11 styles, varied beam angles, multiple CCTs, and hundreds of custom fascia colours, epitomising a seamless fusion of technology and sophistication. Designed to withstand the harsh Australian climate, the downlights are backed by a 10-year extended luminaire failure guarantee.

Searching for solar?

With the increasing demand for solar uptake and shifting preferences towards higher power-generation solar systems, Trina Solar Australia’s new Vertex S+ range offers technologically advanced panels. Its aesthetic black design provides a compact, innovative range that can increase installation capacity on residential rooftops by five to seven per cent.

This dual-glass design not only increases power production but also ensures enhanced durability and longevity. The Vertex S+ is suitable for any residential rooftop. It’s easily integrated, being designed for compatibility with existing mainstream inverters and diverse mounting systems. It’s also backed by a 25-year product warranty and a 30- year performance warranty.

Keep it breezy

Retro-inspired breeze blocks, or architectural screen blocks, are making a significant comeback. While these geometric patterns and designs evoke a sense of nostalgia, they can be functionally used as a decorative wall, a garden screen or an outdoor room divider.

Adbri Masonry’s Coloured Breeze Blocks can also act as a natural diffuser, casting beautiful shadows and reducing the harshness of direct sunlight. Made from concrete, these blocks are sturdy and can withstand the elements, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Joint-free surfaces

Porcelain has become popular after the ban on high silica-engineered stone. This durable, natural, low-silica surface can replicate anything from marble and granite to sandstone and slate. Caesarstone’s latest porcelain collection kicks off with two eye-catching designs – the warm white Libretta and the bold, midnight- black Smokestone.

Suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations, each slab is ethically produced from natural raw ingredients, including clay, feldspar and oxides. With a 12mm profile and surface dimensions of 1600x3200mm, these larger slabs make the achievement of sweeping expanses of joint-free surfaces a welcome reality.

New reality

When negotiating with prospective clients, traditional sales and marketing tactics are often inconvenient and may fail to assist buyers in making fully informed decisions. To solve these issues, EnvisionVR delivers virtual property experiences, allowing users to move freely in 1:1 scale through an unbuilt property.

Suitable for multi- level apartment complexes to project home design options, this off-the-plan sales toolkit integrates floorplans and other digital assets, with stock management and CRM functionality. EnvisionVR’s virtual property experiences can be used with a VR headset, via an app on any mobile device or web browser.

Preventing mould

Poor indoor air quality, caused partly by dampness and mould, is recognised globally as a major cause of ill health. With Australians spending around 90 per cent of their time indoors, it is essential to reduce dampness and mould in homes.

The new eco-friendly Absodry Moisture Absorber, available from Bunnings, offers a moisture-absorbing solution designed to pull excess moisture from the air and prevent mould and bad odours.

Designed and manufactured in Sweden using more than 94 per cent recycled plastic and featuring a stylish Scandinavian look and feel, they blend seamlessly into any room.