SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS
The events of 2020 have seen their impact across all industries, and architecture and design is unfortunately no exception.
There are clear challenges for the AECD industry going forward and with this comes as a reminder of the importance of supporting Australian companies and products. Thankfully, Australian building product designers and manufacturers have continued to innovate in recent years, developing world-class sustainable products designed to weather Australian conditions. This article will detail some of the latest trends and innovations in sustainable building materials, as well as some architecturally stunning case studies that prove ‘sustainable’ can also be synonymous with ‘beautiful’.
One of the most interesting innovations in recent years has been the development of concrete alternatives, or ‘faux concrete’. Whether or not concrete itself is a “sustainable” material is really up to your interpretation. While some argue it fits the definition of sustainability due to its ability to stand the test of time, others take issue with the high level of greenhouse gas emissions and other direct environmental damage caused by the use of concrete.
For designers who love the look of concrete but not the environmental impacts, faux concrete attempts to address this conundrum. Exotec Vero is a good example of this. The product is described as a “pre-finished concrete look option” that is part of Exotec’s Facade System. Known for its long-term durability and water resistance, the concrete alternative is also impact-resistant, structurally stable and suitable for non-combustible construction.
Exotec Vero was used recently in a boutique residential development in the Sydney suburb of Chatswood, where the brief was to design a building that would nestle harmoniously within the natural landscape while maximising views over the treetop canopies towards the Lane Cove River. The product was used in tandem with a mix of white render, charcoal grey render and metal, as well as natural timber elements; making the building feel like an extension of its natural surrounds.
“The combination of Exotec Vero and [James Hardie’s] RAB Board is a great system that is Building Code Australia (BCA) compliant for non-combustible facade elements and provides excellent weather resistance,” says Anthony Melia, project manager of Novati Constructions, which worked on the Chatswood project. The product’s weather resistance was proven when there was very little leakage during a major storm period in February 2020.