Green building seminar program introduced

Designbuild, a trade-only building and design exhibition, will include a Green Building Seminar program complementing its focus on sustainability and green building this year.

“The seminars, staged in conjunction with the Australian Architecture Association, will offer attendees a unique opportunity to increase their knowledge of the latest sustainable technologies and learn how to maximise the business opportunities within the green revolution,” said Bill Hare, exhibition director.

The seminar speakers include architects, interior designers, builders and engineers covering a diverse range of topics designed to provide the inspiration, confidence and ‘know-how’ to specify and use the latest green building materials.

Presentations available at the seminar include:

• Dean Homicki, DTAC & Chris Porter, City of Melbourne — ‘Compliance and the environment — how accessible design is not just for the disabled?’;
• Professor Rob Adams AM, City of Melbourne — ‘From the Industrial Revolution to Eco-Urbanity’;
• David Baggs, ecospecifier — ‘Sustainable materials — current drivers and issues’;
• Emily Jones, Sustainable Living Fabrics — ‘Implementing a design company’s sustainability agenda to ensure increased profits’;
• Robin Mellon, Green Building Council of Australia — ‘Green star — the next generation’;
• Ben Purdy, NHArchitecture — ‘Urban design and environmentally sustainable development’;
• Steve Peluso, Master Menders, Ralph Ganino, Orbit Homes and Bill Giannikos, Simonds Homes — ‘Smarter construction — how to achieve cost-effective building’;
• Steve King, Centre for a Sustainable Built Environment and Peter Sandow, FMSA — ‘Climate appropriate design — designing in colder arenas’;
• Robin Mellon, Green Building Council of Australia — ‘The cost and value of green’;
• John Macdonald, DesignInc — ‘Innovations in green building design’;
• Mark Lister, Szencorp Energy Conservation Systems — ‘Six-star building performance — the 40 Albert Road experience';
• Tone Wheeler, Environa Studio — ‘Downsizing: the only sustainable design option for cities, buildings and homes’;
• Mark Kelly, Woods Bagot — ‘Achieving the 6 star green star rating’;
• Rod Johnston, Building Codes Board — ‘Sustainable specification for sustainable building’.

On Monday 16 June, there will be an Environmentally Sustainable Building Tour led by a member of the Australian Architecture Association.

The Green Building Seminar program will be supported by green product zones on the show floor with exhibitors showcasing the latest green building products.

Designbuild will be staged at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, for the trade only, from Sunday 15 June to Wednesday 18 June 2008.

For visitor pre-registration, seminar bookings, full seminar program and exhibitor list, see www.designbuildexpo.com.au.