Features

November 2009 – Information security is a fundamental preoccupation of facility and operations managers, touching on all aspects of building functionality, from lighting and crowd control to smoke detection. STEPHAN OVERBEEK from AISA (Australian Information Security Association) explains the ever-increasing importance of this sector.

November 2009 – In 2010 the Federal Government will introduce a ‘mandatory disclosure’ scheme relating to the energy efficiency ratings of most commercial office buildings. As PETER CRAWFORD and VANESSA RITZINGER from the law firm Madgwicks explain, the scheme will affect the management, lease and sale of office space across the nation.

October 2009 – The global credit crunch, coupled with significant increases in planned government spending, is set to affect the public/private ‘mix’ in the Australian facility management sector for some years to come. In a shifting market, ALLAN ALDERSON explores the challenges of working with government.

October 2009 – A range of challenges face companies when moving to a new location, but with expert advice and effective planning, unnecessary delays and headaches can be avoided and disruption minimised. HARTLEY HENDERSON explores the latest strategies underpinning moves to new premises.

September 09 – Professional landscaping can lead to significant energy savings in facilities, based on reduced thermal loads in and around buildings. JIM VAUGHAN from the Australian Landscape Industry Association (ALIA) explains how natural turf, mulch and plants can add life to your air-conditioning units while cutting operating costs.

September 09 – Are you making the most of the signage at your facility? From high-quality safety signs to imaginative directional pointers, effective signs can improve business performance and even generate income! JOHN POWER looks at your legal obligations in signs and goes in search of inspired signage concepts.

The Australasian Furnishing Industry Research and Development Institute Limited (Furntech-AFRDI) has developed a new Sustainability Standard 150 for commercial furniture. As the Institute’s JULIAN RIDGERS explains, the new Standard sets a benchmark for all people who make, specify or use commercial furniture.

Sydney’s Queens Square Law Courts, recently refurbished at a cost of $214 million, feature a range of sustainable design elements that help redefine society’s relationship with the law, writes STEPHEN PEARSE, director of design at Group GSA.

Is the tertiary education sector in Australia helping or hindering the growth of Facility Management as a respected, stand-alone discipline? DR DAVID LEIFER from The University of Sydney sounds a warning.

The newly opened Victoria Square 1 (VS1) building in Adelaide, South Australia, is the largest building in Australia to achieve a 6 Star Green Star – Office Design rating. JOHN POWER discovers a ‘temple to Green’ within the city of churches.