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“ E V ER Y ONE DESERV ES
T O LI V E , W ORK, LEARN
AND P L A Y IN A SAFE ,
INTERV IE W 2 C OMF OR T ABLE AND
HEAL THY BUILDING “
D A V ID - MALE 4 3 EN V IRONMENT
FENES TRA TION E X P ER T
F A C ADE ENGINEER

David, also a Founder and Technical
Director of a building systems company
endeavouring to provide more people centric
buildings had a similar approach to James.

David felt that pushing for higher standards SICK BUILDING S Y NDROME
creates downward pressure on people
who are only interested in providing the A T TIT UDE F OC US
minimum and deemed to satisfy solutions.
Leaning on his background in fenestration,
he makes note of simple European
construction methods which eliminate
issues such as condensation.

He worryingly speaks about the normal
practice in most homes around Australia,
not including thermally broken building
systems. “The flow on effect of thermal break
strips creates an interior environment which
is free from condensation and mould, a
home which is more efficient to run, more
thermally comfortable to live in, and an
environment which does not create and
facilitate health issues within the occupants.”

He noted that the biggest issue through-
out the industry is a reluctance to make
the initial investment in thermally broken
fenestration systems, instead opting for
the cheaper imports and deemed to
satisfy solutions. He feels that this is down KE Y BEHA V IOURS IN RE GARD
to a lack of care for the occupant’s health T O SICK BUILDING S Y NDROME
and inhabitability of the homes after
construction, a feeling of ‘not my problem’ • Ensuring a continously thermally broken envelope
from the industry presents a flawed • Adapting the ‘European’ methodology
approach to accountability in design and • Design which comfortably exceeds existing standards
delivery of many projects. Something he • Initial investment in better quality saves on future run-
feels is worsening over time. ning costs and health risks
• Prioritising Thermal comfort will also ensure running
Brendan Wilson
costs and occupant health are taken care of.