Building Designers Association of Australia

Building Designers Association of Australia A Building Designer puts many years of practical design experience into taking and shaping your brief to a final concept.

The principle purpose of Building Designers Association of Australia is to be recognised as a leading professional design force in the building industry. Building Designers Australia consists of a dedicated group of professionals who design and document building projects throughout Australia. Building Designers Australia is a mature and active association which enjoys a high level of respect from

the public, manufacturers and all levels of government. Building Designer Association of Australia represents the interests, standards and professional development of Building Designers in every state and territory of Australia. Members are bound by a Code of Ethics and encouraged to operate at the highest professional level at all times. The Association encourages design excellence from its members and promotes the benefits of good building design to the public. Building Designers Australia is active in the development of education and training standards relevant to the building design profession and is now recognised by governments and educational institutions as the leading professional body for building designers.

NCC 2025 does not completely rewrite the codebase.But it does shift the technical baseline, particularly for commercial ...
14/06/2026

NCC 2025 does not completely rewrite the codebase.

But it does shift the technical baseline, particularly for commercial work.

→ Most of the major updates sit within commercial buildings and larger project types.

→ Water management provisions have strengthened for commercial and apartment buildings.

→ Carpark fire safety requirements have expanded in response to growing risk concerns.

→ Commercial energy efficiency provisions now include mandatory onsite solar PV in many cases.

→ Condensation management requirements have broadened across all residential climate zones.

→ NCC 2025 also references 36 new or amended Australian Standards, raising the technical floor for compliance.

For building designers and assessors, the challenge is not simply knowing the changes exist.

It’s understanding where those changes affect design decisions, documentation and project coordination in practice.

The code may look familiar at first glance.
But the details underneath it have shifted.

Your work deserves the national stage.The 2026 BDAA National Design Awards celebrate the very best in Australian buildin...
13/06/2026

Your work deserves the national stage.

The 2026 BDAA National Design Awards celebrate the very best in Australian building design, recognising projects that lead in creativity, sustainability and craftsmanship.

With 32 categories across residential, commercial, heritage, Passivhaus, landscape, kitchen and bathroom design, student work and more, there is a place for every standout project.

Winners are featured in Winning Design magazine, recognised at the National Design Awards Gala Dinner in Canberra on 24 October and showcased across BDAA channels throughout the year.

Entries close 30 June 2026.

Submit your entry on https://bdaa.awardsplatform.com/

Vision 23 demonstrates how challenging sites can become the foundation for exceptional design.Set on a steeply sloping b...
13/06/2026

Vision 23 demonstrates how challenging sites can become the foundation for exceptional design.

Set on a steeply sloping block in North Kellyville, this luxury family home embraces a dramatic six metre rock face, using the site's natural topography to create a series of interconnected living levels that maximise functionality, flexibility and visual impact.

The design solution positions the main living level flush with the rear landscape, allowing the outdoor entertaining areas and pool to flow seamlessly into the home. Multiple breakout zones throughout the residence support changing family needs, while a dedicated rumpus level with lift access, bathroom and storage has been designed to adapt over time as a teenage retreat, guest accommodation or future in-law living.

Expansive glazing, soaring voids and carefully framed connections to outdoor spaces create the "wow" factor central to the brief, while maintaining a strong focus on everyday liveability. The result is a home that balances luxury, adaptability and connection to place.

Designer: Prime Design Studios

Photography: Inview Photography

It was fantastic to connect with the James Hardie AU team at Futurebuild Australia and see firsthand their commitment to...
12/06/2026

It was fantastic to connect with the James Hardie AU team at Futurebuild Australia and see firsthand their commitment to innovation, quality and collaboration across the built environment.

A big thank you to James Hardie, the Principal Partner of the Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA), for their ongoing support of the design and building community.

The building design industry is constantly evolving.From regulatory updates and compliance requirements to new technolog...
11/06/2026

The building design industry is constantly evolving.

From regulatory updates and compliance requirements to new technologies and client expectations, staying current is an important part of professional practice.

Ongoing learning helps professionals build confidence, strengthen capability and continue delivering value to their clients.

Because professional confidence starts with current knowledge.

Not every proposed change made it into NCC 2025.In several key areas, regulators chose stability over further disruption...
10/06/2026

Not every proposed change made it into NCC 2025.

In several key areas, regulators chose stability over further disruption.

→ Residential energy efficiency remains at 7 stars, with no additional increases expected until at least mid 2029.

→ EV charging provisions for residential buildings were not introduced into the code.

→ Proposed voluntary embodied carbon measures were shifted into ABCB guidance material rather than formal NCC requirements.

→ Much of the residential code remains largely unchanged under NCC 2025.

The message from Building Ministers was clear.
Industry needed a more settled period after significant recent reform.

For residential building designers and assessors, this creates something valuable the industry rarely gets.

Breathing space.

The opportunity now is to refine documentation, improve workflows and embed best practice across standard project suites before the next major wave of change arrives.

09/06/2026

James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2026

The third annual Modern Homes Forecast from James Hardie is here, bringing together global design influences and local consumer insights to explore the future of Australian residential design.

Created to inspire homeowners and trade professionals alike, the 2026 Forecast highlights emerging home styles, evolving lifestyle priorities, and the design directions shaping how Australians will live, build, and renovate into the future.

Explore now:
https://www.jameshardie.com.au/modern-homes-forecast/2026

Breeze on Bluebird challenges the idea that a larger home needs a second storey.Designed on a compact coastal allotment ...
08/06/2026

Breeze on Bluebird challenges the idea that a larger home needs a second storey.

Designed on a compact coastal allotment in Bokarina, this project demonstrates how thoughtful planning can deliver a spacious four bedroom home, strong indoor outdoor connections and a premium architectural outcome, all within a single level design.

The solution carefully responds to site coverage constraints, setbacks and passive design principles. Living spaces and the master suite were positioned to capture northern sunlight, ocean breezes and the sounds of the nearby coastline, while a separate bedroom wing creates privacy and flexibility for occupants.

A series of custom design features elevate the home, including a rendered concrete tilt panel entry wall, shadowline detailing in place of traditional architraves and skirtings, feature roof openings that introduce natural light, and a striking blockwork ensuite wall that balances privacy with a strong sense of openness.

The result is a contemporary coastal home that feels both refined and relaxed, creating a private oasis around its central indoor outdoor living spaces.

Designer: DCM Building Design

Trust plays an important role in every client decision.While technical expertise and quality design matter, clients also...
08/06/2026

Trust plays an important role in every client decision.

While technical expertise and quality design matter, clients also want confidence in the professional they choose to work with.

Professional recognition helps demonstrate commitment, credibility and accountability qualities that contribute to stronger client relationships and long-term value.

Because trust isn't just earned.

It creates value.

NCC 2025 adoption is now fragmented across Australia.Different states are operating under different timelines, different...
07/06/2026

NCC 2025 adoption is now fragmented across Australia.

Different states are operating under different timelines, different variations and, in some cases, different editions entirely.

→ A project in Victoria may already fall under NCC 2025.

→ The same client delivering a project in NSW may still be working under NCC 2022.

→ Multistate practices now need to track exactly which code applies to each project and jurisdiction.

→ State variations add another layer, with provisions differing across borders even under the same NCC edition.

→ Standard details and documentation workflows that once worked nationally may now require state specific versions.

For building designers and assessors working across jurisdictions, assumptions now create real compliance risk.

Confirming the operating code with your certifier before issuing documentation is no longer optional.
It is now part of everyday practice management.

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