Building Designers Association of Australia

A helpful myth buster for anyone weighing up a home lift. The Velocity Home Lifts Compass does not need a concrete shaft, because it carries its own steel support structure, which makes it a practical option to design into a timber framed home. Well worth knowing for accessible, considered design.

You might've been told that putting a lift in a timber-framed home means building a concrete shaft. It's the most common myth we hear, and it's wrong.

The Compass has its own self-supporting steel structure, so it goes into a standard timber-framed shaft, finished like any internal wall. No concrete, no masonry, no structural headache for your builder.

Building or renovating? Send us a message and we'll talk it through.

A coastal facade done well. Austral Bricks in Neutral Dove anchors this considered material palette. Thank you Bricks

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL BUILDING DESIGNERS DAY!

Today, 18 August, we celebrate building designers across Australia and around the world.

Every day, building designers transform ideas into places that become our homes, workplaces and communities.

Today is an opportunity to recognise the creativity, knowledge, innovation and dedication behind the profession - and the people who make it happen.

The Building Designers Association of Australia is incredibly proud to represent our building design community and celebrate the contribution our members make to Australia's built environment.

We want to see what you are designing!

Share a project you are proud of, a site visit, your team, your latest design or simply tell us what being a building designer means to you.

Tag the Building Designers Association of Australia so we can celebrate and share your work.

Today is your day - Happy International Building Designers Day!

Your map to Festival week in Canberra Oct 22-25 2026 - Book now - https://bdaa.com.au/EventDetail?EventKey=FOD2026

Thursday 27 August: James Hardie Principal Partner Report - *https://bdaa.com.au/EventDetail?EventKey=JHAUG26

A beautiful example of what considered detailing can achieve. This Pascoe Vale project by Melbourne Cladding Systems shows how the Hebel wall system handles curved forms for a clean, seamless finish. Custom architectural details like these are exactly what our members love to explore. Thank you to CSR Hebel for sharing such inspiring work.

Explore the eight modern home styles from the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2026.

Be inspired by eight popular, enduring and emerging modern home styles reimagined for 2026, each refined to reflect how Australians live, build and renovate today. From the playful optimism of Mid-Century Modern to the restorative calm of Japandi, the Looks offer a blueprint for homes designed to support contemporary living.

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

Thank you to James Hardie for supporting building designers across Australia.

Design deserves to be seen from the outside in.

The latest edition of By Design Magazine - Exteriors 2026 is here, showcasing the projects, ideas and innovations shaping Australia's built environment.

Inside you'll discover inspiring residential projects, practical design insights, emerging exterior trends and the materials, details and thinking behind exceptional building design. Whether you're a building designer, architect, thermal performance assessor or simply passionate about great design, this edition is packed with inspiration and professional insight.

Best of all, it's FREE to read.

Download your copy today via the BDAA website.

Design Exteriors 2026 is here and it’s FREE!

Discover the latest edition of By Design Magazine, created for building designers, architects, and industry professionals who are shaping the future of Australia’s built environment.

In this issue, explore:
→ Inspiring residential and commercial exterior projects
→ Innovative façade and cladding solutions
→ Climate-responsive and site-sensitive design strategies
→ Material selections that balance durability, performance and aesthetics
→ Practical insights from leading designers and industry experts

As exterior design continues to evolve, Design Exteriors 2026 showcases projects and ideas that demonstrate how thoughtful design can enhance both the built environment and everyday living. The publication continues BDAA’s commitment to sharing knowledge, innovation, and design excellence across the industry.