The Importance of Sustainability in Commercial Real Estate Industry

The next big thing for real estate industry: SustainabilityThe property industry represents one ninth of Australia’s GDP (the largest of any sector), employs 1.1 million Australians (more than mining and manufacturing combined) and generates $72 billion in tax revenues to fund community services. This means that sustainability in the real estate sector affects a lot of people and businesses.

We commonly speak of sustainability at the residential level. It is common to hear about recycling, rain water harvesting and energy alternatives for homeowners. But what about sustainability in the commercial real estate industry?

Large business centres are inhabited by thousands of people during the work hours. Business areas are high on energy and water consumption. Over the years, businesses have understood that going green isn’t just a philanthropic decision. There are many cost benefits to it.

To meet the environmental standards and derive competitive gains, it is important to incorporate sustainability into commercial real estate sector as well.

ProjectLink has listed out some of the latest trends and advantages to drive real estate developers to include sustainable concepts in their designs. Be in know to realize more benefits from sustainability.

Source: https://www.projectlink.com.au/blog/sustainability-in-commercial-real-estate/

Office Space Design Ideas to Foster Productivity

Design a productive office like Atlassian - one of Australia’s most successful technology companies
Image Source: http://www.news.com.au/

Today’s work-force is geared towards long hours. Their work ethic is very different from the generations before. A young office-goer of the millennial generation is looking for larger meaning from the workplace. To tap this excitement and harness their productivity, organisations are required to put efforts in making their workplaces more exciting.

If you have been looking at office spaces for a while, you could not have missed the news about the spanking new Atlassian office in Sydney!

Atlassian – one of Australia’s most successful technology companies – understands the motivation and environment that drives young tech employees and has been working tirelessly to create one of the coolest new office spaces.

Head of workplace experience at Atlassian Brent Harman told news sources the new office was all about ‘creating a reason for staff to get out of the office for the 15 minutes break’.

Besides the perks of a young and hip office culture, Atlassian provides food catering, snacks, and plenty of entertainment options for the staff. They have created an “urban-jungle” vibe as you enter the space and integrated simple iPad based technology to ease sign-in for visitors.

Atlassian has added a fully-catered kitchen with an ice cream freezer, and unlimited access to snacks
Image Source: http://www.news.com.au/

Quick on the heels of Atlassian is another technology company –Dropbox. “The concept is bringing the home into the workplace,” Deeps De Silva, head of marketing APAC & Japan, told news sources during a tour. “It’s very like an Australian living room. The hours you spend in the office are significant, and we wanted an environment people to feel comfortable in. It’s an extension of a home to our customers and our users as well.” Their Australian office has an open-plan structure with a beautiful and minimalist Scandinavian inspired look. They have been particular in creating spaces that are comfortable and user-friendly.

While their offices may seem relatively cool, companies like Atlassian and Dropbox, run tight ships! Their philosophy is to provide all the right comforts and perks, so employee productivity can be maximized for the business.

There is no rocket science to the way these spaces are created.

Read the complete blog post here to see a quick breakdown of how a well designed office space can foster productivity.

Source: https://www.projectlink.com.au/blog/office-space-design-ideas/

Tips to Get the Best Out of your Home Remodel

Budget-friendly home renovation tips

When remodeling your home, there can be a lot of factors to think about besides the design. There are many things that are based on cost, safety, permits, etc. It is important to be aware of all these factors before you start the work.

Consider the tips below to make sure you have an affordable and hassle-free home remodel that you can be really proud of!

Bang for your Buck

If you don’t have the budget to remodel the entire house. Consider doing one big fabulous change to your home. Deciding to open a room by removing a wall, or getting rid of the attic to build a well-lit atrium can really make a difference to your design. Although this will be a bit expensive it will add great value to the house! Primarily cost is a decisive factor and can sometimes be a real spanner in the works.

Kitchen Savings

Tips for remodelling a kitchen on a budgetA kitchen remodeling is one of the most expensive affairs. However, if you plan it well you can get some nifty places to save money. The important aspect of the kitchen is the countertop. A well picked countertop can add aesthetic and efficiency to the kitchen.

Although it is a home-owners dream to have a beautiful granite or marble counter, this may not always suit the budget. In our previous blog, we spoke of engineered stone that is available in a variety of colors and give you durability at a good price.

In case your budgets don’t accommodate engineered stone, you can also install ones in the laminate. Laminate tops are also easy to clean and can be even found in stone textures.

Get a Designer!

Hire the right professional for home remodelNever underestimate the architect’s expertise. It is a reasonable and smart investment to consider paying a designer for a basic consultation on space management, they will be able to suggest well designed and suitable cabinets for your budget and space requirements. On occasion, designers are also comfortable sharing the details of contractors and distributors directly so you can save costs. The designer can also provide you with 3D drawings of your space, this will allow for you to check out various color and texture option with ease and give you the confidence to finalise on your decisions.

“Kitchens consistently top home renovation project lists on Houzz, with most people hiring a professional to assist,” says Jason Chuck, managing director of Houzz Australia and New Zealand.

The Houzz survey show:

  • The majority of those renovating their kitchen are upgrading appliances.
  • When replacing flooring, 40 per cent of homeowners use hardwood in their upgraded kitchens.
  • Engineered quartz is the favoured choice when replacing benchtops, followed by wood, stainless steel and concrete.

Source: Houzz.com.au

Bathroom on a Budget

Bathroom renovation on a budgetIt is certain that a bathroom can make a bold statement in the home. Often, a beautifully designed bathroom is a homeowner’s pride and joy. It gives the house an aspect of luxury that no other room can!

It is good to remember that when renovating the bathroom on a budget, the devil is in the details. Construction related issues like leaky shower alcoves, excess water pooling, and bad tiling work can cause structural damage to your house. It also encourages mould growth which can be a serious health hazard to your family members.

While it is easy to swayed by the latest design trends in magazines, ensure that you pick a design that you are able to live with for some years. Choose the storage and vanity wisely, be certain you can appreciate the look for years and the storage supports all your needs. Ascertain with your contractor or supplier that the materials are moisture resistant.

Don’t skimp on proper waterproofing and plumbing – this is will pay-off in the long run. Bathrooms usually look great with ceramic or porcelain tiles, these also water-resistant, pick neutral colors and balance your patterns so you can live with for a long period of time.

Read the complete blog here >>

Source: https://www.projectlink.com.au/blog/budgeting-tips-for-home-renovations/

Top Design Trends for Home Remodelling

A look at emerging trends in home renovationsAre you considering remodeling your home? Have you been going through blogs and magazines looking for ideas. Before you put the shovel to the ground, go through our top trends lists for home remodelling.

1. Colour Palettes

There is nothing better than adding a bit of colour. Of course, the spectrum of colours is really wide and this makes the task of choosing quite difficult. Sometimes, it helps just to know the latest trends and incorporate that as an inspiration. This year Pantone’s colour of the year is Greenery. It has been an instant hit for those looking for a revitalizing, back-to-nature hue that brings zest while still managing to work with warm wood tones.

2. Smart Homes

With the boom of Internet of Things devices, connected devices now transcends to connected homes. Products like Amazon’s Echo and Echo Dot provide as a voice-activated interface for many smart home devices. Google Home or Apple’s Homepod will also be a great device with a design to suit any home.

Besides basic commands like news, calendar updates and the weather, these devices will connect to your lights, power ports and other electronic devices. The devices have now opened up to third parties so companies like Philips Hue, Wemo, Nest, Honeywell and more. This means from your morning pot of coffee to your last activity of the day can all be controlled simply by your smartphone or just your voice!
Satin finish brass can add a wonderful golden accent to your interiors

3. Satin Finish Brass

Satin finish brass can add a wonderful golden accent to your interiors

It is always exciting to pair the straight and simple elements of modern design with antique finishes. Brass finishes have been making a comeback in recent years, preferred for their ability to bring shiny golden tones to space without the high price tag.

For the latest look in your home consider selecting satin or brush finished brass which gives a warm and muted look but adds that wonderful golden accent to your interiors. Satin brass finishes create pleasing breaks in the design and can complement a number of styles.

4. Kitchen Storage Walls

Kitchens are the most used space of the home, and home owners are always struggling for space for gadgets, appliances and other kitchen equipment. When looking to free up more space in the home, one cannot keep adding cabinets and cupboards in every nook and cranny. Consider letting go of the expanses of upper cabinets and re-space all that storage onto a single hard working wall. This will become a one-stop hub that frees up the rest of the space to create a breezy look.
Laundry room makeover ideas that would completely transform this work space

5. The Organised Laundry Rooms

Laundry room makeover ideas that would completely transform this work space

There is great value in re-doing your laundry room. While this area is not in typical view for guests an organised laundry room can bring great ease to the daily activities of the family. Opening up the area with better natural light, modular and well designed storage systems and systematic areas for functional work of the space can give homeowners a great feel good factor when doing laundry and other chores.

According to the 2016 Houzz & Home Report, people remodeling their laundry rooms of 150 square feet or more will spend an average of US $2,700. Take away appliances, and that’s a sizable budget to splurge on tile and other details.

6. Splurging on Entryways

Add beauty to your home’s entryway with simple features like a wallpaper, a mirror or a creative shoe rack

Add beauty to your home’s entryway with simple features like a wallpaper, a mirror or a creative shoe rackThe compact space of the entryway can be a great space to get creative with the design without burning through your cash. A simple feature like wallpaper, a statement mirror or a creative shoe rack can lift this welcome zone of your home.

7. Outdoor-feeling Indoor Showers

There is nothing that says luxury more than an outdoor shower. Of course, these are expensive and not always practical in terms of privacy. Designers have now been able to create strategic locations and are looking at designing intimate courtyards to create this luxurious bath experiencing while maintaining privacy and still achieving that great connection with the outdoors and a real luxurious feel.

8. Counter-depth Fridges

For homes in the big city remodelling is all about placement and one is often fighting for the inches. Counter-depth refrigerators are a great innovation in this regard, they sit flush with adjacent cabinetry and countertops, freeing up just a bit more space while creating a streamlined look.
Kitchen remodelling ideas and trends

9. Kitchen Conversation

Kitchen remodelling ideas and trends

Kitchens are the heart of the home. Kitchens are important but they’re also expensive. Few things to remember when considering a fresh look for your kitchen. Understand your needs and manage your storage well – every inch of the kitchen may not need drawers. Ventilation is key, while there is no way of doing away with chimneys and fans, it is important to choose the right one for your cooking needs and the safety of your loved ones.

Stainless steel and granite are synonymous with high-end kitchens, but why not think out of the box. Granite, once considered a premium material is now considered old-fashioned and over-used. Engineered stone and other countertop options can add a touch of class and originality to your home kitchen, they are available in varied colours and textures and add great accents to your kitchen decor.

Consider glass finished counters in different colours, these are also easy to clean and keep things hygienic. Imagine how great the glass counters will look with the tasteful tile and plumbing fixtures you’ve so carefully chosen.

For cabinets, think about some of the lighter woods or more natural-colored walnuts, or go bold with some matte lacquers. Trends mention a big comeback for white kitchens.
Trendy flooring options to bring natural beauty to your home decor

10. Natural Selections

Trendy flooring options to bring natural beauty to your home decor

Dark wood floors are now a thing of the past. You can choose from a selection of engineered woods with lighter, more natural finishes. research suggest that white, gray and washed wood finishes are really in trendy right now. Talk to your designer about getting bleached, limed, or fumed woods with matte finishes or sealed-only floors.

Although engineered woods are not the cheapest option in the market they can give great appeal to the decor and also come with a certain durability that your home requires.

Fun Fact: To get the look of steel windows, ask the contractor to match wood on the inside of the window to the colour of the outside of the window. Steel versus wood could be a huge difference in price!

11. Energy Efficient Homes

Energy efficient remodelling idea for your home

Energy efficient remodelling idea for your homeThe biggest and most decision when remodelling is to consider energy efficiency. Not only will this help you in the long run with your bills, with cities like Sydney aiming for Carbon negative by 2030, your house can be a model example for many to follow. If your budgets and space permit, discuss solar energy panels for your roof going off the electric grid could save you thousands in the long run.

Rain water harvesting is now a must do for many environmentally conscious folk, consider roofing fixtures and outdoor piping that allow you to collect rain water.

For those with a green thumb, there is nothing smarter than composting. Many community led organisations will help you install composters and how to manage them.

Imagine yourself building a home that is self sufficient in food, water and energy!

Source: https://www.projectlink.com.au/blog/home-remodelling-design-trends/

 

Mining Health and Safety Solutions

Mine health and safety management in AustraliaMany people are aware that mining is a dangerous business. In addition to traditional risk factors, the mining sector now faces a wide range of risks and challenges. Therefore, modern mining techniques and equipment are important when it comes to protecting the health and safety of workers. This infographic should be of value to companies involved in this high risk industry.

To reduce the hassle of choosing an appropriate safety solution for the mining sites, ProjectLink has listed out the top safety equipment from its online database of Australia’s leading suppliers. These safety products will help executives make mining workplace safer and better.

Intrigued?

Go ahead and integrate them into your safety practices.

Protect your mining workforce and the environment with these effective safety equipment

Source: https://www.projectlink.com.au/blog/mining-health-and-safety/