Increasing Design Freedom

10am - 11am - Increasing Design Freedom and Sustainability Through Accountable Design | Dyann Stewart | Technoform

Design freedom and sustainability are often discussed as architectural ambitions, but in practice they are protected — or lost — through compliance decisions, product verification, and the commercial choices made early in a project. This presentation explores how high-performance façade and window systems can enable larger openings, slimmer frames, better comfort and long-term energy performance, while still meeting the real-world demands of wind, water, durability and Building Code compliance. Using lessons learnt the hard way, including projects where beautifully crafted imported systems were not suitable for the project exposure, the session reframes “cost” as more than the upfront price. It asks: if this were your own home, would you design for minimum compliance, or would you design for comfort, accountability and performance over the life of the building?

Key Learning Outcomes:

Design Freedom Must Be Earned Through Evidence

• Participants will understand how larger glazing areas, slimmer frames and ambitious architectural detailing can be achieved without compromising compliance, comfort or durability, provided the system is assessed against the correct project conditions.

Compliance Is More Than a Certificate

• Participants will be able to identify why project-specific evidence matters, including wind zone suitability, water penetration, air infiltration, structural performance, thermal performance, product substitution and documentation accountability.

Lowest Upfront Cost Can Reduce Long-Term Choice

• Participants will explore how cost-driven decisions can unintentionally reduce design freedom, sustainability and occupant comfort, and how early-stage performance thinking can help clients make better long-term decisions.

11am - 12pm - Designing Windows and Doors for a Changing Climate | Alex Holly | Omega Windows and Doors

As New Zealand's climate continues to evolve, the performance demands placed on windows and doors are becoming increasingly complex. This session explores the implications of climate change through the specific lens of window and door design, examining how environmental conditions, site exposure, and building context influence specification decisions.

The presentation will unpack the key factors that drive the selection of framing systems, extrusion profiles, glazing, hardware, seals, and supporting components to ensure long-term performance. It will also consider how projected climate conditions over the coming decades are likely to affect façade design, and the practical steps architects can take today to ensure windows continue to perform throughout the intended design life of a building.

Drawing on current climate projections and New Zealand Building Code requirements, this technical session will provide insights into designing resilient building envelopes, with particular reference to B1 Structure, B2 Durability, and E2 External Moisture (Weathertightness). Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to future-proof window specification while balancing performance, durability, and compliance in an increasingly challenging climate.

Key Learning outcomes:

• Understand how changing climates will present and how this will affect window and door design over time.
• Learn what drives window and door configurations, design features and specifications.
• Understand how appropriate window and door systems can be selected based on site conditions and how we can ensure future performance given climate changes.

12pm - 1pm - Freedom to Design: Sustainable Bathroomware Specification | Dan Coe | Paterson Trading

Discover how thoughtful bathroomware specification can increase design freedom while supporting more sustainable design outcomes.  This CPD explores lifecycle thinking, durability, water efficiency and responsible manufacturing, providing practical insights to help architects and designers make informed specification decisions that balance aesthetics, performance and environmental responsibility.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Understand how sustainable specification extends beyond recycled content
• Identify specification strategies that increase both design freedom and environmental performance
• Apply sustainability principles to bathroomware specification