Troublesome buildings: When buildings don’t behave as they should

Troublesome buildings persist, deviating from expected behaviour, wasting energy and causing discomfort and air quality issues. “Sick building syndrome” has spurred the emergence of green buildings, championed by sustainable rating schemes advocating for improved ventilation and commissioning. Despite this, some buildings still have problems.

Like a fighter jet's delicate balance, modern buildings strive for excellence but have little room for error. This presentation will explore what happens when oversight or discordant services disrupt the equilibrium, leading to erratic behaviour and unexpected consequences.

About Jonathan

Jonathan has over two decades of expertise in sustainable buildings, notably achieving Australia's inaugural Green Star rating at 8 Brindabella Circuit, Canberra. Recognised by sustainability tool administrators, he serves as Auditor and Trainer for Green Star (since 2005), NABERS (2008), CBD (2012), Infrastructure Sustainability (2012) and Green Star NZ (2022).

With a keen focus on indoor environment quality (IEQ), Jonathan challenges the misconception that enhancing IEQ increases energy consumption. His true passion lies in making buildings work effectively, optimising building functionality, and uncovering band-aid fixes that keep a building ticking but prevent it from achieving its full potential.