Trends and innovations at Form & Function 2007
With under three months to go until its start date, Form and Function , an Australian trade exhibition for the building and architecture industry, will engage and enthuse visitors with a number of partners and exhibitors showcasing the best trends and innovations in major building projects for the year ahead.
Returning to Melbourne this 19 – 21 April, Form & Function displays the latest innovations from a range of public and private building related organisations in a dynamic environment that brings together architects, builders, building designers, specifiers, developers and government and industry personnel.
Some of the exhibitors and partners on board for this year’s Form & Function include:
Australian Tile Council (ATC): For the first time in the history of Form & Function, visitors to the 2007 show will be able to access the expertise of the Australian Tile Council, the peak industry body dedicated to the design, manufacture and promotion of tiles in Australia. Visitors can attend up to three seminars per day showcasing experts from the ATC and learn the latest developments in design, manufacture, distribution and use of tiles. The ATC will also host a stand displaying their latest and most innovative products and services, with staff on hand to answer queries from show visitors.
Another leading organisation, Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA), the peak body representing the interests of Australia's five billion dollar cement, pre-mixed concrete and extractive (quarrying) industries will host three seminar sessions each day reviewing cutting edge projects designed with concrete.
Returning to Form & Function is the National Precast Concrete Association of Australian (NPCAA), the recognised voice of the Australian Precast Industry representing manufacturers of factory-produced, precast concrete products, and companies that provide equipment, supplies and services to the industry. The NPCAA will host a stand where precast concrete questions can be answered and will also have experts speaking at Form & Function workshops where innovations in the industry will be discussed.
Think Brick Australia: The peak industry body representing Australia’s leading brick manufacturers will demonstrate and educate visitors on the innovations, trends and forecasts in the design, use and application of bricks. Visitors will be able to interact with Think Brick representatives on a range of issues relating to bricks and the Australian construction industry at large, such as the skills shortage facing the industry.
Software: Karel*CAD, a supplier of Autodesk design solution across Australia and New Zealand will use Form & Function as the platform for the international launch of its new online information portal, Revitup, a product that has been in development for the past 20 years.
Doors: Alma Building Products will display Australia’s first cavity sliders for rendered brick walls at this year’s Form & Function. Previously, a sliding door within a brick wall required two brick walls side by side with the door sliding in between the two of them. The Eurkea Cavity Slider however, is composed of an anodized aluminium track system and pair of hangers (with a supporting capacity of 80kg for each door) that slides within a wall cavity that can be directly rendered over offering a seamless finish that conceals the door from sight when open. The door appears to disappear into the wall.
Safety: Slip fall accidents are the second highest cause of workplace injuries. CSIRO’s Division of Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology (CMIT) estimates that the costs resulting from slip fall accidents are approximately $2360 million each year. To help prevent slip fall accidents Global Safe Technologies has created Safe Solution, a micro etching chemical solution designed to increase traction by creating microscopic channels in most hard mineral surfaces such as tiles, marble, terrazzo, smooth concrete and more.
When Safe Solution is applied, microscopic channels are created for water and oils to be disbursed from under the foot, allowing contact to be made with the surface at all times. The surface is virtually unchanged when dry.
Building Panels: Multipanel will display its range of highly flexible and 100% waterproof building panels at Form & Function. The products are an ideal alternative to standard building materials, particularly where weight, moisture, assembly and labour costs are key issues.
Form & Function is co-located with designEX, an event for interior architecture and design. The combined exhibition attracted over 22,000* visitors in 2006, making it Australasia’s largest event for the architecture, building, construction and design industries. Form & Function is held in collaboration with the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, and coincides with the RAIA’s national conference.
*CAB audited
13-Feb-2007