CEO Interview – Tony Alvaro – Inhabit

What’s the group’s new vision? How will it change the way your business works?

We want to reinforce and consolidate our position as a global leader in our field, at the forefront of innovation.  We are here to give our clients value for money, and that can mean  looking at the bigger picture and achieving outcomes that help solve their problems. At Inhabit we like to always think outside the box. As a group, our core strength is cultural diversity which we will continue to build on. This approach brings incredible minds and personalities into the business. Also, we want to increase our contribution to industry discussion and debate on the world stage.

Describe how your group has been innovative in its approach.

Innovation can be as simple as constantly improving the way we work, to creating new ideas. We see it as a way of giving back to the industry. For example, our building physics team developed online tools and software for architects that allows them to have a much more fluid approach in the early design phase of a project rather than having to call on us. We took the ‘big picture’ approach for the industry

What are three iconic projects you’ve personally been involved with?

Three personal career highlights were working on Eureka Tower, Melbourne, RMIT University Swanston Academic Building, Melbourne and China National Offshore Oil HQ in Beijing.

Please elaborate on your personal expertise in integrated design and construction of lightweight and low-embodied energy envelopes.

Simple sustainability fundamentals that I studied during my early years of architecture are just as relevant to our current built environment. I have been involved in many projects where we pushed the boundaries looking for better ways to reduce embodied energy through material selection and quality engineering. Inhabit looks at our client’s problems and challenges with a multi-pronged solution by considering façade design and engineering, building physics and acoustics as an integrated approach.

How have you represented your industry and shared your expertise nationally and internationally?

I am a big believer in mentoring and educating our next generation of consulting professionals, empowering them and giving them the opportunity to prove themselves. I have worked on many international projects and have presented at a number of industry conferences.

Tell us about some of the more interesting trends emerging in façade design, construction and installation?

Façade or, more accurately, architectural envelope design is becoming much more expressive and articulate. New, lightweight materials are enabling this as well as clients that are becoming more adventurous in their vision.

We have been involved across various R&D projects with industry partners such as designing a lightweight façade system to achieve high-level acoustic ratings that differ from traditional design methods. A very difficult challenge considering the need to address low frequency noise ie traffic and rail.

What’s something the average construction industry person would not know about façade engineering and construction?

Developing a façade is not as simple as walking into a store and making a purchase. There are many layers and complexities from design approach through to getting in at the right time where our advice can have the most value.

Why is it important to have experienced architects, designers, engineers and contractors collaborate on façade work?

Communication is key to a successful project. Being guided by experienced practitioners allows the appropriate attention to the issues that influence the outcome of the design and construction process.

Are there plans for expansion into other parts of Australia and overseas?

We are in four major cities in Australia and see ongoing organic growth alongside continued strong growth in South East Asia. Expansion into the United States is an important part of evolving our business to reinforce our existing relationships with our US partners.