FEATURE
THE RETROFIT ISSUE
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INSIDE THE MIND OF…
illiant
solutions
Ausrack Wall & Floor onyX
A range of wall and floor cabinets for use in data
networking applications. Packed with features, these
cabinet are easy-to-install and provide maximum
accessibility for maintenance.
Contact your local Gemcell branch for more information
or visit brenclosures.com.au
AN ARCHITECT
LARGER HOME IMPROVEMENT
JOBS, SUCH AS A NEW BATHROOM,
KITCHEN OR RECONFIGURATION OF
A LIVING SPACE, USUALLY START WITH
AN ARCHITECT. BUT HOW DO THEY
WORK? AND HOW CAN ELECTRICAL
CONTRACTORS ADD VALUE EARLY ON?
WE TALKED TO ARCHITECT MAARTY
HOLLEBRANDSE OF NSW-BASED ZIEL
DESIGN, TO FIND OUT MORE.
What’s the process you go
through when designing a
home improvement job?
We meet the client and understand
their brief, and then we create the
sketch design. We work up a
concept to present, then bounce
ideas back and forth to refine the
design until we’re ready to produce
construction drawings. The sketch
design involves mood boards,
product and material samples,
drawings and 3D illustrations.
How closely do you work with
electrical contractors?
We work closely with electricians
in the planning stages and on site.
We’ll often discuss an idea or how
best to resolve a particular issue
with our electricians. If we’re
looking at creating something that
is somewhat unconventional or
we’ve not had previous experience
with, we will brainstorm ideas with
them to get the right information
and ensure it’s achievable.
How do you select the
contractors your work with?
Generally, the subcontractors come
with the builder. Depending on the
project, we may or may not have a
say on who the builder is. As a
result of this, we have developed a
number of solid relationships with
their subcontractors who we now
talk to when needed and sometimes
28 GEMCELL.COM.AU APR – MAY 2019
Often we’ll just be on site and
they’ll suggest an alternate lighting
configuration or switching
arrangement, and this is huge for
us. We want them to offer ideas and
suggestions if something will
enhance a project. A prime
example is actually our own
bathroom renovation. We wanted
an LED strip light under the mirror
cabinets, but our electrician very
quickly suggested a small sensor in
the ceiling so it would come on at
night. It is brilliant!
down to the electricians can do
attitude and expertise.
What’s been the biggest
improvement you’ve seen to
a design based on the
electrics and technology?
Home automation has come a long
way and can greatly enhance how
people engage with their houses.
While a lot of it is functional, we
tend to find it is more experiential
in that it allows you to control
mood lighting for various
situations, for example, a dinner
party or relaxing at the end the day.
This still tends to be a bit of luxury,
so find it’s fairly limited in its
application. On the other hand,
voice-controlled smart home
systems offer more flexibility and
allow you to control the cost.
are able to refer them to other
builders.
What makes a good electrical
contractor?
There are the obvious things, first
of all, that go for anyone in this type
of business. Reliability – things
have to happen in a certain order,
and people need to be there if they
say they’re going to be. Good
communication and client skills are
important, too – never
underestimate the value
in communicating well
with other trades and
with the client. On top
of that, a positive,
can-do attitude is huge,
as is a willingness to
share knowledge and
explore different solutions – not
just the quickest or easiest, but the
best in the long-term for the client.
Quite often it’s the simple things, or
rather making complex things
seem simple, that make the biggest
difference on domestic jobs. It’s one
thing for us to draw it, but it’s
another to actually make it work.
How does a good electrician
enhance what you do?
The electricians we work with
provide great insights into current
trends and technology, and we
particularly value the solution-
based responses they provide.
What are the current
electronics trends that clients
are asking for?
What are the
challenges electrical
contractors face working on
a retrofit job?
Renovating existing houses can be
particularly challenging due to
outdated wiring or poor electrical
planning. This can present new
opportunities including designing
the correct lighting layout,
replacing old fuses with safety
switches, carefully planning switch
locations or adding USB points to
power points. Many of our projects
involve working with existing
dwellings that have seen this time
and time again, and it always comes
When we’re in the design stage of
the project, people tend to ask for
ways to be more energy efficient
and reduce their power bills. Solar
power is popular and, with the
technology advancing and
becoming more cost-effective with
payback periods becoming shorter,
people see the benefits of
implementing it. Other options
include optimising hot water
systems through a more energy-
efficient model, while energy
management, such as batteries and
smart meters are used less
frequently, but are becoming
more popular.
APR – MAY 2019 GEMCELL.COM.AU
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