Want to know the performance solutions for a livable home? And how this approval process works for your new build or renovation?

Jenna Cohen from Honeycomb Access and Design shares more.

This episode is part of a special series on the National Construction Code, and NCC 2022.

Listen to the episode now.

Hello! This is episode 304, and this is Part 2 of my conversation with Jenna Cohen from Honeycomb Access and Design.

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of the conversation, head back to Episode 303 and catch up, as this will make much more sense if you do! You can find that episode and a free downloadable transcript at Episode 303.

In Part 2 of my conversation, we jump straight into my question about Performance Solutions, which will be an approval pathway to familiarise yourself with in your project. I spoke about these with Laura Terrnova from Deemed to Perform in Episode 290, which I’ll also pop a link to in the resources. 

It’s great to hear Jenna’s take on this process, and what she’s specifically seeing in how her clients are needing support and help in their projects with Performance Solutions. 

She also shares some specific examples related to these Livable Housing updates to NCC2022. 

Plus Jenna will also share what she believes are the no-brainer inclusions when designing your home so it can support you long term, and be adaptable and flexible to your changing needs over time. 

She has some really great suggestions for anyone planning their renovation or new build.

Now, let’s dive in!

Jenna is the Director of Honeycomb Access and Design, an access consulting firm that supports construction professionals to create beautiful, accessible and compliant designs. 

Jenna is also the co-founder of Flying Fox, an impactful not-for-profit organisation that provides social sleep-away programs connecting over 1500 young people with and without disability.

Honeycomb services a range of project typologies, from educational institutions to transportation hubs, healthcare facilities, retail spaces, and residential and commercial developments. Jenna has led large-scale projects worldwide, and a career highlight working with a global company in Japan and South Korea.

Jenna is an accredited Access Consultant, registered LHA, SDA and LHA NCC Assessor. 

Jenna is also a member of the Accessibility Committee (VEAC) of the Australian Institute of Architects, and consulting researcher at Melbourne University working to enhance Australian Accessibility Standards. And, at the time of recording this episode, she’s also about to be registered as an architect.

I hope you find this episode super helpful, and enjoy learning more about the compliance pathway you might have to use on your project, and how to consider these livable guidelines as you design your future home.

I love how Jenna talks about what’s possible, and that these updates actually offer us the opportunity to improve the way that everyone lives, to create more inclusive buildings, including the homes we live in everyday. 

And that, as I know is often thought by designers and clients alike, including these choices won’t necessarily mean a compromise in aesthetics or performance overall.

Let’s jump into Part 2 of my conversation with Jenna.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW.

RESOURCES:

Please note, the links to some of these pages may be out of date or superseded as the NCC2022 adoption occurs, or (later) the NCC2022 is superseded by newer legislation.

National Construction Code 2022 >>> https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022

NCC2022 state and territory adoption dates >>> https://abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-state-and-territory-adoption-dates

NCC 2022 overview of key changes: articles >>> https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-overview-key-changes-articles 

Honeycomb Access and Design

• Website >>> https://www.honeycombaccess.com.au/
• Instagram >>> https://www.instagram.com/honeycomb_access

More information about Flying Fox can be found here >>> https://www.flyingfox.org.au/

Podcast Episode 286 about the National Construction Code changes >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-whats-changed-national-construction-code/

Podcast Episode 290 with Laura Terrnova, Deemed to Perform >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-what-is-a-performance-solution-laura-terrnova-deemed-to-perform/

Jenna also provided a range of links she thought would be helpful:

Assessor Registration for Livable Housing Guidelines >>> https://livablehousingaustralia.org.au/lha-ncc-assessor/

NCC Requirements >>> https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022/adopted/volume-two/h-class-1-and-10-buildings/part-h8-livable-housing-design

ABCB Livable Housing Standard >>> https://www.abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2023/Livable-Housing-Design-Standard-2022-1.3.pdf

ABCB Livable Housing Design Handbook >>> https://www.abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2023/Livable-Housing-Design-handbook-2022-1.1.pdf

ABCB Voluntary Standard >>> https://www.abcb.gov.au/sites/default/files/resources/2023/Livable-housing-design-Beyond-Minimum-Voluntary-Standard-1.1.pdf

ABCB Webinar on Livable Housing >>> https://www.abcb.gov.au/resources/videos/ncc-2022-webinar-series-livable-housing

Northern Territory Guidelines >>> https://dipl.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/1262034/guidelines-for-livable-housing-design.pdf

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program, HOME METHOD >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

Learn more about how to interview and select the right builder with the Choose Your Builder mini-course >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/choose-your-builder

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan