On Living Buildings, toxic materials and a nice office-resi conversion from Dexus in Brisbane

The Fifth Estate has published a sustainability-focused piece examining several themes in contemporary building practice. The article addresses Living Building Challenge certification frameworks, examines the issue of toxic or hazardous materials in construction, and profiles a Brisbane office-to-residential conversion project by Dexus. The piece appears positioned within a broader discussion of climate action and sustainability trends in the property sector, touching on how development practices are shifting in response to environmental concerns. The Dexus project exemplifies adaptive reuse strategy for existing commercial stock, converting redundant office space into residential supply—a practice gaining traction across Australian CBD locations as office vacancy rates remain elevated post-pandemic.

The piece has relevance for building professionals engaged in retrofit work, particularly those managing conversions from commercial to residential use. Understanding material hazards and sustainable practice frameworks helps inform specification decisions and risk management on adaptive reuse projects.