Presented by Australia’s largest independent aluminium finisher, this CPD Live session outlines why this increasingly popular material leads the way in terms of not just design potential and aesthetic appeal, but also sustainability.

Australian Aluminium Finishing (AAF), a leading provider of high-quality anodising and powder coating and woodgrain finishes for architectural aluminium, presents Meeting Architectural Design Goals for Finishing Aluminium while Reducing Environmental Impacts, a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session for Australian architects.

Free of charge and available on-line now, this session is presented by AAF Executive Chairman and Co-Founder Bill Wyllie, a leading figure with over 40 years’ experience in the aluminium furnishing industry; and the AAF Sales team.

Beginning by noting the primary qualities of aluminium as used within the built environment – its durability, flexibility, efficiency, strength, and so on – our speakers go on to examine the potential negative environmental impacts associated with the material. They note, for example, the large energy requirements associated with the aluminium smelting process.

Aluminium as part of a sustainable future

Outlining the methods used to calculate the environmental impacts of aluminium across the whole product lifecycle, they define the concept of embodied carbon as it applies to this material and explain the key role that coatings (and in particular high-quality anodising) play in not just enhancing the aesthetic appeal of aluminium products but also improving their durability and extending their service life.

Pointing to aluminium’s status as a 100% recyclable material our speakers explain that, far from being part of the environmental problem, aluminium has a key role to play in a low carbon future. And anodising, with its capacity to improve durability, has its own role to play in maximising the benefits of aluminium and realising this future.

A Surprising conclusion to some in the industry

From the detailed environmental analysis, the fundamentals of anodising as an electrochemical process provide a distinct advantage over other finishes, with no added petro-chemical based paint/powders.

Noting in the final question for the CPD, “If minimising carbon emissions is your main priority, what type of finish should you choose?” – Anodising.

As our speakers put it, it is important to understand the importance of aluminium finishing for the long-term sustainability of the aluminium substrate, as it is used extensively in our built environment. Delivered free of charge and available on-line now, Meeting Architectural Design Goals for Finishing Aluminium, while Reducing Environmental Impacts is presented as part of Indesign Media’s popular ‘CPD Live’ program. It meets all the requirements of Australia’s various state Architect Registration Boards and can therefore be used as one Formal CPD point.

Watch the CPD on Demand now to earn 1 Formal CPD Points and learn more.