Five finalists have been announced for DesignBUILD Incubator, a new initiative introduced by DesignBUILD this year to showcase and promote emerging talent in the design and building industry.

Selected by a panel of industry leaders from the Australian Institute of Architects, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and the Australian Construction Industry Forum, the top five most innovative products from the DesignBUILD Incubator entries will be showcased at DesignBUILD 2016, providing the young innovators with an excellent opportunity to present to the industry and collaborate and connect on a commercial level.

Powered by CBUS Super, the DesignBUILD Incubator segment will also see the five finalists being given free exhibition space on the show floor to display their winning ideas.

DesignBUILD event manager Ali Mead explained that the new initiative was a prime opportunity for professionals within the industry to see emerging talent in the fields of architecture, design, construction and landscape products, collaborate with creators, and offer insight into specific project and product needs.

The most innovative product will be announced on the show floor at DesignBUILD, being held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from May 4-6, 2016.

DesignBUILD Incubator finalists:

Tractile

Tractile will showcase its large format, lightweight, high strength, flat profile roof tiles and solar roof tiles. Integrated with solar photovoltaic and thermal capacity, these innovative roof tiles can also provide electricity and hot water to the building.

Swag with walls

A social enterprise solution to help combat homelessness in Australia, Swag with walls is an Australian-made tiny house designed to enable people on even the lowest income to own their own home. The social enterprise works on a unique design, construction, finance and tenancy model that creates sustainability on all three pillars.

Timbercrete

Timbercrete’s handcrafted masonry bricks, blocks and pavers are made using over 50% timber waste, to create a lightweight, load bearing block with high fire resistance and superior thermal insulation. The blocks are genuinely sustainable with low embodied energy and high use of waste materials that also reduces the cost of heating and cooling in the home.

Multipanel

The lightweight, 100 per cent waterproof building panels are manufactured from a high density polyurethane composite material. Multipanel’s fire retardant panels are stronger than traditional foam alternatives and also offer excellent thermal and acoustic properties.

TILT Industrial Design

TILT Industrial Design will showcase its roof terrace skylight, the only operable glass skylight on the market that can be utilised with a standard staircase. The innovative design allows architects to include rooftop terrace access without additional increase in building height.

DesignBUILD will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from May 4-6, 2016.