Designing for 7-Star Compliance on Difficult Sites: Slopes and Overshadowing

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Price

A$99.00

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Course Content

I. Introduction (2 min)
II. Learning Objectives (2 min)
VII. Case Studies (5 min)
VIII. Summary & Key Takeaways (2 min)

★★★★★

This CPD course explores how sloping sites and overshadowed residential lots affect the ability to achieve 7-star NatHERS compliance under the NCC. Participants learn how site geometry, solar access, and climate zone interactions influence thermal modelling outcomes and why standard compliance assumptions often fail on difficult sites. The course examines practical strategies including drone surveys, LiDAR scanning, glazing optimisation, insulation upgrades, and iterative modelling workflows to improve compliance performance without compromising design intent. It also provides guidance on assessor collaboration, documentation management, and compliance risk reduction throughout the design and construction process. Through detailed case studies and applied examples, the course equips architects and building designers with a structured framework for delivering compliant and defensible residential projects on constrained sites.

This CPD provides general guidance on professional responsibilities and documentation practices. It does not constitute legal advice or replace project-specific contractual or statutory obligations.

  • CPD Points: 1 Formal CPD Point
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Certificate Upon Completion
  • Difficulty Level: Intermediate
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This session is designed for

Architects
Building Designers
NatHERS Assessors
Energy Assessors
Residential Builders



By the end of this course, participants will be able to analyse how slope and overshadowing affect NatHERS modelling outcomes and 7-star compliance pathways on residential projects. They will understand how to capture and interpret accurate site data using methods such as drone surveys and 3D laser scanning to support thermal modelling. Participants will be able to apply cost-benefit strategies that combine glazing, insulation, and window configuration adjustments to improve compliance outcomes on constrained sites. They will also learn how to collaborate effectively with NatHERS assessors through structured documentation and iterative modelling workflows. Finally, participants will be able to develop defensible compliance records that reduce risk during documentation, certification, and construction stages.

  • Analyse how slope and overshadowing influence NatHERS modelling inputs and residential 7-star compliance outcomes.
  • Apply cost-benefit strategies to balance glazing performance, insulation upgrades, and window sizing on constrained sites.
  • Evaluate the suitability of drone surveys and 3D laser scanning for capturing accurate site and obstruction data.
  • Develop structured workflows for collaborating with NatHERS assessors during iterative modelling and documentation stages.
  • Identify how climate zone conditions alter the compliance impact of solar access limitations and site geometry.
  • Create defensible compliance documentation and change management records that support certification and construction compliance.

This ensures that CPD efforts align with professional regulatory requirements.

Framework/Body

Relevant Sections

Focus Areas

National Construction Code (NCC 2022)

Volume Two – Energy Efficiency (Part H6); Building fabric provisions

7-star compliance; building envelope; glazing, insulation, solar access

NatHERS Protocols

NatHERS Technical Note; Modelling rules

Accurate modelling inputs; shading; geometry; star rating optimisation

ABSA CPD Competency Area

Thermal Performance; NatHERS Assessment

Interpreting outputs; data translation; assessor collaboration

Building Designers

Design Documentation; Site Analysis

Early site analysis; integrated design; compliance vs design intent

NSCA 2021 (Architects)

PC19, PC28, PC31, PC33, PC47

PC19 (site analysis and feasibility): The course focuses heavily on analysing difficult site conditions such as slope and overshadowing, including early-stage data capture and feasibility implications for NatHERS compliance.
PC28 (building sciences): Detailed exploration of thermal geometry, heat movement, glazing performance, and insulation strategies directly aligns with applying building science knowledge to optimise design performance.
PC31 (environmental sustainability): The course centres on achieving 7-star NatHERS ratings, integrating energy performance, solar access, and environmental modelling as key sustainability outcomes.
PC33 (environmental systems integration): It evaluates and combines systems such as glazing, insulation, and solar access modelling, demonstrating coordinated environmental system design responses.
PC47 (documentation and accuracy): The emphasis on documentation strategies, assessor collaboration, and producing accurate NatHERS-ready inputs aligns with the requirement for precise and coordinated project documentation.

Engineers Australia (Stage 2)

2.1, 2.2, 2.3; 3.4

Data-driven analysis; performance problem solving; building physics

Licensed Builders (State CPD)

Energy Efficiency; Construction Practice

Understanding design intent; interpreting documentation

Building Surveyors

Compliance Assessment

Verification of 7-star compliance; documentation review

Urban Planners & Landscape Architects

Site Analysis; Environmental Planning

Overshadowing; solar access; site integration

What’s Included

This course examines the thermal and compliance challenges created by sloping and overshadowed residential sites under the NCC 7-star framework. It explores how difficult site conditions affect passive solar performance, heat loss, glazing effectiveness, and NatHERS modelling accuracy across different climate zones. The course also examines the role of accurate site data collection, including drone surveys and LiDAR scanning, in improving compliance outcomes and reducing redesign risk. Participants will gain insight into integrated specification strategies that balance design intent, construction cost, and thermal performance. In addition, the course examines documentation workflows, assessor collaboration, and compliance management practices that support reliable and defensible project delivery.

  • A 1-hour video session covering NCC-aligned strategies and real-world case studies.
  • An interactive quiz to test and reinforce knowledge.
  • An audio summary version via NotebookLM for flexible, on-the-go learning.
  • A downloadable certificate of completion for CPD compliance reporting.
  • Centralised CPD tracking dashboard to support audits and personal recordkeeping.
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Why Take This CPD Session?

Gain practical strategies for achieving 7-star NatHERS compliance on sloping and overshadowed residential sites without compromising design quality.

Learn how to identify compliance risks early and use accurate site data to reduce costly redesigns and approval delays.

Strengthen your understanding of documentation, modelling collaboration, and specification management to deliver more reliable and defensible compliance outcomes.

Professional development is an investment in career growth and regulatory compliance. Take the next step today.

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