Blogs
House of Stars – Blogs
Welcome to the House of Stars blog — your go-to source for expert commentary, practical tips, and real-world stories from the frontlines of energy compliance and sustainable construction in Queensland.
Led by Helen Armstrong and the House of Stars team, our blog explores the people, policies, and progress shaping Australia’s built environment. We’re not just here to talk about regulations — we’re here to bring clarity, celebrate innovation, and spotlight the individuals driving positive change across the sector.
Women in Construction- Stories from the Site and the Soul
This series has been developed so that no woman entering the construction industry ever feels like she’s walking an unfamiliar road alone. It offers a thread of connection, woven from nostalgia, strength, faith and hope. To remind her that space has already been made, and she is deeply welcome here.
More than 30 years ago, a woman stepped onto a construction site with quiet resolve. She didn’t come to prove herself, but to find herself among the tools, the tension, and the unfamiliar rhythm of a world that had not yet made space for her. The air was thick with more than dust. It carried tradition, resistance, and the gentle weight of history pressing against her shoulders. There were no footsteps to follow, only the sound of her own, steady and certain, as she began to build something no one had yet imagined.
Stories from the Site and Soul traces that journey, not just through hardship, but through the beauty of becoming.It carries the soft ache of isolation, the conviction drawn from silence, and the quiet courage of rising before the world was ready to welcome women into the building sector.
Letter to My Seventeen-Year-Old Self
This heartfelt letter bridges past and present, reminding us every woman in construction belongs. Woven with memory, resilience, and cultural pride, it honours the quiet strength behind progress and the power of showing up, grounded and whole. A tribute to identity, courage, and the legacy women carry on site.
How Helen Armstrong Became a Pioneer for Women in Construction and Energy Compliance
This series has been developed so that no woman entering the construction industry ever feels like she’s walking an unfamiliar road alone. It offers a thread of connection, woven from nostalgia, strength, faith and hope.
The Steps to Apply for an Industry Award- The Award-Worthy Woman’s Guide
Stepping into the spotlight isn’t about ego — it’s about evolution. In this empowering guide for women in construction, discover why applying for industry awards is more than recognition — it’s a declaration of worth. Whether you’re just starting out or already leading the way, this blog offers practical steps, heartfelt encouragement, and a powerful reminder: you don’t need to wait to be chosen — you can choose yourself.