Category: Homestar
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Build Aotearoa 8: Cool by Design
Many people might be surprised to know that the New Zealand Building Code does not require any consideration of overheating in homes. The energy efficiency requirements in our code are based only on the ability of buildings to keep warm without excessive heat loss. There is nothing to prevent homes from being designed with large…
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Build Aotearoa 2: Principles and Performance
In March 2023, Homestar trainer, Passive House Designer and Certified Passive House owner, Joseph Lyth published a comparison of Homestar v5, Passive House and MBIE’s proposed Building for Climate Change framework. It’s a useful summary of these main three standards. There are other standards and brands out there, but these are the most relevant for…
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252: Let’s Change the Building Code
The Ministry of Innovation Building and Employment (MBIE) has released its consultation document for the 2021 proposed changes to the New Zealand Building Code. This represents a great opportunity to positively impact the future of building standards. But does it go far enough?
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228: The Shape of Sustainable Architecture
Architects shape the places where they work. Good Architects are also shaped themselves by their surrounding environment. For Chaney & Norman Architects, responding respectively to the natural environment of Central Otago is fundamental to their work. Living and working in Wanaka, Beth Chaney is very conscious of being part of a place that most people…
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177 Could Homestar be the PR Boost that Sustainable Building Needs?
In episode 145 I spoke with Dennis Dowling of DCD (Dowling Construction & Development). In episode 177, I talk with Annabelle Numaguchi who has a PR and marketing background and is now part of the DCD team. Annabelle has assessed a spectrum of homes, from 6-9 Homestar, thus far. Why did Annabelle become a Homestar…
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139: The Future of Green Design
The terms ‘sustainability’ and ‘eco’ are not obvious on Adam Taylor’s website. They are there (see if you can find them). But perhaps the future of green design is embedded in good design. Not something separate. Homestar Practitioner Among other things, Adam is a Homestar Practitioner. There’s nothing particularly special about this nowadays, except when you…
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Passive House vs Homestar
What’s the difference between Passive House and Homestar? There are many different systems out there, all offering slightly different outcomes. Passive House vs Homestar If your main objective is warmth, health and low energy bills, this aligns well with the purpose of Passive House (Passivhaus). Energy, health and comfort are about half of Homestar. The…
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Homestar Mandatory Minimums
The Homestar mandatory minimums are a series of benchmarks that have to be achieved in order to progress up the Homestar scale. They’re important because if they are are not achieved, your score will be held back. So what are the Homestar mandatory minimums, and how can you achieve them? What are @HomestarNZ mandatory minimums…