Category: Society
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215: Building Biology
As a trained biologist, Joachim Herrmann describes the science of life as “endlessly fascinating”. Sustainability has always interested him and when he heard about Building Biology he wanted to know more. Joachim now offers a range of services and products through his company, Building Biology Services. He aims to make homes, workplaces and buildings healthier…
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Passive Solar and Passive House
I’ve been enjoying a mostly plant-based, whole food diet for the last two years. I’ve maintained a healthy size and weight, I’ve avoided getting sick and my blood pressure and cholesterol are all good. I know this because after turning forty a few years ago, I decided to check on these things. Not because I…
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200: How Accurate is AccuRate?
In 2003, thermal performance requirements for residential buildings were added to the Building Code of Australia for the first time. The initial performance requirement was 4 Stars in the National House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) as simulated using the benchmark software AccuRate. In 2006, the requirement rose to 5 Stars, then to 10 Stars in…
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10 Things I learnt from a doTerra Conference about How to Change the Building Industry
What do a couple of thousand, mostly women, attendees at a two day conference on the Goal Coast, have to do with making healthier places to live? I wasn’t really expecting anything at all. I’m a tag-along. A conference partner of Natalie who is attending a doTerra Leadership Convention. I’m here because Natalie suggested a…
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178: Cutting Edge Craftsmanship
In the early 1800s there was a rapid migration westward across the United States of America. Newer, faster ways of building were needed to house people in the booming towns of the “early west”. The craft of careful timber framed construction quickly gave way to mass production of stick frame housing. Tedd Benson refers to…
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174: Housing, Not Just Houses
Karen Manson likes thinking about and designing housing, not just houses. With over 15 years of design experience, include 10 years overseas, Karen now has her own practice in Christchurch. She focuses on high performance houses, including Passive House. I had the opportunity to chat with Karen at the pro clima HUB about her journey.…
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169: Passive House Canada
Earlier this year, I caught up with Passive House Canada CEO, Rob Bernhardt while he was in the country courtesy of the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors. I was keen to ask Rob what we could learn from his success in growing Passive House in Canada.
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Residential Tenancies. It’s Time to Act.
It’s time for us all to have a say in helping to make better rental places to live, by commenting on proposed changes the the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. I’m used to criticising government housing policies. I often state my case that our building code is woefully inadequate, I berate the state of our existing housing…
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Home Ownership is the Goal of KiwiBuild
When did home ownership become the holy grail? KiwiBuild is stepping up today, with Hon Phil Twyford’s announcement of the criteria for the Government’s ‘affordable’ housing programme at Buildnz | designex summit. There’s talk, and even some decent plans, for making space and resources available. Prefabrication is being suggested as a likely pathway for New…
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Eco Designer Advisor Conference 2017
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in Blog, Design, Draughts, Health, Heating, Housing, Industry, Insulation, Prefab, Renovating, Society, Sustainability, VentilationPrefabrication, high performance homes, indoor air quality, Homestar, sustainable concrete and airtightness are just some of the topics presented at this year’s Eco Design Advisor (EDA) Conference in Wellington, May 1st – 2nd. Some fortuitous free time allowed me to attend this small conference once again. And once again, I was impressed. Eco Design Advisors…