Author: Matthew Cutler-Welsh

  • Zero Energy House

    I’ve been following Jo Wood’s and Shay Brazier’s Zero Energy House project for nearly three years and I’m very excited to have them both on the show to share some of the details of their design and inspiration. Characteristics of a Good Home I wanted to cut the chase and find out what makes this…

  • EcoBuild 2014 Ben Adam-Smith’s Learning from Year 1

    Ben Adam-Smith first appeared on Home Style Green back in episode 17, almost a year ago. After this, I was inspired and motivated by what Ben is doing and wanted to stay in touch. So I did. Now he’s back to share his learning from year 1. Ben and I have chatted nearly every week…

  • EcoFest 2014

    Louisa Chase is the Project Manager for EcoFest 2014. The festival runs from March 15th through to April 13th and has everything from films, to gardening and composting seminars, eco-house tours and even a sustainable fashion show. From Native Plants to ‘Nana Technology’ Kaipatiki started 15 years ago with one person planting some native trees…

  • Starting a Home Renovation

    Adrian Feasey has worked as a solar consultant and is establishing himself now as a home performance consultant. New Zealand definitely needs more home performance consultants to help improve the standard of our houses. And raising the standard of his own home is one of Adrian’s current projects. A Weatherboard Villa in Birkdale Adrian and…

  • Collaborative Construction

    James L. Salmon is the President of Collaborative Construction, an organisation he created to encourage a better way of building. After spending much of his legal career helping sort out disputes between building owners, contractors and suppliers, James is convinced there’s a much better way of organising, communicating and conducting the design, procurement and building processes. …

  • Building a Better New Zealand

    It’s been recognised that a ‘successful and innovative’ building industry is very important to New Zealand. Defining and achieving this amidst the backdrop of a Christchurch rebuild and 40% population growth in Auckland, is the subject of the Building a Better New Zealand conference. The Building a Better New Zealand Conference will take place on 3rd –…

  • What is Good Home Improvement?

    Good home improvement doesn’t have to be just about energy or water efficiency. This is something I struggled with when selecting this year’s DIY project for Dad and me. [portfolio_slideshow] I feel very fortunate to have a Dad who’s a great handyman and ‘fixer’. I’m also grateful for all the time I spent in Dad’s…

  • Energy Efficient Homes with Dean Buckeridge

    Dean Buckeridge has been designing energy efficient homes for nearly two decades. Along with Russell Devlin, and now also Bob Burnett, I’ve regarded Dean for long time as one of the prominent house designers in Christchurch who has been leading the way in good, solar design. It was a privilege to talk with Dean and…

  • Metrapanel

    What’s a great way to build a house quickly, with nearly zero waste and at a reasonable price? Prefab of course! And Metrapanel is a prefab solution created and produced right here in New Zealand since 1994. Who is Metrapanel? The original company was started in 1994 by Melissa Savage’s father, Les Wykes. The current…

  • Doubts the Doubts

    Paul Blais is an amazing guy. For a few years he’s run a successful electrical contracting firm designing and wiring custom lighting, security and sound systems. It was good to chat to Paul about developments in fluorescent and LED lighting technology. What Paul is most passionate about though, is success and how to achieve dreams.…