Author: Matthew Cutler-Welsh
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What’s a Building Whisperer?
What’s a ‘Building Whisperer’ and what do they have to do with making better homes? This is something I wanted to find out when I got the opportunity to talk with David Bartlett, Vice President IBM Smarter Buildings. David Bartlett is passionate not just about making buildings better in their own right, but improving how…
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ZETA Design + Build Modular Homes
ZETA Design + Build produce modular homes and buildings inside a factory. A great video on their website is probably the best way to see just how they’re revolutionising the manufacturing process of buildings and building modules. Howard Koenig, Chief Executive Officer ZETA Design + Build It’s telling that Howard Koenig, CEO of ZETA Design…
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Buildnz Designex
I’m just back from three days at Buildnz Designex, working on the Homestar stand and I’m fairly exhausted after talking to so many interesting designers, architects, builders and loads of product suppliers. Trade shows and expos can be a gamble. They’re expensive to attend as an exhibitor, they take time out of ‘productive work’ and…
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Four Good Reasons to use Aridon
According to kiwi inventor Stephen Pinkney and his partner Christina Gomes, there are four good reasons to use Aridon when building a house. At the most fundamental level, Aridon is a new type of wall insulation made from moulded expanded polystyrene. But there’s more to this inovation. Click here to listen to the interview in…
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Vector’s Home Solar Power Solution
I’ve been enjoying the benefits of solar electricity since April this year, thanks to Vector’s home solar power solution. I always knew I’d eventually get solar panels installed on my roof, but I figured it’s cost at least $10,000 to get started, and so I’d have to wait a while. Then earlier this year, I…
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Why You Can’t Rely on the Building Code
If you’re reading this, then you’re interested in building a home that performs well. And if you want a home that performs well, you can’t rely on the Building Code to achieve this. This is because, in my opinion, the Building Code has very little to do with sustainability or actually building a good home.…
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The Stretch and Grow House
Phil McLean is a secondary school teacher who’s passionate about design. He was given the opportunity to take six months immersing himself in a new topic, in part to experience being a beginner learner again, to empathise with his students. His chosen new field was building and the result is his open source design of…
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Prefab Houses with Pamela Bell
Prefab houses have so much to offer. So why are we not doing more of it here in New Zealand, right now? This week, I spoke with CEO of PrefabNZ, Pamela Bell to discuss this very issue. The Name Prefab For many New Zealanders, the reason why there’s resistance to prefab is in the name. More…
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Attic Island Provides Roof Storage Space
How do you store stuff in your roof space without it affecting your insulation? Attic Island is a simple solution that provides a sturdy platform for roof storage and access above your insulation. Picture this; you or your clients have just paid to have a good amount of insulation installed in the ceiling, but then…