Author: Matthew Cutler-Welsh
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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…
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Is Passivhaus Relevant in New Zealand?
Is it ‘Passive House’ or ‘Passivhaus’? That was one question I put to expat Kiwi, architect and Passive House expert, Elrond Burrell. But the main question should be, is Passivhaus even relevant in New Zealand? Elrond Burrell was back visiting New Zealand recently and took the opportunity to conduct a couple of seminars on…
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House Planning Help
I first came across Ben’s show when I was browsing for quality podcasts about sustainability and buildings. I’ve been surprised with the relative few results from variations of this search in iTunes and was grateful to stumble across House Planning Help. In particular I first found Ben’s slightly different episode all about content marketing in…