Category: Products
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THRIVE 25 Expo Part 2 – Supplier Spotlight
In this episode, I continue my coverage of the THRIVE 25 Conference with a series of interviews from the trade show floor. I spoke with leading suppliers whose products and innovations are helping shape the future of Passive House construction in Australasia. From high-performance windows to advanced ventilation systems, each guest shares their unique contribution…
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THRIVE 25 Exhibitor Showcase – Part 1
I chatted with the wide range of exhibitors at the 2025 Australian Passivhaus Conference, THRIVE 25 in Melbourne. This year saw a growing contingent of panel suppliers along with a variety of window manufacturers, membrane suppliers and more. Special thanks to Environtecture and the Australian Passivhaus Association for supporting the Passive House Accelerator to be…
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The Products and People Supporting PHINZ 2024
Conversations in this episode: Check out PHINZ for more details.
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Build Aotearoa 7: Changing the Window Industry
Stärke has been in the window industry in New Zealand since the 80s. They were at the forefront of supplying aluminium frames to the building industry but have recently made some big changes. With a focus on building performance, Benjy Simmons describes the new direction of Stärke as a ‘once-in-fifty-year’ change. While the company has…
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274: Doing Windows Well
There are not many new ideas in the building industry. The basic concepts have been around for a while. ‘High-performance’ products and design details that might be described as ‘innovative’ here in New Zealand are likely to be standard practice somewhere else. With building experience in Europe and Scandanavia Richard Eden is well placed to…
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263: Building with Hemp
Hemp is an extremely versatile material. It may have a complicated recent history due to medicinal and other uses, but the benefits of industrial hemp have been known for a long time. Jo Say, co-founder of the Hemp Building Association New Zealand explains why it’s a great time to start rediscovering some of the many…
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259: Building Better Homes
Simon Cator is passionate about helping people to build better homes. Prior to becoming Regional Sales Manager for the Upper North Island at Pro Clima NZ, he worked for New Zealand’s online architectural products library – EBOSS and HRV before that. In this introductory episode, I spoke with Simon about the diversity of his role…
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242: Sustainable Furnishings Council
Susan Inglis has always been a conscious consumer. In 2007 she helped create Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) to promote sustainable practices within the industry. As we make our buildings envelopes more airtight, it becomes increasingly important to consider what we bring into our buildings. All that ‘stuff’ has an impact. From carpet to curtains and…
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241: What’s so Good about Wood?
John Stulen lives is the heart of New Zealand’s forestry industry in Rotorua. He originally studied Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University, Ontario and has been involved in the wood industry almost ever since. Through events and digital platforms such as WoodWorks, John is particularly interested in promoting innovative timber solutions. From multi-residential, through to commercial…
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230: Making Houses Perform
Murray and Lee Ann Durbin know what it’s like to live in a good home. For nearly five years, they enjoyed living in the Homestar 10, Passive House Plus Certified Ideal House. The Ideal House is now one of the first Passive Houses in New Zealand to be resold. Murray and Lee Ann have moved…