Category: Sustainability
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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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214: Energy Efficient Homes
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Robert Whitehouse is Director of Whitehouse Builders and Energy Efficient Homes. He started as an apprentice carpenter in the UK where he gained experience in a range of building work from making kitchens through to working on commercial sites. He also did a bit of building in Germany. When he came to New Zealand, he…
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211 Energy Architecture
Guy Shaw originally trained in Architecture in Wellington, New Zealand. But it was his experience working in the UK that introduced him to more sustainable design and lead him to become a Certified Passive House Designer.
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208: OMEGA Windows and Doors
Aluminium is stable, completely recyclable and relatively abundant, but it’s also a great conductor of heat. It’s the dominant choice of material for window and door frames in New Zealand, accounting for 90% of the market. But how can you make it a more sustainable choice? OMEGA Windows and Doors offers some good options. Dyann…
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206: How to Save Time and Money on Green Certification
Green certification of building projects faces multiple challenges; from sourcing appropriate products, documenting and verifying materials, through to minimising, sorting and recording construction waste. Compiling all this information in a form that’s useful for the certifying agency can be yet another big challenge. Through Green Badger, Tommy Linstroth’s goals is to make sustainability in the…
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205: From Zero Energy to Revolve Energy
Jo Woods and Shay Brazier have been saving money on power since they moved into their Zero Energy House. At the same time, their home has been drier, healthier and warmer in winter than most New Zealand houses. Seven years on, Shay says there are now even more building products available. Solar panels are much…
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204: Making Hardwood Flooring Easy
John Dupra is changing the way people select and buy hardwood flooring. His story about the creation of Revel Woods offers some valuable ideas about how others might bring the building industry into the age of e-commerce. What can we learn about Revel Wood’s approach to making a technical buying decision, easy? How could you…
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203: modhouse
John McNamara grew up in Auckland. He attended Sacred Heart College before going on to study Architecture at the University of Auckland. In 2017, John moved with his wife Nikki to Hawkes Bay where they created modhouse. Hawkes Bay is a relative idyllic spot. Six hours south of Auckland and four hours north of Wellington…
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202: Why are architects not learning this?
In 2001, Lindsay Schack and Lindsey Love both started a Masters of Architecture at Montana State University. A decade on, the two friends created Love | Schack Architecture together, from their respective home towns in Montana and Idaho. Love | Schack Architecture combines Lindsey Love’s experience and passion for natural materials, with Lindsay Schack’s Certification…
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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…