Fixing problem buildings needs structural change

Like always, Otago University’s Public Health Summer School this month was galvanising. Creating better housing in order to produce a triple benefit—improved energy efficiency, reduced carbon emissions and better health—was...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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Leaking, mouldy classrooms are just the symptom

Mould can make kids sick, that’s the key takeaway here. It gets worse the more mould there is and the more time they are exposed to it. Kids are required...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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Into the lion’s den: talking Passive House to earth builders

“What I didn’t realise is that Passivhaus is actually a simplification of design, where I originally thought it was all about complicated mechanical systems. This speaker made me realise that...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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New Yorkers get behind Passive House

New York City is a hot spot of Passive House development due to forward-thinking owners and developers and encouragement from the city government and utilities. New apartment blocks are being...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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How to trigger social tipping points to get action on climate

Systemic change is needed to fix the issues we have with buildings in New Zealand. It can’t just be left to individuals choosing to do better. Doing it right and...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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Europe’s plan to create jobs and reach zero carbon

Creating net jobs while cutting net emissions is going to be challenging. Although the building sector can do this through efficiency—saving money at the same time as we build better...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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Can a small building with a complex shape hit PH performance?

This showhome in NSW Australia is targeting Passive House performance levels. This is a very challenging project: it is small but also complex with a high form factor because of...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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Thinkstep report: 20% of NZ’s carbon emissions from built environment

A fifth of New Zealand’s carbon emissions is due to our built environment. Unlike other parts of the economy, significantly lowering this sector’s carbon emissions can be done while making...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Feb 2021

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Solaire Properties Passive House a subtropical Passive House

Solaire Properties Passive House a subtropical Passive House “Solaire Properties is close to completion of what it claims is the world’s first subtropical passive house. The Brisbane-based property development company...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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Better buildings easier than better cows

Although we have the Thinkstep report showing that New Zealand’s built environment contributes only 20% of our overall carbon emissions (compared to 40% for the USA and much of Europe) this...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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Niche public facilities an obvious target for energy-efficient design

Public swimming pools: a niche type of building but important community fixtures. They are also invariably shocking gluttons for energy thanks to stupid design (or stupid decisions by those commissioning...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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Work harder, commit more to decarbonising public assets

Some interesting analysis here, although you have to read carefully to see the high-performance building connection. Of the $12 billion in infrastructure spending announced last week, $200 million has been...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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Handy list of trained installers

Here is the list of folks that have, at least, taken the two-day training course. If you are searching for someone in your area that knows how to build a...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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Energy Ratings Deliver Higher Sale Prices For High-Performing Homes

Homebuyers do care about energy efficiency and energy rating schemes for homes show a price premium for high-performing homes, says this Australian author.  The problem is the ACT is the...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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Cost of construction to Passive House level falling in UK

8% more: that’s the extra cost in the UK for building to the Passive House standard, according to this report. That is quite good. The most important factors in containing...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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Every house a Certified Passive House by 2030

There are about 30,000 new houses a year currently built in New Zealand. In a decade, could they all be certified Passive House? I think it can be done but...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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Carbon-positive landscapes too

The basic idea? The chosen materials and landscape components sequester carbon to balance out the carbon it took to create it, all within five to 20 years. (Five for greener...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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Consider social responsibility also

I try and read Daniel Overbey’ posts for the technical content but in his first post of the year, he presented a real challenge. “John Elkington is often credited with...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Mar 2026

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