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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2019 December 16 Construction Canada: B.C. Setting New Standard For Building Energy Performance

BC Step Code Way Out In Front Comparing New Zealand to British Columbia, Canada is an interesting one. Its population is very similar to NZ (5.1 million people compared to...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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2019 November 26 Otago Daily Times: Sustainable Communal Housing Requires Skill

This is a great short video of the co-housing project. If you watch closely you can see lots of construction details and products. My favourite Easter egg is the shot...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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2019 November 26 Radio New Zealand: Mouldy Home Victims Get New Lease On Life

In our opinion every home needs continuous mechanical ventilation. EVERY HOME. Alice Peacock, who works as a social worker with the healthy housing programme, travels around the Bay helping vulnerable...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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2019 November 22 Newsroom: NZ is still building leaky homes

We are still building leaky homes. “According to journalist Peter Dyer, who has spent the past seven years researching the crisis, we are still making the same mistakes. ‘Everyone I...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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2019 November 21 Wanaka Sun: Meeting Luggate Community Needs

“QLDC endorsed an ultra‐low energy passive house concept for the new hall in late 2018, which will make it one of the first community facilities built and certified to passive...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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2019 November 21 Scoop Business: Build a Healthy Home for Asthma Sufferers

“Often the last place considered to improve health, thermal efficiencies, home comforts, and more, is the slab your house is built on. Yet it might surprise you to learn that...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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2019 November 20 “Architects Declare”: NZ Profession Takes a Stand on Combating Climate Change

“Architects Declare”: NZ profession takes a stand on combatting climate change “We have a New Zealand version of Architects Declare, an international set of guidelines that signatories pledge to follow...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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2019 November 11 Otago Daily Times: Sustainable Architectural Approach Earns Distinguished Award

I had the pleasure of meeting Anne for the first time last week, at her office in Wanaka. She is the architect for Luggate Hall, which is targeting Certified Passive...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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2019 November 9 Newsroom: Unanimous Support For Landmark Zero Carbon Bill

Very excited to see the New Zealand Zero Carbon Bill passed … unanimously. Didn’t expect that but I’m very pleased. We know that buildings can contribute significantly to reducing carbon...

by Jason Quinn

Updated: Aug 2020

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