Energy performance certificates for NZ homes
Talk of mandatory energy performance certificates (EPC) for New Zealand homes is always guaranteed to spark a lively debate. I admit to still being a bit on the fence on...
Updated: Mar 2026
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Ara collab spreads Passive House influence
Ara Institute of Canterbury, a leading provider of construction training in the region, was the location for Sustainable Engineering’s last in-person certified Passive House tradesperson course. It was a great...
Updated: Jan 2026
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How to talk to your clients about Passive House
Model’s plans for massive build-to-rent Passive House developments in Melbourne was what set the 2025 Thrive conference in Australia buzzing but there were other presentations that really galvanised my attention. Kieran Leong...
Updated: Jan 2026
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That’s not Passivhaus, that’s just expensive
Years ago I warned of what I dubbed cargo-cult architecture, where architects throw in a few high-performance components like expensive windows and lots of insulation and expect a high-performance building to magically...
Updated: Jan 2026
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Winthrop Center: world’s largest Passive House office space
I visited a bunch of big American Passive House projects while in the US last year to visit family. Among these was the Winthrop Center in Boston, MA. It’s currently...
Updated: Jan 2026
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As-built tests for thermal performance of building envelopes
Of course I’m going to love a presentation that included differential equations! Fellow engineers Cameron Munro (Passive Analytics) and Harley Truong (Logikhaus) put their heads together shortly before the conference...
Updated: Mar 2026
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What I saw at Thrive: a model Model
Everybody was talking about Model and with good reason. Conference organisers gave this property developer and its consultants a lot of time to talk about its concept and the work currently in...
Updated: Mar 2026
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Energy-efficient homes sell for (a lot) more
UPDATE [11 July 2024] This post, first published on 13 June, has been edited. See the addition under the Methodology heading below. We’re not putting too much weight on its claims...
Updated: Mar 2026
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A new conversation about housing in New Zealand
If you’re in the business of designing, building or advocating for better buildings in New Zealand, you need to read “Homes that meet our real needs“, a BRANZ report written...
Updated: Mar 2026
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Stay dry: how to prevent moisture-related problems in construction
This half-day workshop is offered on 30 July 2025, immediately prior to the PHINZ hui in Christchurch. It’s designed for architects, Passive House designers and tradespeople and its practical focus will...
Updated: Mar 2026
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NZ homes are still cold, damp and unhealthy
New Zealand homes are slightly less cold in winter compared to 20 years ago. More New Zealanders appear to be heating at least some bedrooms, some of the time, to...
Updated: Jan 2026
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Useful advice on avoiding household mould
The prevalence of mould in New Zealand houses is a disgrace but it’s also not unique, as this American paper in the latest ASHRAE journal makes clear. The author claims about a...
Updated: Jan 2026
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Architects get hands on
I love it when architects are genuinely curious about construction, even more when they get hands on. Auckland architects Sophie Hermann and Julie Chrystall signed up for two days of...
Updated: Jan 2026
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The underlay dilemma: getting it right under your metal roof
When it comes to constructing or renovating a roof with metal cladding in New Zealand, one crucial component often overlooked until problems arise is the underlay. An awesome overview document...
Updated: Jan 2026
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Air sealing with sealant and backing rod: yes, you need both
When it comes to keeping our buildings weathertight and preventing unwanted airflow, the humble air seal plays a vital role. The duo of sealant and backing rod are one option to achieving...
Updated: Jan 2026
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The path to decarbonisation for the aged care sector
EECA, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, launched a valuable resource in 2023 to support the aged care and retirement living sector on its decarbonisation journey. The suite of tools and resources,...
Updated: Jan 2026
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Understanding Our Energy Use: The RBS as a Foundation
When we talk about how much energy our homes in Australia and New Zealand consume, chances are the data underpinning those discussions comes from the Residential Baseline Study (RBS). As highlighted in...
Updated: Jan 2026
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Canada tackles the massive task of greening its buildings
We often look to other countries for examples and lessons learned in the push towards sustainable buildings. A recent article in Canada’s National Observer (July 2024) highlights the significant challenge and opportunity...
Updated: Mar 2026
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