Dean Buckeridge has been designing energy efficient, passive solar homes in Christchurch for as long as I’ve can remember. Along with Russell Devlin, and Bob Burnett, I hold Dean in high regard for leadership in this field. It’s great to see the rest of the market finally starting to demand more of their knowledge and skills.

In this episode of Home Style Green, we discuss why asthma is the norm in Kiwi kids, how thermal mass can go wrong, the economics of spending a bit more up front, the problem with teenage daughter and having cosy feet.

Dean is also involved with MagRoc. Find out about the benefits of this exciting new product. 

Find out more about Dean at:

http://www.dbarc.co.nz/energy-efficient-architecture/

And MagRoc at:

http://www.magroc.co.nz/

Dean also mentioned the site sorted, for looking at the cost of mortgages:

https://www.sorted.org.nz/

What's a fast, inexpensive way to build that can result in high performance homes? 

It is of course, prefab. And this week I talk with Melissa Savage from Metrapanel.

http://www.metrapanel.co.nz/

I'd love to get your questions, comments and feedback:

http://www.homestylegreen.com

https://twitter.com/mcutlerwelsh

https://www.facebook.com/HomeStyleGreen

http://www.pinterest.com/homestylegreen/

https://plus.google.com/101260690494539970922/posts

email: matthew@homestylegreen.com

What could we learn from a creative entrepreneur who's looking at ways to inspire others to live to their highest potential?

No, you haven't tuned into the wrong podcast. It is something a bit different today as I talk with Paul Blais from Doubt the Doubts. 

Paul also has some great experience selling and installing efficient lighting. 

Links: 

• http://www.doubtthedoubts.com
• http://www.gotogirl.com

Book Recommendation

Paul's book recommendation is The Power of Habit. 

Where to Find Paul Blais and Doubt the Doubts

• Facebook
• Twitter
• iTunes
• LinkedIn

Damien Hochberg is the Operations Manager at Go Green Expo. I caught up with him to find out what the Expo's all about, who's exhibiting and who should attend. 

I also wanted to know, why Damien felt the need to create the Go Green Expo. 

If you're in Wellington this week, head along to the TSB Area. I'm going to be there, so come and say hello!

http://www.gogreenexpo.co.nz

(Please note, views expressed in this show do not reflect the views of any past or present employer)

Why should all buildings designed for people, be designed by an architect, and how can architects be more influential?

Architects, like all building professionals, need to run a good business to be effective.

Mark R. LePage is an Entrepreneur Architect. He's passionate about the business of architecture, so much so that he writes, podcasts and coaches other architects how to run successful businesses. 

I spokes with Mark about his journey, what makes his architectural practice, Fivecat Studio different, and the influence that architecture can have on people. 

How much time do you spend finding out what your clients need or want?

Links:

• http://www.entrearchitect.com/
• http://www.fivecat.com/
• http://www.houzz.com/

Mark's book recommendation:

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

Upcoming Events

• Go Green Expo - Wellington 12 - 13th October, 2013
• Canterbury Home Show - Christchurch, 18 - 20 October, 2013
• Earth Song Eco-Neighbourhood Public Tour - 2nd November, 2013

Chris McKay has built what looks like a fairly regular home for his family on the outskirts of Christchurch. Like many residents, they were forced to leave their previous home following the Canterbury earthquakes in 2011. Now they have a warm, comfortable, resilient home and Chris hasn't had a power bill since moving. In this episode, I find out how he did it. 

Also check out some of Chris' stunning photography:

http://chrismckayphotography.com/

Resources mentioned in the show include:

• http://ecobob.co.nz
• http://www.enasolar.co.nz

How important are curtains when it comes to improving the performance of your home? 

As Chad Keven from Heavy Duty Curtains explains, it's not just about the drapes, the curtain track that supports the curtain can also play a big role in improving the insulation properties. 

So how much extra does it cost? Tune in to find out. You might be surprised!

For more, visit: http://www.heavydutycurtains.co.nz/

Other links from this episode:

• Chad's book recommendation: Status Anxiety, by Alain De Botton
• http://www.brct.org.nz/our-projects/cosy-homes/
• Cluster NZGBC PrefabNZ NZIA Wellington event
• Green Building Week
• CEN Conference - Achieving Affordable Warmth for All New Zealand Families

Home is where the heart is. It's also where our lungs are, where our eyes and ears are, where our whole bodies, and where our minds are.

In this week's show, I read a short audio essay about why we should dream and why we should ask for, and build better homes. 

Links:

• http://homestylegreen.com/greenhomedreamteam/
• http://solarking.co.nz/
• http://www.customconstruction.co.nz/

What's the impact of where all the stuff comes from that you use when creating your dream home, and how do you measure it? That's what LCA (life cycle analysis) is all about, and that's what eTool is all about. This week, I talk to eTool creator, Alex Bruce. 

Growing up on a farm helped shape Alex's appreciation for the outdoors. He went on to study Mechanical Engineering and while working in remote north Western Australia, got an opportunity to get into the solar panel business. 

One day someone asked Alex if it was true that solar panels consume more energy to make that what they produce in their lifetime. At the time he didn't know the answer, and set out to find out. 

eTool is now available to help answer that same question for all types of products and materials that go into building your home. 

References:

• http://etool.net.au/
• http://www.homestar.org.nz/
• http://www.bioregional.com/oneplanetliving/what-is-one-planet-living/
• http://www.oneplanetliving.org/index.html
• http://www.usgbc.org/leed/homes
• http://living-future.org/lbc

Book recommendation:

Making Your Home Sustainable, by Derek Wrigley

Other Podcasts:

http://www.entrearchitect.com/category/podcast/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/geoff-mcdonald-ideas-architect/id673000099

http://www.houseplanninghelp.com/category/podcast/

https://itunes.apple.com/nz/podcast/rnz-nine-to-noon/id174829950

https://itunes.apple.com/nz/podcast/rnz-this-way-up/id207987745

New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities are hosting a launch event on 20th August 2013 in Wellington for the book 'Homes People Can Afford"

The book was put together by Sarah Bierre, Philippa Howden-Chapman and Lisa Early from He Kainga Oranga, the Housing and Health Research Programme.

I discussed with Sarah, why they wrote the book, what housing affordability actually means and why it's important. 

Reference

The Poetics of Space