Home Style Green - Sustainable Design and Building

Danny Squires and Martin Luff met on Twitter, were inspired by a TEDex video and have since co-founded WikiHouse NZ. With this project, they're setting out to change the world and to 'make things better' by design. 

Links:

  • WikiHouse NZ Website: http://spacecraft.co.nz/
  • TV3 News item: http://www.3news.co.nz/Chch-developers-plan-jigsaw-puzzle-house/tabid/423/articleID/307657/Default.aspx
  • http://blog.ted.com/2013/05/23/how-to-print-out-your-own-house/

Supporters:

  • http://www.health2000.co.nz/
  • http://www.madeonjupiter.com/
  • http://www.pfc.co.nz/
  • http://www.jnl.co.nz/
  • http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle=fab-lab-wellington-officially-opened-28-08-2012

Direct download: 44_How_to_Make_Things_Better_with_WikiHouse_NZ.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:36pm NZDT

In this short, sharp episode of Home Style Green, I answer a listener question about insulating the edges of a concrete floor slab, what to do if you can't afford to install solar hot water, thermally broken windows, getting extra insulation in your walls and LED lighting. 

Direct download: 43_Concrete_slab_hot_water_windows_walls__LEDs_-_Listener_Questions.mp3
Category:Building -- posted at: 8:34pm NZDT

Design Navigator is a great, online resource for calculating the thermal performance of your house plan. I spoke with developer, Albrecht Stoecklein about why he created it and a great new feature he's just added.

References

  • http://www.designnavigator.co.nz/index.html
  • http://www.energywise.govt.nz/resource/design-sun
  • http://www.ecotect.co.nz/PDF/eecapsfs.pdf
  • http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/abtcit/ec/bldsus/pdf/energy/designsun.pdf
Direct download: 42_Design_Navigator_with_Albrecht_Stoecklein.mp3
Category:Sustainable Design -- posted at: 10:10pm NZDT

Lisa Madarasz was frustrated by not being able to find good products for her home that were going to be good for her family and good for the planet. (Does that sound familiar?)

With so much 'eco' marketing out there, how can you tell what's truly green?

To help, Lisa created Ecodeals.co.nz

links:

  • http://www.ecodeals.co.nz
  • https://www.facebook.com/ecodeals
  • http://www.environmentalchoice.org.nz/
  • http://www.unpackit.org.nz/
  • http://greenideas.co.nz/products-page/subscription/new-subscription/
Direct download: 41_Save_Time._Save_Money._Save_the_Planet._Ecodeals_with_Lisa_Madarasz.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm NZDT

What's a "Building Whisperer"?

David Bartlett leads the IBM’s Smarter Buildings initiative, helping clients create more green, cost-efficient cities, campuses, corporate offices, commercial sites, casinos, hospitals and neighborhoods worldwide.  As IBM’s “Building Whisperer,” he is a vocal advocate at industry events and in media for using data analysis to better control buildings’ function and tame wasteful energy practices.

Links mentioned in today's show:

Direct download: 40_Building_Whisperer_David_Bartlett.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:10pm NZDT

ZETA Design + Build produce modular buildings inside a factory. I spoke with CEO, Howard Koenig this week to talk about why anyone would want a factory built home. Turns out there are some very compelling reasons. Listen in to find out more.

Useful links:

Direct download: 39_Howard_Koenig_ZETA_modular_building.mp3
Category:Building -- posted at: 8:54pm NZDT

I've just come back from three days at buildnz designex. This week I report back on some of the highlights from the show and some great new products to look out for.

Plus, a question about reducing VOCs and toxicity in a new home:

  1. Don't be fooled by the name 'eco..'
  2. Look for known, third party verification like ISO 14001, Environment Choice or FSC and looked for reporte figures on VOCs
  3. Use Envirospec 
  4. Ask your designer, supplier and builder, to specify, supply and use low VOC and non-formaldehyde products

Links from the show:


Aridon is a brand new product to keep your house warmer, dryer and to help build it quicker. And it's a Kiwi invention.

Sound too good to be true?

I spoke with creators and owners of the company, Christina Gomes and Stephen Pinkney.

For more information check out: www.aridon.co.nz

You can also check out Aridon, and me this weekend at BuildNZ | Designex: http://buildnz.com/

http://buildnz.com/certifiedbuilders.htm

Christina and Stephen's recommendations:

Direct download: 37_Aridon._A_brand_new_product_to_keep_your_house_dry_and_warm.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:58pm NZDT

Vector is the electricity distribution, or the 'lines' company for Auckland. Vector is not an electricity generator (in the traditional sense). Nor are they a retailer (in the traditional sense). So why are they now selling solar oiwer systems for homes that generate electricity? I spoke with CEO Simon Mackenzie to find out. 

For more information about their system, check out http://vector.co.nz/solar

Direct download: 36_Whats_so_special_about_Vectors_Solar_Project-.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:41pm NZDT

The New Zealand Building Code is implementation of the Building Act 2004. It's a 'performanced-based' code, but don't let the name fool you. In this epside I discuss why the Building Code can't be relied upon to produce a good home for you, and what you can do about it. 

Useful Link: 

EECA Report Investigatin quality of insulation in new build residential homes:http://www.eeca.govt.nz/node/11719

Direct download: 35_Why_You_Cant_Trust_The_Building_Code.mp3
Category:Building -- posted at: 10:44pm NZDT