Tue, 14 October 2014
Eaves are the classic case of form following function. In this podcast I lay out my three key reasons for having them, but a key question is, 'how big should eaves be?' |
Tue, 7 October 2014
Resilience and sustainability are different. Sustainability feels more long term to me. It's about using resources wisely with future generations in mind. Resilience is more about weathering the storm. There is an overlap and so both are important. If being resilient encourages people to invest in rainwater harvesting and solar panels with battery backup, thereby also being more sustainable, then surely that's a good thing for everyone. Is one more important than the other, or can resilience be a really handy way of selling sustainability? Plus, my top five tips for having a resilient home. |
Tue, 30 September 2014
Over the last few years, I've developed this model for good home design: Map, wrap, gaps, taps and apps. Find out more at: http://homestylegreen.com/84 |
Tue, 23 September 2014
Most of us are familiar with leaky buildings - the perfect storm of poor design, poor cladding systems and poor workmanship, culminating in allowing rain to get in. Now we've moved on and have cavities, more stringent weather-tightness checks and hopefully we like eaves again. So what's leaky buildings 2.0? If we've dealt to the risk of moisture coming in from the outside, where else can moisture come from? http://homestylegreen.com/83 |
Tue, 16 September 2014
Natalie Cutler-Welsh spends some of her time helping small business owners who are just getting started with social media. This can be a daunting task yet important step for your business. I wanted to get some tips for building professionals on the 'why' and 'how to' of basic social media. This week, we look at Facebook and LinkedIn
Direct download: 82_Getting_Started_with_Social_Media.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:58am NZST |
Tue, 9 September 2014
Ian McHugh's specialisations include Code for Sustainable Homes Assessor, and 'Eco-Refurbisher'. I want to know how good designers and architects can do more work involving energy efficient, sustainable, eco buildings. As a building professional, how can you get more of this type of work? Also, we discuss Ian's mass customisation 'IKEA-style' concept for climate adaption, the IDEAhaus. |
Tue, 2 September 2014
What's earth building and why is it just as relevant today as it has been for centuries? Can you get it wet, and can you get a consent for it? These are just a couple of the questions I ask Verena Maeder, chair of the Earth Building Association of New Zealand and owner or Solid Earth. |
Tue, 26 August 2014
The BRANZ House Insulation Guide Fifth Edition includes waffle pod slab systems, and a concrete slab edge insulation update. I review the options.
Direct download: 79_Concrete_Slab_Edge_Insulation_Update.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:51pm NZST |
Tue, 19 August 2014
Lesley England knows how to design eco friendly homes and importantly for her, she knows how to attract the right clients who want her to design eco friendly homes. It's all in the name - ecohabitats. Three key factors for designing eco friendly homes are:
Find out more at http://homestylegreen.com/78 |
Mon, 11 August 2014
What exactly is uPVC and is it a good option for window frames? I speak with Oleg Tolmachev of www.warmwindows.co.nz to find out if uPVC windows are a good fit for New Zealand conditions. |
Tue, 5 August 2014
Mark experienced his own building project as a client in 2004 and recognised the need for better information. He was handed a copy of the Building Guide from the local Council. The Building Guide was a different publication then and Mark saw potential for how it could help prospective homeowners get better information. So in 2006, Mark Graham bought the magazine. He explains to me why he hated advertising - the very industry he worked in for 14 years, and how he now relies on it. What's the difference? |
Tue, 29 July 2014
What's self-help housing and why is it important? Canopy Housing Project is a self-help housing organisation based in Leeds, U.K., creating decent homes by renovating derelict ones. Steve Hoey has been running Canopy Housing for the last six years and I asked him why he does what he does. Also in this episode, the five essentials of self-help housing and Steve's great book recommendation. |
Tue, 22 July 2014
Would you buy a prefabricated, modular home made in China? Ecotech Homes are versatile, modular housing solutions. I caught up with their Major Project Director, Craig Nisbet just before he took off to Ghana to talk about prefabricated, affordable, quality homes. I found out there are some good reasons to consider factory built, modular homes. |
Sun, 13 July 2014
'Affordable housing' is a term that's often misused to describe only the purchase price of a house. But to be truly affordable, the total cost of living in that house needs to be considered, including commuting, power bills and other utilities, maintenance and even health. Daiman Otto understands that affordable housing means more than just supplying houses cheaply. Daiman's involved in a number of exciting projects and he explains them much better than I could, so click on the links below to find out more:
Direct download: 73_Affordable_Housing__Prefab_with_Daimon_Otto.mp3
Category:Prefab -- posted at: 9:59pm NZST |
Tue, 8 July 2014
Jessica Eyers is a passionate advocate for sustainable, green design. As I discovered during this interview, Jessica is also really interested in the science of green building and understanding what works and what doesn't work. For more, go to http://homestylegreen.com/72 |
Mon, 30 June 2014
Jennifer Crawford used to sell houses, now she helps people to buy the house that they really want. What's the difference? Listen in to find out! If you're in New Zealand, you can find a Homestar Homecoach here: http://www.homestar.org.nz/the-journey/homecoach If you want help with your new home, get in touch and I'll see if I can point you in the right direction. |
Sat, 21 June 2014
How to do the type of design work you want, from where you want. Duncan Sinclair is the founder of Black Pine Architects. His practice and his home are in Whanganui, but thanks to the internet, his work can be anywhere.
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Mon, 9 June 2014
Dan Heyworth is on a mission to improve the range and quality of houses available to New Zealanders. After returning to New Zealand from UK a few years ago, Dan realised there are really only two main options for getting a house built, either going to a building company for a cheaper, mainstream house; or going to an architect for an expensive one. Box Living is both an architectural firm and a building company. Dan and his team are passionate about bringing the benefits of architecturally designed homes, to everyone. www.boxliving.co.nz |
Wed, 21 May 2014
An article about a couple of energy efficient homes in New Zealand caught my attention recently. I decided to look up the owners of one and Ron was very generous with his time. I was also grateful to be able to record our conversation so I could share the learning and successes with you. If you'd like advice or recommendations on your future home, please get in touch. I'd love to help. Get your plans reviewed: |
Fri, 16 May 2014
Nudura is a brand of Insulated Concrete Forms, which as CEO Murray Snider describes, is like giant Lego blocks. When the polystyrene pieces are slotted together and then concrete poured into the central cavity, creating airtight walls, the resulting comfort and thermal performance is impressive. Murray was recently visiting New Zealand from his home in Canada and I took the opportunity to find out more about ICF and Nudura. For more, visit http://homestylegreen.com/67 To get in touch with Nudura directly here in New Zealand, contact Chevy Chisholm email: chevy.chisholm@me.com phone: 021 766 117 |
Fri, 9 May 2014
Sustainability Options is an 'altruistic business'. Find out how they contribute 85% of their profit back to the community, provide free home assessments that save households between 10% and 30% on their power bills, and their recent campaign to help one family in need.
Direct download: 66_Sustainability_Options_with_Phil_Gregg.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:52am NZST |
Wed, 23 April 2014
In this weeks show, I discuss the evidence that there is monetary value in getting a rating for your home. References:
Related Episode: Home Style Green Episode 21: https://itunes.apple.com/nz/podcast/21-upcoming-events-red-tape/id513213105?i=134294625&mt=2 |
Wed, 9 April 2014
What comes to mind when you hear the term ‘cohousing’. For many, there many be some negative connotations. The reality though is that there are so many advantages to sharing some things with your neighbours, while still maintaining a strong sense of privacy and your own space. Robin Allison trained as an architect in order to help create a more sustainable future. She ended up initiating what was to be become Earthsong Eco-Neigbourhood. To connect with Robin, go to: http://robinallison.co.nz/ Be sure to check out: http://www.earthsong.org.nz/ Book Recommendation: Pocket Neighborhoods: Creating Small-Scale Community in a Large-Scale World http://amzn.to/1hB3xtL Related sites: House Planning Help Episode 28, How Co-Housing Helps Build a Community: http://www.houseplanninghelp.com/hph028-how-cohousing-helps-build-a-community-with-mark-westcombe-from-lancaster-cohousing/ Gilo Holtzman of Synthesis Studio: http://synthesisstudio.org/about/
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Thu, 27 March 2014
What other form of heating provides a coefficient of performance, around 5 - 7? That’s the promise, and the reality of ground source heat pump technology. This week I spoke to Senior Hydrogeologist at Geoscience Consulting NZ, Huw Williams about this amazing technology. We discuss if it’s suitable for houses in New Zealand and why Huw is so interested in ground source heat pumps as a sustainable technology. Links:
Direct download: 63_Ground_Source_Heat_Pumps_with_Huw_Williams.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:12pm NZST |
Wed, 19 March 2014
The key characteristics that Jo and Shay were after when they designed and built the Zero Energy House were:
We also discuss some of the specific features that have made it possible to bring these characteristics to life. For more, check out http://zeroenergyhouse.co.nz/ |
Wed, 12 March 2014
Ben Adam-Smith discusses EcoBuild 2014, what makes an energy efficient house, constraints versus compromise, new versus retrofit, why houses don't use energy, and population growth. Also, find out why Ben hasn't had a bath for a year! Links:
Direct download: 61_EcoBuild__Update_from_Ben_Adam-Smith.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:37pm NZST |
Tue, 4 March 2014
Louisa Chase is the Project Manager for EcoFest 2014. The festival runs from March 15th through to April 13th and has everything from films, to gardening and composting seminars, eco-house tours and even a sustainable fashion show. We discuss why Kaipatiki exists, the difference one person can make, and ‘Nana Technologies’. For more, be sure to check out http://kaipatiki.org.nz/ecofest/ and http://www.ecomatters.org.nz/what-s-on/ecowest-festival-2014/ Thanks to DOC for the dawn chorus on this week’s show. To listen to this, and other native New Zealand birds, go to:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/birds/new-zealand-bird-songs-and-calls/ Also mentioned this week:
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Fri, 28 February 2014
Adrian Feasey is a solar consultant, so he knows a thing or two about energy efficiency. Why then would he purchase a 1960s, weatherboard house with no insulation and begin a renovation project to try and make it warm, comfortable and cost effective? Adrian is showcasing his house as part of an eco-house tour in the upcoming Kaipatiki Ecofest. Ecofest Website: http://kaipatiki.org.nz/ecofest/ Ecofest House Tour: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/ecofest-2014-good-life-tour-tickets-10444211919 Adrian Feasey on LinkedIn nz.linkedin.com/in/adrianfeasey Adrian’s Book Recommendation:
The Transition Handbook: From Oil Dependency to Local Resilience, http://amzn.to/1pwJvIo
Direct download: 59_Starting_a_Home_Renovation_with_Adrian_Feasey.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:35am NZST |
Tue, 18 February 2014
James L. Salmon is the President of Collaborative Construction, an organisation created to encourage a better way of building. After spending much of his legal career helping sort out disputes between building owners, contractors and suppliers, James is convinced there's a much better way of organising, communicating and conducting the design, procurement and building processes.
Direct download: 58_Collaborative_Construction_with_James_Salmon.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:23pm NZST |
Thu, 13 February 2014
I caught up this week with Lois Easton from Beacon Pathway. Lois is one of the organisers for the 'Building a Better New Zealand' conference coming up in September. Submissions for abstracts is open until March 9th, so if you're interested, check out their website for more details. http://www.buildingabetternewzealand.co.nz/ Also in this week's show:
Direct download: 57_Building_a_Better_New_Zealand_with_Lois_Easton.mp3
Category:Building -- posted at: 10:50pm NZST |
Wed, 29 January 2014
What is the IDEAL House, and how will everyone soon be able to see it? I talk with owner, Murray Durbin and he shares his inspiration and discusses some of the features that make this house special. We also talk numbers! For more, visit: http://idealhouse.org |
Sat, 18 January 2014
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Wed, 20 November 2013
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: Dean also mentioned the site sorted, for looking at the cost of mortgages:
Direct download: 54_Energy_Efficient_Homes__MagRoc_with_Dean_Buckeridge.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:03pm NZST |
Wed, 6 November 2013
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 |
Wed, 30 October 2013
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:
Book Recommendation Paul's book recommendation is The Power of Habit. Where to Find Paul Blais and Doubt the Doubts
Direct download: 52_Doubt_the_Doubts_with_Paul_Blais.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:05pm NZST |
Tue, 8 October 2013
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) |
Fri, 4 October 2013
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: Mark's book recommendation: The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It Upcoming Events
Direct download: 50_The_Business_of_Architecture_with_EntreArchitect_Mark_R_LePage.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:12am NZST |
Sat, 14 September 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:
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Wed, 4 September 2013
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:
Direct download: 48_Is_it_Curtains_for_Good_Quality_Homes.mp3
Category:Products and Materials -- posted at: 10:14pm NZST |
Fri, 30 August 2013
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: |
Wed, 21 August 2013
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:
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
Direct download: 46_How_to_Measure_the_Impact_of_Where_Stuff_Comes_From_with_eTool.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:32pm NZST |
Tue, 13 August 2013
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 |
Wed, 7 August 2013
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:
Supporters:
Direct download: 44_How_to_Make_Things_Better_with_WikiHouse_NZ.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:36pm NZST |
Fri, 2 August 2013
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 NZST |
Tue, 23 July 2013
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
Direct download: 42_Design_Navigator_with_Albrecht_Stoecklein.mp3
Category:Sustainable Design -- posted at: 10:10pm NZST |
Tue, 16 July 2013
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:
Direct download: 41_Save_Time._Save_Money._Save_the_Planet._Ecodeals_with_Lisa_Madarasz.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm NZST |
Tue, 9 July 2013
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 NZST |
Thu, 4 July 2013
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 NZST |
Wed, 26 June 2013
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:
Links from the show:
Direct download: 38_Buildnz_Designex_Highlights_from_NZs_biggest_building_and_construction_trade_event.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:47pm NZST |
Wed, 19 June 2013
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 NZST |
Tue, 11 June 2013
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 NZST |
Wed, 5 June 2013
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 NZST |
Tue, 28 May 2013
Home Style Green is here to help people build homes that are good for people and good for the planet. In episode 30, I spoke with Elrond Burrell and asked if Passive House was really relevant to New Zealand. This sparked some great debate and I subsequently caught up with New Zealand based Passive House designer, Jon Iliffe of eHaus. eHaus is New Zealand's first building company solely dedicated to building homes to the Passive House Standards. Among other things, Jon discusses:
Related Posts: References:
Direct download: 34_eHaus_the_NZ_Passive_House_experts_with_Jon_Iliffe.mp3
Category:Passivhaus -- posted at: 11:00pm NZST |
Tue, 21 May 2013
What would you do if you had 6 months to go away and study whatever you wanted? Phil McLean is a secondary school teacher who's passionate about design. He was given the challenge to go and find a topic that would put in the shoes of a beginner learner. The result is a fresh perspective on solutions for our building industry. Phil's made his outputs freely available, including a Google Map of the most innovative houses in New Zealand, plus a SketchUp model of his 'Stretch and Grow' concept. Links:
Other Resources:
Direct download: 33_The_Stretch_and_Grow_House_-_Phil_Mclean.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:11pm NZST |
Tue, 14 May 2013
Prefab, (short for prefabrication), offers significant advantages to buidling. House can be:
So why are we not doing more of it? Bell has lead PrefabNZ since it was conceived and then incorporated directly as a result of her research as part of a Masters in Architecture. She's arguably New Zealand's most expert voice in the industry and is motivated to share the many benefits and some of the challenges of prefab. Links: Pam's Book recommendations:
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Wed, 8 May 2013
Jonny Parker is a Homestar Homecoach, a home assessor at Home&Dry, and also runs Attic Island in Wellington. Listen in to find out what Attic Island is and how it can help ensure insulation stays effective, while providing much more usable space if your attic. http://www.atticisland.co.nz In this week's show, I also mention: - Great comments and discussion happening both on homestylegreen.com: http://homestylegreen.com/what-is-the-best-form-of-heating/ and also over at Ecobob.co.nz: - Want to buy Ingo's house? Ingo Ratsdorf, who we interview in episode 19 is putting his passive solar house on the market. Let me know if you're interested and I can put you in touch. http://homestylegreen.com/passive-solar-house-riverhead/ - Big thanks for Thomas van Raamsdonk and Pro Clima for hosting an extremely informative workshop on WUFI and house ventilation this week. I hope to bring you more about this in the coming weeks. In the meantime, check out http://www.wufi-pro.com/
Direct download: 31_How_to_store_stuff_in_your_roof_with_Attic_Island.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:12pm NZST |
Tue, 30 April 2013
Is it 'Passive House' or 'Passivhaus'? That was one question I put to expat Kiwi, and architect Elrond Burrell. The main question though, is Passivhaus even relevant to New Zealand? Elrond currently works as an Architect in the Herefordshire branch of Architype: http://www.architype.co.uk/ In this episode, we also cover:
Resources:
Direct download: 30_Is_Passivhaus_Relevant_to_NZ_Elrond_Burrell.mp3
Category:Sustainable Design -- posted at: 10:29pm NZST |
Tue, 23 April 2013
Hot water is the second largest portion of energy use in New Zealand homes, accounting for around 30% of the average energy bill, that's equivalent to $650 per year. So what's the best system for your home? My general advice:
Resource: http://www.energywise.govt.nz/products-and-appliances/water-heating |
Thu, 18 April 2013
At the Prefab HIVE event a couple of weekends ago, I caught up with Jamie Harrington from Ekokit. I've had the pleasure of assessing some of Jamie's Hybrid Homes in Nelson, which are not only very high performing, they're also aesthetically stunning. WIth Ekokit, Jamie's team have applied the same sustainable philosophies to a modular, cost effective set of house plans. Their features include:
For more information and to contact Jamie, go to http://www.ekokit.co.nz |
Tue, 9 April 2013
A few weeks ago now, I got up at 5 am to interview Ben, who lives in Hertfordshire in the UK. Ben has a blog and podcast called HousePlanningHelp.com and he shared with me his motivation, vision and plans for learning to build a good home in the UK. Listen in to find out what we have in common with people building and renovating houses on the other side of the world. What are some of the biggest issues for housing in the UK and how is it similar or different to NZ? And why should we all be following Wolfgang Feist? Ben's own very good blog site can be found at: http://www.houseplanninghelp.com You can also find Ben all over the web:
Resources that Ben mentioned The Sustainable Building Association: http://www.aecb.net/
Direct download: 27_House_Planning_Help_Ben_Adam_Smith.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:13pm NZST |
Fri, 5 April 2013
Part 2 of my interviews from the Rebuild and Renovate Christchurch Home Show. This week I catch up again with Bob Burnett. Bob is Homestar trained Architectural Designer who I interviewed about thermal modelling in episode 14. I also speak with Thomas van Raamsdonk from Pro Clima about airtightness, blower doors and how to seal a three dimensional joint in framing around a window sill, using one piece of tape. Links:
Direct download: 26_Efficient_Design_and_Airtightness_-_Home_Show_Highlights_Part_2.mp3
Category:Industryhttp://www.proclima.co.nz -- posted at: 10:46pm NZST |
Wed, 27 March 2013
Last week I had the priviledge to attend some of the sessions at the Green Property Summit, jointly hosted by NZGBC and the Property Council. A highlight for me was Wade Lange, Director of the Lloyd Ecodistrict in Portland, Oregon. Later in the week, while in Christchurch, I attended a great lecture by Associate Professor Susan Krumdeik. Aside from being fun to go back to my old University at Canterbury, this was an inspiring lecture, with some great similarities to the vision that has now become a reality in Portland. The main event in Christchurch was of course, the rebuld and renovate show. This week I report on my interview with Lifemark and Metro Glasstech.
Direct download: 25_Portland_New_Riccarton_Lifemark__Double_Glazing_-_Home_Show_Highlights_Part_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am NZST |
Thu, 21 March 2013
Monique Alfris and her team sell solar powered lights to people in India. She does this through an organisation called Pollinate Energy, which Monique co-founded in 2012. I was inspired by Monique's story after hearing her presentation at the recent Green Cities conference in Sydney, Australia. I really wanted to ask Monique about why Pollinate Energy was created and to see what learning might be applied to housing in Australia and New Zealand. Also in this week's show:
Big shout out to JMore36. Thanks very much for your iTunes review! Love it. Matthew Cutler-Welsh comments@homestylegreen.com
Direct download: 24_Pollinate_Energy_-_Monique_Alfris.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:39am NZST |
Thu, 14 March 2013
Sian Taylor trained to be an architect in Cardiff, Wales. When she arrived here in New Zealand, like many others who have experienced homes in colder climates, Sian was pretty appalled at the state of New Zealand houses. Since then Sian has gained experience working in prestigious firms such as Warren and Mahoney Architects and joined Queenstown firm, Green Being in March 2012. Sian has been heavily involved in a number of Passive House projects in and around Queenstown. Demand for high performing homes has grown rapidly and now Sian and her own team of dedicated architects have formed the specialist practice, Team Green Architects. At the time of publishing, Team Green is still awaiting their website, but you can find Sian through Green Being. http://greenbeing.co.nz/2013/03/architecture-spreads-its-wings/ In this interview, Sian discusses, among other things, how it's easy to justify spending a bit more up front, on the things that really matter. In some cases, houses they design in Queenstown may require only as little as 10% of the heating cost of a regular (code compliant) house of the same size. This adds up to huge electricity savings right from year 1 of living in the home. A couple of references from Sian include:
Direct download: 23_Sian_Taylor_-_Being_a_Green_Architect.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:26pm NZST |
Thu, 7 March 2013
Amanda Magnus is the Exhibition Director for Exhibitions & Events New Zealand, and is responsible for organising the inaugural Rebuild and Renovate Christchurch Home Show. http://www.canterburyhomeshow. The show, which is on from Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th March at CBS Canterbury Arena, is a response to huge demand in Christchurch for information about building a home. I spoke with Amanda about why there's room in the exhibition calendar for another show in Canterbury and how you, as someone interested in building, can get the most out of the show, including how to get a great discount on the entry! Also in this week's show: Check out Ben Adam-Smith's site: http://www.houseplanninghelp. Ben and I compared notes recently about eco-building and also podcasting. I look forward to bring you an interview with him soon. (Thanks also Ben for mentioned Home Style Green on your show!) James Schramko: http://www.superfastbusiness. Anyone interested in online business and marketing probably knows James already. And if you don't check him out online. He's not hard to find. I tune in to James for tips on podcasting and all things internet and really appreciate the advice on using https://auphonic.com/. What do you think of the sound quality of this show? Write and let me know: comments@homestylegreen.com Breathe - The new urban village project Awesome event with Kevin McCloud as one of the judges. I was privileged to be at the announcement of the four finalists last week with Mayor Bob Parker and Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Maurice Williamson. Check out all the entries here: http://www.futurechristchurch. Green Cities I'm looking forward to reporting back on the latest from Sydney, where I've got a small speaking slot! http://greencities.org.au/ As always, I'd love to get your comments, questions and feedback: Contact me on, comments@homestylegreen.com
Direct download: 22_Rebuild_and_Renovate_Christchurch.mp3
Category:Industry -- posted at: 9:59pm NZST |
Wed, 27 February 2013
I'm a sustainable homes expert and I want to create healthy, efficient homes that don't cost the Earth. This week, I answer a couple of listener questions about the cost effectiveness and red tape associated with building green. Following up on last week, I also discuss if concrete slab edge insulation is important in a hot climate for keeping cool. Upcoming events mentioned in the show:
You can find me at:
Thanks to James Schramko over at Superfastbusiness.com for recommending Auphonic. I've tried it out this week with this episode. Can you tell the difference?
Direct download: 21_Upcoming_Events_Red_Tape_and_the_Value_of_Being_Green.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:36pm NZST |
Fri, 22 February 2013
Why should you insulate the edges of your concrete slab? I was amazed when I discovered how much of the heat loss from a concrete floor can occur out the side of the slab, as opposed to down into the ground under the slab. It's as much as 80%. That means that most of the heat loss (the energy that you're paying for) goes straight out through the narrow bit of exposed concrete around the edge at the base of the house. Why is this so? Well there are two main reasons and I go into a bit of detail on the blog. Check out http://homestylegreen.com/insulated-concrete-floor In this podcast we talk solutions. I interview Craig Lonsdale, a Quantity Surveyor with Maxraft. Maxraft is a great solution for insulating the whole of a concrete floor, not just underneath. Other resources include BRANZ: http://www.branz.co.nz/cms_display.php?sn=123&st=1. Check out their Bulletin number 552 'Edge insulation of concrete floor slabs'. Please take two minutes to give the show a rating over in iTunes. I'd also love it if you could write a quite review: https://itunes.apple.com/nz/podcast/home-style-green/id513213105 For comments and questions, write to me: comments@homestylegreen.com Cheers, Matthew Cutler-Welsh
Direct download: 20_How_to_insulate_a_concrete_floor_slab.mp3
Category:Insulation -- posted at: 10:35pm NZST |
Fri, 15 February 2013
Ingo Ratsdorf is a registered architect with Babbage Consultants based in Auckland. Having grown up and been trained in Germany, Ingo is very aware of how poorly most New Zealand homes stack up against international standards. When Ingo and his family were hunting for their dream renovation project, they were continually overwhelmed with the size of the job they saw. It seemed each house they looked at would need far too much work to bring up to a level of quality and comfort that would satisfy them. And so it was that they ultimately realised they would have to build from scratch. Listen in to our conversation as Ingo explains the inspiration and challenges of building and completing (almost) their dream in Riverhead. He shares some sound advice for anyone looking at start a building project. This podcast is best accompanied by a great slideshow of the build available here on slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/IngoRatsdorf/riverhead-passive-solar-design-house I hope this finished product will be an inspiration for your project! The inspiring book Ingo referred to and which I also highly recommend for anyone interested in design, 'Cradle to Cradle' can be found here: http://amzn.to/VVbBBr
Direct download: 19_Riverhead_passive_solar_design_house.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:42pm NZST |
Tue, 5 February 2013
How do you build a code 4 house for the price of code 3? And how do you get industry to solve the problem themselves? Richard Buchanan is an Associate Director at BRE and Founder of Green Building Consultancy Ltd. I met Richard recently inside a LinkedIn group during a discussion about housing affordability. It turns out that while we're all looking around for policy solutions and government intervention here in New Zealand, the UK building industry has already figured out how to build better homes, for less. And they did it by collaborating together. Richard explains what a Code 3 and a Code 4 home is and describes the aimc4.com project that successfully helped the industry produce more efficient and healthier homes, without any additional upfront cost. Some links that Richard mentions in this episode include:
Direct download: 18_How_to_Build_to_Code_4_for_the_Price_of_Code_3.mp3
Category:Building -- posted at: 10:06pm NZST |
Fri, 28 September 2012
One of the most common questions I get asked is "what's the best form of heating?"
Much to the frustration of most people, I usually answer "it depends…" The best type of heater for you and your home does depend on many factors, however there are some guiding principles that apply to all cases.
Useful links:
CCANZ design guide:
Otago Univserity study on heating potential of home ventilation systems:
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Wed, 22 August 2012
Throwing food scraps away is something that most of us do, because it's convenient. But there are so many reasons why throwing nutrients away is a bad idea. So what are the best ways to make it easy and effective to compost at home? In this episode I also mention:
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Fri, 10 August 2012
Eion Scott is an Eco Design Advisor with the Auckland Council. Eco Design Advisors around the country offer free, in home, independent advice on how to improve the warmth, health and comfort of your home. For more information go to the Eco Design Advisor website.
Direct download: 15_Who_do_you_call_for_free_eco_advice.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:24pm NZST |
Thu, 2 August 2012
An architectural designer sits somewhere between a draughter and an architect. Bob Burnett is an experienced architectural designer in Christchurch and he explained to me some of the reasons why it's a good idea to consult with a designer if you're planning a new build or a renovation. Bob is also an experienced energy modeller using ArchiCAD's Eco Designer and he shares a great story about how he saved a client by redesigning their roof. Bob's website is at: http://www.bbarc.com In this show we also mention:
Remember, you can contact me at comments@homestylegreen.com |
Wed, 25 July 2012
About 10% of New Zealand homes invest in some form of retrofitted ventilation system. But do you really need one, and if so, what for? In this cast I talk about how to tell if your house is leaky or air-tight depending on it's age, two basic types of ventilation systems and the common symptoms that cause people to want to install a ventilation system. Steps to take when considering ventilation are:
To get independent advice, talk to a Homestar Practitioner: http://homestar.org.nz/services Also, check out two of my other favourite podcasts:
Would you like to be part of Home Style Green? Contact me: comments@homestylegreen.com
Direct download: 13_Do_you_need_a_ventilation_system.mp3
Category:Ventilation -- posted at: 10:54pm NZST |
Mon, 16 July 2012
Part 2 of our wrap of the NZGBC event in June. This week, Verney and I discuss LED lighting, ventilation, 3D thermal modelling in CAD, construction waste management and other highlights from the Master Class day that followed on from the NZGBC Sustainable Housing Summit. Selected pdfs of some presentations are available on the NZGBC website. |
Sun, 8 July 2012
The inaugural Sustainable Housing Summit, hosted by the New Zealand Green Building Council, took place at the Auckland Viaduct Events Centre on June 27th 2012. It was a great event with over 120 attendees, a very promising sign for similar events in the future. I caught up with Verney Ryan via Skype to discuss the highlights. For more information, check out NZGBC where you can now find pdf downloads of most of the presentations. Some of the people and organisations we discussed during this cast include:
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Tue, 3 July 2012
I was lucky enough to first meet Carlin Archer in Chrstchurch a few years ago. Carlin was interested in building an 'ecohome', but didn't know the first thing about building houses. He did know a lot about building websites thought. So he and his brother sat down and reated Ecobob.co.nz |
Mon, 25 June 2012
Barb Cooper is a real estate agent with a difference. In this interview, Barb shares some of the strategies she uses to build her network and how she's involved in the local community. It's refreshing to hear from someone who loves what they do. Barb shares her passion and her belief in the role that the real estate industry can play in improving the environment. Barb can be found at: http://www.downtoearthre.co.nz/ Barb also mentions:
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Sun, 10 June 2012
It was my pleasure to interview Verney Ryan this week. Verney has been influential in the field of sustainable building and design bother here in New Zealand and overseas. Listen in to see how Verney describes his 'job'. Links mentioned in this cast include: BRE: http://www.bre.co.uk/ Beacon NOW homes http://www.beaconpathway.co.nz/new-homes Homestar http://homestar.org.nz
Direct download: 8_Introducing_Verney_Ryan.mp3
Category:Sustainable Design -- posted at: 9:15pm NZST |
Mon, 4 June 2012
Last week, an evaluation report on the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart Programme, was released. It makes for some interesting reading, including a cost benefit analysis of the programme. Check out http://www.healthyhousing.org.nz for more details Other news to check out: News real now online at http://www.homestylegreen.com NZGBC Sustainable Housing Summit. Be there! http://www.nzgbc.org.nz Keynote speaker is Bill Dunster from ZEDfactory Also, check out the most exciting roof in New Zealand and the flash new website of the Zero Energy House: http://www.zeroenergyhouse.co.nz
Direct download: 7_Evaluation_of_Warm_Up_New_Zealand.mp3
Category:Insulation -- posted at: 5:41am NZST |
Thu, 24 May 2012
This week I caught up with Alex Reiche for the very first Home Style Green expert interview. Alex Reiche is the Founder and Managing Director of EnviroSpec, an online register of 'Eco-Preferred' products. Check out EnviroSpec's interacitve house to find the best products for your building project. Alex is also an accredited Homestar and Green Star professional and offers design and certification advice for residential and commercial buildings. |
Wed, 16 May 2012
In today's cast, I complete our introduction to heating systems with a look at central heating. Common to all central heating systems are three main components: 1. The fuel 2. The engine or heater 3. The distribution system - pipes, ducts and outlets There are two main mediums for transfering heat. Air is common with gas-fired heaters and large ducts but is not as effective as water based systems. Air ducts can lose up to 1 degree per m of duct. Heating that is not true central heating includes inslab or undertile electric element heating, heat transfer and ventilation system. |
Sat, 5 May 2012
After insulation, heating is the next thing most people look at when improving the comfort and warmth of their home. In this episode of Home Style Green, I discuss room heaters:
In the episode I refer to the 'carnot cycle'. This is the awesome thermodynamic principle behind air conditioning and refrigeration. Refer again to our trusty Wikipedia for a good article about the detailed physics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnot_cycle Of course the best form of heating is free from the sun. But making the most of passive solar heating is a design challenge and there's usually not a lot that can be done to improve this once a house is built. So if you're trying to heat an existing, cold home, what's the best option? |
Sun, 15 April 2012
In part 2 of this insulation introduction, I discuss the main types of insulation used for ceilings, floors and wall. For more information about insulation materials, check out Level.org.nz from BRANZ: http://www.level.org.nz/fileadmin/downloads/Materials/LevelMInsul.pdf For more on the properties of wool, including great microscopic imagery, check out: http://www.biotechlearn.org.nz/focus_stories/wool_innovations/wool_fibre_properties and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool_insulation |
Sun, 1 April 2012
In this episode of Home Style Green, I discuss the basic physics of insualation. I give an overview of the three main types of heat transfer, that is conduction, convection and radiation. Most bulk insulation products on the market rely almost entirely on reducing conduction. I discuss what 'R-Value' means and the common materials of household insulation products. For more information, visit our site at: http://www.homestylegreen.com Also, for a more indepth discussion on insulation and 'R-Values', its hard to go past Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-value_(insulation) |
Wed, 21 March 2012
1 Home Style Green: Introduction and getting into insulation with EECA's Energywise Warm Up New Zealand subsidy scheme
Welcome to Episode 1 of Home Style Green, the podcast about how to live a healthy and happy lifestyle without it costing the Earth. I'm Matthew Cutler-Welsh: Engineer, Dad, Homeowner and someone who's passionate about making urban environments more sustainable. This is my first podcast and my objective is to share ideas about building green homes, with style. Links in today's cast include:
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