2011-04-27 18:01:55 // Deirdre Robert
// The Idealog Blog
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Architects and designers have been a little slow when it comes to adopting greener building principles, and they need to wake up, according to builder and designer Lawrence McIntyre. His words come after the release of a report on a Golden Bay home, built by McIntyre, which has been awarded the highest energy efficient rating for a house in New Zealand.
2010-11-17 12:09:58 // Celsias Team
// The Idealog Blog
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It’s no secret that New Zealand homes aren’t renowned for their warmth and insulation properties. In a bid to address the issue, in 2008 the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development (NZGBCSD) released a report on how to improve the performance of Kiwi homes. The report—resulting from a two-year $300,000 research project—found one million of the country’s 1.6 million homes were inadequately insulated and 45 percent were mouldy. It indicated 26 percent of homes (410,000) could be making their occupants ill. But now, a new rating system has been launched which allows homeowners to assess their home’s performance in comfort, health and energy-efficiency.But while it’s a good start, what are the pitfalls?
2010-10-20 16:57:05 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
According to the Minister for Building and Construction, Maurice Williamson, energy efficiency in the home is all down to good building design. The words—though not rocket science— came as Williamson launched the second edition of Designing Comfortable Homes—a book commissioned by the Cement and Concrete Association of New Zealand (CCANZ), with a little help from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. Recent changes to the Energy Efficiency clause of the Building Code, and the development of NZS 4218—the thermal insulation standard—spurred CCANZ to update the first edition.
