(How to get the ‘Tesla’ you paid for) If you paid for a Tesla Model 3, you wouldn’t expect to drive home in a Nissan Leaf, would you? When people build their own home, they take for granted that a new house will be state of the art, energy efficient, comfortable and healthy. It should […]
The NZIA Bulletin sent out on the 26th of January raises an issue of unsubstantiated claims. The examples cited were an internet provider and a solar panel retailer, however, the lesson applies equally to architecture, building design and more specifically Passive House. Here’s the relevant section of the Bulletin: “…a recent warning from the Commerce Commission has […]
I’ve had an interest in cohousing for many years – both as a personal interest and a professional interest as an architect. Cohousing is a fantastic model of housing that is socially, environmentally and financially sustainable. I followed the progress of Springhill Cohousing in Stroud as the group developed and the buildings appeared. A few years later […]
To get a warmer, high-performance home, the first thing people think of is increasing the amount of insulation. Thicker insulation than Building Code minimum is important. However, did you know that insulation must also be continuous to be truly effective? Gaps in insulation are like gaps in your ski suit when you’re on the slopes. Cold comes […]
“Passive House” refers to the international Passive House Standard, sometimes also referred to using the German spelling “Passivhaus”. The Passive House Standard is often referred to as “the world‘s leading standard in energy efficient design.” And usually, a description of the standard includes details of the specific technical requirements. The Passive House Standard is an […]
