Home Style Green

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:/

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

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

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. 

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

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/

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: Find more interesting people on Twitter with Vtricity: https://soapbox.vtricity.com/ Biomimicry by Janine M. Benyus (Amazon Affiliate link): http://amzn.to/16lXaoY Dave's book recommendation, Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think (Amazon Affiliate link): http://amzn.to/10KjD0d Follow David on his own blog at: http://asmarterplanet.com/blog/2012/10/meet-david-bartlett.html

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: http://www.zetabuilt.com/ Michelle Kaufmann PreFab Green: http://amzn.to/12HYjJq http://www.ccanz.org.nz/news-ccanz.aspx?id=210 http://earthship.co.nz/events/ http://www.buildexpo.com.au/

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: Don't be fooled by the name 'eco..' Look for known, third party verification like ISO 14001, Environment Choice or FSC and looked for reporte figures on VOCs Use Envirospec  Ask your designer, supplier and builder, to specify, supply and use low VOC and non-formaldehyde products Links from the show: http://homestylegreen.com/buildnz-designex/ http://www.gelighting.com/LightingWeb/apac/ http://buildnz.com/buildnz.htm http://homestylegreen.com/insulated-concrete-floor/ http://www.lifemark.co.nz/home.aspx http://www.splashmonitoring.com/ http://www.fibaro.com/nz http://www.resene.co.nz/

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: Grand Designs: http://amzn.to/1as4VPn Every Bastard Says No: The 42 Below Story

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

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