Features

Feature section: Affordability

Build 150 , 140 , 106

Much debate centres on the high cost of home ownership, especially in Auckland. The diverse range of opinions on how to improve housing affordability highlight the complexity of the issue but also offer some ideas for solutions.

Feature section: Noise in buildings

Build 149

Poor acoustics not only have a negative impact on health and wellbeing, they have a quantified affect on the market value of a dwelling. To get noise levels right takes real science and an understanding of how sound and materials interact.

Feature section: Liability and risk

Build 148

Construction projects are big-ticket items with plenty of room for cost blow-out and the potential for litigation. It’s important to have the right risk management strategies in place to protect your business.

Feature section: Resilience

Build 159 , 148

Significant investment in time and money is going into making our buildings and communities more resilient to seismic events and the increasing frequency of climate change-related extreme weather events.

Feature section: Aiming higher

Build 159 , 147

We are falling short by building houses to only meet Building Code minimums. There are many benefits from designing and building higher-performing houses that will be healthy, comfortable homes.

Feature section: Existing houses

Build 147

Many people have a rosy view of the state of their housing. The truth is, our homes are often below standard, particularly if they’re a rental. Ritzy fittings and state-of-the-art bathrooms aren’t the answer. The first step is to improve performance.

Feature section: How green are we?

Build 146

Feature section: Wall of work

Build 146

Feature section: Commercial buildings

Build 145 , 135 , 125 , 112

Challenges abound for commercial buildings. High energy and water use are issues, and weathertightness has caused plenty of problems. But there are also reasons to celebrate as exciting New Zealand innovations help push timber structures higher.