Features
Each Build offers in-depth insights into two topics of interest to the building and construction industry.
Feature section: Maintenance
The BRANZ House Condition Survey regularly finds that our homes are poorly maintained. All buildings need to be maintained, and the longer this is put off the more it will eventually cost.
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Feature section: Lessons from Canterbury
The earthquakes have paved the way for rethinking Christchurch's role as a 21st century city and provided many lessons for better seismic design, sustainable development and innovative construction methods through the country.
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Feature section: Business of building
As the industry picks up pace, companies that are smart about the way they operate stand to benefit the most. So what should you be doing?
Feature section: Managing moisture
When nearly half of our homes have a problem with dampness, managing internal moisture is a major challenge. Investigations into how homes can be both warm and moisture-free are on-going.
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Feature section: Claddings
That first impression is all important and the choice of building cladding is a key component. However, claddings have a more serious role to play in keeping water out and allowing any that gets in to drain away and dry out.
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Feature section: Fire
The destructive power of fire can destroy buildings in minutes and, worse, take lives in the process. BRANZ and others continue to work on finding the best ways to minimise the risk from fire to buildings and lives.
Feature section: Remediation
Costly large-scale building failures in recent years, particularly around weathertightness, have put the spotlight on repairs or remediation. Toxic pollution, fires and even leaky pipes all require remediation.
Feature section: Technology
Technology is bringing rapid changes to the way we work. Drones, robots and 3D printing are just some of the ways disruptive new technologies are impacting on the industry. In the home, the Internet of Things is automating tasks that were previously laboriously manual.
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Feature section: Changing housing demand
Petrol prices, natural disasters, climate changes, style, comfort, costs – the reasons for where we live, how we live and how our houses function are many and constantly evolving.
Feature section: Materials and specifications
New technology continue to increase the range of building materials available. Whether it's an innovative smart new product or a reliable favourite, specifying a suitable product that performs in situ is critical.