Features
Each Build offers in-depth insights into two topics of interest to the building and construction industry.
Feature section: From towns to cities
What makes somewhere a great place to live? This question is being asked as improving New Zealand’s urban design engages the minds of researchers, architects and planners.
Feature section: Managing sites
If building sites are too chaotic and messy, there can be increased risks for health and safety and damage to building materials. Having a plan to manage all aspects from materials storage to site access is crucial.
Feature section: Access and egress
The rules around providing means to get in and out of buildings is complex. We look at these and changes to the fire safety and evacuation regulations.
Articles in this section
Feature section: Comfortable indoor environments
BRANZ is leading a programme to deliver New Zealanders warmer, drier, healthier buildings. This involves understanding aspects of a building’s performance including thermal bridging, airtightness, ventilation, heating and insulation.
Feature section: Changes ahead
As keys are handed over to the first KiwiBuild home, government plans for a different building landscape are taking shape. With plenty of work ahead, the next big changes include a new Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
Feature section: Safety at work
The construction industry is known to be physically dangerous, but what is less understood are the high levels of mental health issues. With businesses now required to make health and safety a priority, we look at some of the issues and what can be done to keep workers safe and healthy.
Articles in this section
Feature section: Building compliance
New Zealand’s building control system is performance based, and there are many ways of meeting the performance requirements. We look at some alternative paths and how to ensure selected building products are fit for purpose.
Articles in this section
Feature section: Climate action
The government is moving to transition New Zealand to a low-carbon economy, as weather-related events increase damage to property and insurance costs look set to rise in coastal areas. BRANZ is in on the action looking for solutions to the impact of climate change.
Feature section: Building quality
The perceived lack of quality of our buildings, both inside and outside the industry, occupies plenty of minds. Is it due to shoddy workmanship? What role does the designer play? Should homeowners be more demanding? We tease out some answers.
Feature section: Exteriors and interiors
Not only are the colours and claddings used in buildings changing, but the functions of things like paints are growing. We look at these and ask whether E2/AS1 needs updating so the design solutions better reflect today’s living trends.
