Features
Each Build offers in-depth insights into two topics of interest to the building and construction industry.
Feature section: Making housing affordable
Governments everywhere are working on providing affordable housing, but it remains a gnarly problem with no easy solutions.
Feature section: Managing risk
The building and construction industry is risky and can be litigious. Better risk allocation and good communication between parties to solve problems before they get out of hand will help minimise risk.
Feature section: BRANZ 50th anniversary
For half a century, BRANZ has been helping industry and government tackle building issues through quality science and a range of testing services. The result is warmer, drier, healthier and safer buildings for New Zealanders.
Feature section: Building materials
Building materials are evolving. Innovative new products are on the horizon, alongside some re-engineered traditional materials. A major driver of change is to reduce their impact on the environment.
Feature section: Changing face of building
The New Zealand building industry is transforming as prefabrication, medium-density housing and new building technologies overtake old systems and techniques.
Feature section: Tech matters
As with pretty much every aspect of our lives, technology is changing the construction industry for the better. It’s providing opportunities to make our cities smarter and our workers safer and transforming the methods and materials used.
Articles in this section
Feature section: Climate change
The changing climate will have a big impact on the built environment in terms of where we build and how we build. What can we do to mitigate the impacts and prepare for the changes?
Articles in this section
Feature section: Modern construction methods
Advances in technology and automation have created new methods of construction that the industry is embracing. With the increase in substantial parts of buildings coming from overseas, issues around fitness for use and compliance are causing some headaches.
Articles in this section
Feature section: Commercial buildings
As big-ticket items, commercial buildings lead the way in innovation. That’s translating to an emphasis on building performance, consideration of upgrading rather than demolishing and an increased focus on occupant health and wellbeing.
Feature section: Skilling the workforce
It’s a challenging time for construction work training and skills. The government is changing the way it delivers vocational education and training, and there’s an ongoing problem with getting enough skilled workers to service the building boom.
