Features
Each Build offers in-depth insights into two topics of interest to the building and construction industry.
Feature section: Buildings and health
The built environment can be dangerous to our health. On site, workers face various hazards, while the actual fabric of our homes can negatively impact on our wellbeing. Now there's evidence of the links between good design and healthy minds and bodies.
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Feature section: Licensed building practitioners
The licensing of building practitioners will set national standards for people who undertake design and building work. This major change aims to improve the quality of New Zealand buildings and increase consumer protection.
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Feature section: Ageing population
It's costly to retrofit a home to suit the needs of ageing occupants. Instead, homes that are designed upfront to cater for lifetime needs make sound economic sense.
Feature section: Energy efficiency
As energy charges continue to rise, the cost of heating residential and commercial buildings is a major concern to all. Gains can be made, however, by thoughtful design and the use of energy-efficient technology.
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Feature section: Internal moisture
Why are so many New Zealand homes cold and damp? Although controlling moisture, then ensuring adequate ventilation, heating and insulation sounds straightforward, too many homes still have internal moisture problems.
Feature section: Productivity
Hard to define yet often referred to, the building industry has struggled to assess its productivity and find ways to improve it. What are the challenges and opportunities for increasing productivity and what initiatives are driving improvements?
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Feature section: Canterbury earthquakes
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Feature section: Building and the economy
The building and construction sector makes a significant contribution to the economy. Contributing 5% of GDP, it also provides the buildings and infrastructure necessary for many other businesses and export industries to succeed.
Feature section: Commercial buildings
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.
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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.
