Member News March 2016

24 March 2016

Update from Alex: two days of disruption

Challenge, innovation, agitation and a strong dose of collaboration underpinned Sydney's Green Cities 2016 conference. Alex comments on the direction of green building in Australia. Read more

Homestar for luxury and life-long living

Auckland's appetite for Homestar keeps growing: 51 Willis Bond luxury apartments at 132 Halsey St have achieved 7 and 8 Homestar Design ratings, and Metlifecare has achieved ratings of 6 Homestar Built for 27 homes in the first two stages of Greenwich Gardens.

Summit speaker - a model for industry change

Architects are in charge with Australia's Nightingale Model, which delivers environmentally, socially and financially sustainable apartments. James Legge of Six Degrees Architects will speak about Nightingale at the Sustainable Housing Summit 2016. Register now – early-bird rates have been extended to 30 April.

Stonefields School gets 5 stars

Stage 2 of the interconnected, open-plan Stonefields School has just achieved a 5 Green Star Education Built rating. Read more about this Jasmax-designed school.

Meet the A Team

NZGBC welcomes back Senior Technical Coordinator Andrea Davison after maternity leave, and introduces new NABERSNZ Project Manager Adam Benli (formerly of Auckland Council) and Amy Rosser in Customer Services. See our people directory, or come and work with us.

NABERSNZ help on offer

Need some assistance with a NABERSNZ rating? Dr Ezi Rasheed is our new in-house NABERSNZ liaison, here to guide you through the rating process. She can support you as an impartial third party at client meetings, assess single line diagrams and energy data, and assist with occupancy surveys. To book an appointment, email Ezi.

New Homestar resource

We've updated our (DLE-sized) brochure to quickly communicate the value of having an independent rating that guarantees home health, efficiency and sustainability. Download the PDF from our website.

Free event: Christchurch product showcase

If you're an architect, designer or specifier, or want to stay abreast of innovations to assist your sustainable build, our latest product showcase (Chch, April 20) offers new ideas and time for social networking.

Entries open for international sustainable leadership awards

The prestigious Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards is now open for entries. NZGBC can endorse up to four nominations for exceptional projects and businesses from New Zealand. (In 2014, the 6 Green Star-rated Te Mirumiru childcare facility won the Leadership in Sustainable Design and Performance trophy.) Read more about the awards or email Shay by 15 April 2016.

Out and about in Taranaki

NZGBC was New Plymouth last week, soaking up the WOMAD vibe and gaining insights on the local green building market. Thanks to PrefabNZ for co-ordinating the local Cluster Drinks, Govett-Brewster Museum Director Simon Reese for his tour of the fabulous Len Lye building, Pontus Hammerback (Stephenson & Turner), Nathan Mumby (Custom Construction Ltd) and all those who joined us.

Green Star Project Registration

84 Willis Street, Wellington

Welcome to our new members

The Natural Paint Company

BQH

Accent Construction Interiors

Congratulations to our newly qualified professionals

Homestar Assessor: Alan Simpkin

Homestar Practitioners: Lisa Burroughs, Philip Guy, Troy Rayner, Dan Henderson, Guru Singh, Pratheepan Gunathas, Chris Hitchcock, Oliver Cubitt, Francisco Yanez, Caitlin Wilson, Eric Abba

Green Star Accredited Professionals: Edward Howie, Stephen Cummings, Matt Fraser

Around the globe

International WELL Building Institute partners with GBCA

The two organisations plan to seek common solutions for healthy buildings. Read more

Solving the carbon equation in SA

A prize of $250,000 is being offered to help Adelaide achieve its carbon neutral target. Categories include waste, energy, liveability and transport. International entries are welcome. Read more

Recent research and reports

The Smart Building ebook: what you need to know about the BIM and digital tech revolution, a collection of four presentations exploring how BIM can deliver savings in the design, delivery and management of the built environment.

Smart Cities February 2016 this Folkestone report demonstrates how successful smart cities of the future will create the framework for quality urban environments which are more prosperous, efficient, liveable and sustainable than other cities.

External events

PrefabNZ CoLab 2016, 6-8 April, Auckland

Building and Construction Law Conference, 6 April, Auckland

Wood Innovations 2016, 25-26 May, Rotorua