Member News August 2016
26 August 2016
Update from Alex: measuring sustainability across the organisation – where to start?
Many leading companies are well established at sustainability strategy and reporting, but it may seem a big job to tackle for other businesses. If you’re doing work in the sustainability arena, rest assured – there’s a lot of wisdom out there you can harness to get started. Read more
Green Star v3.1 technical manual is here – and it's free!
This version of the technical manual incorporates all credits and criteria for Office, Education and Industrial projects and is available for free download, along with a summary of changes. Read more and download manual (PDF)
4-star NABERSNZ 'excellence' at 205 Queen
The landmark two-tower complex at 205 Queen Street, Auckland has achieved an ‘excellent’ 4-star NABERSNZ rating for energy efficiency. Read more
Kathmandu sustainability strategy leads to 5 Green Star
The sustainability-focused retailer is justifiably proud of its new Christchurch HQ. Read more and watch
Time to 'change your perspective'!
Tour notable green buildings and share knowledge during World Green Building Week 2016, 26 Sep–2 Oct. Read more
Homestar certifies renovated homes on The Block NZ
Congratulations to Context Architects and TV3's The Block NZ for achieving ratings of 6 and 7 Homestar for the home renovations featured in the show. Context Architects will talk about how and why the ratings were achieved at Architecture Week's Auckland Cluster Event. Find out more
A world of green buildings: student photography competition
Capture a creative pic that fits the theme and be in to win one of 10 $100 MasterCard pre-paid cards, kindly donated by Westpac. It's free to enter, and open to tertiary students to celebrate World Green Building Week. Enter here
You can inspire our future professionals
Sign up as a NZGBC student supporter and help spread your knowledge of green building. Find out how
Resource-efficiency initiatives for Christchurch
The council and EECA are helping businesses and homes to save water and power, and businesses to also reduce waste, with Target Sustainability and Build Back Smarter.
Demonstrate your products and services
The Products and Services Showcase is back. Apply now to present your most exciting sustainable products and services to our members and Green Star/Homestar professionals. Ask Catie for details
Rewarding outstanding women in construction
Congratulations to our member organisations with finalists at the Hays National Association of Women in Construction Excellence Awards. (Our chief executive, Alex Cutler, is also in the running.) Read more
Sustainable product news
Newly released sustainable building products now available in New Zealand:
- Forbo's Marmoleum production: "better than carbon neutral"
- Sage Electrochromic Glass: glazing that tints on demand to control heat and glare, and contributes to net zero buildingsby moderating interior air temperatures.
- Sital Klima - Dynamic V8 Filter Cleaning Systems: Designed to cut fan energy in half and extends filters servicing from months to years.
- 2 Plus - The DCI: a green technology solution to scaling and corrosion in large building HVAC systems, saving energy and water, reducing maintenance costs and eliminating hazardous chemicals.
New project registrations
Green Star and Homestar projects registered in June, including the largest single Homestar project with 1400 dwellings. Read more
Welcome to our new members
Congratulations to our newly qualified professionals
Homestar Practitioners: Tristan Williams, Ed Stubenitsky, Warren Perry, Rob Moule, David Gunter, Tim Haycock, Josh Farmer, Dennis Winter, Jeff Mason, James Goodhue, Mark Jolly, Zane Raphael, Rik Ranford, Graeme Fran, Nikolas Morrison, David Auer, Rob d'Auvergne, Amanda Bryan, Miyuki Miyakoshi, Li Min Croft, Ronnie Yong, Dan Hoskins, Adwait Haldankar, Cameron McDonald, Anthony Leung.
Around the globe
Residential building life-cycle analysis confirms efficiencies
The Fifth Estate: A Perth building complex has measured massive reductions in energy costs and carbon emissions compared to equivalent code compliant building. Read more
New apartment energy rating tool slated for Australia
ArchitectureAu: The federal and state governments have announced $400,000 of funding for a new environmental performance rating tool for apartment buildings Australia-wide. Read more
Research and reports
Engineers: a quick research survey
AUT School of Language and Culture is researching whether universities need to provide more training in engineering writing. Take the survey
Health & Wellbeing in Homes report
As part of the World Green Building Council's 'Better Places for People' campaign, research published by UKGBC states 30% of people would be willing to pay more for healthy homes. Read more
Building responsible, resilient supply chains
A report by EY on the importance of suppy-chain sustainability. Read the report (PDF)
External events
The Second Continuous Commissioning Specialist Training Course, Wellington: 7, 8 & 9 September 2016
New Zealand Commercial Project Awards: entries close 31 October 2016
Lafarge Holcim International Awards for Sustainable Construction 2016/2017: entries close 21 March 2017