Home Style Green

Would you buy a prefabricated, modular home made in China? Ecotech Homes are versatile, modular housing solutions. I caught up with their Major Project Director, Craig Nisbet just before he took off to Ghana to talk about prefabricated, affordable, quality homes. I found out there are some good reasons to consider factory built, modular homes.

'Affordable housing' is a term that's often misused to describe only the purchase price of a house. But to be truly affordable, the total cost of living in that house needs to be considered, including commuting, power bills and other utilities, maintenance and even health. Daiman Otto understands that affordable housing means more than just supplying houses cheaply. Daiman's involved in a number of exciting projects and he explains them much better than I could, so click on the links below to find out more: CABA: Beautiful, affordable architecture ARKit: Advanced prefabricated architecture Analogue Structures: prefab Skunk Works combining resource efficiency, open source, micro-buildings, 3D & CNC technology and entrepreneurship DKOtto.com

Jessica Eyers is a passionate advocate for sustainable, green design. As I discovered during this interview, Jessica is also really interested in the science of green building and understanding what works and what doesn't work. For more, go to http://homestylegreen.com/72

Jennifer Crawford used to sell houses, now she helps people to buy the house that they really want. What's the difference? Listen in to find out! If you're in New Zealand, you can find a Homestar Homecoach here: http://www.homestar.org.nz/the-journey/homecoach If you want help with your new home, get in touch and I'll see if I can point you in the right direction. 

How to do the type of design work you want, from where you want. Duncan Sinclair is the founder of Black Pine Architects. His practice and his home are in Whanganui, but thanks to the internet, his work can be anywhere.   http://www.blackpine.co.nz/

Dan Heyworth is on a mission to improve the range and quality of houses available to New Zealanders.  After returning to New Zealand from UK a few years ago, Dan realised there are really only two main options for getting a house built, either going to a building company for a cheaper, mainstream house; or going to an architect for an expensive one.  Box Living is both an architectural firm and a building company. Dan and his team are passionate about bringing the benefits of architecturally designed homes, to everyone.  www.boxliving.co.nz

An article about a couple of energy efficient homes in New Zealand caught my attention recently. I decided to look up the owners of one and Ron was very generous with his time. I was also grateful to be able to record our conversation so I could share the learning and successes with you.  If you'd like advice or recommendations on your future home, please get in touch. I'd love to help.  Link: http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/features/lifestyle/going-green/9978533/Green-home-design-has-it-all Get your plans reviewed: http://homestylegreen.com/house-plan-review/

Nudura is a brand of Insulated Concrete Forms, which as CEO Murray Snider describes, is like giant Lego blocks. When the polystyrene pieces are slotted together and then concrete poured into the central cavity, creating airtight walls, the resulting comfort and thermal performance is impressive.  Murray was recently visiting New Zealand from his home in Canada and I took the opportunity to find out more about ICF and Nudura.  For more, visit  http://homestylegreen.com/67 To get in touch with Nudura directly here in New Zealand, contact Chevy Chisholm  email: chevy.chisholm@me.com phone: 021 766 117

Sustainability Options is an 'altruistic business'. Find out how they contribute 85% of their profit back to the community, provide free home assessments that save households between 10% and 30% on their power bills, and their recent campaign to help one family in need. 

In this weeks show, I discuss the evidence that there is monetary value in getting a rating for your home.  References: http://www.usgbc.org/sites/default/files/ValueofGreenHomeLabelsStudy_July2012.pdf http://www.nathers.gov.au/about/publications/pubs/eer-house-price-act.pdf http://besthome.org.nz/showhome.html http://www.homestar.org.nz/newsroom/value-and-affordability-homestar Related Episode: Home Style Green Episode 21: https://itunes.apple.com/nz/podcast/21-upcoming-events-red-tape/id513213105?i=134294625&mt=2

What comes to mind when you hear the term ‘cohousing’. For many, there many be some negative connotations. The reality though is that there are so many advantages to sharing some things with your neighbours, while still maintaining a strong sense of privacy and your own space.  Robin Allison trained as an architect in order to help create a more sustainable future. She ended up initiating what was to be become Earthsong Eco-Neigbourhood.  To connect with Robin, go to: http://robinallison.co.nz/ Be sure to check out: http://www.earthsong.org.nz/ Book Recommendation: Pocket Neighborhoods: Creating Small-Scale Community in a Large-Scale World http://amzn.to/1hB3xtL Related sites: House Planning Help Episode 28, How Co-Housing Helps Build a Community: http://www.houseplanninghelp.com/hph028-how-cohousing-helps-build-a-community-with-mark-westcombe-from-lancaster-cohousing/ Gilo Holtzman of Synthesis Studio: http://synthesisstudio.org/about/  

What other form of heating provides a coefficient of performance, around 5 - 7? That’s the promise, and the reality of ground source heat pump technology. This week I spoke to Senior Hydrogeologist at Geoscience Consulting NZ, Huw Williams about this amazing technology. We discuss if it’s suitable for houses in New Zealand and why Huw is so interested in ground source heat pumps as a sustainable technology.  Links: http://www.nzgeoscience.co.nz/ http://www.nzgeothermal.org.nz/ghanz.html http://www.carbonwarroom.com/

The key characteristics that Jo and Shay were after when they designed and built the Zero Energy House were: Comfort and Health Affordability - of building AND operating Inspiration  We also discuss some of the specific features that have made it possible to bring these characteristics to life.  For more, check out http://zeroenergyhouse.co.nz/

Ben Adam-Smith discusses EcoBuild 2014, what makes an energy efficient house, constraints versus compromise, new versus retrofit, why houses don't use energy, and population growth.  Also, find out why Ben hasn't had a bath for a year! Links: http://www.houseplanninghelp.com/ https://www.thesnippetapp.com/web/writers/benadam-smith http://www.ecobuild.co.uk/

Louisa Chase is the Project Manager for EcoFest 2014. The festival runs from March 15th through to April 13th and has everything from films, to gardening and composting seminars, eco-house tours and even a sustainable fashion show.  We discuss why Kaipatiki exists, the difference one person can make, and ‘Nana Technologies’.  For more, be sure to check out http://kaipatiki.org.nz/ecofest/ and http://www.ecomatters.org.nz/what-s-on/ecowest-festival-2014/ Thanks to DOC for the dawn chorus on this week’s show. To listen to this, and other native New Zealand birds, go to:   http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/birds/new-zealand-bird-songs-and-calls/ Also mentioned this week: Zero Energy House (coming up): http://zeroenergyhouse.co.nz/ Ecobuild: http://www.ecobuild.co.uk/ 

Adrian Feasey is a solar consultant, so he knows a thing or two about energy efficiency. Why then would he purchase a 1960s, weatherboard house with no insulation and begin a renovation project to try and make it warm, comfortable and cost effective?  Adrian is showcasing his house as part of an eco-house tour in the upcoming Kaipatiki Ecofest.  Ecofest Website: http://kaipatiki.org.nz/ecofest/ Ecofest House Tour: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/ecofest-2014-good-life-tour-tickets-10444211919 Adrian Feasey on LinkedIn nz.linkedin.com/in/adrianfeasey Adrian’s Book Recommendation:   The Transition Handbook: From Oil Dependency to Local Resilience, http://amzn.to/1pwJvIo

James L. Salmon is the President of Collaborative Construction, an organisation created to encourage a better way of building. After spending much of his legal career helping sort out disputes between building owners, contractors and suppliers, James is convinced there's a much better way of organising, communicating and conducting the design, procurement and building processes. 

I caught up this week with Lois Easton from Beacon Pathway. Lois is one of the organisers for the 'Building a Better New Zealand' conference coming up in September.  Submissions for abstracts is open until March 9th, so if you're interested, check out their website for more details. http://www.buildingabetternewzealand.co.nz/ Also in this week's show: NZ Tallest building announced: http://www.3news.co.nz/Plans-for-NZs-tallest-skyscraper-unveiled/tabid/423/articleID/331915/Default.aspx Ben Adam Smith's new Snippet Book: http://www.thesnippetapp.com/writers/benadam-smith/ Grand Designs - New Zealand http://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/grand-designs-new-zealand/

What is the IDEAL House, and how will everyone soon be able to see it? I talk with owner, Murray Durbin and he shares his inspiration and discusses some of the features that make this house special. We also talk numbers! For more, visit: http://idealhouse.org

How do you make a healthy, comfortable home that's sustainable and cost effective? A ‘green’ home is the foundation of living a green lifestyle. Join me as I interview leading architects from around the world and discuss the how, why and who of eco homes and sustainable design. From simple energy saving tips to insulation upgrades, kitchen remodelling, solar power and insulating concrete slabs. #Feedback to matthew@homestylegreen.com