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Drains to streams
Some people do not realise that storm water drains (the ones on the road edge) go straight to local waterways or the ocean. They think they are doing the right thing… Read more
Are We Turning the Corner?
What a difference a new year makes. After a very poor performing 2011 for our industry I thought I would share the feedback we are receiving from the marketplace. After… Read more
Greenwash in the Paint Industry
In 2008 the New Zealand Commerce Commission issued a press release on “greenwashing”. Here is the quote from Adrian Sparrow, director of fair trading: “The growing trend to greenwashing by… Read more
Opening Sashes in Glass Façades
Designers can achieve the twin objectives of having a flush glass façade with opening sashes to provide ventilation. APL’s structural glaze commercial suite, as installed at Te Raukura, on Wellington’s… Read more
Automatic Doors in Healthcare Facilities
Automatic doors have become a part of our everyday lives. From offices to shops, schools to hospitals. Auto doors can be found in almost every type of building. Automation brings… Read more
What Are We Really Doing About the Possible Skills Shortage?
You may be aware from my last post that I was heading to the UK. Well, I had a very productive visit, developing an alliance between my company — Building… Read more
A Toilet Partition or Washroom Equipment Item is Only as Good as Its Fixings
Do you expect a commercial bathroom to look like the image to the right five years after it was completed, with everything sitting tight in its originally installed position? If like… Read more
Demystifying Prefabrication
This is the second post in a series on prefabrication and offsite construction in New Zealand. Sticking with the basics, here’s a go at demystifying prefab and the myriad of… Read more
E2/AS1: The End of Direct Fix Cladding?
I have studied the recent changes to the New Zealand Building Code’s (NZBC) Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 for Clause E2 External Moisture that came into effect in August 2011. After an… Read more
Residential Thermal Heart and ‘Warm Edge’ Technology
‘Warm edge’ technology is essential when designers are seeking the best possible thermal performance from double glazing. Insulated glass units (IGU’s) which use a special low-conductive ‘warm edge’ perimeter spacer,… Read more
