Building News and Tips

04/12/2025

Living in New Zealand: My Honest 25-Year Review (Pros & Cons)

I’ve wanted to write this article for a long time, but every attempt either sounded like a Tourism New Zealand promo or a journalist’s critique of the government. Striking the right balance has been harder than I expected, honest without being cynical, fair without sugar-coating.

Ian Thompson

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Building News and Tips

18/07/2025

Two Houses, Two Philosophies: A Tale of Building Performance and Long-Term Value

When it comes to residential construction the choices we make during the design and building system specification phase will dramatically impact a home's performance, durability, and long-term maintenance costs. Two recent construction projects, one from the United States showcasing advanced building science principles and another from Australia representing cost-focused volume construction illustrate just how different these outcomes can be.

Matt Risinger

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Building News and Tips

30/06/2025

When Panelised Construction Makes Perfect Sense for Your New Home

I’ve been working in the construction industry since 1988, starting in the UK and over the years expanding…

Ian Thompson

19/04/2025

What Has Grand Designs Taught Us?

It's perhaps no surprise that Grand Designs is one of my favourite TV shows. I was working in construction when it first screened in the UK some 26 years ago. What I believe was supposed to be a programme about design - by Kevin McCloud, an architect - actually turned out to be, for me, the first reality TV programme, even before Big Brother aired in Europe.

Ian Thompson

Are Solar Roof Tiles A Good Choice for Your Home?

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Building News and Tips

06/02/2025

Are Solar Roof Tiles A Good Choice for Your Home?

Solar roof tiles are gaining popularity in new home construction as they eliminate the need for traditional solar panels mounted on top of roofs, integrating somewhat seamlessly(?) into the roof itself.

Ian Thompson

How Homes Survived the LA Wildfires: Design Strategies for Fire Resistance

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16/01/2025

How Homes Survived the LA Wildfires: Design Strategies for Fire Resistance

I've been reflecting a lot over the last week on the devastating LA wildfires, as well as considering other terrible events in Canada and Australia last year, and Lahaina in Hawaii in 2023.

Matt Risinger

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Building News and Tips

18/12/2024

How a Small Wind Turbine Is a Viable Option For Your Housing Energy Needs

Over two decades ago, we were experimenting with a small wind turbine for residential off-grid use. Our intention was to make use of wind energy when solar PV was less effective—that is, during stormy weather.

Ian Thompson

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Building News and Tips

12/12/2024

Can I Reuse an Old Foundation on a New Build?

If you’re looking to live in a prime location but there’s no land available, you might consider buying…

Matt Risinger

Solar-Power-lessons-learned-after-1-year

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28/11/2024

Solar Power Lessons Learned After 1 Year

Today, we’re learning what solar power lessons Matt learned After 1 Year. We’ve followed Matt’s solar PV journey…

Ian Thompson

27/11/2024

Are Ground Screws The Foundation Choice for a Sustainable Future?

For decades, concrete has been the standard go-to solution for our house foundations, but there's an innovative alternative that's transforming how we think about building: ground screws.

Ian Thompson