Business: Frenchman helps build healthy homes

Cyril Vibert, a French student, is three weeks into a six-month internship with Wanganui building firm EcoBuild Developments.

It's a long way from Strasbourg on the Franco-German border to building sites in Wanganui but that's the lot of a 24-year-old Frenchman Cyril Vibert.

Mr Vibert has joined the team at EcoBuild Developments, which specialises in energy-efficient eHaus homes, and will be with the company for six months.

A native of Strasbourg in eastern France, he is in the final year of five years' study for an efficient building science degree at Strasbourg University.

But as a part of his studies he has to complete a six-month internship with a company that is incorporating energy-efficient design with the latest building techniques.

Jon Iliffe, EcoBuild's technical director, said Mr Vibert found the Wanganui company on the internet.

"After a few video calls we welcomed him on board," Mr Iliffe said.

"Cyril's skills and experience match with our passion to deliver healthy homes that are kind to the environment and almost free to run," he said.

"He'll have a hands-on role and will be involved in the design and installation of the European Passive House certified ventilation systems that are fitted to every eHaus.

"Part of the internship involves practical on-site work to develop his own experience."

Mr Vibert's specialist knowledge is in using the passive house planning package (PHPP) software which ensures every building design is energy-efficient and provides a healthy living environment all year round. He will be with he Wanganui company until August.

Mr Iliffe and builder Baden Brown started their company, EcoBuild Developments, building energy-efficient houses under the eHaus brand.