Whanganui architect raises building standards

Founder of Black Pine Architects with his Passivehaus Tradesperson certification. Photo/ Supplied

A Whanganui architect says the government needs to raise building standards to ensure the progression of "healthy homes" in New Zealand.

Founder of Black Pine Architects Duncan Sinclair is the second New Zealander to become a certified PassivHaus Designer and Tradesperson.

Passivhaus is the legal building standard in Germany that was brought to New Zealand by Dr Kara Rosemeier about five years ago. It aims to provide low-energy construction for a high level of comfort.

Mr Sinclair said he has spent a lot of time overseas and couldn't believe the level of comfort from houses built in the coldest environments.

"In New Zealand it can be a mild climate outside yet walk inside a house and it can be freezing.

"Building to a Passivhaus standard is about providing comfort for health reasons as well as economical and environmental reasons."

Mr Sinclair said he already held his Passivhaus designer certification, along with four other people in Whanganui, but earlier this year he completed the Passivhaus Tradesperson course and is the second person in New Zealand to obtain the certification.

"The Tradesperson course entails two days of rigorous theory and practical learning, covering the Passivhaus science and it's application."

The course ends with a one and a half hour exam that is run remotely from Germany.

"It's pretty intense, but after learning the science behind the standard, it's hard to look at an ordinary building and not think it's a missed opportunity for the users and future owners," Mr Sinclair said.

He said New Zealand is way behind with its building standards.

"A lot of the New Zealand building code was developed in the 1970s when insulation wasn't even a requirement and the new minimum code has been a big step for Kiwis but we are still so far behind and for majority of kiwis it seems out of reach."

He said standards need to prevent heat loss, keep homes drier and provide good insulation not just cover the bare minimum.

Mr Sinclair is speaking at AgChallenge in Whanganui to raise awareness about building healthy homes.

"We have some massively talented people out there. We need to do what we do but do it better."