This article is the first in a series that will explore how a systems thinking approach can help us understand the root causes of non-compliance, the legal and ethical responsibilities at stake, and what must be done to create a safer built environment for all New Zealanders.

As the building design progresses and selections are made for individual areas of the building, the overall system must be a focus in your process.

Beyond the Guesstimate is a new podcast where I speak with interesting people about their roles in the industry and how we can do things better.

LBP Skills Maintenance, December 2024 — for all LBPs | The Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Chris Penk, has announced a proposal for further reform of the building and construction sector. The Government will look at developing a new opt-in self-certification scheme for trusted building professionals and accredited businesses carrying out low risk building work.

LBP Skills Maintenance, December 2024 — for all LBPs | The Building Practitioners Board considers complaints against LBPs. To assist the Board, the Registrar of LBPs delegates the task to the Investigations Team within Occupational Regulation, MBIE. The Registrar will provide a report to the Board for consideration. If the Board decide to hold a hearing and an LBP has breached a ground for discipline, the complaint is upheld and the Board will then decide on an appropriate penalty.

This month I look at how we can raise our insulation game when it comes to window and roof design + we have a new round of the Medium Quick-Fire Quiz. 

Recently in the architectural community there was discussion around the need to have a thermal break in the concrete ground floor of a house where the attached garage is within its footprint, but outside of the thermal envelope, and how to achieve this in a buildable and structural manner.

Any design process balances client aspirations against budget constraints. How often have you faced the challenge of aligning a project's cost with its needs and vision?

The key challenge will be designing systems for both the recognition of overseas standards and product certification schemes where, for many products, the expectations of performance are universal, but there are some unique situations in NZ that may mean some products are not appropriate.

Along with hydraulic demands there are other risk factors that should be considered when selecting a channel system and deciding on placement.