Jon Smith and John Holley, founders of Matter Architects discuss their view on modern New Zealand architecture and how art influences their practice.

David Trubridge is a New Zealand based designer and craftsman – known for his sustainability bent. David discusses his views on sustainability, indigenous culture and beauty. In particular David shares his thoughts around a connection to nature and how western cultures can learn from Polynesian culture.

Dr Sarosh Mulla holds a PHD in architecture, lectures at the University of Auckland and is a practicing designer with Pac Studio. Sarosh discusses the challenges and benefits of designing smaller scale architecture, with reference to the hugely popular Pahi House – an award winning small home in New Zealand.

Jason Quinn is an ex NASA engineer, now acting as a building scientist and Passive House certifier. Jason explains the purpose of predictive thermal modelling for buildings. Predictive thermal modelling allows us to measure the thermal performance of a house before it is built. Using this process we can effectively predict how comfortable houses and buildings will be. Thermal modelling is a great design tool that allows for architects and designers to model their designs and make pre-construction changes if required.

Much speculation has been made about high net worth individuals moving to in New Zealand to escape the pandemonium created by the COVID virus. We speak to leading builder Dennis Dowling about construction, low energy buildings and the construction of a world class “bolthole” on the edge of the beautiful Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, New Zealand for a high net worth client.

Daniel Gudsell and builder Bryce Dunlop discuss construction in an alpine environment, along with the challenges it poses on materials. Bryce explains the issues he faced building Abodo’s Cardrona Cabin – set in New Zealand’s Central Otago alpine region. Bryce also touches on a rammed earth project he has competed, along with the challenges around reducing construction waste on building sites.

Daniel Gudsell and PHD student Ged Finch discuss Circular Economy’s role in construction. Ged explains the concept of functional value and abundance along with the use of buildings as “material banks” for the future. Ged outlines a future where construction materials manufacturers collaborate to create standardised systems, and the embodied energy of the materials used is transparent.

Tom Chung, AIA, LEED AP BD+C is a Principal at Leers Weinzapfel of Boston. In this podcast we speak to Tom Chung about the design of some of the first large scale “Mass Timber” buildings in the United States and his reasons for driving this timber renaissance in the United States of America.