The Government has released a discussion document on a proposal that would require assessment of the overall carbon cost of producing, maintaining and using new buildings.
The NZ Herald also produced an interesting piece on the issue of embodied energy in various building products.
What’s envisaged is a time when houses will be rated according to their lifetime energy consumption, or carbon output. Architects will design to a carbon maximum, choosing long-lasting materials with low-embodied energy. Potential for end-use recycling will be factored in.
This is a key issue and I hope the proposal doesn’t get shredded. Get yourself involved in the submission process.
alt building, ideas & innovation
Holcim are about to launch the next round of their Sustainable Construction Awards. I don’t seem to have received my invitation but then I don’t think my double-glazing efforts will count based on the winners from the last competition.
Of course, Holcim’s plans for a new cement plant at Weston, just outside Oamaru are being opposed by the Waiareka Valley Preservation Society [Scoop story] and the Greens’ Metiria Turei and Russel Norman.
I guess they won’t be planning on using glulam (glue laminated) construction in building their cement plant - but if you are interested in some examples of timber being used for construction that has become dominated by the use of concrete - try these examples from the Glued Laminated Timber Association in the UK, or these by Lilleheden, one of Europe’s leading glulam companies.
alt building, environment