Learning Spaces Aotearoa 2024
The second Learning Spaces Aotearoa was recently held in Wellington. This was organised by the Learning Environments New Zealand Wellington.
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News / Views
Nov 8, 20233 min read
The Mayfield Project 2023 - Part 2
Following on from Kara's first blog on her involvement in The Mayfield Project 2023 just before the LEA regional conference - re:...
Aug 23, 20233 min read
State House to Passive House 8 – Step 4 – Let's Go Shopping (for windows and ventilation)
The initial modelling gives a proof of concept. It should give an idea of what type of construction, and insulation levels you need. It...
Aug 2, 20233 min read
State House to Passive House 7 – Step 3 – The Joy of Modelling
When I was at architecture school, (a few years ago), I remember going on a tour of a recently completed building with the architect. It...
Jul 12, 20233 min read
State House to Passive House 6 – Step 2 - Sketch Retrofit Concept
Retrofits are a bit like belly buttons. Are you an Innie or an Outie? This is the key decision you need to make at the beginning of your...
Jun 20, 20232 min read
State House to Passive House 5 – Step 1 - Researching State Houses
If it's good information in, and good information out, the first step is playing detective and finding as much information as possible...
Jun 15, 20231 min read
Experience a Passive House!
International Passive House Open Days are on 23 - 25 June 2023. This is an opportunity to visit Passive House projects throughout the...
Jun 15, 20231 min read
Passive House Certification for Navigation Drive
We are thrilled that our Navigation Drive project is now officially a Certified Passive House. Certification is awarded for Passive House...
Jun 5, 20232 min read
State House to Passive House 4 – Deep Retrofit Workflow in 10 Steps
How should you go about a deep retrofit of an existing house? These are our 10 steps. Coincidently, the excellent Reimagine Buildings...
May 20, 20232 min read
Learning Environments Australasia Design Awards 2023 Winner
We are honored that our work at Silverstream School has been recognised as the winner of the Small Projects Under $2m catagory. This...
May 14, 20232 min read
The Mayfield Project 2023 - Part 1
How are we celebrating Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Learning Environments? In early March I joined 20 other Mayfielders, a...
May 8, 20232 min read
State House to Passive House 3 - 5 Features That Make a Building Better for Refurb.
1. Compact Form or Surface Area to Volume Ratio or Form Factor Sketch of the house's thermal envelope The compactness of the...
Apr 26, 20232 min read
State House to Passive House 2 - I wasn’t going to do this again
I had told myself that I would never again refurbish an old house. What went wrong? Apart from living in a construction site with babies?...
Apr 25, 20231 min read
Passive House 101 in 4 minutes
The best quick description of Passive House we have seen. Great clear summary. Its not crazy hard. There is no wackadoodle (good, we...
Apr 11, 20232 min read
State House to Passive House - Part 1
This is the first in a series on the retrofit of a 1940’s ex-state house. Through the next few months and maybe longer we will use this...
Apr 4, 20232 min read
Silverstream School Receives Two Awards
We are honored to receive two awards for our work at Silverstream School. A commendation in the Learning Environments New Zealand awards...
Nov 24, 20212 min read
Feedback is the Winner!
We were thrilled recently to be awarded the overall winner of the 13th Annual Learning Environments Australasia Awards for Excellence in...
Oct 24, 20214 min read
How to Fail the Right Way
How we investigated creating a certified Passive House school building, how we failed, what we learnt and how it was still the right...
Feb 18, 20211 min read
Why are we so far behind?
Murray recently sat down for a podcast with Matthew Cutler-Welsh of Home Style Green to discuss his career searching for more sustainable...
Feb 18, 20213 min read
Transitions 19 - That’s Where the Research Is!
A common complaint over the years has been, where is the research? Where is the proof that different types of learning environments work?...
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