When the thermal mass of a concrete floor is being used to assist with the heating (or cooling) of a house, in my opinion there are two distinct approaches to designing the insulation of the slab.

Large-scale can mean either a few large buildings, or several medium ones, or many small buildings — all apply to prefabrication in New Zealand, as was discussed at the PrefabNZ CoLab recently.

Could the Christchurch Concision factory's precision house manufacturing be a possible key to unlocking the affordable housing crisis?

First Light Studio have been commended for their 'innovative and intensive' universally accessible bathroom pod, designed specifically for multi-unit residential applications.

Will the aspirational global temperature rise targets agreed to at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference have any implications for the future, or will it just be 'business as usual'?

Apartments and terrace buildings are now included in this comprehensive residential sustainability rating scheme which is rapidly being adopted throughout the country. 

Written by Jerome Partington, JASMAX: If we aren't sure about a chemical or product's toxicity or health impacts, we shouldn't use it. 

Thermal Mass is often presented as the magic ingredient to ensure that the passive solar gain within a building is maximised, but the importance and usefulness of Thermal Mass can vary depending on the purpose and location of a space, along with glazing and insulation. 

Why is it that single drop 'Thermal Drapes' are considered to be the solution to retaining heat within a house during winter, when lined curtains of ordinary fabrics have been used in the past?

Before worrying about slab-edge, start with thermal bridging fabric above the ground floor with timber floor insulation and appropriate joinery detail.