Episode 1

Guest: Joseph Lstiburek, Principal of Building Science Corporation

Joe Lstiburek, B.A.Sc., M.Eng., Ph.D., P.Eng., is the founding principal of Building Science Corporation and an ASHRAE Fellow. He is a building scientist who investigates building failures. Dr. Lstiburek received an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto and a doctorate in Building Science Engineering from the University of Toronto. He has been a licensed Professional Engineer since 1982.

The Wall Street Journal referred to him as “the dean of North American building science.” Fast Company magazine called him “the Sherlock Holmes of construction”. He is internationally recognized and his work has influenced building codes and standards in every climate zone.

Dr. Lstiburek is an acclaimed educator who has taught thousands of professionals over the past four decades and has written countless papers. He has a joy for telling tall tales to his proteges and audiences.

"It's not a rocket science, it's a building science!"

Podcast topic: In the first episode of the pro clima podcast, we're talking to Joe Lstiburek, the Godfather of Building Science. He delves into his journey from designer to advocate for improved building practices, emphasizing the importance of learning from past mistakes, like weathertightness issues seen in the US or Canada. He reckons the New Zealand construction industry should learn from these mistakes, not keep repeating them. Joe also discusses ventilation concerns and the role of dehumidifiers, suggesting a balanced approach to efficiency. Additionally, he talks about upcoming advancements in design and materials. He stresses the need for education to prevent similar problems from arising in the future.

If you're a building scientist keen to learn more from Joe, head to the resources available on the Building Science Corporation website.

Episode 2

Guest: Natasha Cockerell, Director of the Respond Architects

An architect with talent and focus, Natasha is a rarity within the industry – an ‘all-rounder’ combining a capability for sensitive design with an advanced knowledge of building science and technical detailing.

Natasha believes that communication is the key to a successful project and prides herself on building relationships with clients, stakeholders, consultants and contractors to ensure great outcomes.

She is involved in a variety of residential, commercial and educational projects, and although she relishes the challenge of large, complex projects (such as the Takapuna Main Block Development project which is currently under construction), she also appreciates the chance to work with Schools on a variety of unique projects of varying sizes. Natasha is passionate about creating great spaces for learning, and her track record of over 11 years working on Ministry of Education projects reflects this. She's also a member of MoE's Weathertightness Review Panel and the Passive House Institute NZ (PHINZ) Board.

“We accept a lot just because we don’t know any different.”

Podcast topic: In the second episode of pro clima podcast, Natasha explains how seeing her relatives work in construction sparked her interest in architecture, which she sees as a combination of art and science. From her experiences with leaky buildings to addressing challenges in the industry, we discuss the current state of the New Zealand construction sector, focusing on economic difficulties and the urgent need to address carbon emissions. Looking ahead, she advocates for a shift towards sustainable, energy-efficient building practices, emphasizing holistic approaches to building performance and the importance of homeowner awareness in selecting architects. Natasha champions prioritizing simplicity, efficiency, and comfort in building design, highlighting the potential of energy modelling to deliver better outcomes while saving costs.

Episode 3

Guest: Darryl Sang, Director of Sang Architects

ANZIA B Arch B Eng - Darryl is a Registered Architect who has been practising for nearly 30 years in London and New Zealand. Darryl brings a unique set of skills to each project; he is also a qualified engineer and a Certified Passive House (Passivhaus) Designer.

He is a highly experienced Director and Team Leader with extensive experience in the delivery of design, organisational and technical delivery of projects including commercial and residential developments.

"Modelling approach is the most accurate way of looking at a building. The overall performance really needs to be modelled."

Podcast topic: In this episode of pro clima podcast, Darryl shares insights from his experience with energy-efficient building projects, including the Piha EnerPHit renovation and the Legacy House. He talks about the importance of improving the performance of existing homes in New Zealand, proposing standardized systems to facilitate retrofitting. Darryl highlights the challenges of addressing issues like condensation moisture management and airtightness in the Building Code. He emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to building design, advocating for increased industry skills and the adoption of modelling approaches to ensure overall performance of buildings meets high standard and comfort.

Episode 4

Guest: Kim Feldborg, Builder and Owner of Valhalla Living

Kim Feldborg is a seasoned NZCB-certified builder who completed his apprenticeship in Denmark and has extensive experience not only as a builder but also as a designer, joiner and carpenter across Europe, including Greenland.

Upon arriving in New Zealand in 2007, he was struck by the inefficiency and coldness of the local houses, despite coming from colder European climates. Kim has built homes in Greenland, Norway, Germany, and England. In 2007, he founded Valhalla Living Ltd in Taupo. His company specializes in energy-efficient and Passive House construction, as well as renovations.

"We moved into a brand new house in Taupo, it was double-glazed and looked good, but it was blimmin' cold. I couldn’t understand why people would put up with it. Because of this environment, we decided we wanted to live in a more comfortable house."

Podcast topic: In this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Simon Cator interviews Kim Feldborg, a builder from Denmark who moved to New Zealand in 2007. Shocked by the cold temperatures in his rental home, Kim decided to design and build a Passive House, which he and his family have been living in for over ten years now. Kim explains the differences in home heating between Denmark and NZ, noting that Danish homes typically have central heating systems, whereas Kiwi homes often lack adequate heating. He shares his journey in designing his own Passive House, including sourcing materials and ensuring airtightness. Kim highlights the energy efficiency of the house, which maintains a constant temperature with minimal heating costs. He also addresses common misconceptions about airtight homes, emphasizes the benefits of ventilation systems and discusses the new H1 compliance.

Episode 5

Guest: John Straube,  Principal and Senior Building Science Specialist at RDH Building Science Inc. and a professor of building science at the University of Waterloo’s Civil Engineering Department and School of Architecture.

His research focuses on energy-efficient, healthy, durable, and sustainable building designs, utilizing advanced computer simulations, laboratory testing, and full-scale performance monitoring. Dr. Straube has advised major building product manufacturers, government agencies, design professionals, and building owners.

Recognized as an international expert on moisture-related durability issues, he has applied his expertise to a variety of problems, including moldy roofs, failed masonry, leaky EIFS cladding, insulating Mongolian yurts, wet basements, rotting crawlspaces and attics, historically sensitive retrofits, and litigation support for diverse buildings like commercial office towers, manufactured housing, and sustainable strawbale homes.

Dr. Straube explains the importance of the critical elements of the building structure, balancing insulation values with good airtightness levels and high-performance windows: "It's a rule of physics that you need to be able to match those three components of typical houses to get the value out of each one of those components."

Podcast topic: In this episode of the pro clima Podcast, John Straube emphasizes the importance of balancing components such as insulation, airtightness, windows and ventilation in building design to achieve optimal energy efficiency and indoor air quality. He explains that airtightness is often misunderstood but is crucial for maintaining a healthy indoor environment. Dr. Straube also discusses the principles of rainscreen design, considering the cladding, drainage, and water-resistant barriers, all tailored to local climates and building codes.

For further information on Dr. Straube's work and additional resources, visit the RDH Building Science Technical Library website.