World Green Building Week NZ

Some of New Zealand’s most sustainable buildings will be in the spotlight this month with a series of free events to celebrate World Green Building Week (September 21-27).

World Green Building Week sees hundreds of events occurring in dozens of countries. The New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) has created events around the 2015 theme, ‘Powering positive change’, encompassing tours, talks and film screenings that highlight inspirational projects.

• Wellington, Tuesday 22 Sept: Building tour of 15 Stout Street. The award-winning retrofit in Wellington reconfigured a Category 2 heritage building and achieved a 5 Green Star Built rating. Drinks and nibbles provided.
• Auckland, Wednesday 23 Sept: Auckland Conversations – Public Buildings & Spaces that Innovate and Inspire. In conjunction with Auckland Architecture Week and Auckland Council, this event gives an update on Auckland’s public life survey, consultation on the Aotea Quarter as a civic, cultural and entertainment hub; and will include a talk by Chris Day of Marshall Day Acoustics on Paris’s sustainable landmark Philharmonie de Paris, dubbed ‘a living space for music’.
• Christchurch, Thursday 24 Sept: 10 Homestar house tour & Q&A. Architectural designer Bob Burnett hosts two one-hour tours through 11 Church Square, New Zealand’s first completed 10 Homestar rated home.
• Auckland, Saturday 26 Sept: Green Architecture Walking Tour. A two-hour walking tour of Auckland’s CBD, with expert commentary on notable buildings. Includes an inside look at the NZGBC’s 5 Green Star office fit-out.
• Auckland, Sunday 27 Sept: Architecture documentary screenings. Briar March’s A Place to Call Home and Sarah Grohnert’s Ever the Land screen at Auckland Art Gallery, in conjunction with Auckland Architecture Week.

NZGBC chief executive Alex Cutler says the annual week is an opportunity to highlight New Zealand’s achievements and encourage a public conversation around the role green buildings play in our future.

“We’re part of a growing global community that’s making great progress in creating sustainable built environments,” says Ms Cutler. “Across the residential and commercial sectors, we’re seeing encouraging progress as people realise the economic and social benefits of green building.

“World Green Building Week is a chance for industry and the public to connect, learn about what we’ve achieved and discuss ways to keep the momentum going. We’re particularly pleased this year to be collaborating with Auckland Council and the New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Auckland Architecture Week.”

Although most events are free, attendees must register. Full details are available at www.tinyurl.com/nzgbcevents