b'going greenbook boosts eco buildingA new book on building sustainability is the first comprehensive publication of its type for New Zealand. The issue of environmental sustainability has now moved from a fringe to a central position ofExisting homespublic concern. And while we may carry our groceries in reusable bags, and recycle our glass,Buildinganewhouseusingeco paper and plastics, a more holistic approach starts much earlier onwhen we design andprinciples is one thing, but what about construct our homes and buildings.existinghouses?Dontdespair,as Brenda Vale points out in her chapter It is estimated that the building sector uses roughly half of all the energy generated in thisin the book, there are many measures country, a very high proportion of materials and creates huge volumes of landfill wastes. Thisto make your house eco-friendly:means that to make a difference we need to look at how we build, how we can reduce energy use and costs, how we future proof our buildings and minimise their carbon footprint.Maintain a house well to avoid major renovations.Thelongerthehouse Earlier this year, the building sector received a boost with the launch of the first comprehensivelasts, the better for the environment. book on this subject, A Deeper Shade of Green: Sustainable Urban Development, Building Make sure the house is well insulated and Architecture in New Zealand, edited by Johann Bernhardt.anuninsulatedhousewastes Green building concepts have been applied for many years and environmentally friendlyenergy through extra heating and houses and buildings can be found across the country. But existing regulations, prevailingthereby puts greenhouse gases into technologies and building materials, general levels of expertise, and conventional investmentthe atmosphere. considerations have not helped to achieve high levels of sustainability.Installing a tank to collect rainwater issimpleandeffective.Inurban Apart from a few notable exceptions, the level of sustainability we have achieved locally so farareasitsuseislimitedtotoilets, must be classified as a light shade of green, says Johann, who is also a sustainable architect.washing machines and gardens but He has compiled essays from 50 experts in their fields, including architects, research fellows,in rural areas, it can be used for all university lecturers, Government advisors, private researchers and consultants. The 232-pagehousehold purposes.book contains more than 300 colour photographs, plans, graphs and illustrations. Useawasteminimisationpolicy This book offers an introduction into the new realm of sustainable thinking, concepts andincorporatingcontainersforre-solutions and aims to give as wide an overview on sustainable topics and issues as possible. Itusable and recyclable materials, and also offers a glimpse of what we have achieved to date with a selection of sustainable projectsa compost bin.featured in a series of case studies.The book is directed at a multitude of stakeholders whose contributions are vital for a successful shift, including central and local governments, professional groups, manufacturing and construction industries, investors, non-government organisations and the public. Resene is one of the proud sponsors of the book and wholeheartedly supports its focus on providing knowledge on sustainable building relevant to New Zealand.A Deeper Shade of Green: Sustainable Urban Development, Building and Architecture inNew Zealand retails for $69.95 and is available in all good bookshops or directly from theResenepublisher, Balasoglou Books: j.balasoglou@xtra.co.nz or ring John on 09 529 2211. FeverpitchReseneWIN one of five copies of A Deeper Shade of Green, worth $69.95see page 73 for details. Limelight106'