Episodes

  • Episode 26: Sian Taylor

    Episode 26: Sian Taylor
    Jun 3 2025
    In this episode of the pro clima Podcast, architect Sian Taylor shares her journey from growing up in Wales to designing and living in a Passive House in Queenstown. She reflects on the contrasts between UK and New Zealand building standards, highlighting the superior comfort and energy efficiency of Passive House design. Sian also critiques the current New Zealand building code, calling out its shortcomings and advocating for stronger regulations, especially the need for mandatory energy modelling to address issues like overheating. Special Guest: Sian Taylor.
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    27 mins
  • Episode 25: Mark Anderson

    Episode 25: Mark Anderson
    May 13 2025
    In this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Simon Cator sits down with Mark Anderson of MA Building, a Wanaka-based builder, as he shares how an apprenticeship alongside his father led to his journey into building high-performance homes, focusing on health and comfort. He reflects on his commitment to energy efficiency and how it drives his focus on Passive house standards and smarter building methods. He discusses his role in community initiatives like the Better Building Working Group, his plans for a low-energy home, and the small design decisions that make a big impact on comfort, cost, and sustainability. Special Guest: Mark Anderson.
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    40 mins
  • Episode 24: Jason Quinn

    Episode 24: Jason Quinn
    Apr 22 2025
    In this episode of the pro clima Podcast, host Simon sits down with Jason Quinn, the Director of Sustainable Engineering, as they discuss overheating in homes and how to design to prevent it from happening. Jason explains the balance between reducing heat gain in the summer and losing some solar gain in the winter, and the importance of good glass specification. He also goes over the importance of understanding building performance through modelling and making design changes early in the process to avoid any problems in the future. Special Guest: Jason Quinn.
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    41 mins
  • Episode 23: Bronwyn Barry

    Episode 23: Bronwyn Barry
    Apr 1 2025
    In this episode of the pro clima Podcast, host Simon Cator sits down with Bronwyn Barry, Principal at PassiveHouseBB, for an insightful conversation about Passive House design. Bronwyn talks about a pre-fabricated panel solution that is really cost-effective while still having a really high insulation value. She also shares her perspective on an often-overlooked advantage of Passive House design, superior acoustic comfort. Special Guest: Bronwyn Barry.
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    36 mins
  • Episode 22: Denise Martin

    Episode 22: Denise Martin
    Mar 11 2025
    Join Simon Cator as he sits down with Denise Martin, Director at BEO, for an insightful discussion on building science and insulation practices in New Zealand. Denise explores the unique challenges of insulating concrete structures and explains the advantages of exterior insulation. She also highlights how proper insulation and airtightness can lead to significant energy savings, ultimately reducing your power bill. Throughout the conversation, Denise shares expert insights on the relationship between airtightness and energy performance, as well as the crucial role of ventilation and moisture management in creating a healthier home environment. Tune in for valuable knowledge on building smarter, more efficient homes. Special Guest: Denise Martin.
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    41 mins
  • Episode 21: Graham Finch

    Episode 21: Graham Finch
    Feb 18 2025
    In this episode of the pro clima Podcast, host Simon Cator sits down with Graham Finch, Principal Science Specialist at RDH Building Science, for an in-depth discussion on rain screen walls—their function, importance, and the key differences between open and closed rain screens. Graham shares his expert insights on how different cladding systems impact not only the performance of a building but also its longevity, highlighting critical considerations for architects, builders, and designers. Whether you're a construction professional or simply interested in the science behind moisture management in buildings, this episode is packed with valuable knowledge you won’t want to miss! Special Guest: Graham Finch.
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    46 mins
  • Episode 20 : Dan Saunders

    Episode 20 : Dan Saunders
    Feb 4 2025
    Join Simon Cator in conversation with Dan Saunders as they explore New Zealand’s H1 building code changes and discuss how we can promote higher standards. This engaging discussion dives into the challenges and opportunities of creating homes that are not only durable but also better suited for Kiwi lifestyles. Dan shares expert advice on selecting the right building materials, debunks common myths about constructing high-performance homes, and offers practical steps for achieving better results. Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, or simply interested in the future of housing in New Zealand, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. “I would change the building code so it's a more holistic thing, so people have no choice but to build better." Special Guest: Dan Saunders.
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    22 mins
  • Episode 19 : Bob Burnett

    Episode 19 : Bob Burnett
    Jan 21 2025
    Join Simon Cator as he interviews Architect Bob Burnett to explore the transformative work behind the Christchurch Earthquake rebuild, the origins of the Superhome Movement, and how to select the perfect architect for your dream home. In this insightful episode, Bob shares the guiding principles of the Superhome Movement, including airtight designs, low-carbon materials, and the importance of responsibly sourced resources. He reflects on how witnessing the Christchurch rebuild and the prevalence of substandard housing across New Zealand inspired his mission to design healthier, more sustainable homes. Special Guest: Bob Burnett.
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    29 mins