Welcome to Level.
The authority on sustainable building.
Level will help you design and build homes which have less impact on the environment and are healthier, more comfortable, and have lower running costs.
The new Building Code requirements for energy efficiency in new houses have already come into force for the South Island and the North Island up to the Franklin and Thames-Coromandel districts. They apply to the rest of the North Island from 30 September. Level has useful background explanations on insulation and glazing.
Site Analysis
Understanding all the features of a site, using and protecting the best, and minimising the impact of the worst.
Site Use
Considering how a building and site impact on each other, enhancing energy efficiency, comfort and convenience.
Energy
Designing homes to conserve energy and use it efficiently, from sources which cause least environmental harm.
Material Use
Specifying efficient use of materials and considering their impact from manufacture to disposal.
Passive Design
Designing the building and the spaces within it to benefit from natural light, ventilation and even temperatures.
Health and Safety
Taking care with power tools and ladders, and dealing with such hazards as asbestos, lead paint and mould.
Water
Designing homes to use water efficiently, reduce costs and cope with more frequent droughts or storms.
Other Resources
Providing independent information and links to guidelines and tools to help design and construct sustainable buildings.
Latest Updates to the site
The materials factsheets on this site are being updated. We have new factsheets on steel and concrete masonry already live; others will follow.
- Watch out for an updated and expanded section about photovoltaic power generation coming in August..
- Watch out for new material about solar water heating systems and heat pump water heating systems coming soon.
Latest Resources
- BRANZ has now published six books in the Level Sustainable Building Series, on Energy, Floor Coverings, Passive Design, Windows, Water, Materials. Two more are due in August: Coatings, and Heating and Ventilation.
- To buy any BRANZ publication, see www.branz.co.nz or ph 0800 80 80 85 (press 2).