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 Zealand summer 2009/2010 has seen droughts in some areas of the country and flooding in others. Our recently updated Water section looks at designing homes to use water efficiently, reduce costs and cope with the possibility of more frequent droughts or storms.
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 that 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.
Other Resources
Providing independent information and links to guidelines and tools to help design and construct sustainable buildings.
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.
Wet Areas
Designing and detailing to ensure water remains within the wet area and to deal with the effects of humidity and moisture.
Latest updates to the site
We’ve just refreshed our Energy section – now incorporating in-depth information on sustainable energy use and electrical design.
Latest resources
- www.rebri.org.nz is packed with tips for builders on using materials, energy, time and money more effectively.
- To buy any BRANZ publication, see www.branz.co.nz or ph 0800 80 80 85 (press 2).