The following blog was submitted by Ian Matthews from BRANZ, the company who created the Eco Design Advisor concept.
The Eco Design Advisor (EDA) scheme is now in its second year of running and things couldn't be going better. Eco Design Advisors provide free, customised advice on sustainability matters to homeowners, designers, builders and other community members. They are now available in nine Councils throughout New Zealand and are accessible to a large portion of the population.
The feedback from the pilot year was extremely positive; "[Their] advice was most helpful and spending time discussing the issues helped me learn more than I hoped for," - homeowner, and it’s hoped this second year will be even more successful.
It is obvious the FREE, practical, tailored and independent advice given by the EDAs on building and renovating houses in a sustainable way is just what homebuilders and the industry have been crying out for; "The EDA definitely made me more aware of eco design; there should be more advisors throughout New Zealand," - designer.
Some highlights of the scheme so far have been the invitation extended to Ian Mayes, the EDA for Hamilton City Council, to speak at the second Annual Green Buildings and Facilities Conference in Auckland; featuring in and writing guest articles on sustainable housing in BRANZ’s magazine BUILD, The Herald newspaper and others; and of course the expansion of the scheme which it seems is poised to keep growing and growing! The interest being shown throughout New Zealand to build and renovate comfortable, warm, healthy and environmentally responsible homes has been gratifying even if it has sometimes been overwhelming!!
To find out more about the scheme and whether there is an EDA available at your local council please visit the Eco Design Advisor website.
Fred Braxton (pictured) is the Eco Design Advisor for Waitakere City Council.
