Intended Outcome of the Programme

An efficient built environment in which the New Zealanders of tomorrow can live, work and play with greater safety and fewer building-related illnesses and injuries.

This programme creates the knowledge that leads to buildings that are safer, more effective in addressing financial and environmental costs, and more attuned to meeting user expectations. This is achieved by:

1. in-depth investigations of the causes of problems that occur in the built environment and creation of models of these problems, of people's reactions to such problems, and of the proposals for new design and use regimes that will solve the problems in a cost-effective manner
2. the introduction of new and innovative tools and technology to enhance the quality of the indoor environment and the integrity of the building structure.

When this knowledge is applied, it will result in homes, workplaces, schools and other buildings that offer greater safety than today because of:

• reduced risk from fire, falls, earthquake and wind damage
• reduced risk of water entry to buildings and related problems
• fewer health problems induced by poor indoor environments

lower lifetime operating costs for maintenance and energy use.

New Zealand's built environment stock turns over relatively slowly, therefore attention needs to be paid to innovative maintenance and retrofit solutions, as well as to creating the best possible new buildings.

The Building Innovation Programme will also include work on innovative building products and techniques for both the New Zealand and export markets.

The programme comprises three objectives:

(Click on the links below for more info about these objectives.)