Previous events
October 2009 - Materials Workshop
From framing to exterior cladding to interior floors and wall claddings, learn about the toxicity of products used in house constructions and the alternatives such as untreated douglas fir timber for framing, natural floor varnishes, low VOC paints. You'll learn how to minimise waste, re-use and recycle on the build site.
October 2009 - Energy Workshop
Participants learnt how to reduce their homes' energy load, how to carry out an energy audit, and were provided a hands-on opportunity to learn more about on-site micro generation, such as wind turbines, solar hot water, photo voltaic cells, and much more.
September 2009 - Water Workshop
This workshop looked at ways to reduce you water usage in the home, how to harvest and store rainwater for domestic water use or garden usage, on-site disposal of grey and black water, and reed bed gardens.
August 2009 - Retrofit Workshop
Insulate. Insulate. Insulate. This workshop covered how small changes to your existing home can make some big gains in terms of energy savings. The workshop also included a road trip to a house in need of a retrofit where people got to put their skills into practise.
March/April 2009 - University of Waikato Lecture Series
Green Home Introduction, How to Buy a Better Home, Fine Tuning a New House for Energy Efficiency and Eco-Design for New House workshops.
November 2008 - Eco-Home Workshop
This workshop was for ready-to-build people wanting guidance and support to build of their very own eco-home.
October 2008 - Solar, Wind and PV Workshop
This workshop on alternative energy from Michael Lawley of Eco-Innovations showed how to easily reduce energy consumption in the home, and demonstrated various means by which a home can produce its own energy to become self-sufficient.
September 2008 - Water Efficiency Workshop
Water harvesting, conservation and giving grey and blackwater a second use on site. This workshop included guests from Kapiti Coast District Council and Xtreme Waste. It covered topics such as stormwater, water harvesting, water conservation, grey water systems, composting toilets, rain gardens, swales, green roofs, permeable surfaces, black water, vermiculture systems and septic tanks.
August 2008 - Retrofit Workshop
With Hamilton already having a large stock of houses, this workshop looked into incorporating sustainable building techniques and application into an existing home to make it a healthier and warmer home, and cheaper to run.
May 2008 - Fine Tuning a New House for Energy Efficiency
A workshop for people who had recently built their new dream home. It covered improving the energy efficiency of the new building, reducing electricity bills and increasing the property value.
May 2008 - Eco-Design for a New House
The win/win of building an eco home. Increasing the value of your asset, while at the same time reducing outgoing monthly costs. This workshop covered issues such as site considerations, toxicity and water use, material choices and energy efficiency.
April 2008 - Green Home Introduction
An introduction to the general concepts of 'green house building' looking at environmental impacts, goal-setting and the economics of energy efficiency.
April 2008 - How to Buy a Better Home
Discussed how to choose a property that can be easily brought up to modern standards of comfort and efficiency, and what features to look for in a house that will make it cheap to run.
December 2007 – Eco-Design Workshop
This workshop supported people wanting guidance and support in the building of their very own eco-home.
November 2007 – Water Efficiency Workshop
This workshop focussed on two main issues; water harvesting and giving grey and blackwater a second use on site, rather than viewing them as wastewater to contribute to the city's wastewater system. Expert advice from NIWA and a plumber who has installed many biological systems was also available. The workshop also looked at the various associated council regulations and processes to help guide and support householders wanting to become more sustainable with both their water harvesting and on site disposal of grey and blackwater.
October 2007 – Alternative Energy Workshop
How good would it feel to live in a house with no energy bills? This workshop on alternative energy explored that possibility and showed the audience the process to make it a reality. Michael Lawley of Eco-Innovations facilitated the workshop. He began by showing how to easily reduce energy consumption in the home, and then demonstrated various means by which a home can produce its own energy to become self-sufficient.
June 2007 – Retrofit Workshop
With Hamilton already having a large stock of houses, this workshop looked into incorporating sustainable building techniques and application into an existing home to make it a healthier and warmer home, and cheaper to run. The workshop also included a road trip to a house in need of a retrofit where people got to put their skills into practise.
March 2007 – Earthbuilding Seminar and Local Site Tour
This seminar presented expertise from architects, designers and builders experienced in earth-based dwellings. The session explained the processes of designing, seeking permits and building for rammed earth, adobe blocks, cob building and straw bale. Participants were then taken on a bus tour of local sites incorporating a range of these styles of buildings.
March 2007 – Ecobuilding Workshop
An introduction to ecobuilding which covered a wide range of activities such as passive solar heating, insulating, energy conservation and water conservation. This workshop was scene as a vital first step to those considering retrofitting their current domestic dwelling or considering building their own dwelling based on 'green building' principles.
November 2006 – Lecture Series
Urban Sustainability from global to local
A look at the impact of urban development on global and local environments, and showcasing national initiatives and what they mean to Hamilton in the context of CityScope, which aims to help Hamilton intelligently, sustainably and creatively.
Built and natural environment in partnership
Indigenous biodiversity, restoration and the perfect NZ city, and a look at how sustain stream life in an urban environment?
Movie screening of "The end of suburbia: Oil depletion and the collapse of the American Dream"
With brutal honesty and a touch of irony, the movie explores the American way of life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era. This movie is available from the Hamilton Environment Centre phone 07 839 4452.
The house with no bills
All about zero energy houses, super insulation and other innovations in sustainable design. | 
