The host of pro clima Podcast, Simon Cator, has been in the New Zealand construction industry for 15 years with experience in ventilation, waterproofing, tanking and membranes.
He hails from Johannesburg and has worked in the UK and Dubai before calling Auckland his home since 16 years ago. In his spare time, he runs a DIY Home Automation YouTube channel called “Simon Says” and has also hosted an 80’s music show on East FM.
Simon Cator has hosted 10 Episodes.
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Episode 10: Steven Hughes
5 September 2024 | Season 1 | 36 mins 26 secs
airtightness, health, passive design, passive house, super insulation, ventilation, window
In this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Steve shares his experience transitioning from a poorly insulated, high-cost villa in Auckland to building an off-grid Passive House in Coromandel, detailing his sustainable design journey, the challenges of unconventional materials, and his insights on energy efficiency, ventilation, and the importance of improving New Zealand's housing standards.
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Episode 9: Joe Lyth
14 August 2024 | Season 1 | 36 mins 1 sec
architecture, building, consctruction, energy modelling, healthy building, healthy living, insulation, sustainable architecture, thermal performance, ventilation
In this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Joe talks about building his own home to ensure a healthier living environment for his family. He emphasizes the importance of continuous insulation, quality windows, and proper ventilation despite budget constraints, and discusses the limitations of New Zealand's building code while advocating for energy modelling to ensure thermal performance and comfort.
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Episode 8: Chris Penk
19 July 2024 | Season 1 | 43 mins 2 secs
building code, construction quality, construction skills, construction training, granny flats, performance targets
Simon Cator and Jon Davies in a conversation with the Building and Construction Minister, Hon Chris Penk, discussing his desire to build “Simply, Cheaply and Quickly”.
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Episode 7: Jon Davies
16 July 2024 | Season 1 | 37 mins 51 secs
airtightness, design, existing buildings, health, insulation, parka wrap, renovation, retrofitting
Jon Davies and Simon Cator discuss a home renovation project using Parka Wrap to improve insulation and energy efficiency, emphasising the importance of continuous innovation in building practices for enhancing existing structures.
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Episode 6: Sharon Robinson
2 July 2024 | Season 1 | 32 mins 9 secs
airtightness, architect, architectural designer, build, building, energy efficiency, energy modelling, homeowners, insulation, new zealand, passive house, performance, space, thermal bridging, ventilation, windows
Sharon advises homeowners to research Passive House principles, discuss energy efficiency early in the design process, and understand that high-performance homes offer better long-term savings and comfort, despite misconceptions about minimal building code standards.
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Episode 5: John Straube
18 June 2024 | Season 1 | 43 mins 45 secs
airtightness, building code, building design, building performance, building science, buildings, construction materials, energy efficiency, energy modeling, insulation, new zealand building, wall construction, weather resistive barrier, windows
John Straube and Simon Cator discussed the importance of understanding building science to create sustainable and comfortable living spaces. Dr. Straube shared his journey from civil engineering to building science and his decades of experience as a building scientist and professor.
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Episode 4: Kim Feldborg
5 June 2024 | Season 1 | 30 mins 12 secs
airtightness, architecture, building education, construction, energy efficiency, heating, passiv haus, passive house, passive house design, sustainability, ventilation
In this episode of the pro clima Podcast, Kim Feldborg shares his journey in designing and building his own Passive House due to the cold conditions of his previous brand-new rental property. He discusses the differences in home heating between Denmark and New Zealand, and highlights the energy efficiency and benefits of his current home.
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Episode 3: Darryl Sang
9 April 2024 | Season 1 | 28 mins 7 secs
architecture, building education, construction, energy efficiency, holistic projects, holisting construction, passiv haus, passive house, sustainability
In this podcast episode, Darryl Sang talks about making homes in New Zealand more energy-efficient, sharing his work on projects like the Piha EnerPHit renovation and Legacy House. He says it's crucial to improve existing homes by setting up standard systems for upgrades, and he stresses the importance of tackling issues like condensation and airtightness in the building code while promoting better skills and using models to ensure homes are comfy and meet high standards.
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Episode 2: Natasha Cockerell
9 April 2024 | Season 1 | 26 mins 22 secs
architecture, building design, bulidng, construction, energy efficiency, energy modelling, sustainability
In the second episode of the pro clima podcast, Natasha Cockerell joins us to discuss the current challenges the construction sector in New Zealand is facing. Natasha advocates for sustainable building practices and the urgency to use energy modelling to build better buildings.
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Episode 1: Joe Lstiburek
9 April 2024 | Season 1 | 50 mins 51 secs
airtightness, better building, building, construction education, moisture management, ventilation, wetahertightness
In the first episode of the pro clima podcast, Joe Lstiburek discusses the importance of learning from past building mistakes, particularly regarding weather issues seen in the US and Canada in the past, urging the New Zealand construction industry to avoid repeating them. He also emphasizes the significance of balanced ventilation strategies and ongoing education to prevent future challenges.