Context

When the scaffolding is up and the cladding is off, you have a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The marginal cost of upgrading insulation or glazing during remediation is significantly lower than doing it as a standalone project. This is the time to solve the overheating paradox and future-proof the asset against incoming energy certificate mandates. Do not just fix the leak. Use the delivery phase to reposition the asset. Read more: https://lnkd.in/exXHsWvB #BuildingRemediation #Retrofit #Sustainability #AssetManagement #ContextArchitects

An entire weekend dedicated to discovering Christchurch through Architecture #OpenChristchurch is on 1-3rd May 2026 and gives you the chance to experience these places from the inside. The NZR Co. building is a part of the programme, and you can get tickets for the guided tour for Sunday 3rd May, 10am-2pm by visiting openchch.nz

The third installment of our five-part remediation series is up now: There is a massive difference between what you think is wrong with your building and what is actually wrong inside the wall cavity. We call this the discovery gap. Relying on visual inspections to price a complex remediation project is dangerous. It leads to contracts filled with latent condition tags that inevitably turn into expensive variation claims. Modern remediation requires a digital baseline. High-fidelity 3D scanning creates an evidentiary standard of care that protects the Body Corporate from scope creep. Read more about Digital Diagnostics: https://lnkd.in/ebUEhTgJ #BuildingRemediation #DigitalTwin #ConstructionTech #AssetIntegrity #ContextArchitects

Our Principal, Scott Cracknell, is eager to present at the Law Association of New Zealand 2026 Strata Unit Titles Conference on 23 April 2026, from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM at the Vero Centre in Auckland, with a livestream option available. Scott will join Julia Batchelor Smith and Garth Freeman in a session that promises to offer diverse perspectives on the complex legal and practical issues facing the unit titles sector. This is particularly relevant for lawyers advising purchasers, owners, bodies corporate, and committees, as understanding these issues in practice is increasingly crucial. The session will delve into the realities of apartment ownership within a body corporate, challenging the conventional “lock-up-and-leave” mindset and addressing the legal and governance challenges that can arise in collective living. Drawing on Scott's experience, he will cover: • Particularities and peculiarities of different building types • The distinction between drawing sets and built reality • Key aspects to observe in these contexts • How maintenance can preserve value The conference serves as a valuable forum for lawyers and industry specialists to discuss current developments and practical solutions in the unit titles space. For more information and registration details, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eY9bxMdk

Remediation projects rarely stall because owners cannot afford the work. They stall because the business case fails to address the fear of the unknown. When you present a preliminary estimate with open-ended risks to a diverse ownership group, the natural response is governance paralysis. To secure a 75 percent vote, committees need to stop thinking like project managers and start thinking like investment bankers. We outline the five specific numbers owners actually need to see to give you a mandate. Read the guide here: https://lnkd.in/gM4CbX-r #BuildingRemediation #ChangeManagement #BodyCorporateChair #AssetStrategy #ContextArchitects

If you missed the 2026 Building Science Summit last week, you can check out some of Craig Birch's highlights here. Thanks to BRANZ for being one of the primary sponsors for this event which brought together such a great group of industry experts.

Most Body Corporate committees facing remediation pressure make the same mistake: they rush to get builder quotes to see what it costs. Asking a contractor to price a problem that has not been fully diagnosed is a recipe for disaster. You will either get a risk premium so high it stalls the project, or a low price that explodes with variations once the cladding comes off. Stop planning the build. Start planning the evidence. Here is how to stabilise your governance before committing to a scope: https://lnkd.in/eFeZbWvh #BuildingRemediation #Governance #ConstructionRisk #MultiUnitHousing #ContextArchitects

Context is proud to announce our partnership with the University of Auckland Professor Anthony Hōete on a project that aims to deliver practical solutions to reduce accommodation costs, lift quality of life, and improve domestic resilience and sustainability in New Zealand housing. Together we are undertaking research that will culminate in providing Open-Source Housing. That is, free-to-download pre-consented architectural drawings and specifications for 'Granny Flats'. A Granny Flat is not just for Nana, it could also be for kaumatua. Or an adult child returning from uni. Or to give the kids more space. The term 'Granny Flat' is simply kiwi-shorthand, a placeholder, for a new, small single-storey standalone dwelling that enables New Zealanders to improve their affordable housing options by offering safe, healthy, and durable ancillary homes to live in. This project supports a range of people and circumstances, from young people through to seniors and intergenerational family living by providing a more affordable housing choice.   The building consent exemption commences today, which means homeowners won’t need a standard building consent to build a qualifying Granny Flat. Thank you to BRANZ for funding this project, we can't wait to get started. Image: Matthew Giles Architects

"Planning reform clears the runway — but design is still the difference between selling and sitting on stock."