Masterspec
Subscribe LOG IN
✖

Select Relevant Account

Select yourself to see only your informmation.
Select an organisation to manage it as well.
✖

Login





Forgot password?
Create an Account

By accessing or using the Website, you acknowledge
and agree that you have read and understand all of
the terms and conditions. From time to time we may
update the terms of our agreement (Terms) with you
for the provision of the Services and access to our
Website. Our Terms were last updated on the
16.09.2023 and can be accessed here.
05 Apr 2024
Understanding Project Scope and How to Specify Window Systems
It is vital that Movement and Deflection criteria are correctly defined in the Specification. We cannot over emphasize the importance of correctly...
04 Apr 2024
MBIE Building Consent System Review - Overview and Update
In July 2022, MBIE commenced a review of the building consent system, as part of the Building System Reforms to improve the consenting process. The...
07 Feb 2024
Building Code Updates 2023-2024
On 02 November 2023, MBIE announced updates to the Building Code Clauses relating to Protection from Fire, Plumbing and Drainage and Structure-...
30 Nov 2023
NZCIC Guidelines Responsibility Schedule Goes Digital
The new online tool enables real-time collaboration among multiple stakeholders, fostering efficiency and innovation in construction processes.
10 Nov 2023
BCA Requests to Modify Manufacturers Technical Content
mDocs allows the specifier to quickly access the latest version of a document uploaded by the manufacturer or supplier. Importantly, these detailed...
27 Sep 2023
Masterpec Specified: Award Winning Taharoto Lane by X Studio Architects
The development will have 19 units, including studio, office, and retail space. The residential units will have balconies with views of the city...
27 Sep 2023
Masterpec Specified: Award Winning Soaring Box House by Turner Road Architecture
The house’s unique design fits into the rural landscape. The house has a cantilevered structure and a soaring angular volume. The interior design is...
13 Sep 2023
Hallmark Group Opens Up About BPIR
Recently, Hallmark Group turned to Masterspec, a trusted name in compliance solutions, for guidance on their BPIR for fire doors. In this article, we...
06 Sep 2023
Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi: Kinetic Architecture, Innovation and Sustainability
In the heart of Abu Dhabi's skyline, two iconic towers stand as shining examples of innovative architecture and sustainable design. The Al Bahr...
05 Sep 2023
Silica - Understanding the Risks
Over recent months, we have had several enquiries from designers in relation to industry concerns with silica-based building products and the...
18 Aug 2023
Masterspec: Your Partner in BPIR Product Review Compliance
The Building Regulation Act 2022 comes into force on 11th December 2023, requiring building product suppliers in New Zealand to provide baseline...
27 Jul 2023
Masterspec Partners with NZCIC & CSA to Digitise the NZCIC Guidelines
Masterspec, has been working with the New Zealand Construction Industry Council (NZCIC) and the Construction Sector Accord (CSA) in an exciting new...
24 Jul 2023
How Specifiers Reduce Risks by using Masterspec's Work Section Support
In the construction industry, collaboration is one of the keys to success. Masterspec, as a leader in providing specification solutions, has long...
24 Jul 2023
Belle View House Waiheke: An Innovative Design Response
The plan is for Belle View House to be situated on a Waiheke Island headland, the Belle View House will be an architectural marvel when completed,...
21 Jul 2023
Streamlined Documentation and Error Prevention with Masterspec
In the fast-paced world of architectural design and documentation, avoiding errors is paramount to the success of any project. Michael Pepper, from...
19 Jul 2023
Introducing New Building Product Information Requirements: Ensuring Compliance and Transparency
Leverage on Masterspec's expertise to meet the new Build Product Information Requirements (BPIR) requirements effective December 11, 2023. Our...
09 Jul 2023
Building Law Reforms 2022
Did you know that the Building Regulations 2022 will introduce new requirements for building products?
06 Jul 2023
Preparing a Specification
The specification is a fundamental part of the documentation set provided for the delivery of a construction project. The Building Act 2004 states...
06 Jul 2023
What is a Specification?
Some of the world's leading national specification bodies met at conference earlier this year. Representatives from twenty influential nations,...
13 May 2023
Enhanced User Experience (UX) with Two New Masterspec Features: Clause in Review and Clause Action & Date Stamp
We are pleased to announce the incorporation of two new features that are designed to enhance your user experience. Firstly, we have integrated the...

UPDATES TO MASTERSPEC SUSTAINABLE & GREEN BUILDING GENERAL SECTIONS

29 Sep 2020

Prompted by major changes to Green Star by New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) and Living Building Challenge (LBC) document changes, Masterspec decided to review all the existing sustainable/green/ESD system Masterspec General sections, these are:
  • 1226CE CEMO PROJECT - SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
  • 1226CS CEMO PROJECT - SELECTION SCHEDULES
  • 1226GD GREEN STAR PROJECT – SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
  • 1226GO GREEN STAR - TECHNICAL CREDIT SCHEDULE
  • 1226GT GREEN STAR INTERIORS - TECHNICAL CREDIT SCHEDULE
  • 1226HM HOMESTAR PROJECT – SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
  • 1226HT HOMESTAR PROJECT - SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
  • 1226LB LBC PROJECT – SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
  • 1226LS LBC - IMPERATIVE SUBMISSIONS SCHEDULE
  • 1226SP SUSTAINABLE PROJECT – SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (generic)
CEMO Changes
A Circular Economy Model Office (CEMO) essentially aims to minimise waste created by the refurbishment and build of offices by using the principles of a Circular Economy.  A Circular Economy is one where the lifecycle of materials is maximised, by reuse, repurposing or recycling. The changes have been relatively minor with some adjustments to clauses and schedules, and some updated links.

The following are the amended sections republished on 1st October 2020:
  • 1226CE CEMO PROJECT - SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (available in Masterspec, Standard, Basic, Interiors, Services)
  • 1226CS CEMO PROJECT - SELECTION SCHEDULES (available in Masterspec, Standard, Basic, Interiors, Services)
Living Building Challenge (LBC) Changes
The intention of the Living Building Challenge is to create a restorative or regenerative non-toxic, beautiful and durable building, appropriate to its project, place and bioregion.
A Living Building essentially aims to generate all the energy and water it needs from the sun and rain falling on the site and treat all wastewater on site. It uses no materials containing toxic chemicals noted in the Red List and aims for 80-100% waste diversion. All projects must restore or enhance the ecological performance of their sites and buildings must contain biophilic features and allow every occupant access to daylight and natural ventilation.
Changes include:
The following are the amended sections republished on 1st October 2020:
  • 1226LB LBC PROJECT – SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (available in Masterspec, Standard, Interiors, Landscapes, Services, Structural & Civil)
  • 1226LS LBC PROJECT - IMPERATIVE SUBMISSIONS SCHEDULE (available in Masterspec, Standard, Interiors, Landscapes, Services, Structural & Civil) (minor title update)
Sustainable Project (Generic Section) Changes
This generic section can be used as the basis for all types of projects not requiring a formal environmental rating system. The changes have been relatively minor with some adjustments to Related Work, Abbreviations, and some updated links.

The following is the amended section republished on 1st October 2020:
  • 1226SP SUSTAINABLE PROJECT – SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (available in Masterspec, Standard, Basic, Interiors, Services, Structural & Civil)
Homestar Changes
Homestar is NZ Green Building Council's (NZGBC) national rating tool for residential projects to reduce the environmental impact of the construction and operation of buildings of NZ houses.  The sections assumes the project is aiming for a 6 Homestar rating or higher.  However, as a general guide, higher rating 8-10 Homestar generally involves additional technology such as photovoltaic panels, heat recovery units and greywater reuse. By registering to use the Passive House standard as well as Homestar, can increase your Homestar rating in the following credit categories: EHC-1, EHC-2 and EHC-4 (and EHC-3 by using a Passive House-type MHRV system).
Changes encompass the amendments to the Homestar tool, Homestar v4, to the new Homestar v4.1 Technical Manual. Changes include:
For both sections:
  • Incorporating Homestar v4.1 changes
  • Additional related sections and schedules
  • Updating links to Homestar and REBRI documents
  • Updating Toitu enviromark gold and other links
For 1226HT HOMESTAR PROJECT - SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS:
  • Added MAT-2 to tables and Q&A
Note, we understand consultation has taken place for Homestar v5.0, due within the year.

The following are the amended sections republished on 1st October 2020:
  • 1226HM HOMESTAR PROJECT – SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (available in Masterspec, Standard, Basic, Landscapes, Services)
  • 1226HT HOMESTAR PROJECT - SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS (available in Masterspec, Standard, Basic, Landscapes, Services) 
Green Star Changes
NZ Green Building Council's (NZGBC) have recently changed their Green Star tools from:
The changes these documents bring are radically different and complex, and do not align with the format of the old documents. Also they are largely based on the Australian Green Star requirements and still reference some parts of the Australian National Construction Code (Building Code). These references to the Australian Code have not yet been fully aligned or equivalency shown, to the NZ Building Code, to enable translation into New Zealand specifications.
Masterspec continue to work with NZGBC to try to resolve these difficulties. So unfortunately we cannot provide Green Star updates this month as planned, however, we will make all the new versions available as soon as we have them completed.

The following are existing sections (not updated yet):
  • 1226GD GREEN STAR PROJECT – SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (available in Masterspec, Standard, Interiors, Landscapes, Services, Structural & Civil)
  • 1226GO GREEN STAR - TECHNICAL CREDIT SCHEDULE (available in Masterspec, Standard, Interiors, Landscapes, Services, Structural & Civil)
  • 1226GT GREEN STAR INTERIORS - TECHNICAL CREDIT SCHEDULE (available in Masterspec, Standard, Interiors, Services, Structural & Civil)