Abstract:
Whilst there has been increased public awareness through trends in media and countless articles on the importance of so called ‘green design,’ the materials with which we build them are often neglected due to the inherent costs and challenges associated with identifying viable alternatives to current practice. Due to these preconceptions and unclear benefits, scepticism has plagued the uptake of sustainable materials in the mass market. This thesis will draw inspiration from Sustainability Rating Tools and conduct original case studies to develop the framework for an Online Aggregator Tool (OAT) in order to facilitate the use of sustainable materials in New Zealand. The framework will address barriers and motivators identified through the original research, by formulating potential solutions and identifying opportunities for future growth and adaptation. This thesis will conduct a range of targeted case studies covering the key players whose cooperation has potential to inject sustainability into our built environment – designers and manufacturers. This research will inform ways in which the proposed OAT can build on key industry drivers and address potential roadblocks these enterprises currently face. If successfully implemented, this tool will play a critical role in addressing the current lack of mainstream application of holistically sustainable materials.