Why Ecolution is creating sustainable buildings that work for people and planet
Origin
The idea for this business arose during my previous roles at large engineering consultancy firms, where internal processes and inefficiencies began to bother me. I believed I could do equal quality work at a much lower cost to the client. Following restructuring during the 2024 construction sector down-turn, I decided to pursue my dream to establish an efficient sustainable buildings business of my own.
Mission
My mission at Ecolution SBS is to deliver high quality sustainable solutions for my clients, and contribute to raising the standard of New Zealand's living and working built environments.
The business ethos is formed on the following three pillars:
Ecology – Maximizing internal environmental performance of buildings, while minimizing ecological footprint impacts.
Evolution – Implementing design and construction practices beyond the level typically used in New Zealand.
Solutions – Creating tailored, sensible and cost-effective solutions for building challenges.
Through these pillars I aim to provide sustainable and innovative building science solutions that exceed both typical standards and client expectations.
Philosophy
"'Smart' (high-tech) buildings are complicated; passive buildings are wise."
No nonsense, cost-effective, appropriate measures and solutions. I detest greenwashing, over-designing and over-complicating, which too many standards and practitioners are compliant with. As such, simplification, of design and of process, is the core philosophy at Ecolution SBS.
I have seen the convoluted, expensive processes that consultancies work by and will prioritise avoiding such systems. I’ve also seen too often the complex buildings that get designed, and frustration from clients at the overwhelming difficulty and snowballing costs. I will be looking to streamline designs in order to reduce building complexity and scale, improving performance and simultaneously saving the client money.
Expertise
My core strengths are around passive design and design for performance. I believe the capability for the 'base building' (i.e. without mechanical and electrical systems) to provide comfortable indoor environments is absolutely fundamental to the success of the building. Without an effective and efficient base building, the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) systems, renewables, imported energy, and carbon offsets will all be more onerous than they could and should be. I have gathered a wide range of skills and knowledge that contribute to a successful base building, thereby enabling the best overall potential for the building.
A specific area of expertise is in the topic of 'overheating'. This is a rapidly growing issue in NZ, a result of highly glazed contemporary architecture, increasing urban density, climate change, increased insulation standards, and a complete lack of regulatory guidance and standards. During my 6 years working in the UK, I regularly conducted a wide range of overheating analysis and assessment types, on many different building types. This in-depth experience was well beyond the current level of practice in NZ, making me a national leader in this important area.
A valuable skill set I possess is the ability to utilise and combine first principal design (i.e. simple theory-based measures and logic) with numerical evidence (i.e. calculations and modelling). This enables me to apply the right level of detail for a given situation, as well the ability to demonstrate empirically how well a design will work.
Background
My professional journey began with a Bachelor of Building Science (BBSc) and a Master of Building Science (MBSc) from Victoria University of Wellington. From there I did a 6-year working OE in London, before returning home to NZ during the Covid pandemic. Professionally I've spent the last 10 years practicing Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) in NZ and the UK at large, reputable multidiscipline engineering and architecture firms.
On top of the local standards, I've also obtained Passive House Designer certification, which is widely known as an international (originally from Germany) gold standard of healthy and efficient building design methods.
My experience from these three different backgrounds gives me the knowledge of NZ practices, and insight into more advanced international practices. This is a valuable combination that enables me to find the balance between suitability for local conditions and higher levels of performance that we are not used to here.
Difference
Performance first. Most architectural designers prioritise aesthetic and get carried away with subjective artistic elements. My focus is on making houses/buildings perform well. What do I mean by ‘perform’? This refers to comfort, health, energy and environmental impact. Most buildings in NZ are not designed/built to perform well. That is why New Zealanders are often cold in winter (even inside), spend lots on heating energy, and get sick often. My knowledge of passive and active systems enables greatly improved performance with minimal cost or environmental impact.
People
My name is Tavis Creswell-Wells. I am the director and sole employee at Ecolution SBS.
I grew up in Gisborne, in a family of engineers and teachers, laying the foundation for my later interests and two of Ecolution's three pillars (evolution and solutions). At architecture school an assignment on climate change compelled me to focus on the very real issue of sustainability. Hence the career trajectory to sustainable building design.
I currently reside in Wellington, my adopted hometown.
Interests include anything to do with Passive House, adobe architecture, travel, sport, food and pets. Always up for a coffee or beer!
Ecolution SBS
Tailored solutions for healthier, environmentally responsible buildings.
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