Building Science Basics Courses
Practical building physics for real New Zealand projects.
Building science doesn't have to be theoretical or overwhelming. Building Science Basics gives you a clear, practical understanding of how heat, air and moisture move through buildings, so you can design, build and sign off warmer, drier and more efficient homes.
View course optionsWho Building Science Basics is for
These courses are designed for people working with real projects, tight programmes and modern code requirements.
- Designers and technicians who want confidence that their envelope details will actually work in the real world.
- Contractors and site managers who want to understand why details matter so they can avoid rework and call-backs.
- Building officials and consultants who need a clear, modern framework for judging performance, not just ticking clauses.
- Developers, project managers and clients who want to understand trade-offs in cost, comfort, durability and risk.
What you'll learn
Building Science Basics is built around the idea of the building as a system – envelope, services and occupants all interacting.
Core concepts
- How heat, air and moisture move through building envelopes in typical NZ construction.
- The role of the building envelope in controlling moisture, heat flow, air movement and solar gains.
- Why thermal bridges, air leaks and vapour control layers matter more in modern insulated buildings.
Applying it on your projects
- How climate, orientation and form influence comfort, condensation risk and energy use.
- Common failure patterns: internal condensation, mould, drafts and comfort complaints – and how to reduce the risk.
- Using simple building science checks on drawings, details and site work before problems show up.
Outcomes
By the end of Building Science Basics you'll have a shared language for discussing performance and a clear mental model of how your buildings actually behave, so you can make better decisions earlier in the process.
Choose your Building Science Basics pathway
Building Science Basics – Online
A self-paced online course that introduces core building science concepts using NZ-relevant examples. Work through short video lessons and simple exercises you can apply directly to your own projects.
- 100% online, study at your own pace
- Ideal for individual designers, contractors and officials new to building science
- Approx. 6–8 hours of learning, broken into short modules
Building Science Basics – Team Workshop
A focused live session (in-person or virtual) for teams who want to get on the same page quickly. We use real drawings and details to unpack how the building envelope works and where performance is most likely to fail.
- Ideal for design offices, contractor teams and BCAs
- Customised discussion using your current projects where possible
- Half-day or full-day formats available
Your foundation for advanced building performance training
Building Science Basics is designed as a foundation for deeper training in airtightness testing, H1 compliance, energy modelling and high-performance design. It gets everyone to the same baseline before you add specialist skills.
- Aligns with airtightness, blower-door and building performance courses
- Helps teams get more value from advanced training by covering the fundamentals first
- Suitable for multi-disciplinary project teams
Why these basics matter for NZ buildings
New Zealand buildings are changing fast: higher insulation levels, more glazing, new products and evolving energy requirements. Without a solid grasp of building science, it's easy to create homes that look good on paper but still end up cold, damp or uncomfortable.
- Reduce the risk of condensation, mould and durability issues by understanding moisture and temperature behaviour through the envelope.
- Make better design and detailing decisions earlier, when they're cheaper and easier to change.
- Improve site communication by giving the whole team a shared understanding of why details and sequencing matter.
How the courses work
Online
- Short, focused video lessons with clear diagrams and worked examples.
- Knowledge checks and simple exercises to reinforce key concepts.
- Access from anywhere, on your own schedule.
Live workshops
- Interactive sessions using real NZ details and case studies.
- Time for Q&A so your team can work through specific challenges and constraints.
- Ideal as a kick-off or reset session for project teams.
About your instructor
BEO Buildingscience specialises in practical building performance training, airtightness testing and building physics support for New Zealand projects. Our focus is turning building science into tools and checklists you can use on real drawings and real sites, rather than abstract theory.
You'll learn from trainers who work every week on energy modelling, airtightness and building envelope performance, so the examples stay grounded in what you actually see on typical NZ projects.
Ready to get started?
Pick the Building Science Basics course that fits your role and schedule, then build towards more advanced airtightness and performance training when you're ready.
View Building Science Basics coursesPrefer to talk it through first? Use the contact form below to book a quick call and find the best starting point for you or your team.