12/02/2026
Melting Moments: Natural Materials Showcase
A showcase of natural building materials both current and emerging, accompanied by a group of industry experts on sustainable building materials.
Together, Caitlyn Lee of Tennent Brown Architects, Tom Beauchamp of Natural Build Ōtaki, and the BBBN network, will cover different material focuses and scales of working, and will lead revolving round table discussions, sharing their knowledge in an informal environment.
About the Presenters;
Caitlyn Lee of Tennent Brown Architects
has researched building materials against the International Living Future Institute’s Red List driving toxicity of the industry.
For this event she will teach you how to identify healthy materials.
Thomas Beauchamp is a builder, design collaborator, consultant, and educator specialising in earth and natural building. He runs Natural Build Ōtaki, a small building practice based on the Kāpiti Coast. Motivated by a desire to help leave a better world for future generations, he trained in earth and natural fibre construction while also completing a conventional building apprenticeship, becoming a Licensed Building Practitioner.
The BBBN Group
The Bio-based Building Network (BBBN) is a charitable society championing bio-based solutions for the built environment in Aotearoa New Zealand, connecting research with real-world practice
Joining us from the BBBN group is:
Adam Bruce - NZGBC 2025 Future Thinker of the year, passionate about robotic fabrication and innovation with earth-based building systems.
Mike Murray – architectural graduate whose thesis and subsequent research has focused on bio-based construction, in particular hemp-based construction systems.
Williams Mason – Architectural graduate at McKenzie Higham Architects, with a background in structural engineering and construction, whose research interests focus on the design and integration of innovative bio-based building materials into New Zealand building frameworks.
Venue: Sustainability Trust, 2 Forresters Lane (off Tory Street) , Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Date: 26th February 2026
Time: 5:30pm-8pm
