About BioBuild

BioBuild specialises in healthy building for both people and the environment.

Our company exists to create a positive impact in the built environment. By providingskills, knowledge and experience to incorporate eco-friendly and sustainable choices in construction we demonstratethat healthy buildingis achievable.

BioBuild offers a caring, flexible and professional service to meet the needs of people over a diverse range of projects and gives our clients access to our skilled network of associated experts.

We operate as main contractor to our clients. We provide construction management, and high quality building services. Our company’s approach is to work with our clients and their architects as an integral part of their project team. This collaborative relationship helps our clients achieve their desired outcome more smoothly.

We work with our team of well qualified and experienced contractors, carpenters and labourers – all of them committed to creating a satisfying and enjoyable building experience for our clients.

We have had the good fortune to work with courageous and adventurous clients who have been innovators and early adopters of green building, helping to bring eco building from the fringes into mainstream awareness. Our work has spanned a wide variety of unique building projects ranging from landscape installation, family homes and eco retreats, each designed specifically for their site and owners.

The origins of BioBuild are rooted in the family business that Alan and Sharon Drayton established in 1986. Alan Drayton Builders Ltd initially specialised in difficult site work, then with an increasing awareness of toxic practices and materials used in construction and a desire to build in a way that is healthy for both people and our planet, we sought to contribute something more beneficial to the construction industry.

We first learned about sustainable, healthy and harmonious building options through the Building Biology and Ecology Institute of New Zealand (BBE). In 1990 Alan was the first student in New Zealand to complete the BBE course in bio-harmonic building.

Since our focus turned to healthy building, eco-friendly, green building, natural and sustainable building have become well known terms in construction and for many people who share a concern for personal and environmental health and well-being, as well as that of our future generations.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of BioBuild is to contribute to creating healthy, sustainable life on the planet by building biologically and ecologically harmonious environments, to raise awareness and give tangible benefits for individuals, communities and the local and global environment. We endeavour to make sustainable living accessible, affordable and achievable. We succeed by contributing to projects which seek to improve the health and well-being of others andthe living environment.

Our aim is to make a positive impact in the built environment, minimising negative effects, acting responsibly and creating a culture of co-operation and exchange of ideas to collectively create a better world.

See our Projects

TESTIMONIALS

I have worked closely with BioBuild over the past 14 years, and together we have completed a number of very successful residential projects. The first of those projects was a 9 month renovation of my own house in 1998, and BioBuild were selected because of their expert knowledge in sustainable building and their passion for green architecture. This was a top priority for me on that project, and I was delighted with the finished result.

I became interested in working with Alan Drayton and his team initially because of this special knowledge. I had already realised that it was not enough simply to specify alternative materials like timbers, for example, it was also essential to find a builder who was genuinely passionate about them and who knew from experience where to find a good supply of those timbers. I have found that Alan and his team excel in this area.

However, as I worked with them I discovered that they offered far more than just this specialist knowledge, invaluable though it is. I found their workmanship and the standard of their finishing work is excellent and I have been struck by their attention to detail in every aspect of the project. I have also found them to be unusually patient and noticed that they will look at as many options as may be needed to solve tricky problems, so that everyone is happy with the end result.

Should anyone wish to contact me direct to discuss anything, I would be very happy to talk over any aspect of my experience of Bio Build’s work.
Claire Chambers
Registered Architect, B.Arch. (Hons), FNZIA

I approached BioBuild five years ago as the challenge of a large rammed earth house drew closer. As an owner-builder, I needed a sympathetic partner in a project too demanding for my resources. Alan Drayton proved to be just that partner, as we cooperated on every detail of gearing up for 300m2of house, with predominantly 3.9 m stud height in rammed earth, to talling 100 m3 of wall volume.

An approach of mutual design input, combining equipment and workshop capacity, along with a thorough-going technical guidance in earth science and quality got us ready for this difficult challenge. Skilled labour and specialist gear completed the preparations.

Whilst this build is currently but a 'henge', with much still to do, Alan and team have conquered the mountain, and will be vital in further challenges towards a finish.
Julian Pirie

Alan and his team have done a magnificent job building houses and site works at Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood. The rammed earth and exposed timber details at Earthsong required high levels of skill and care, and Alan's team took great pride in their craftsmanship. I found them consistently helpful, attentive and willing to problem-solve, and it was a pleasure to work with them.
Robin Allison, Earthsong