Is This Material Good for Me? A Guide to Choosing Healthier, Soulful Materials in Your Next Build

Want a healthier building? Learn what questions to ask your architect, builder, or supplier to ensure your materials are non-toxic, sustainable, and good for both people and planet. Michael Davies of Daedal guides you with some options.

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Nature Already Got It Right: Why the Best Materials Aren’t Man-Made

Natural materials like wool, timber, and stone outperform many man-made alternatives. At Daedal, Michael Davies Architect NZ explores why soulful, sustainable architecture starts with what nature already perfected.

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What if sustainability isn’t the goal?

Sustainable buildings can still cause harm. At Daedal, Michael Davies Architect NZ explores why regenerative and biophilic architecture must go further — restoring ecosystems, enriching lives, and creating soulful, living environments.

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Start with the Soil: Why Architecture Should Be Landscape-Led

Great architecture begins with the land. Discover why landscape-led design leads to more resilient, soulful, and sustainable buildings – from city blocks to tiny homes. A Daedal perspective by Michael Davies Architect NZ.

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The Sound of the City: Designing with Noise in Mind

Discover how thoughtful acoustic design can transform noisy cities into soulful, human-centred environments. Michael Davies of Daedal Architecture explores how biophilic design and emotional architecture can restore calm, connection, and care to the soundscape of our urban spaces.

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Why Every Building Should Have a Green Roof: Towards a More Resilient Architecture

Discover why green roofs should be the standard for sustainable architecture. Michael Davies, NZ architect at Daedal, explores how biophilic design and soulful architecture can transform rooftops into thriving ecosystems. Learn the benefits, challenges, and real-world examples from Europe and beyond.

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Architectural Health & Resilience: Lessons from a Peanut Label

Many modern buildings are filled with hidden toxins that impact our health and well-being. Michael Davies, Architect NZ and founder of Daedal, explores how greenwashing has misled us and why soulful architecture—rooted in natural materials and biophilic design—is the key to healthier, more connected spaces. Discover how toxin-free design can transform the way we live.

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Introducing Biophilic Design into School Spaces

Michael Davies, Architect NZ, and Daedal bring biophilic design to school refurbishments, integrating nature-inspired visuals and materials. Discover how macro photography of native NZ bird feathers, wood textures, and thoughtful design elevate student well-being and cognitive function.

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Why Tendering Isn’t Always the Best Choice for Small Residential Projects – And What to Do Instead

When it comes to small residential construction projects, many homeowners assume that tendering is the best route to secure a fair price. But is it really? While tendering has its place, it often brings more challenges than benefits, especially for smaller projects. At Daedal, where we craft soulful, human-centered spaces, we believe in approaches that prioritize quality, trust, and collaboration.

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