2. SHAC TEAMS
project name Institution/s location build type
Te Hira Whanau Bach 101 Te Hira Whanau & UNITEC / Rangitoto Island retrofit
ScALA / Te Hononga
Team Canterbury CPIT, University of Canterbury, Christchurch new build
and Lincoln (relocatable)
Team Housewise Housing New Zealand, Auckland retrofit
Landcare Research, University
of Auckland
Whareuku University of Auckland Lake Rotoiti new build
Team Dunedin Otago Polytechnic, University of Dunedin (relocatable) new build
Otago
Team Waikato Wintec Hamilton new build
The Plant Room Victoria University, Massey Wellington retrofit
University, Weltec
Team Central Otago Otago Polytechnic Clyde new build
Unitec EcoBach Unitec Auckland new build
SHAC 09 is a project of the Otago Polytechnic.
Significant funding has been supplied by the
Minister for the Environment's Sustainable
Management Fund.
3. Whareuku
University of Auckland
“We see house design as a key aspect that needs
to change in order to lessen the negative impact of
humans on our natural environment”.
Vision for More Sustainable Housing
The Whareuku team from the University of Auckland are developing a low-cost, ax- bre reinforced earthen
housing solution for rural Maori communities in the SHAC 09 competition. Our scenario for sustainable
living is one where the basic needs (social, cultural and physical) of each individual in the community are
of Maori kaitiakitanga (guardianship). The concept of kaitiakitanga is a holistic concept that places the
occupants of the land in the context of a greater whole with a responsibility to protect and preserve the
environmental and spiritual wellbeing of the land. Our team is made up of students that are motivated by
the clear need to change the ways the building industry currently provides housing, so that our generation
and generations after us can and will have our housing needs met and have a healthy and sustainable
natural environment to live in.
The Whareuku project, based at the University of Auckland, and under the leadership of the Principal
Investigator Kepa Morgan, has partnered with a number of Maori community representatives from around
the North Island to develop a practical, low-cost, ax- bre reinforced, earthen housing solution for use on
rural Maori land. The Whareuku earth housing project has been developed from a novel ax bre reinforced
earth idea into a two bedroom, 90 m2 house design and will be completed with the construction of the
earthen building.
Challenges
Because of our involvement in the SHaC competition, we looked at ways to t out the house and create
a sustainable house that considered all aspects of resource consumption and owner interaction with the
building. One path focused on developing high-tech, super e cient but more expensive solutions and the
other focused on technology and solutions that everyone (including the poor and 3rd world developing
which is only used by the neighbouring communities and provides an abundant supply of water for a xed
cost each month. This raised an issue with implementing dual ush toilets, ow restricting shower heads and
aerated taps because there was no nancial or practical incentive for the builder/plumber or house occupant
to install these more expensive water saving devices. In the end we did implement these features but it
raised a point that at least in this rural community, is can be considered sustainable to use larger volumes
of water than average because the generation of clean water is greater than the communities total water
consumption. Early dialogue with ve rural Maori papakainga revealed this particular site as the best site in
terms of available land, agreement with the local people and the available labour for the research project.
The relations with the people of the land and project preparation progressed and developed well with the
designs, the labour force and the site con rmed. Near the time construction however, a few people with
an interest in the land objected to the project and the dispute went to the point where a Maori Land Court
injunction was being prepared to stop the project. The replacement site identi ed is where the Whareuku
house stands today. From this we learnt to always have a backup location in mind because developing on
Maori land is, more often than not, a di cult process in several respects.
Opportunities for the next SHAC
The methodology and stage of development should remain open and reasonably unde ned keeping in
line with the idea that this competition is more about working collaboratively and celebrating the diverse
national research initiatives, helping them reach a practical stage (house building), raising the level of public
awareness and facilitating co-operation in all areas and levels of society and government. In the future we
Media Enquiries:
4. Whareuku - SHAC Facts Lake Rotoiti
housing solution
the consumption of power
the consumption of water
-
ing system
walls regulates the indoor air temperature
Model - Local labour and resources used in the
building are a part of the owner contributed down
payment of the house.
supports local community building of housing. op-
portunities to share about the housing research and
to increase the environmental awareness of hom-
eowners in the local community (Rotoiti)
5. Te Hira Whanau - Bach 101
Te Hira Whanau & UNITEC / ScALA / Te Hononga
"Upgrading the bach was working in the
morning and swimming in the afternoon.”
Vision for More Sustainable Housing
Sustainability has always been inherent in the typology of the classic Kiwi bach. You design and build it your-
self, you reuse found and local materials, and you and your family has a real connection to the place. You
also become a kaitiaki or guardian for a piece of our precious coastline. However, with the combined chal-
lenges of coastal real estate price rises and the removal of Bachs built on crown land from the 1980s, the true
kiwi bach is now certainly an endangered species.
Progress
The Bach 101 retro ts were nished in 2008. Following the 1 week build, family members completed water tank
reinstallation and so t bird proo ng and during the summer the family added a photovoltaic solar panel to
provide electricity to run e cient LED lights.
Challenges
The key challenge over the 1 week build was to manage unforseen repairs required to the south wall and
bedroom oor while trying to maintain progress on the 3 core areas namely re roof, re cladding south wall
new composting toilet and generator building. While this meant a full on dawn to dusk building schedule we
were well pleased to complete all elements to a fully closed in weather proof level.
Opportunities for the next SHAC
The Te Hira Whanau – Bach 101 represents a beacon of resistance to both the ubiquitous gentri cation of kiwi
bachs (many claiming bach status but are really beach houses) and the loss of those built on crown land. With
Bach 101, the maintenance of low energy and water use practises and the adoption of appropriate technol-
ogy solutions like Solar powered LED lighting systems and composting toilets has helped to preserve the es-
sence of Kiwi bach life while enhancing cultural and environmental sustainability. The opportunity therefore
exists for SHaC to help promote more simple, appropriate technology coastal living solutions which maintain,
enhance and reclaim sustainable connection to place.
Media Enquiries:
Rau Hoskins 021 658 019 rau@designtribe.co.nz
6. Te Hira Whanau - SHAC Facts Rangitoto Island
is low-energy. The bach has a new insulated south wall
and ceiling and low-energy solar powered LED lighting
that replaced less e cient candles, lamps and generator
enclosed by basalt walls and corrugated iron roof, is used
to both cook food and keep whanau members warm in
the winter months and on cooler evenings.
when collected from the bach roof with rainwater tanks
Waste: Reuse of materials reduces waste. This approach
included recycled timber joinery windows and recycled
corrugated iron for the roof of the toilet and generator
shed
built in 1919 from native timbers (mainly kauri) and has
wall paper on scrim on kauri sarked walls. The oor has
oor boards.
the family, it is inherently well-suited and adaptable.
7. Unitec Ecocrib
Unitec - Product Design and School of Applied Technology, Auckland
“The goal is to get as close as possible to 100% renewable
energy”.
Vision for More Sustainable Housing
also using building materials that lessen the impact on our environment, and highlighting how we are currently
using and living in our homes. Students will investigate and explore new systems and materials for the Unitec
be made available to industry sponsors, students, local government and the wider community.
In addition to the construction of the bach Product Design Students from the Bachelor of Product Design have
been concerned with designing innovative, sustainable and appropriate products (and product systems) for
kinds of research designers can undertake within the product design context to support more sustainable
solutions and secondly, how can designers contribute towards more sustainable lifestyles. The solutions arrived
at are equally applicable as retro- t items to any existing home.
Each of the product designers was asked to prepare concept proposals for one or more of the following
1.Interior and exterior lighting design 2. Interior and exterior furniture design
5. Bathroom design
The breadth of concepts arrived at ranges from water harvesting products, water e cient baths, fencing and
screening, educational resources to storage and anerobic digestion systems.
Key elements for build or retro t:
Energy - The goal is to get as close as possible to 100% renewable energy. There is no power from the grid to
this site. Everything must be generated on site from solar photo voltaic cells, wind power and if absolutely
necessary a bio diesel generator. Power consumption will be monitored by measuring what is generated
and stored in the batteries and how much is actually used. Energy e cient appliances will enable this to be
reduced. Heating is by way of hot air in the roof cavity being directed down over and stored in the concrete
slab. This is released back into the house at night through vents in the oor. Cooling in summer uses the same
path in reverse.
Water - Rain water harvesting, solar water heating and a grey water ltering system will be the main features
of this project. This aligns with the SHaC 09 vision and modelling on this is still to come. Average water use
per person in Auckland City is 203 litres per person per day. It is expected that the potential SHaC parameter
of 90 litres per day will be easily achievable. The site has no mains reticulated water. Irrigation of the garden
surrounding the house will also be supplied by the rain water harvesting system. Solar hot water heating must
supply all the hot water that the household uses daily for bathing, laundry and dishwashing.
Materials: Team vision is to source durable materials and where possible locally. The Hebel cladding has to come
from Australia. The choice of this material was governed by its thermal insulation properties for winter. With
is an oil derivative but the extra insulation value it adds to the wall and the reduction in energy use over the
life of the building may out way this. The Building Code requirement for timber cladding is 15yrs. This system
time. Timber products will be sourced from plantations approved by the Forestry Stewardship Council. This will
limit the number of suppliers available to the team. Recycled timber ooring will be used to limit the amount
of emissions, preventing ozone depletion and reducing volatile organic compounds.
Waste: Unitec Sustainable team goals are to minimise waste during construction and recycle where possible.
Students will determine where the waste products will go and the absolute minimum will be sent to land ll.
This exercise will form part of the learning outcomes for the certi cate of applied technology students building
the house. Waste products from the house services will be processed on site. Grey water to be processed
through ltering system appropriate for an organic garden.
Media Contact
ger Bateman bateman 7667 http://designprojects.ning.com
8. ecocrib
Unitec Ecocrib - SHAC Facts
ECOCRIB
ecoc
ECOCRIB Auckland
indoor temperature and moisture control
where food prep, cooking, recycling and storage meets socialising
combined with a table for homework, dining and other activities.
Materials are considered via LCA and the two part design allows for
recon guration and use in a variety of rooms.
9. Team Housewise
“I have really enjoyed being part of the discussions. They
have let me contribute my ideas. I have even become a
keen gardener, and I am now recycling as well.” (tenant)
Vision for More Sustainable Living
a 1950s state house with useable technologies that facilitate more environmentally and socially sustainable
more sustainable living. We have run a design workshop including the tenant to make sure we are delivering
an appropriate upgrade.
The Upgrade
The upgrade includes added insulation, open plan kitchen and lounge, an extra bedroom, a heat pump water
heater, a heat pump air heater and a rainwater tank. An example of involving the tenant, Barbara, in the upgrade
discussions was when she suggested a new window in her kitchen. “I wanted to be able to watch my children
from the kitchen when they were playing outside.” Barbara also told us that the pellet re we had suggested
might be too hot and dangerous for her children. “I have really enjoyed being part of the discussions. They
have let me contribute my ideas. I have even become a keen gardener, and I am now recycling as well,” she
added.
Progress
The nal design is now being consented. Expressions of Interest from builders are being sought.
We have completed design reviews and are looking to lodge building consent. Tenant liaison has gone well
with the team brie ng the tenant regularly on the project, and seeking input into aspects of the interventions,
i.e type of control panel for heat exchange system, secure backyard for the kids to play, etc.
Communications
Our team has developed a new logo for communication purposes. The project has featured in local community
news, Tamaki Campus University of Auckland Newsletter and internet site and the local Glen Innes Business
Association newsletter.
Challenges
Team Housewise has selected a family who is very excited to be part of this renovation project. The family has
been integrated into the design process through an in-depth interview and participation in an initial design
charette. We look forward to working with the family to design usable renovations to make the house warmer,
drier and healthier, and monitoring the resulting bene t to the environment.
Finally, we have begun collecting historical data on resource consumption (energy and water as well as health
indicators – the family has been in the same house for 10 years – to enable us to have a reasonable benchmark
for progress towards our goals of better performance in-use. We are also beginning to monitor the existing
indoor environment for temperature and humidity benchmarks. Once the work on the house is complete,
we will spend part of next year monitoring the actual performance of what basic house improvements and
Media Contact
10. Auckland
Team Housewise - SHAC Facts
for State Houses
sources, hardware and minor design elements for
the house.
for water and wastewater for the house.
practicable.
and tenant education programme
principals and look at asset improvements such as
passive ventilation, fan ventilation system, insulation,
etc to ensure a healthy indoor environment and
ensure tenant education covers importance of this
are fully aware and trained on how to maximise
the house features and also ensuring the budget is
reasonable and ensuring the repeatability of some
or all of the features in future upgrades of similar
stock.
design keeps with local character, civic identity,
e cient use of land, pedestrian, cycle, and vehicle
friendly. The design would also support social ties
and link with multiple transport systems
TEAM
HOUSEWISE
TEAM
HOUSEWISE
11. Team Waikato
Wintec, Hamilton
Vision for More Sustainable Housing
To The home has always been a symbol of a safe, protective environment with architects, builders and
homeowners alike knowing the importance of healthy insulated homes. With support from their supplying
partnersThe School of Trades at Wintec have constructed a 1-bedroom relocatable ancillary unit made of 90%
sustainable and re-cycleable materials. “The students along with local industry have worked the project, using
Pine from the Pine plantations of New Zealand with great enthusiasm,” said tutor, Trevor Wyatt. “The unit is
well insulated, showing that we can save energy by insulating, creating awarm, healthy environment.”
The insulation properties incorporated into the unit ensure that there is always a comfortable living
environment in any season – and the energy savings should be significant.
The Wintec Eco House is ideal for farms, baches or the extra room for visitors. Visit the Wintec Eco House and
see the possibilities for saving money with top quality housing that require less resources and are great places
to live. Bid at the Auction and Help Hospice Waikato.
Key SHAC Team Waikato House Features
less materials to make. The panels will be custom-made to suit the design from standard plywood sheets
with very little waste.
exposed ground dark coloured concrete oor. Additional solar storage in translucent water- lled trombe
walls.
exterior insulating shutters provide additional insulation in winter if required, or shading of the trombe
walls in summer.
construction. Mechanical ventilation will be required as a result. This will be combined with a heat exchanger
to scavenge the exhaust air. No additional heating will be provided as it is not expected to be necessary.
house because of the inherent nature of the panels. The interior surfaces will be exposed premium plywood
which will be clear powder-coated. This impervious surface has a long life and high impact resistance. These
factors, should result in a long service life for the building as constructed.
purpose.
Challenges
Foreign exchange has made the trial SIP panel importation possibly too dear. The construction methodology
is being reconsidered. The team is nalising its design and is meeting potential suppliers next week. The team
plans a quick build in preparation for the Waikato Home Show.
Media Enquiries:
Trevor Wyatt, Wintec , trevor.wyatt@wintec.ac.nz 07 834 8800 ext 8732
12. Team Waikato SHAC Facts Hamilton
building has less surface area to lose heat through, and
uses less materials to make. Very high levels of insulation
in ceiling, wall and oor with very little thermal bridging.
Highly airtight construction. The design has a signi cant
amount of Northern glazing with suitable summer shading.
Solar heat store in exposed ground dark coloured concrete
oor. Additional solar storage in translucent water- lled
trombe walls.
design from standard plywood sheets with very little
waste. Embodied energy is lowered by reduced use of steel
and imported products.
a heat exchanger to scavenge the exhaust air. The interior
surfaces will be exposed premium plywood which will be
clear powder-coated.
is transportable, it can be moved to another location when
it no longer suits the purpose.
13. The Plant Room
University of Victoria School of Architecture, Massey University
“Our regenerative habitat, the Plant Room, is an inner-
city project that will generate energy, collect water,
recycle waste and grow food whilst addressing urgent
housing needs”.
Objectives
One of the more unique aspects of living in Wellington is its dense inner city culture and the already high rate
living scenarios, high density, low-rise buildings, rooftop gardens, a variety of communities, and importantly,
in the context of a post-oil-crash society, the need to live close to work, schools and shops. We felt that looking
at higher-density living, particularly higher-density social housing was a need we should address for the
Wellington region. We are also concerned that environmental sustainability as a goal may never be achieved
consume large amounts of energy.
Our current building stock is likely to be with us for a long time and there is a tremendous opportunity to improve
these buildings to make them more energy e cient, comfortable to live in and socially sustainable. We wish
to address this issue through retro tting a generic Wellington apartment. More broadly we are interested in
Vision for More Sustainable Living
The Plant Room is a prefabricated room that bolts-on to a variety of existing apartment types. A Plant Room
provides hot water for one, a healthy growing space for herbs, fruit and vegetables all year round, a worm farm,
a rainwater tank, an outdoor space and an enclosed room.
It shades the apartment to avoid summer overheating and collects hot air to circulate warmth in the winter. It is
It could also be a suitable solution to o ce retro- ts.
We have committed to build two Plant Rooms:
The rst will be a transportable exhibition to communicate the ideas of sustainable building to the wider
community. It will be tted to a shipping container and exhibited at various locations around new zealand.
The container will also provide a location for events where the technologies and products used can be fully
explained. The second will be tted to an apartment building. It will be occupied, monitored and tested to
establish the base level of performance of the unit and to drive future development of the plant room as a
potential building product/component.
Media Contact
Jessica Bennett VUW - jessbenorama@gmail.com 027 213 0817
14. The Plant Room - SHAC Facts
to a typical apartment. No energy will be required
for space heating.
water recycling Wormerator Composting Toilets
maximum possible proportion of recycled materials.
A green roof / wall modular system will be designed
drainage mat made from recycled tyres. The bolt-
on plant room element will be made from recycled
timber and local stone pavers for thermal mass. Wellington
Glazing will be new to ensure a high performance
standard. These two systems will be designed to be
fully demountable so that they can
be reused over and over.
reduction in construction & demolition waste
100% of grey water will be re-used for garden
irrigation/ watering vegetable gardens. 100%
blackwater (solids) fed to worm farm
15. Team Dunedin
Otago Polytechnic and The University of Otago
your average family living in Dunedin the opportunity
to live in a more sustainable way than what they
normally would.”
Vision for More Sustainable Housing in Otago
fact encompasses a variety of accessible and sustainable materials and services. Good use of conventional
use of energy, good use of the sun, and good insulation. It will be a pleasure to live in because of good design,
including e cient use of space.
Progress
Challenge. The house is being built by Otago Polytechnic Carpentry students and has been designed to be as
Challenges
1. Working with existing sponsors. Team Dunedin is working with sponsors in order to fund their build. This
is both a positive and a challenge – we are strengthening existing relationships and putting a twist on
our sponsorship relationship by asking for more sustainable products. Happily, our sponsors understand
our motives and are happy to oblige. Without them, our build could not go ahead – but will aspects of
2. Ours is a transportable home built by new building students that must be taught to achieve unit standards.
This must be the largest parameter to our project and build.
3. Working an education environment. With a team made up of members who each had their own personal
match objectives, as well as timelines.
more sustainable building is simply practical building. In the presence of misconceptions about what
underestimated.
Opportunities for the next SHAC
Team Dunedin, therefore strongly advocates for a SHaC 2011/2012 – whatever the funding and timelines
dictate. Firstly, the team itself might need a bit more time. We feel like our design was rushed through in a way
and we would have liked to have a bit more time – but I guess it is hard to make everyone happy! We would also
like to have had better opportunities to work with industry – if this could be coordinated somehow that would
expand the skills of our carpentry students. We really hope to have another opportunity with SHaC to try new
Media Contact
0800 762 786
16. Team Dunedin SHAC Facts
mean low energy requirements. E cient heating supported
- wood burner, pellet re, or heat pump. Dunedin:
much less costs to build or heat
for composting
and carpet
portable, bike storage
17. Team Central Otago
Otago Polytechnic
“Hopefully it will provoke people to think and see
Description
house for the arid, Central Otago environment.
Vision for More Sustainable Housing
In keeping with his Finnish roots, a sauna and loft was part of the design brief and has been incorporated into
the home. Earthen oors, a ve tonne masonry stove, earthen plasters, and a central mass wall are design
elements and materials that will all act as passive solar collectors which absorb the direct radiation during the
day and assist in warming the home during the cold Central Otago nights.
Utilizing straw bales, with an R-value of R6 wall insulation, will take a non-toxic, natural, renewable and
potentially polluting waste product (as straw is often burned) and create a wonderfully insulated, beautiful
sanctuary from exterior noise and temperatures.
Passive solar, active solar thermal and the masonry stove will keep the interior space and domestic hot water
needs to the right temperature while keeping environmental emissions and use of fossil fuels to a minimum.
Reuse of materials has also been a focus by salvaging timber for use in windows, oors, ceilings and structural
members.
The landscape has been designed to include both native plantings and edibles.
Progress
Design changes and consenting issues have slowed progress. Building is now expected to start in September
2009. Construction began in mid July with the site being excavated and prepping it for the salvaged tilt slab
September 2009
Building a Masonry Stove, Straw Bale Design & Construction, Introduction to Natural Building, Photovoltaics,
among others. Contact 0800 765 9276 to sign up for these courses today.
Media Contact
Sarah Johnston, Sol Design Ltd./Otago Polytechnic, sarahjohnston@ihug.co.nz 03 693 7369
18. Team Central Otago - SHAC
Facts
mostly professionals in the construction industry
display Centre in Cromwell
masonry stove with heat exchanger
Clyde, Central
Otago
mass wall to act as passive solar collectors, absorbing
the warmth of the direct solar radiation
cabinetry
19. Team Canterbury
Canterbury University/ Lincoln University/Christchurch Polytechnic
“We were looking for long term, solutions that will
bene t the Canturbury region for years to come.”
Vision for More Sustainable Housing
Team Canterbury (CPIT, University of Canterbury and Lincoln University) developed its concept entry based on
four key requirements:
Progress
furnishing concepts from paint and colour schemes through to wall and oor coverings; and the Trades
Key elements for build or retro t:
Power: Grid tied system with provision for night rate meter and renewable alternatives such as solar PV should
they become economically or environmentally sensible. Use the power from the grid if available as it will be
active solar evacuated tube system coupled to an on demand electric booster will be speci ed. Ensure that the
into bedrooms from the passive solar and heat pump or small pellet re.
Lighting: Compact uorescent lights to be used throughout the entire home. Sensors for outdoor lights will
minimise excess lighting while providing safety and security. Maximise use of natural lighting for living areas.
No heat-leaking, low throw ceiling recessed spot lights! Appliances: Energy star rated appliances are highly
be sized according to the household requirements. A power meter unit will be installed to provide energy use
information to the occupants as a type of feedback loop to help establish less wasteful behaviours.
Water: The main goals for this category is reducing mains water demand to 90 litres per person per day and
Hands-free kitchen xture and a timer device in the shower will manage wasteful behaviour.
Waste: The goals for our waste category are to reduce waste during construction and implementing sediment
and erosion control during construction and operation.
Materials: The house will have a 150mm thick wall, with R3.6 insulation. The roof will have R5 insulation and
the oor R1.3. The living area oor will be tiled to add thermal mass. This also reduces the amount of dust and
allergenic substances in the house that reside in carpet. Two materials that are hard to dispose of are Pink Batts
and treated timber. It is requested that during construction, the tradesmen take extra care when installing
Batts, to make for a thermally tight house, and also to make it easier to remove the batts and reuse them at the
end of the buildings life.
producing species and raised-bed structures. Purpose-built concrete compost bins installed behind the home
as is the rain-water collection tank.
Media Enquires:
Associate Professor Susan Krumdieck susan.krumdieck@canterbury.ac.nz 03 364 2987 ext 7249
20. Canterbury - SHAC Facts
sustainable house using timber framing and carefully
considered conventional building techniques
Christchurch
requirements. Sun capturing north facing windows,
E cient heating heat pump.
designed so that it could be built in sections, as money is
saved up.
transportable, and can be moved.