Metlifecare is a leader in the provision of quality, innovative and sustainable solutions for the lifestyle and care needs of older people. As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility objectives, Metlifecare identified good synergies and opportunities to ensure their residential living units are aligned with Homestar principles. Homestar assessors BXG have been working in partnership with Metlifecare to help align and certify a number of their new aged-care villages and centres, ensuring it was first in the country to successfully achieve Homestar certification on its projects.
“Metlifecare has invested in sustainability because it makes sense” said Metlifecare Chief Executive Glen Sowry. “Features such as solar water heating, low energy LED lighting and a superior level of insulation make our homes very comfortable yet significantly cheaper to run on a fixed income. Our residents are greatly appreciating this as well as enjoying the associated health benefits.”
The first stage of Greenwich Gardens, on the North Shore in Auckland, was officially opened on Friday 16 September 2016, additional stages continue to be built. There are various types of accommodation at the village that once fully completed will feature 233 apartments and 75 villas, as well as a 48-bed care home, set amongst landscaped grounds and gardens. Currently, more than 142 Homestar dwellings certified. This contemporary and upmarket retirement community currently offers independent villas and apartments through to supported living apartments and rest home and hospital level care, providing residents a range of options that are of the standard expected from a premium retirement village.
Project summary
Ratings: 6 Homestar Built ratings - 142 Apartments
Location: 5 Greenwich Way, Unsworth Heights
Project owner: Metlifecare
Homestar assessor: BXG – Alex Reiche
Architect - stages 1,2,4,5,6: eDES Ltd
Builder: Haydn & Rollett Construction
The Villas
The first completed stage that received 6 Homestar certification was the independent Villas. Features include:
- Above Building Code levels of insulation.
- Energy efficient heating and lighting systems.
- Solar Hot Water.
- Low emitting and ecolabel certified indoor products and materials.
- Site, native planting and composting features.
The Apartments
The next completed stage was a large apartment complex, self contained apartments, care units and communal areas including restaurant, gym and swimming pool. Features include:
- Above Building Code levels of insulation.
- Energy efficient heating and lighting systems.
- Low emitting and ecolabel certified indoor products and materials.
- The solar photovoltaic system is generating electricity for the building.
- The solar water heating is generating hot water for the care units level.
- The solar pool heating is generating hot water for the swimming pool.
Tracking of the solar systems over the first 12 months after the installation has shown that they are over-delivering compared to predictions, providing an increased return on investment for the owner-operator.