An end-of-life Kāinga Ora house as a living classroom for students keen to pursue careers in construction. How did it develop?
Originally when we asked Kāinga Ora for an end-of-life home it was to ‘have a go’ at doing a little renovation with our Level 3 BCITO (Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation) students. We’d been building furniture for the school campus and wanted to step up the level of our work to better support students transitioning to apprenticeships. But before the house arrived on site at school, I heard about Homestar and things started to grow…..
How did you know about Homestar and why have you chosen to target a 7 Homestar rating?
I first learned about Homestar in my architecture lecture at university. I asked to meet my lecturer after the next university session and shared my idea with him of a Homestar targeted house redevelopment project with my students. He looked a bit surprised but suggested I contact the NZGBC! I poked around the NZGBC website, looked at example projects, talked with NZGBC people. Our school builder fully supported teaching the students better practice and was open to learning too, so we decided to go for it. We had the architecture faculty at the university to lean on.
A 7 Homestar rating appeared achievable without being crazy difficult. The challenge was to exceed existing new build 6 Homestar Kāinga Ora homes. And to do this with school students! The school setting made it possible to weave the environmental principles and concepts into the project easily.
We are on track to achieve a 7 Homestar rating – and the house is set to be auctioned off in April.
What’s the vibe on site?
The students are engaged, keen, enthusiastic and ready. They come prepared both physically (having put their PPE on in the workshop before arriving at the house) and mentally. They are ready to listen, observe, take instruction, discuss and get stuck in.
The know they’re fortunate. They know this type of project is not available in every school and they see the pathways and opportunities it’s providing. The vibe is upbeat, fast moving and focused.
Is Homestar enhancing what you’re doing?
Homestar has completely changed the trajectory of this project. NZGBC made introductions for us which were instrumental - connecting us with knowledgeable, enthusiastic people- who connected us with more knowledgeable and generous people! The learnings for the students, myself as a teacher and architecture student, our school builder, school senior leaders and school community - have been significantly enhanced.
I didn’t know what a blower door test was! We’ve shared our learnings with our community as it’s unfolded - providing everyone with insights into how building envelopes and building tightness works.
How have the students reacted to ‘building green’?
I’m not sure they see it as ‘building green’ but rather as building that provides better results for the homeowner, better practice for builders and being conscious and aware of waste and waste recycling.
Education, sustainability and design have underpinned your career journey across Aotearoa, USA, England and The Bahamas. This house project has it all. Any insights?
I didn’t consciously set out to do environmental projects or work – it was never my primary focus. However, my pathway has always led to the concept of sustainability. Maybe because it is our future and our children’s future. No matter what we believe or what we do, we cannot survive without sustainable practices.
Alongside all this you’re completing a Bachelor of Architecture. What is driving you?
The desire and joy of learning.
To do better and to share that information so others can do better too.
What’s your view of residential housing in Aotearoa?
My view is that many of us, myself included, don’t live in healthy, warm, dry homes. I don’t believe the quality of residential homes is as good as it could be. There’s opportunity to do better.
I would LOVE - and I will work to make this happen - the knowledge and information we’ve been gathering on this project to support people in Aotearoa to make choices during renovations and new builds to provide them with healthy, dry, warm and affordable solutions.
What change do you hope to bring as an architect?
I’d like to provide architectural services that ‘everyday people’ can afford. I understand why architectural services are costly and know many of those costs are unavoidable. I would like to productise services so people can make informed decisions about how a new build or renovation will perform, what it costs, why and how it will be maintained and serviced over the long term.
This is idealistic thinking that may or may not be doable. However, I’m proceeding as if success is possible.
Do you have a favourite green building here or anywhere in the world?
Many! Right now, I just love the simplicity of the Microlibrary Warak Kayu in Semarang, Indonesia. It’s designed by architectural firm SHAU and is a library/ public reading room – it uses passive climatic design and is built entirely from FSC-certified wood.