Newsroom

Latest news and information on Homestar from NZGBC and the media

Vinegar Lane apartment exemplifies desirable, attractive and sustainable apartment living with 8-Homestar design rating

17/05/2013

The developers of Ponsonby’s new Vinegar Lane have responded to Auckland’s housing shortage with a beautifully designed and environmentally thoughtful neighbourhood of town houses, terrace houses, boutique apartments and office space, where it is quite literally possible to live and work in the same building.

Located just off Ponsonby Road, Vinegar Lane boasts 30 lots for development. Situated around an exclusive courtyard for residents’ private use, the project sets itself apart by allowing owners to develop their own homes and office spaces, just the way they want.

Vinegar Lane

Design standards enhance comfort

03/05/2013

Meeting the highest standards for energy-efficiency and accessibility were top priorities for architectural designer Bob Burnett, of Eversun Homes, in designing a new eco-home in the Christchurch suburb of Addington.

The home was designed to meet both the Lifemark standard for accessibility and also to attain an eight-star Homestar standard for energy efficiency.

Bob, who has had a longstanding passion for eco-friendly design, recommends Lifemark standards because he believes “it just makes sense for all and is not expensive”.

Eversun Homes

See how Stonewood achieved their first 7 Homestar Certified showhome

22/04/2013

The property is located in Tauhini Ave in Lincoln, Christchurch.

See below for the Stonewood Homes Homestar video:

Here's what makes this a 7 star Homestar™ home:
• Rainwater harvesting to toilets, laundry and irrigation
• Level entry to exterior doors gives easy access to buggies & wheelchairs
• Chemical free framing so you can breath easier
• Thermally broken window joinery for a warmer home
• Surface mounted low energy lighting reduces heat loss

Stonewood Homes Lincoln Showhome

Efficiency to the fore in Christchurch homes

15/04/2013

Jo Bailey Energy efficiency is one of the hot topics of the Christchurch rebuild, says architectural designer Bob Burnett of Eversun homes.

"People are realising they can get something better than the average, standard Kiwi home without it costing a lot more.

"An energy efficient home also delivers long term cost savings so it makes a lot of sense." In the past people have tried to get the biggest house possible for a smaller cost per square metre however they are now asking themselves what they actually need, he says.

Eversun Homes

Developers opt to 'placemake' suburbs

10/04/2013

For shoppers, farmers' markets are a chance to buy organic heirloom tomatoes and artisan ciabatta. To suburban developers, these produce markets mean much more - an unbeatable sales pitch.

The traditional new-build suburb of identikit homes with immaculate, identical gardens, so often parodied on our television screens, may be dead. In its stead, a step back in time to the rural village, with the farmers' market a suitable substitute for the butcher, baker and greengrocer.

Developers opt to 'placemake' suburbs

HIVE - One year on celebration

06/04/2013

All public are welcome to this FREE event on the weekend April 6-7, celebrating one year on from HIVE first opening to the public. HIVE - Home Innovation Village is a showcase of beautifully-designed sustainable permanent pre-engineered homes at Canterbury Agricultural Park. There are nine completed buildings on display showing a range of architect-design, high-quality, affordable, sustainable and rapidly delivered homes. Homestar New Build and Design Manager, Matthew Cutler-Welsh, will be available to answer any questions.

There will be:
- bouncy castle for kids

HIVE - One Year On Celebration

Plan A: Creating the world’s best city

25/03/2013

The Draft Auckland Unitary Plan has just been released as the blueprint for making Auckland “the world’s most liveable city”. Andy Kenworthy takes a look inside to find out what that really means, and how the future Auckland might look if the dream is realised.

Sustainable buildings

Element Magazine

The Auckland Draft Unitary Plan will be announced on 15 March

14/03/2013

Aucklanders have an opportunity to revisit the way our city works with the announcement of the Draft Unitary Plan by the Auckland City Council. The Unitary Plan is the key tool in implementing the Auckland Plan and achieving the vision of being the world’s most liveable city.

The Auckland Unitary Plan

Building homes for the future

12/03/2013

Cantabrians want warmer, healthier and more eco-friendly homes and are willing to spend a little extra to "future-proof" their properties, experts say.

Building firms and designers say people are splashing out on better insulation, double glazing and solar power technology to save money in the long term.

Architectural designer Bob Burnett, of Eversun Homes, said eco-friendly design was "becoming very topical in the rebuild".

His firm works to the Homestar scale, which measures a property's environmental performance out of ten stars.

Building homes for the future

Abuzz at the HIVE

12/03/2013

When you think of prefabricated buildings often it is the image of old school classrooms well past their “best before” date that spring to mind. However, at the Home Innovation Village (HIVE) in the Canterbury Agricultural Park, building companies and sector leaders are showing just how far prefabricated buildings have come.

These architecturally designed, aesthetically pleasing constructions are about as far away from those old school prefabs as you can get.

Home Innovation Village