Shac Overview October 2009

SHAC 09 – At a glance The Sustainable Habitat Challenge (SHAC) is proof that more sustainable living is practical today. In early 2008, SHAC teams were issued a challenge – to create a home that requires fewer resources, produces less waste, represents value for money and supports a sustainable community. They were asked to design, fund and construct their project, and complete their work by November 2009. It was an ambitious proposal – embraced with vision and passion across the country. Teams worked together creating buildings, retrofits and new products to support desirable, more sustainable living. Teams included a tertiary institution and included students, professionals, tradespeople, educators, iwi, local authorities, community housing representatives, and others. Altogether, ten teams entered, resulting in eight new builds and retrofits. Their work reflects a range of approaches to sustainability – from a bolt-on plant room for high-rise apartments through to a mud and flax earth home designed for a rural Māori community. Values such as resourcefulness, practicality, beauty and social wellbeing were celebrated. Some projects focused on making the most of conventional building techniques to make sustainability a natural part of everyday life. And while the features of the buildings and the philosophies of sustainability are highlights of the challenge, they are by no means the full story. Behind each project is a team, some of whose participants had never met prior to embarking on their work. They not only found common ground through their interests, but were able to turn their thinking into action – creating real, physical examples of options for more sustainable living. We now all have the benefit of this work. The social benefits have, in some instances, been striking – they include healthier homes for Housing New Zealand residents, and buildings auctioned for charity. Meanwhile, all teams have documented their ideas and allowed these to be available to both the public and the industry for the future. The creation, sharing and gifting of knowledge are the lasting outcomes of this challenge. Contact Tim, Rowan, and Nicola at [email protected], or call 0800 SHAC 09

SHAC 09 is a project of the Otago Polytechnic. Significant funding has been supplied by the Minister for the Environment's Sustainable Management Fund.

EMAIL WEBSITE

[email protected] www.shac.org.nz

POST

Private Bag 1910 Dunedin, New Zealand

PHONE MOBILE

0800 SHAC09 +64 21 705 346

 

TEAM CANTERBURY

 

Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, University of Canterbury and Lincoln University Christchurch New timber-framed home

University of Auckland Lake Rotoiti New earthen house

Embracing the philosophies of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and “sweat equity”, Whareuku has created a low-cost, flax-fibre reinforced earthen housing solution for rural Māori communities. 

Build as you can afford to! Making effective use of conventional building techniques, this home can be built roomby-room, as funding permits.  

 

TE HIRA WHANAU BACH 101

 

Otago Polytechnic Clyde New straw bale home

This modern refit of a classic bach emphasises recycling and a low-energy, do-it-yourself lifestyle to recapture the simple beauty of Kiwi holidays. 

High-spec straw bale eco home for Finnish client. Building challenges included incorporating a sauna and five-tonne masonry stove into the design. 

TEAM HOUSEWISE

 

TEAM WAIKATO

UNITEC ECOCRIB Unitec Auckland New build bach and interiors (design only)

From cladding to furniture and light fittings – product designers and builders collaborate to design an efficient, healthy bach-style home. 

Demonstrates a sustainable renovations package for upgrading Housing New Zealand properties. Includes familyfriendly ideas designed by the home’s tenant. 

 

TEAM CENTRAL OTAGO

Te Hira Whanau, Unitec ScALA, Te Hononga Rangitoto Island Retrofit bach

University of Auckland, Landcare Research, Housing New Zealand Auckland Retrofit state house

 

WHAREUKU

 

TEAM DUNEDIN

Wintec School of Trades Hamilton (relocatable) New build timber-panel unit

Otago Polytechnic, University of Otago Dunedin (relocatable) New timber-framed home

Adding on? Add in! A relocatable onebedroom energy-efficient unit home adds value to backyards. To be auctioned to support Hospice Waikato. 

Nothing to see here... this stylish home is "normal" as possible while containing a wide variety of accessible and sustainable products and services. Proof that sustainable building is within everyone’s reach today. 

THE PLANT ROOM

 

THE PLANT ROOM

Victoria University Wellington (relocatable) Extension for inner-city apartment

Victoria University, Massey University, Weltec Wellington (relocatable) Extension for inner-city apartment

Prefabricated bolt-on room providing space to grow food, generate energy, collect rainwater and manage waste. Designed for high-intensity housing, or attachments to office blocks. 

Further details on each project can be found at www.shac.org.nz