66 | Black Pine Architects ARCHITECTURE T T Sue Russell Design philosophy honed overseas A Certified B Corporation must demonstrate high social and environmental performance. Black Pine Architects is a B Corp certified Whanganui-based practice, led by Duncan Sinclair who set up the studio in 2012, having worked in many countries overseas, honing the design philosophy that guides his work today. A Certified B Corporation must demonstrate high social and environmental performance and make a legal commitment to be accountable to all stakeholders. It must also display transparency about its performance via the B Lab website, in meeting these standard. “We focus on providing design related services to people seeking high performance buildings and use the Passivhaus standard to ensure, regardless of the look, site presentation or scale of a design, those living inside will be in the healthiest environment possible,” says Duncan. He holds firm views on the current situation of many of New Zealand’s homes, where legislated standards are often seen as the goal, rather than the minimum legal requirements and old patterns of development are favoured because of industry familiarity. “We want to protect our young and elderly, to provide them a safe, secure home. To know they may be exposed to formaldehyde, chlorinate polymers, volatile organic compounds and other toxic substances does not sit well with me.” Duncan holds the opinion that we are all beneficiaries of the planet we live on, so to design in a way that contributes positively to the living system we’re all a part of, ought to be our baseline. To give example of these values, Duncan refers to two projects. Majors Paul and Susan Jarvis of Whanganui Salvation Army oversaw the purchase of a warehouse space next door to the community centre. They knew what they needed but had no development experience to draw on, so Duncan, carrying a background in multi-staged commercial projects, stepped in to help. He developed a robust plan to carry out the building’s transformation. “Gemini Pepper Construction were engaged as the main contractor to add further value with their experience,” Duncan says. Given the age of the building, as half of the first floor area was removed, there was an air of anticipations of many ‘surprises’ the building would reveal before being rebuilt. Duncan says it was pleasing to see the project handed over in time for new leaders, Captains Rachel and Simon Montgomery to start their work in Whanganui. And when it came to the building of her new home, Rachel Rose, author of many articles about New Zealand’s highest performing buildings, sought Black Pine’s help with developing a solid Contract Management framework. Rachel was investing her life savings in this home and to have the added surety of Duncan overseeing the build contract’s management oversight was much appreciated. Her home, designed by Wellington-based Registered Architect and Passivhaus Designer Guy Shaw, and built by David Brown Builders, has recently been Passivhaus certified and is only the second Straw Bale home in New Zealand to achieve this. “The home is testament to Rachel’s dedicated focus on building to the world’s highest standards, with the lowest carbon, healthiest materials,” says Duncan. • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • EARTHQUAKE STRENGTHENING Cnr Hinau and Rogers Streets, PO Box 489, Whanganui Phone 06 344 5084 Mob 027 438 4211 Email: office@gempep.co.nz Whether you want a unique piece of furniture or are considering the benefits of a bedroom remodelling project, we are here to help. • NEW HOUSE BUILDS • KITCHEN & BATH • EXTERIOR REPAIR • INTERIOR REPAIR Proudly supporting Black Pine Architects 027 534 5414 dbrownbuilding@gmail.com www.davidbrownbuilding.co.nz
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=