110 | Passive homes on the rise Matai Homes is focused on servicing the wider Wellington region. Matai Homes BUILDING When Business Central spoke with Chay Goodwin, one of two directors of Wellington-based Matai Homes he described the pace of work as very busy. “We’re only a small company with seven of us in total, and given the uncertainties in the new house build market its important to take on as much work as is offered, so we find ourselves very busy indeed,” Chay says. Chay tends to be more hands-on with builds and clients, leaving fellow director Erwin Kronawitter responsible more for the paper work, accounts and business administration, but both were actively engaged in building, in early November, to keep the scheduling going well across three projects. While the company is relatively new, Chay has a history working on very high spec Passive and High-Performance homes in the UK. Here in New Zealand, around the Greater Wellington region, these types of builds are what the business concentrates on. Since returning to New Zealand 17 years ago, Chay has noticed a gathering interest in Passive and High Performing Home construction which, he says, is gratifying and just makes good sense when considering the health benefits and energy cost savings that these homes provide. “It is certainly easier to get the Passive Homes certification on a build, given the improvements in technologies that go into making homes air-tight have become more common place.” At the heart of any Passive Homes (a building credential that stems from Germany), is the mechanical ventilation system, where air flows in two directions, clean air in, stale air out through a heat exchange process. “It means that the stale air leaving the inside of the home helps heat the fresh new air coming in from outside, making it an extremely efficient, cost effective system through which T T Sue Russell air temperature is maintained at a relative constant level all year.” This in turn flows on to healthier air being breathed, a warmer, drier home and substantial heating/cooling cost savings over time. A Passive House begins at the design stage and flows on into its construction methodologies. Chay and Erwin are one of a handful of qualified and certified Passive House builders. They are members of the Passive House Institute, a world-wide organisation. To gain qualifications to then build homes to Passive standards requires a great deal of learning. “I did a six day course which was very complex in nature; full of numbers and calculations, dealing with U and R Values.” Working in such a specialised building sector and focussing on high-end means that at most, the company completes only 3 or 4 homes a year. Chay says, though there’s been a slowing down in the residential market generally, he’s still fielding enquiries. A spectacular new home is currently a few weeks away from completion in Karori. Measuring 320m2, the home is constructed using ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) blocks. Triple-glazed windows have been imported from Belgium and its been a major build for the team. Chay says when finished it will be a beautiful home show-casing just what they are capable of building. “Best of all, for the owners, it’s sustainable, energy efficient and very healthy design and materials will give lasting pleasure.” Chay says he and Erwin and the team are looking forward to 2024. “We’re fortunate that as a small building company we only need a few builds a year to keep ticking along well.” > EXPERIENCED > RELIABLE > COMPETITIVE Your local, licensed, certifying Plumbers and Gasfitters for the Wellington Area and Kapiti Coast. Proudly Supporting Matai Homes www.latitudeplumbing.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. Volume 6 | Issue 2 | April 2021 www.waterfordpress.co.nz ‘Excellence in Energy’ Taranaki’s Todd Energy will have a key role to play as New Zealand moves toward a low emissions economy. Page 8 Waikato farmers Dean & Ang Finnerty have expanded their dairy cow operation into a successful goat milking enterprise as well PAGE 10 Turning challenge into opportunity AUTUMN 2022 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Volume 6 | Issue 3 | July 2021 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Making waves Back on track New Zealand hydrofoil maker Armstrong is generating interest around the world with its high performance products. Work on the ambitious NZCIS facility in Upper Hutt is progressing well after Covid disruptions. PAGE 70 PAGE 10 Healthy delivery A new elective surgery facility in Hastings will provide a big boost to the region’s operating capacity. PAGE 52 Volume 6 | Issue 5 | December 2021 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Cheers Boys! YoungWellington irm3Māori Boys is creating a buzz with it’s ground-breakingWai Manuka natural beverage. PAGE 45 Passion and pride New Plymouth’s Energyworks has forged a strong reputation in 50 years of business. PAGE 64 Seaview upgrade CentrePort’s SeaviewWharf facility is set for a major upgrade to bring it up to international standards. PAGE 14 businesscentral Each edition priority delivered to your door. i i i i li . www.waterfordpress.co.nz/subscriptions . . . 03 983 5525 Stay informed; we work with business owners and decision-makers across all economic sectors, pro iling their success. i ; i i i i - ll i , ili i .
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=