Business South August 2020

64 | Volume 29 | Issue 4 businesssouth • PLUMBING • DRAINAGE • ELECTRICAL • GASFITTING www . a d ams n z . c om Dunedin 03 477 0077 Central Otago 03 445 4916 Proud to support Wilson Builders PLACEMAKERS DUNEDIN & MOSGIEL PROUDLY SUPPORTING WILSON BUILDERS PLACEMAKERSDUNEDIN & MOSGIEL 86 PORTSMOUTH DRIVE & 34 CARNCROSS ST (03) 466 4617 BUILDING - DUNEDIN » Wilson Builders Superhome- pushing the boundaries for better building This new house in North East Valley incorporates both Superhome and passive elements. Russell Fredric D unedin company Wilson Builders owner Bruce Wilson is passionate about the Superhome movement, an initiative which aims to raise overall building standards in New Zealand. Superhome is pushing for healthier and more energy efficient buildings, while also promoting environmental, economic, and socially sustainable practices. The initiative embraces a broad spectrum of the building and housing sector, including architects and designers, builders, suppliers, consultants, developers, realtors and valuers. Building high-performance houses is Wilson Builders target market, consequently Bruce is the city’s first Certified Passive House Tradesperson. The company is also a member of Registered Mas- ter Builders and has a team of Licensed Building Practitioners. The Superhome concept is not just focused on low energy use and sustainability, but covers every aspect of a home’s design and construction as well as the efficiency of construction. The New Zealand Building Code is simply a minimum standard that leaves a considerable gap in what can and should be achieved in construction, Bruce says. He explains the difference between the Super- home movement and passive house design. “The Passive House Standard is an international performance standard for buildings, it is not just limited to residential, it can be applied to commer- cial buildings as well. “They are incredibly energy efficient, healthy and comfortable to live in. “The Superhome movement is raising aware- ness and is an industry push for better buildings, building above [the building] code. It uses the same principles as a passive house, plus more.” The ‘plus more’ also includes the likes of carbon impact, distance from public transport, grey water recycling and use of solar energy. “It’s about pushing the boundaries for the build- ing industry to do better. The New Zealand Building Code is just a legal minimum.” Being a member of Superhome means Wilson Builders is creating a niche and brand recognition in the wider Dunedin area. “It’s good for business and it’s good to be a part of like-minded people in the industry.” A two-storey house built in North East Valley, Dunedin, by Wilson Builders is a good example of incorporating both Superhome and passive ele- ments. These include a fully insulated MaxRaft floor which is thermally broken from the ground and structurally insulated panels (SIPs) to create the building envelope. “ A polished concrete floor on the ground floor is a key feature of the house. “Another feature, although less visible, is the Zehnder heat recovery ventilation system. This is the lungs of the house.” Because it is built using high performance prin- ciples, there is no active heating system as internal heating is created by solar gain, appliances and the occupants and is preserved by the highly insulated building envelope, while the heat recovery system pre-warms the incoming fresh air with the outgoing stale air. The house was designed by SUR Architecture, Dunedin, which is also a member of the Superhome movement. The house owner has opted for an industrial- influenced interior theme which includes exposed or painted SIP panels accented with bright coloured doors. There is also use of recycled timber and exposed Posi-strut mid-floor framing. “The SIP panels have been interesting to work with as a building method and the finishes inside are quite different. It has been a fun project.”