92 | BUILDING Kevler Homes: Birchs Green T T Rosa Watson Quality and sustainability attracting buyers The Kevler Homes’ in-house design team has created a diverse collection of custom home plans ranging from 150sqm to 220sqm. “Solar panels alone are projected to reduce electricity bills by approximately $1200 annually.” Christchurch-based construction firm Kevler Homes is challenging the industry norms and leading the charge on building sustainable and healthy homes with its Birchs Green development. Located in Prebbleton, just outside Christchurch, the entire site spans 23 hectares, with the first phase covering 40 lots across approximately one hectare, with an average section size of 410sqm over the whole development, ranging from 370sqm to 700sqm in the initial phase. The development features wider-than-standard streets and tree-lined streets, creating a spacious and welcoming development – ultimately a neighbourhood people want to live in. Initiated over a year ago, the project has progressed rapidly through consenting, design, and programming phases, operations manager Rob Preston says. In August, it reached a significant milestone of 100 days of construction, civil works and residential construction of the first 14 homes. Rob says the development is on track to welcome its first residents in only eight months – half the time of a traditional greenfield development of 18 to 19 months. Over the next few years, Birchs Green will have 350 homes. The current phase of 40 lots has 14 homes under construction, featuring a mix of three- and four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes with double garages, ranging from 150sqm to over 200sqm. The Kevler Homes’ in-house design team has created a diverse collection of custom home plans ranging from 150sqm to 220sqm, each balancing functionality, style, and innovation to meet modern living demands. Turnkey house-and-land packages are already on the market. “With 19 homes sold and several more under offer, buyers are drawn to the visible quality and standard features, such as solar panels, home security systems, fresh air ducted heating, and automation,” Rob says. These features are included, unlike with other builders, who offer them as optional upgrades, he says. “Solar panels alone are projected to reduce electricity bills by approximately $1200 annually.” Sustainability is a priority for Kevler Homes from the outset, and that started with relocating the existing house that stood on the site to a new site. Construction waste is sorted on-site into separate skips for cardboard, metal, and hard fill, all of which are recycled. Concrete is crushed and reused on site. Three show homes are expected to be completed by the end of November. The development model at Birchs Green allows for efficient construction practices, Rob says. “For example, hot water cylinders for 14 homes can be delivered in a single trip, reducing traffic and carbon emissions. Tradespeople benefit from reduced travel time, allowing for faster installation and lower environmental impact.” These efficiencies contribute to reduced holding costs, which are passed on to homeowners, he says, and the company is continually improving both its recycling and construction methods. It also offers a three-year warranty. “We stand by our homes,” says Rob. Kevler Homes has been operating for more than 10 years, starting out as Yellow River Construction. It services the wider Canterbury area with a current focus on Harrow Green and Birchs Green developments. The company employs a team of 23 professionals across administration, quantity surveying, design, and construction. It is guided by three core values – people, sustainability, innovation, providing warm, healthy, and safe homes, challenging industry norms to discover better building methods, and actively implementing sustainable practices. “(We want to) disrupt current thinking. Just because it has been done one way for years doesn’t mean it’s the right way or the wrong way,” says Rob. “(We want to) challenge the status quo – there has to be a better way.” With New Zealand facing a housing shortage, Rob says developments like Birchs Green are essential. “Kevler Homes expects construction to continue at its current pace, driven by growing interest and demand.” KIWI Brick & Block Limited ALL TYPES OF MASONRY Brick and Block Laying | Designer Schist | Letterboxes Brick Fences | Chimneys | Brick Slips Cladding Interior Feature Brick and Stone Work Residential and Commercial Kevin Crossley 022 451 9877 kiwibrickblock@gmail.com Managing Director
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