Sustainable design project opens to public
BY: GEORGE GARDNER
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A new building project has opened its doors for the public to view its vision of sustainability.
The official opening of Lite-House at Anniversary Weekend saw a constant stream of people walk through the high-end building which boasts three offices - one available for rent - and a swish penthouse style one-bedroom apartment.
Argon-filled, double-glazed floor to ceiling window joinery, passive cooling and heating systems, controlled lighting, solar panels and a central control pad impressed the visitors.
A Louvre-tech wall and ceiling system surrounding the main deck demonstrated how the dweller can be inside or outside at the push of a button.
And the high-tech broadband music system was a popular feature.
"But you don't have to have all these whistles and bells to be sustainable," says award winning architectural designer Bryce Ardern, who adds that designing such a project doesn't cost any more than designing a regular house.
"It's about clever design."
Installing the systems such as heat pumps, however, do cost more at the outset but in the end they are more energy efficient.
Construction director Clive Matthews says a wind turbine due to be installed in the next month or so will produce about a third of the power for the building.
Mr Ardern says, "I recently read a futuristic article about how homes might be in 2030 - but we've done that here already."
Anticipating high visitor volume, Lite-House at 14 Hamilton Road in Surfdale is set to be a show home for the next year. It is open daily between 1pm and 4pm, or by appointment.
Phone 0800 372 100 for more information or visit www.lite-house.co.nz
- Waiheke Marketplace
