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Looking to the future
Fordlands residents recently had the chance to look through a state house that has potential to change the way homes are built in the future.
The house, built in partnership with Beacon Pathways Limited, a collaborative research consortium, that aims to find affordable, attractive ways to make New Zealand homes warmer, drier, cheaper to run and kinder to the environment.
This home has many new features. It re-uses rain water, is heated by solar energy and has an environmentally friendly pellet fire.
The house will be monitored for two years to assess the performance of the various features.
One of the occupants of the new home, Anita Moses who is the caregiver for her 99-year-old mother Koriana Neilson says they are very excited about their new home.
Koriana's great grand-daughter Anita Ransfield also lives with them to help with the care. “This home will change our lives,” Anita says. “This is a dream come true.”
Anita had been paying up to $400 a month on power bills at her previous address to keep the house warm enough for Koriana.
The new house is fully insulated, has double glazing and all windows have thermal drapes. A solar water heater supplemented by electricity, provides hot water. All of these initiatives will make this house cheaper to run.
The house is also designed for people with disabilities. “It's going to be so much easier living here without steps. We won't have to lift mum.”
The house has ramps and a modified bathroom where a wheel chair can move in and out freely. The concrete floor also provides Koriana with easy movement through out the house.
Koriana, assisted by her family, planted a pink azalea at the front of the house. Pink is her favourite colour.
E te whanau nau mai haere mai ki Fordlands. To the family welcome to Fordlands.
