Welcome!
Perhaps it has been our amazingly busy year, but it seems inconceivable December is already upon us. It has been fantastic to meet so many people who are interested in sustainable living – with all of our consultants still busy with enquiries after a huge amount of interest at the Wellington, Canterbury and Auckland Home Shows in September and October.
In addition to those already completed or in construction, we have recently signed contracts for several new ebode homes, and look forward to helping more New Zealanders into sustainable homes and lifestyles in 2011.
The entire ebode team wishes you all a fantastic Christmas and an enjoyable holiday season. To kick it off, why not grab a copy of the latest HOME New Zealand and enjoy reading about the Westmere House in the Green Home section.
In this issue:
If there is any additional information we can help you with, please feel free to call us on 0800 my ebode (0800 693-263) or email your local ebode consultant.
Westmere House data continues to impress
We are excited about data which continues to flow in from the ebode house in Westmere. Since the owners moved in with their three children on 8 August, a steady picture has built up of a passive solar home meeting our high expectations for its performance.
The home’s internal temperature has never dropped below 18°C, which is the World Health Organisation’s recommended minimum for comfort and health. Equally importantly, the indoor temperature has not risen above 25.6°C (the NZ Department of Building and Housing suggests a upper comfort range of 26-28.5°C for most people). This is all despite the outside temperature fluctuating between 8 °C and 27°C in the last three months.
To see live data streamed from indoor sensors and the integrated weather station on the outside of the house in Westmere, click here or follow the link from the front page of our website.
The two-storey, 258m2 house at Westmere has electric windows which close or open in reaction to external and internal temperatures, providing cooling and ventilation in tandem with the house’s thermal massing properties, which include terracotta tiles over a concrete floor slab, and Timbercrete walls.
The passive solar concepts emphasised in the design include wide eaves, angled carefully for the north-east aspect to allow maximum shading in summer and deep sun penetration in winter.
 
ebode homes in development
 |
Auckland – We will soon be building another ebode sustainable home in Auckland – this time in Brown’s Bay, featuring fabulous views across the harbour and Rangitoto Island. Designed with the future in mind, this home has been carefully planned to include space for the family to be together while the children are younger, while providing for more independence as they grow up. It even includes an area where a domestic elevator can be installed if necessary, allowing the owners to live on a single level if they choose to. |
 |
Gisborne – Last month we completed a pre-construction induction day for the builders and tradespeople who will work on this fantastic project. The site work is now complete and the super insulated floor slab will be down before Christmas, ready for walls to start going up in the New Year. By the middle of 2011, the owners of this home on an organic orchard should be enjoying their first winter in an ebode home.
|
Visit our facebook page or become a fan to stay updated with pictures and information about these ebode homes and more as construction progresses.
Heat Core technology a further benefit for ebode homeowners
ebode is delighted to be designing homes with an even greater level of sustainability by pioneering and recommending the use of 'heat core' technology in New Zealand. The designs of both new ebode projects in Kaikoura and Gisborne will feature a solar heat core system which has been successfully used in Germany and Canada.
Overseas, heat cores typically are designed at a macro level, for up to 30 homes. Canadian expat Ron Theaker, who is an expert in heat core technology, has adapted it for New Zealand conditions which usually involve stand alone homes.
Heat created by the highly advanced solar panel system on the building's roof is used to first heat the home's hot water, then its concrete thermal mass floor. Any heat left over - which is considerable in summer with plentiful sunshine and less demand - is stored in an underground soil core insulated with polystyrene 1.5m under the house's foundations.
The heat can be stored indefinitely, which means that heat captured in summer can be used to heat the floors and hot water during winter.
A heat core system elevates a home to what could be described as a true solar house, certainly as advanced in terms of solar energy efficiency as we have seen in New Zealand. When combined with ebode's expertise in passive solar design, the homes in Gisborne and Kaikoura will set a new benchmark for what can be achieved through the use of solar energy.
 
Homestar
It is great to see the New Zealand Green Building Council residential rating tool Homestar launched after a long time in development. At ebode, we will be interested to see how it works in practice - hopefully it will add momentum in New Zealand's move towards more sustainable housing. Once assessors have been trained, ebode will include a full Homestar assessment free with all of our new homes.
ebode people
This issue, we focus on a couple of key staff in our office - and we're also looking for more people to join us.
|
Kevin Hodder (Executive Assistant)
comes to ebode fresh from Otago university where he studied theoretical physics to postgraduate level. Surprisingly, this has held him in good stead for his current role, which includes complex work with our various software systems and databases as well as more mundane things like answering the phone. While not previously experienced in the building industry, his commitment to creating a sustainable future means a good mesh with the ethos of ebode.
Kevin is actively involved in several social and environmental activist organisations with a strong emphasis on social justice and human rights. He believes the protection of the environment which we all share is integral to creating a fair and just society. Having largely eschewed driving, he commutes most places by bicycle and is committed to making his home as sustainable as his workplace.
|
|
Tim O'Brien (ArchiCAD Technician) is our resident guru of ArchiCAD modelling, and a project documenter. He brings to ebode experience in both the architectural and group housing arenas, in addition to some hands on experience as a builder's labourer and house painter. Tim studied architectural technologies at both Otago and Unitec institutes of technology.
Having grown up in a "self sufficient" family, Tim has a lifelong commitment to sustainability, as well as a great passion for old cars and bikes - he keeps a couple of classic 1960s Ford motor cars in working order, and makes his way to the office each day on one of his collection of rare vintage bicycles.
|
|
|
Wanted: passionate sales consultant for the lower North Island
ebode is on the lookout for a new Kapiti/Wellington-based sales consultant – click here for details. If you think the role sounds like a perfect fit for you or someone you know, please get in touch with Terry Rota on (09) 629-3663 or 021 434-640.The consultant is expected to travel regularly throughout the Wellington, Kapiti and Wairarapa regions, so a hybrid electric vehicle will be provided.
|
ebode in the news
Since our last newsletter, ebode’s work and ideas have featured in several excellent publications.
We are delighted to see a double-page feature on the house in Westmere in the December/January issue of HOME New Zealand, currently on sale. Prominent eco-issues writer Andy Kenworthy penned the piece. Click here for the full article.
ebode Director of Design Niel de Jong featured in an expert Q&A in HOME New Zealand’s 2010 Building & Renovation Guide and wrote a feature about the crucial aspects of an urban sustainable home for trade magazine BUILD
Managing Director Jette de Jong has had several contributions to Good magazine – adding to the useful information provided on making your kitchen more sustainable and renovating outdoor living areas. Click here for more from the good website.
Christmas office closure
The ebode office will be closed from 23 December to 9 January inclusive – reopening Monday 10 January. However, you will still be able to leave a message at the office or for your local ebode consultant by phoning 0800 my ebode (0800 693-263) and following the prompts. Alternatively, please feel free to email us and we will get back to you in January.
We look forward to working with you in 2011 to become more sustainable as individuals and as a community.
Thanks for reading - from the team at ebode.
If you would like to receive our e-newsletter on a regular basis (3-4 times a year), or want someone from ebode to contact you, please phone 0800 my ebode (0800 693-263) or click here and complete your details. |
