Eco Architecture - A Build for a Young Couple

By Alex Coupland

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About

Eco Architecture - A Build For A Young Couple

Project 2017-10-16 11:18:42 +1300

The What, the Why and the Who

My partner and I are soon to be embarking on the journey of a lifetime. We have started the process with a local Architect here in the Hawke’s Bay to build an eco friendly small footprint home. Originally we were banking on the increase to the Housing NZ Home Start Grant being pushed up to $30k but it isn't likely that will continue forward... And with the government still finding its feet, we can't hang around waiting, instead we are looking to the generosity of the kiwi spirit to help get our project underway. We have 25k deposit through KiwiSaver and hard saving, but we need another 25k to really give this project a good go!

However! We aren't expecting hands outs, read below:

We are sacrificing our current living situation by living in a house bus, a minimalist lifestyle, but with no real space of our own. We have been in the bus for 6 months with the intention of another year to save the remaining funds (~$20k, $500 a week...), but the family bus is up for sale and we are on a deadline! We need another solid year of savings, but we only have 2-4 more months in the bus. Paying full rent will mean we are years away from realising our dream of building our first home together. 

Our Inspiration

Years ago I came across  built in the states, which boasts large expanses of glass , while still keeping to a relatively small footprint, giving the impression of a larger space. (For copyright reasons I can't display the images here, but feel free to get in touch and I can point you in the right direction)

Later on in life I hunted down the source of this image that was making its way around architecture blogs and realised it was attached to a Eco friendly home, built in America. The space is tidy, symmetrical, and minimalist. Something that Chevaane and I love. 

We quickly fell in love with the rest of the house!

Next Task: Hire a Willing Architect

With the above photos as purely inspiration, our architect took our requests on board, with budget being paramount.

We have realised with the boom of the nationwide property market, it is just as achieveable to build exactly what we want, instead of buying something like an old (yet renovated) 1920's Villa in Central Napier. Building "exactly what we want" turns into a small footprint home, no more than 120sqm, off grid, rural, on a bit of land in the lovely Hawke's Bay. We have an all in cost of $500k at an absolutely maximum to be able to service the mortgage on our incomes, with land, and a generous $3,000 per square metre spend. We need a 10% deposit, but the less debt we end up with, the better! Of course.

We will do a lot ourselves, with the help of our daring Architect who has taken on this project. Anything we can do ourselves, we will. Tiling, painting, cladding, we even have access to the family electrician who is on board to help us keep costs down.

The Other Goals

This project hopes to inspire other young couples and families to take the plunge into the property market, build an eco friendly, strong, stable building designed to take very little from the world, but to give as much back as possible.

Design is a key factor, looking at the use of glass to "bring outside in" to make the small footprint space feel large and inviting, aided by a high stud.

We Look Forward to Taking this Journey with You

We are seeking funds in return for a multitude of rewards to generous donors which will include a luxury stay in the completed house as well as invitation to the house warming! Plans to duplicate the build can be obtained with the Architects approval.

Comments

Updates 3

Polished Concepts

03/11/2017 at 1:31 AM

A few images of our finalised concept!

Clever Architect. He has also provided us with a VR walk through using our iPhones which really does put a smile on our faces!

From here:

Next we sign off on the floor plan and head to the preliminary design stage which includes considerations for everything. From cladding, to fittings, wiring and plumbing. The more detailed and accurate we can be, the better chance of having an accurate estimate build cost that comes back from the Quantity Surveyor.

 

Atkinson Harwood Architecture

28/10/2017 at 1:12 AM

Our Architect - Sol Atkinson

We approached Sol of Atkinson Harwood Architecture months ago, perhaps in February 2017 when we first changed tact from travelling overseas, to building our first home. We get on well, he's the sort of guy I would sit down and chat over a beer with - something we are still yet to do. But from the get go, an emphasis on eco-friendly architecture was paramount. Not so much a house that uses earth-friendly products, but more so that once the house is built it requires very little from the earth to function. 

A solid statement of a home, designed for a couple and their fur babies.

Sol is a Homestar assessor and tweaks simple building techniques to make his homes function more effeciently, something we are very keen on.

To be honest, I never really investigated much of Sol's work before we kicked things off, and although he said I should "shop around" for an architect and not rely solely on him, we never really looked elsewhere. I think all because we were encouraged by him to do what we are doing, and his personality gelled well with us.

With the second Concept on the way we are excited to get things moving along!

 

 

First Concept!

21/10/2017 at 11:40 AM

So totally stoked to have recieved our first concept back from the architect! 
See below.

From here...

We have made a few tweaks to the floorplan (mainly to turn the laundry into a dog room) as well as sneaking a bath into the bathroom... Once the second concept comes back, I will upload a snapshot of the floorplan! Needless to say, we are very excited.

A few other changes from above include a bit more glass, and a few changes to the roof; still attempting to find a style that is going to work well!

The architect is super clever and gave us the option to walk around the plans in Virtual Reality, now that put a massive smile on my face!

    Pledgers 2

    Karen
    30/10/2017 at 2:23am

    "Good luck!"

    Sharon Jansen
    28/10/2017 at 7:17am

    "Mummy Shaz in first! Let’s utilise Meridian’s Solar offering, 1 that future proves as you develop! Initially, $1000 to get you started."

    Followers

    Followers of Eco Architecture - A Build for a Young Couple

    Eco Architecture - A Build For A Young Couple

    Project 2017-10-16 11:18:42 +1300

    The What, the Why and the Who

    My partner and I are soon to be embarking on the journey of a lifetime. We have started the process with a local Architect here in the Hawke’s Bay to build an eco friendly small footprint home. Originally we were banking on the increase to the Housing NZ Home Start Grant being pushed up to $30k but it isn't likely that will continue forward... And with the government still finding its feet, we can't hang around waiting, instead we are looking to the generosity of the kiwi spirit to help get our project underway. We have 25k deposit through KiwiSaver and hard saving, but we need another 25k to really give this project a good go!

    However! We aren't expecting hands outs, read below:

    We are sacrificing our current living situation by living in a house bus, a minimalist lifestyle, but with no real space of our own. We have been in the bus for 6 months with the intention of another year to save the remaining funds (~$20k, $500 a week...), but the family bus is up for sale and we are on a deadline! We need another solid year of savings, but we only have 2-4 more months in the bus. Paying full rent will mean we are years away from realising our dream of building our first home together. 

    Our Inspiration

    Years ago I came across  built in the states, which boasts large expanses of glass , while still keeping to a relatively small footprint, giving the impression of a larger space. (For copyright reasons I can't display the images here, but feel free to get in touch and I can point you in the right direction)

    Later on in life I hunted down the source of this image that was making its way around architecture blogs and realised it was attached to a Eco friendly home, built in America. The space is tidy, symmetrical, and minimalist. Something that Chevaane and I love. 

    We quickly fell in love with the rest of the house!

    Next Task: Hire a Willing Architect

    With the above photos as purely inspiration, our architect took our requests on board, with budget being paramount.

    We have realised with the boom of the nationwide property market, it is just as achieveable to build exactly what we want, instead of buying something like an old (yet renovated) 1920's Villa in Central Napier. Building "exactly what we want" turns into a small footprint home, no more than 120sqm, off grid, rural, on a bit of land in the lovely Hawke's Bay. We have an all in cost of $500k at an absolutely maximum to be able to service the mortgage on our incomes, with land, and a generous $3,000 per square metre spend. We need a 10% deposit, but the less debt we end up with, the better! Of course.

    We will do a lot ourselves, with the help of our daring Architect who has taken on this project. Anything we can do ourselves, we will. Tiling, painting, cladding, we even have access to the family electrician who is on board to help us keep costs down.

    The Other Goals

    This project hopes to inspire other young couples and families to take the plunge into the property market, build an eco friendly, strong, stable building designed to take very little from the world, but to give as much back as possible.

    Design is a key factor, looking at the use of glass to "bring outside in" to make the small footprint space feel large and inviting, aided by a high stud.

    We Look Forward to Taking this Journey with You

    We are seeking funds in return for a multitude of rewards to generous donors which will include a luxury stay in the completed house as well as invitation to the house warming! Plans to duplicate the build can be obtained with the Architects approval.

    Comments

    Polished Concepts

    03/11/2017 at 1:31 AM

    A few images of our finalised concept!

    Clever Architect. He has also provided us with a VR walk through using our iPhones which really does put a smile on our faces!

    From here:

    Next we sign off on the floor plan and head to the preliminary design stage which includes considerations for everything. From cladding, to fittings, wiring and plumbing. The more detailed and accurate we can be, the better chance of having an accurate estimate build cost that comes back from the Quantity Surveyor.

     

    Atkinson Harwood Architecture

    28/10/2017 at 1:12 AM

    Our Architect - Sol Atkinson

    We approached Sol of Atkinson Harwood Architecture months ago, perhaps in February 2017 when we first changed tact from travelling overseas, to building our first home. We get on well, he's the sort of guy I would sit down and chat over a beer with - something we are still yet to do. But from the get go, an emphasis on eco-friendly architecture was paramount. Not so much a house that uses earth-friendly products, but more so that once the house is built it requires very little from the earth to function. 

    A solid statement of a home, designed for a couple and their fur babies.

    Sol is a Homestar assessor and tweaks simple building techniques to make his homes function more effeciently, something we are very keen on.

    To be honest, I never really investigated much of Sol's work before we kicked things off, and although he said I should "shop around" for an architect and not rely solely on him, we never really looked elsewhere. I think all because we were encouraged by him to do what we are doing, and his personality gelled well with us.

    With the second Concept on the way we are excited to get things moving along!

     

     

    First Concept!

    21/10/2017 at 11:40 AM

    So totally stoked to have recieved our first concept back from the architect! 
    See below.

    From here...

    We have made a few tweaks to the floorplan (mainly to turn the laundry into a dog room) as well as sneaking a bath into the bathroom... Once the second concept comes back, I will upload a snapshot of the floorplan! Needless to say, we are very excited.

    A few other changes from above include a bit more glass, and a few changes to the roof; still attempting to find a style that is going to work well!

    The architect is super clever and gave us the option to walk around the plans in Virtual Reality, now that put a massive smile on my face!

      Karen
      30/10/2017 at 2:23am

      "Good luck!"

      Sharon Jansen
      28/10/2017 at 7:17am

      "Mummy Shaz in first! Let’s utilise Meridian’s Solar offering, 1 that future proves as you develop! Initially, $1000 to get you started."

      Followers of Eco Architecture - A Build for a Young Couple

      This campaign was unsuccessful and finished on 14/01/2018 at 5:00 PM.