Project aiming at Net Zero Energy

Contractors work to fit roof panels to the first sustainable cabin at Camp Glenorchy. Photo by...
Contractors work to fit roof panels to the first sustainable cabin at Camp Glenorchy. Photo by The Headwaters.

Contractors working on a ground-breaking development in Glenorchy reached a major milestone this week, when the roof was fitted to the first of seven energy-efficient cabins.

Camp Glenorchy, part of the wider The Headwaters project - formerly known as The Glenorchy Marketplace Project - has been designed to meet the Living Building Challenge's Net Zero Energy building certification, the highest standard for environmental sustainability.

Project general manager Steve Hewland said each cabin required 50 structural insulating panels (SIPs).

The 142mm thick, foam-filled SIP "sandwich'' walls in the cabins provided a thermal performance four times better than New Zealand building standards.

Mr Hewland said it took about a week for the 20m-high crane to lift the pre-assembled SIPs on to the cabin, readying it for roofing, solar hot water tubes, external cladding and internal fixtures and fittings.

"This is not your typical housing construction material and we're constantly learning.

"Completing the next six cabins should be a piece of cake after this one,'' Mr Hewland said.

On completion Camp Glenorchy, which will also include tent and camper van sites, would rely on its state-of-the-art design to help meet its heating, cooling and electricity needs.

Auckland sustainability consultant Tricia Love said the SIPs construction increased the thermal performance of the building and would significantly reduce the amount of energy needed for heating.

Camp Glenorchy, the first of the three-stage philanthropic project led by Paul and Debbi Brainerd, is scheduled to open in August next year.

Future stages will include a general store, multipurpose classroom/movie theatre, garden classroom and an artist-in-residence workshop and 14 four-star cottages.

tracey.roxburgh@odt.co.nz

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