Challenge to create eco-homes

Tim Bishop is hoping to see innovative, environmentally friendly houses taking shape all over New Zealand next year.

Mr Bishop is co-ordinator of the Sustainable Habitat Challenge '09, which was launched in Dunedin yesterday.

Hosted by Otago Polytechnic and funded by a $270,000 Ministry for the Environment grant, the competition invites tertiary students and staff to design, develop and build low-carbon and environmentally-friendly homes.

The teams are encouraged to work with architects, builders, community groups and local authorities.

‘‘We want people to become involved, to talk to each other . . . and to collaborate,'' Mr Bishop said yesterday.

The challenge was aimed at ‘‘producing real homes'', he said. ‘‘There are many people out there who want to build, renovate and live in more sustainable ways.

"But often it's hard to find and co-ordinate a willing team of designers and tradespeople and building consent experts to actually make it happen.''

Affordability, and the teams' ability to communicate the benefits of their houses to their local communities were other important parts of the judging criteria, he said.

The competition is a first for New Zealand, although similar competitions are held in other parts of the world. Mr Bishop said he hoped up to 10 teams would compete. Registrations close on May 8 and the houses must be completed by October next year.

There was strong interest from Otago and Wellington, while Unitec in Auckland had already purchased a building site for its house, Mr Bishop said.

Teams would have to raise the money to build their houses, but he said he did not believe that would be a problem.

‘‘We have already had approaches from individuals offering to be model clients, and from developers who are keen to see a sustainable house in their subdivisions.

‘‘Teams can also apply to funding organisations for grants.''

Competition details can be found on the challenge website, www.shac.org.nz

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