Design Competition Creates Solution For Housing Shortage

Design Competition Creates Solution For Housing Shortage

Prime minister John Key yesterday announced that Context Architects is one of three winners of a national architectural competition to find a design for a low-cost high-quality home suitable to be built on TC3 land in Christchurch. The Cantabrian competition, run by  government-owned Southern Response and the New Zealand Institute of Architects, was to find the best design that could become as characteristic of Canterbury as the Queenslander is of Queensland. It attracted entries from 90 registered architects[1]. Overall winner was Continuum Architects and the other winner was Pynenburg and Collins Architects.

“Our design delivers quality homes on a large scale, where and when they are needed most,” explains Context Architects’ director Stephen Voyle. “We have challenged perceptions that it is expensive to build on TC3 land, and demonstrated how it can be done well and on a budget that is within the reach of many people. Potentially, it is the solution to the housing shortage in major urban areas across New Zealand.”

Context used new building and supply chain techniques to create a design for an affordable home that evolves alongside its owners. “We have married the best design principles with innovations in building materials and the supply chain, to create a beautiful home that is as flexible and original as its owners.” said Stephen Voyle.

A mid-range architecturally designed home typically costs in the region of $3,000 per square metre to build. Context has delivered a design for a 150 square metre home plus garage that can be built for in the order of $1,700 per square metre. Not only does it provide a solution for Canterbury, but alongside the other winning designs, it also offers a way to address the shortage of quality, affordable houses in many urban areas of New Zealand.
Modular panel construction, by way of a lightweight magnesium oxide Structurally Insulated Panel System (SIPS), makes it fast and affordable to build, and means the interior layout can be changed to suit the needs of the owners.  Panels are pre-insulated, imported in bulk and then cut to size locally. Unlike traditional building techniques, the panels aren’t subject to the vagaries of New Zealand weather and construction can carry on right through winter. Lightweight, quick and easy to erect, the panels reduce total overall build and labour costs.

The low cost of The Context Cantabrian is achieved through production methods and materials so there is no compromise on space and ceiling height. On-going costs are low too – the home is easy to heat, cool and maintain and uses quality enduring materials that create a feeling of security and permanence.

The design is completely customisable. The owner creates a layout that suits them and it can change as their needs change – it is a whole-of-life solution that achieves a four-star Lifemark[2] Homes rating. All internal perpendicular walls (bar the main spine walls) can be moved and walls can be added to create additional rooms.

From singletons to child-free couples, a one-child family that grows to include two or three children, an older couple or someone living alone who requires more physical support, The Context Cantabrian caters for them all without compromise. The resident’s needs define the space – a home office, spare bedroom, separate living spaces, one giant bedroom or three medium sized ones – you choose. Service areas are customisable to what combination of walk-in-wardrobe, ensuite, pantry or laundry is desired, or a dream kitchen can be created from scratch. The Context Cantabrian provides flexible spaces for individuals.

“We have applied a commercial solution in a residential setting to offer quality, enduring homes that could be built quickly to help people get on with their lives,” says Stephen Voyle. “Context is proud to contribute to the Christchurch rebuild with its shortlisted design for ‘The Cantabrian’ and reducing the barriers and costs of entry to home ownership.”

[1] 47 individual entries

[1] The Lifemark™ is an independent seal of approval awarded to homes that have been designed and built to achieve specific quality design standards which make them easy and safe to live in – for a lifetime.

ENDS

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