“We used Axon Panel. We like the fact you can paint it dark colours, that it’s stable, has seamless junctions, and looks good.”

A new Christchurch home has received Australasia’s first-ever 10-star eco rating, from Homestar, a system run by New Zealand’s Green Building Council. This award recognises its energy neutral, sustainable footprint.

The 140m2, two-storey home was designed by Christchurch architect Bob Burnett, a leading advocate of sustainable homes. Most New Zealand houses build to code are only 3 or 4 star energy performers, but there are numerous eco-friendly features that elevate this home to the 10 star level: Rainwater harvesting, reusable grey water, water efficient fittings, solar power and energy efficient lighting and electrics just to name a few.

To further enhance the thermally efficient design, solar wall framing (it pre-heats ventilation air) has been featured, which incorporates HomeRAB Pre-Cladding by James
Hardie.

Using HomeRAB Pre-Cladding instead of traditional building paper makes the house more resilient, improves the bracing, and offers superior airtightness.

Axon Panel

When choosing cladding Bob looked for something that offered a durable, low maintenance solution, and was simple to construct. “We used Axon Panel. We like the fact you can paint it dark colours, that it’s stable, has seamless junctions, and looks good.”

The myth is that these types of homes are expensive to construct. “It’s not actually too expensive to build, only probably 10-20% more than a traditional home, and not complex either.” Says Bob. Using cost effective products like Axon Panel can help keep within budget.

Bob Burnett and the team are at the heart of the new movement to improve New Zealand housing construction to ensure the advances in modern homes around the world are included here. “We all deserve better and we start with each house
we build now.”