Sustainable living made simple
The bigger picture for Te Whare-iti homes as a modular system is the potential to use empty backyards or steep hill sections for infill construction and improve density in urban Wellington. This provides a solution for many sites that have been considered too difficult to build on. The modular approach offers a resilience to climate change and shifts in occupant needs, as the modules can be taken apart and reassembled on another site if required, with consideration for the end-of-life-cycle.
We aim to use local suppliers who align with our sustainability values
Te Whare-iti aims to use products sourced from Aotearoa and minimise waste through the construction methods. The cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels are an efficient construction method which reduces construction waste at the building site. The interior has been designed efficiently to minimise the need for gib, trims, paint, skirtings and excess materials. The CLT panels are, therefore, effective as both the structural system and as an aesthetic feature.
Our team are currently working hard to put together a life cycle analysis of the Te Whare-iti system. This will assess the embodied carbon of the buildings and examine the carbon sequestration from the timber structure. Stay tuned to see our results and a comparison against the traditional timber framed New Zealand house!
