I'd like to know more about the costs of the walls versus conventional construction. We provide free help to people who want to build their own home. This might have potential.
The link to the plan of this house, which is 335m2 is under newsletters on the 4-cornerstone site if it doesn't work. Thank you for your comments which I absolutely agree with, "back to simple life" is the concept I personally believe in and advocate to clients This home was designed & built by a Cornerstone Licencee for the NZMaster Builders competition a few years back and I believe there are many more folk now sharing the sustainable ideals looking back to past practices which include food.
In New Zealand the walls are the same and usually less than timber frame construction, therefore giving added value in energy savings with an R value that is twice the Building Code standard, along with the added strength it offers in Earthquake and cyclonic wind conditions.
I agree that smaller is better, and the fact that there are initiatives put in place to save energy and heating & recyling water is what is being recognised here, which just encourages more people to do a bit better when building.
EPS can be made from many sources, the polymer is found in wood waste & orange peel for example and the way of the future. The bead is the only part to transport which is currently a waste product in the manufacture of oil is 2% of the product the rest is air expanded with steam. We process at its closest point to end use by agreement with existing factories to be sustainable.The USA Life Cycle Analysis report concluded that EPS polystyrene used in building is the easiest way to save the Planet
That houses are wonderfull for the life and the ecology. Usually design of houses are specific and moderns. It´s fantastic but expensive maybe the producers could make supplies more cheep for everyone and this could help the planet. With other friends were thinking in building a ecology hotel into 5 years on Mekico. Congratulations!! to go on building this tecnology and improving the quality of life.
"New Zealand Master Builders Association" gave the title "The Best Sustainable Home less than $500K" by the NZ Dept Building & Housing. The Pink Batts Altra "Energy Efficiency " Award was the 2nd National award. A sustainable structure is 1 which will not break down for intended life of building. Cornerstone structure is 90% EPS polystyrene & 10% reinforced concrete with a min R value 4.3degC. Study in USA on energy & Greenhouse gas savings the LCA of EPS proved to reduce gases for building
Thermal mass works well in conjunction with high insulation to trap the heat, retaining the energy gained from the sun which can be trapped in a concrete floor & gib board on the walls. Indoor temperature management, requires solar orientation design principles. Our high R Value means the building retains its temperature without heating or cooling for longer, therefore saving energy. We don't claim thermal mass in the walls, only high insulation to trap the existing thermal mass.
I understand the cost of housing in NZ is way above what it should be compared to the OECD, but by the comments on here, people also are way out of touch with what the market is here in NZ. I'm a builder in Wellington and the odds of building this house here for 500K are next to nil. This doesn't detract from the positive direction this team is looking to go. I am looking to build a house approx. 200- 250sq's, doing the same sort of thing. Would love some idea's from you guys.
Polymar used to make polystyrene at present is made from "waste" when producing oil for the cars that we drive.Can also be made from Wood waste having a +ve impact on the environment a New Zealand initiative. Fire testing at BRANZ which proved extremely good, keeping people safe for up to120mins dependant lining materials. Burning toxins as Pine. Toxins from Carpets Curtains & furniture will have us dead before the fire gets anywhere near the core of polystyrene which is a big saving in energy.
I was expecting to see a reed system for the sewage, do you have a video on this? Nice house and love the entrepreneurial way of building! good job guys! :-)
I agree, but this house was in the Under $500k catergory not the Under $100k if there was one, but every little helps the environment.... 95% of houses built in New Zealand with half the insulation values that this has, no solar initiatives or consideration of the Grey and Black water, so I guess this just helps people to becom aware. I personally have been designing small with lack of waste space because people in Christchurch can not afford to replace their homes & need to downsize after EQ.
Archer Canobra has made a comment on Sustainable Home: Research has shown in all conceivable areas that living in a large house is unhealthy. Small and sustainable building is the wave of the future. Less is more! I agree small is better! Until others catch on to this concept as helping the outcome of Mother Earth, then lets at least all make some effort toward sustainable living. As we all become more aware we hopefully make the appropriate changes. Thanks for your comments.
There is no thermal mass in the walls to insulate. We use the floor and the gib on the walls for thermal mass then use the insulation to keep the energy in.
The method they use is strange.. should have a colorbond skin on the out side of the Styrofoam. And you would be surprised it's actually stronger then conventional buildings.
+mikeyfrazshow The polymar used can come from natural product such as wood waste, orange peel waste as well and their are trees growing in NZ for this purpose (presently it comes from the a "waste product" in the manufacture of oil)... then Polystyrene is 98% air and 2 % matter, plus the when polystyrene is used in construction as in this case, the Life Cycle analysis undertake by several countries proved that it has a positive effect on the environment. The savings in energy, the safety and longevity of the product has proved itself. Is every one of your products in life sustainable? you are obviously using a device of some sort? Do you bike everywhere ? how was the bike made? I like to think we all strive to make a difference in whatever way we can to preserve out environment.... I do passionately consider my ways in as many aspects as I can. every bit counts even choosing no plastic bags or rinsing them if I use them for something so that they can be used over... You see I was bought up in an area when sustainability was the standard way of life rather than an alternative.
+Bill Warner Hi Bill that is the freezer panel system which has been around for cool stores & the like... Actually the method could have a skin on but the strength comes from the combination of the reinforced concrete posts & beam bonging to the poly when the concrete is poured into the cavities and it is incredibly strong.... It resisted the Christchurch Earthquakes without damage where other neighboring properties failed in the traditional 4x2 timber structure check out some of the testimonials etc on the websites www.4-cornerstone.com and http:cornerstoneecohomes.co.nz
$500,000 is not affordable to average homeowners. Why not develop something that is much more affordable. With that kind of money, you should easily be able to build 5 sustainable passive solar homes. No need for a septic system if composting toilets are installed. Simply install a greywater system instead.
This does not save energy, it merely puts "a" house in the reach of poor people, but this not a real house. These sell for over $20,000 but only have about 100 square feet, that means the house costs $200 per square foot ... and that is a lot for a house without any property, and then you have to find a place to park it and a way to get water and power. You don't really have the functionality of a real house though you are paying more, just smaller.
less than 500k to build or including the land and everything else? 300k for all included is sustainable. anything more is not that affordable for most unless you want to spend the rest of your life paying it off.
www.4-cornerstone.com/newsletter/19_EPS_Life%20Cycle%20Analysis_LCA_brochure.pdf This link might help.. When EPS Polystyrene is used in the construction of housing it helps to reduce greenhouse gases.
Don't confuse energy efficiency with sustainability, you must look at the life cycle of the materials and methods, this is massively relient on fossil fuels, which aren't sustainable both for manufacture and transport... look into the future where these is no longer an option...
blows my mind how a $500k home is the way for everyone to responsibly design a efficient home. I guess I'm going to be horribly irresponsible. in the real world & off grid solar living will just have to get plenty of breeze passing throughout & fresh air along with the use of natural landscape to minimize electrical needs. $500k is not practical or responsible with all your synthetic made materials. it's ludicrous.
$500K is up there and we actually also support tiny homes but some people with families want & can build larger homes. This was the category it was in for the Master builders awards. Product for walls EPS, 98% air & 2 % matter (waste product in the manufacture of crude oil at the moment, however Wood waste, corn and orange peel are other options.
So sustainable is building out of toxic materials that will never break down? Love the idea but don't know about the wall material, Diabolical to nature and i would hate to be within 10km if there was ever a fire.
Joe That is the point with sustainability you want to built from materials that will not break down, we want something that will stand the test of time & enough of throw away materials. As for your point on fire, the levels of dangerous gas emissions are less than those occurring when burning timber. You'd probably say throw another log on the fire & think nothing of it, right.
I'd like to know more about the costs of the walls versus conventional construction. We provide free help to people who want to build their own home. This might have potential.
The link to the plan of this house, which is 335m2 is under newsletters on the 4-cornerstone site if it doesn't work.
Thank you for your comments which I absolutely agree with, "back to simple life" is the concept I personally believe in and advocate to clients
This home was designed & built by a Cornerstone Licencee for the NZMaster Builders competition a few years back and I believe there are many more folk now sharing the sustainable ideals looking back to past practices which include food.
In New Zealand the walls are the same and usually less than timber frame construction, therefore giving added value in energy savings with an R value that is twice the Building Code standard, along with the added strength it offers in Earthquake and cyclonic wind conditions.
I agree that smaller is better, and the fact that there are initiatives put in place to save energy and heating & recyling water is what is being recognised here, which just encourages more people to do a bit better when building.
EPS can be made from many sources, the polymer is found in wood waste & orange peel for example and the way of the future. The bead is the only part to transport which is currently a waste product in the manufacture of oil is 2% of the product the rest is air expanded with steam. We process at its closest point to end use by agreement with existing factories to be sustainable.The USA Life Cycle Analysis report concluded that EPS polystyrene used in building is the easiest way to save the Planet
Thanks Kenny feel free to share it out there so that we can make a difference...
That houses are wonderfull for the life and the ecology. Usually design of houses are specific and moderns. It´s fantastic but expensive maybe the producers could make supplies more cheep for everyone and this could help the planet.
With other friends were thinking in building a ecology hotel into 5 years on Mekico.
Congratulations!! to go on building this tecnology and improving the quality of life.
"New Zealand Master Builders Association" gave the title "The Best Sustainable Home less than $500K" by the NZ Dept Building & Housing. The Pink Batts Altra "Energy Efficiency " Award was the 2nd National award.
A sustainable structure is 1 which will not break down for intended life of building. Cornerstone structure is 90% EPS polystyrene & 10% reinforced concrete with a min R value 4.3degC. Study in USA on energy & Greenhouse gas savings the LCA of EPS proved to reduce gases for building
Thermal mass works well in conjunction with high insulation to trap the heat, retaining the energy gained from the sun which can be trapped in a concrete floor & gib board on the walls. Indoor temperature management, requires solar orientation design principles.
Our high R Value means the building retains its temperature without heating or cooling for longer, therefore saving energy.
We don't claim thermal mass in the walls, only high insulation to trap the existing thermal mass.
I understand the cost of housing in NZ is way above what it should be compared to the OECD, but by the comments on here, people also are way out of touch with what the market is here in NZ.
I'm a builder in Wellington and the odds of building this house here for 500K are next to nil. This doesn't detract from the positive direction this team is looking to go. I am looking to build a house approx. 200- 250sq's, doing the same sort of thing.
Would love some idea's from you guys.
What is the catchy tune/beat that plays here and there during the video?
Traditional Maori cultere has a system using Flax bushes which would be similar to Reed I think and good idea, but don't have any info on that.
I wanna know how well the tubes hold up too hail?
Polymar used to make polystyrene at present is made from "waste" when producing oil for the cars that we drive.Can also be made from Wood waste having a +ve impact on the environment a New Zealand initiative.
Fire testing at BRANZ which proved extremely good, keeping people safe for up to120mins dependant lining materials. Burning toxins as Pine. Toxins from Carpets Curtains & furniture will have us dead before the fire gets anywhere near the core of polystyrene which is a big saving in energy.
Wooden death traps. Insane!
I was expecting to see a reed system for the sewage, do you have a video on this?
Nice house and love the entrepreneurial way of building! good job guys! :-)
This is the combined effort of engineers, architects, scientists and people of the 20th century. Except politicians and bankers.
those who designed these houses are idiots.
I agree, but this house was in the Under $500k catergory not the Under $100k if there was one, but every little helps the environment.... 95% of houses built in New Zealand with half the insulation values that this has, no solar initiatives or consideration of the Grey and Black water, so I guess this just helps people to becom aware. I personally have been designing small with lack of waste space because people in Christchurch can not afford to replace their homes & need to downsize after EQ.
Troy, watch this video. Very insightful. But, I think I'd like an Earthship.
this video is 10% help full but not full help full
Ooops, didnt mean to make that last one public.
watch out for the "dirty" water lol
Archer Canobra has made a comment on Sustainable Home:
Research has shown in all conceivable areas that living in a large house is unhealthy. Small and sustainable building is the wave of the future. Less is more!
I agree small is better! Until others catch on to this concept as helping the outcome of Mother Earth, then lets at least all make some effort toward sustainable living. As we all become more aware we hopefully make the appropriate changes. Thanks for your comments.
You NEVER insulate the inside of a thermal mass, to do so means you pay for heating and cooling.
EXACTLY. You insulate the OUTSIDE of a thermal mass. See monolithic dome homes.
There is no thermal mass in the walls to insulate. We use the floor and the gib on the walls for thermal mass then use the insulation to keep the energy in.
Styrofoam walls? that a terrible idea..
The method they use is strange.. should have a colorbond skin on the out side of the Styrofoam. And you would be surprised it's actually stronger then conventional buildings.
mikeyfrazshow Most hotels and large building have styrofoam walls.
Eps panels in homes is the future mark my words
+mikeyfrazshow The polymar used can come from natural product such as wood waste, orange peel waste as well and their are trees growing in NZ for this purpose (presently it comes from the a "waste product" in the manufacture of oil)... then Polystyrene is 98% air and 2 % matter, plus the when polystyrene is used in construction as in this case, the Life Cycle analysis undertake by several countries proved that it has a positive effect on the environment. The savings in energy, the safety and longevity of the product has proved itself. Is every one of your products in life sustainable? you are obviously using a device of some sort? Do you bike everywhere ? how was the bike made? I like to think we all strive to make a difference in whatever way we can to preserve out environment.... I do passionately consider my ways in as many aspects as I can. every bit counts even choosing no plastic bags or rinsing them if I use them for something so that they can be used over... You see I was bought up in an area when sustainability was the standard way of life rather than an alternative.
+Bill Warner Hi Bill that is the freezer panel system which has been around for cool stores & the like... Actually the method could have a skin on but the strength comes from the combination of the reinforced concrete posts & beam bonging to the poly when the concrete is poured into the cavities and it is incredibly strong.... It resisted the Christchurch Earthquakes without damage where other neighboring properties failed in the traditional 4x2 timber structure check out some of the testimonials etc on the websites www.4-cornerstone.com and http:cornerstoneecohomes.co.nz
$500,000 is not affordable to average homeowners. Why not develop something that is much more affordable. With that kind of money, you should easily be able to build 5 sustainable passive solar homes.
No need for a septic system if composting toilets are installed. Simply install a greywater system instead.
This does not save energy, it merely puts "a" house in the reach of poor people, but this not a real house. These sell for over $20,000 but only have about 100 square feet, that means the house costs $200 per square foot ... and that is a lot for a house without any property, and then you have to find a place to park it and a way to get water and power. You don't really have the functionality of a real house though you are paying more, just smaller.
less than 500k to build or including the land and everything else? 300k for all included is sustainable. anything more is not that affordable for most unless you want to spend the rest of your life paying it off.
Its so weird building a "green home" or "sustainable home" with STYROFOAM. Its like we have missed the whole point. No brainer as in not thinking.
www.4-cornerstone.com/newsletter/19_EPS_Life%20Cycle%20Analysis_LCA_brochure.pdf
This link might help.. When EPS Polystyrene is used in the construction of housing it helps to reduce greenhouse gases.
Don't confuse energy efficiency with sustainability, you must look at the life cycle of the materials and methods, this is massively relient on fossil fuels, which aren't sustainable both for manufacture and transport... look into the future where these is no longer an option...
It's already way way over priced, by a factor of 10. Affordable means 50k-100K at most.
blows my mind how a $500k home is the way for everyone to responsibly design a efficient home. I guess I'm going to be horribly irresponsible. in the real world & off grid solar living will just have to get plenty of breeze passing throughout & fresh air along with the use of natural landscape to minimize electrical needs. $500k is not practical or responsible with all your synthetic made materials. it's ludicrous.
$500K is up there and we actually also support tiny homes but some people with families want & can build larger homes. This was the category it was in for the Master builders awards. Product for walls EPS, 98% air & 2 % matter (waste product in the manufacture of crude oil at the moment, however Wood waste, corn and orange peel are other options.
So sustainable is building out of toxic materials that will never break down? Love the idea but don't know about the wall material, Diabolical to nature and i would hate to be within 10km if there was ever a fire.
Joe That is the point with sustainability you want to built from materials that will not break down, we want something that will stand the test of time & enough of throw away materials. As for your point on fire, the levels of dangerous gas emissions are less than those occurring when burning timber. You'd probably say throw another log on the fire & think nothing of it, right.
Earthships are better
$500k my arse
very unsustainable