Building in New Zealand is changing. With new technologies and knowledge, sustainable design is fast becoming accepted building practice in a society faced with power shortages and scarce resources.

 CONTEXT Architects often works with clients looking for sustainable design solutions to minimise the impact on their surrounds, reduce power consumption and recycle waste.

If you are looking for sustainable design to be incorporated into your project, CONTEXT Architects can provide the following practical solutions:

 Energy efficiency options

• Designing to make the best use of natural light and the sun
• Passive solar design options to collect and disperse heat
• Solar hot water heating
• Thermal insulation to reduce heating costs in Winter and cooling costs in Summer
• Night time cooling using air pumped through the floors
• Reverse cycle inverter-type heat pumps for heating and cooling
• Energy efficient lighting including occupancy sensors so that lights turn on only when needed
• Energy efficient building materials

Water efficiency

• Water efficiency options including low flow taps and showers and reusing water
• Composting toilets and treatment systems

Stormwater management

• Stormwater detention and retention systems
• Designs that minimise impermeable areas and, for example, collect rainwater from the roof and reuse it for flushing toilets, dishwaters, etc

Renewable building materials

• Specifying timber from sustainable sources, eg, not coming from old growth forests
• Using acrylic paints and finishes where possible
• Using materials with high recyclable content
• Using materials that have lower energy outputs in their production processes and transportation