The first was the octagonal house in the Hill Zone built in 2022 (see earlier posts). This one at 177 Huia Street (the satellite view shows work in progress circa 2022) is a relatively plain one in terms of design, but unusual in terms of materials used: rammed earth, charred timber for a charcoal effect in different places (including the ceiling!) and aluminum for the roof. Being eco-conscious they didn’t want to use cement anywhere, but ended up having to use some for strength and stability.
The dimensions amount to a footprint of 150 sq metres but the thickness of the rammed earth walls reduces the floor area to 120 sq. metres which has been a typical size for a bungalow in NZ.
The end result can probably be described as eco-brutalist and doesn’t much appeal to us, but everyone’s tastes are different. At the least we think the internal walls would benefit from more pictures.
Watch the episode, which first screened on Sunday 18 May at the link below (registration will be required) — Season 9, episode 4. There are some nice scenes around Waikanae, not just the build.
Windows from Germany, mud walls from the back yard at an all up cost of $7000 a square metre. Hardly a ‘green’ low carbon footprint when the cost is over twice that of a regular house and generated 300 tons of carbon along the way
The amount of electricity required to heat it in winter will be minimal, however.