Rilean evolution homes start a living 'revolution'

Healthy, affordable and energy-efficient living is the lifestyle choice of the future in Queenstown, New Zealand, with the success of locally designed and built sustainable homes.

The keys to the first evolution series of homes were handed over in mid-winter to local couple Mark and Jackie Burston by sustainable home builders and multi award-winning construction company Rilean Construction.

Meanwhile work is scheduled to start shortly on the next evolution home in the stunning Wakatipu Basin, and others are in the pipeline with enquiries coming from around the South Island.

Rilean Construction senior Quantity Surveyor Mick Moffatt said a dedicated website www.evolutionseries.co.nz contained a professional ‘fly through’ video to help people understand the concept and implementation of the homes.

It also contains details of three series of homes including ‘evolution select’, aimed at the first and mid-level market, ‘evolution executive’ aimed at the upper market and ‘evolution modular’ for short term accommodation.

The recent series, the modular, starts from $84,000 plus GST and on-site costs for a one-bedroom and is ideal for people requiring rentals, granny or guest accommodation or a starter home with the ability to add modules at a later date.

“The evolution philosophy is simple, to design and construct healthier, warmer, more energy efficient and sustainable homes while reducing CO2 emissions,” said Mr Moffat.

“The feedback we’re already getting from people like the Burstons and other potential new homeowners is that we’re well on track to achieve all of that.”

The Burston’s es2, 176m2 three-bedroom two-bathroom double-garage property boasts a reduced carbon footprint of almost 70 per cent, and its construction generated just 2.78 tonnes of building waste compared to the 6 tonnes of waste generated by the average three-bedroom house.

Moving into the house in the middle of winter, and experiencing a cold snap that was freezing even by Queenstown standards, the Burstons were “delighted” to receive a monthly power bill that was less than half of what they would have expected to pay.

“We’ve got an exceptionally warm and energy efficient house we’re really proud to call our home, and the power bill was even better than I thought it would be! It proves the design works well,” said Mark Burston.

Mr Burston said the evolution team made the whole building process very straightforward, helping with a few design changes and taking great pride in their work.

“As a result of this the overall quality of the build was of a very high standard,” said Mr Burston.

The evolution homes team took just five months to build the Burston’s home from concept to completion.

“We’re pleased with all the figures so far and over the next 12 months we’ll be collecting data to help identify energy consumption, water use, internal temperature and relative humidity, which will give us a proven and clearer picture of our sustainable evolution homes,” said Mr Moffatt.

All designs are ‘future-proofed’ in anticipation of more stringent environmental building regulations, and designs have been thermally modelled by independent green building consultant Paula Hugens of Green Being.

Independent research shows that living in an Evolution home would reduce at least $900 off annual electricity bills and reduce CO2 emissions by 70%, compared to the same house with electric heating and the minimum insulation required.

For more information or details about Rilean Construction or its sustainable practice policy email evolution@rilean.co.nz or visit www.rilean.co.nz.