SUN WIND FIRE WATER: With these four increadibly complex yet basic elements we can do great things.
This page simply gives an outline on getting your unique concept design through council building consent.This process does not have to be difficult or frustrating or unfairly expensive if an acceptable application is presented for consent processing.
ToePrint Project in Tutukaka Northland uses all four elements available to the location and introduces new innovation and materials that stand the test of time and when introduced into the design do meet the NZ Building Code.
Resource and Building Consents have been granted for this world first concept home.
After 30 years as a tradesman builder with the necessary relevent certificates in support the nz government has awarded me an LBP certificate. Licenced Building Practitioner.
Little has changed for me apart from my personal obligation to direct people wanting to build new homes on a path to understanding the great resources the four natural elements provide for us.
To allow us to harness these and other natural elements to build Safe- Secure- Sustainable- Healthy and Durable 'Grid tied' or 'Off-grid 'homes, we are required to be creative , yet practical and funtional in design concepts.
The NZBC (new zealand building code) is a performance based code that requires certain standards of performance from each building material used for a specific purpose; eg; a roof must adequately perform the functions necessary ie; to keep water from entering the interior- to regulate thermal temperatures, to be strucurally strong to resist wind and updraft loadings etc.
The code allows for innovation within designs and lables these as Alternative Solutions and Acceptable Solutions that meet the performance standards set out in the Building Code.
So almost any design or material will be accepted as long as it meets the code. For example my HMWPE (high molecular weight polymer roof) that no council in NZ or the world has ever seen in a design concept gained consent because it proved to meet and exceed the performance standards of the NZ code.
A mud hut may also gain consent if designed adequately.
SUN -WIND -FIRE- WATER.
It has always been that simple, we just lost our way and got too 'modern' or 'system bound' and reliant on these colossal infastructures to provide for us. We left these timeless, limitless, resousces out of the mix. Now they are again becomming the base ingredient of the mix.
i am constantly surrounded by great minds and innovative people who consistently go back to the origins of energy to come up with new ways to do do it better , cheaper , cleaner, and they satisfy themselves knowing they are doing it for all of us..
I invite you to take what each of us has to offer and add to that your unique vision of what is special to you.
Contact me to give you the confidence that this is a wise path to dwelling well.