zero.plus (University of Auckland School of Architecture and Planning)
Will try to build New Zealand's first zero-emissions house to international World Health Organisation home heating standards.
Involves collaboration with staff from three European universities.
The Plant Room (Victoria University, Massey University, Wellington Institute of Technology)
An inner-city project adding outdoor balcony rooms to an existing building.
The rooms will be designed to grow food, collect water and recycle waste as well as provide extra living space.
Whareuku (University of Auckland)
A group led by university students designing and building simple, low-cost modular buildings using rammed-earth construction which ordinary people can build using local materials and a minimum of professional expertise.
Team Central Otago (Otago Polytechnic)
Working on establishing a public display centre to showcase sustainable building practices and new environmentally friendly products suitable for private dwellings.
Bach 101 (Te Hira family, Unitec Institute of Technology's [Auckland] architecture and Maori studies departments)
Will renovate a historic bach on Rangitoto Island and add an extension using recycled and low-energy materials.
Also planning to install appropriate energy and waste-disposal systems.
Unitec Sustainable (Unitec Institute of Technology)
Designing and building a sustainable transportable house which will be built by trades students.
Team members will also evaluate the performance of the house alongside a house of similar design built to conventional standards.
Team Waikato (Waikato Institute of Technology, Massey University, Wellington Institute of Technology)
Designing and building a sustainable transportable house which will be built by trades students.
The house will use a timber/soy-based insulated panel system not yet available on the New Zealand market.
Team Dunedin (Otago Polytechnic)
Designing and building a sustainable transportable house which will be built by trades students.
The house will feature the best sustainable products available locally, including heating, insulation and window glazing.
Team Canterbury (Canterbury University)
A group of engineering students designing and building a timber-framed transportable home to the highest standards for sustainable home design, including a greywater recycling system and rainwater harvesting.
The house will also come with instructions on how to reduce waste during both construction and the eventual deconstruction of the home.
Team Housewise (Housing NZ, Landcare Research, University of Auckland, NZ Housing Foundation)
Developing an energy and insulation renovation package for a 1950s state house using environmentally friendly and sustainable products, combined with a computer software program teaching tenants about more sustainable living.