Mention houses of the future and you tend to think of The Jetsons: talking fridges, robotic appliances and high tech finishes. But Construction Marketing Services (CMS), in partnership with Master Builders and Jennian Homes have set out to show that today's Future House is warm and inviting, albeit hiding a
raft of clever high-tech features.
"People still want homes that feel homely," says Shane Dalton of Jennian. "But they also want energy efficiency, clean air, sound-proofing and great use of space. Sections are smaller, so houses have to work a lot harder to comfortably accommodate modern family living."
The Auckland demonstration home is at the new Aero Park subdivision, where you can park your plane in the nearby hanger, next door to Dairy Flat aerodrome. Future-proof building features include double-glazed windows, underfloor insulation and double batts in the wall to maintain a constant temperature. The house is sited to make the most of passive solar gain, lowering energy bills dramatically. Double glazing, noise control Batts, sound-proof wall boards and even sound-sealed doors mean the house can be zoned for noisy kids or media. The environment is also husbanded by grey water recycling for the garden and the use of recyclable materials in fixtures.
Health and safety is taken care of in tomorrow's home by a central vacuum system, ultra-fresh treated carpet and an air-circulation/venting system to maximise clean, dust-free air. A central switchboard controls the home's security, lights and sound. Smart details like automatic night lights and an electronic dial-up to replenish the cooker's gas bottles take care of residents, unobtrusively.
Clever space management tools make the most of the room. Doors slide into wall cavities, closet doors open to the ceiling, and a drop-down ladder gives access to a loft - all these features eke out maximum practical storage.
Dalton points out that owners today have to look at the lifecycle costing of their building: features that maybe cost more to install, but reduce maintenance and utility costs over the life of the home. Responsible use of resources and quality assurance from top manufacturers ensure a good, long lasting home.
Jennian estimates future-proofing a home can add around 20% to the cost of building. This top-speced show home costs around $450,000 to build (excluding land), but more modest future homes start at around $250,000.
Visit www.jennian.co.nz, or the showhome at Aero Park subdivision, Dairy Flat.
Mention houses of the future and you tend to think of The Jetsons: talking fridges, robotic appliances and high tech finishes. But Construction Marketing Services (CMS), in partnership with Master Builders and Jennian Homes have set out to show that today's Future House is warm and inviting, albeit hiding a
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