Rilean's Evolution Energy-Efficient Homes building affordable homes in Queenstown Lakes

Energy efficient and affordable homes are being built in Queenstown’s Shotover Country subdivision, thanks to Rilean Construction’s Evolution Energy-Efficient Homes and the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT).

The new homes, due to be completed late 2016, are all specifically-designed Evolution houses just 105 to 110sqm in size, and are targeted at low to to moderate income households.

Land for the homes in Shotover Country was given to the Trust by developers as part of a community housing deal, negotiated during a plan change process where rural land was rezoned for residential development.

The three bedroom properties will include Evolution’s proven features to ensure high performance, energy-efficient housing, but won’t compromise on standards in a bid to make them ‘affordable’.

Local architect Mark Gray has worked with Evolution to design three different styles of properties for the project to suit some “challenging” section shapes of 300 to 400sqm.

Evolution’s New Homes Contracts Manager, Lisa Burroughs, says he’s done a “wonderful job” designing the new contemporary homes.

The Evolution Energy-Efficient Homes at Queenstown’s Shotover Country will include three bedrooms and a garage. Photo courtesy of Southern PR

“The concept of enjoying a warm, dry environment and as well as economical running costs in an affordable home has been very well-received by young home owners,” she says.

“It’s great to see local developers recognising the importance and value of building thermally and energy efficient homes, not only for larger houses but for smaller homes too.

“It’s a privilege to say that these homes will be of Evolution specification while being affordable for the Queenstown-Lakes region.”

An Evolution home uses a comprehensive system to maximize the retention of the controlled temperature within, meaning that it stays cool in summer and warm in winter. 

By incorporating increased insulation, an airtight membrane, thermally-broken joinery and subfloor, these high performance, stylish homes allow the owners to live in a healthy environment while saving hundreds of dollars each year on energy bills.

QLCHT Trust Executive Officer Julie Scott says they’re “delighted” to be working alongside Rilean to provide first home buyers of the Queenstown Lakes with smaller, smarter homes.
 
“It’s great to be able to provide such a high quality of homes at entry level prices,” she says.
 
“We’ve sold nine of the ten standalone homes to excited young families under the Shared Ownership programme, and we’re keeping the tenth for our rental portfolio.”
 

Building is underway for affordable energy-efficient homes in Queenstown’s Shotover Country. Photo courtesy of Southern PR

The Shotover Country homes offer a mixed tenure development with homes being part of the trust’s Shared Ownership Programme or offered on a rental programme.
 
Ms Burroughs says the Evolution philosophy is “simple”.
 
“We deliver homes that use valuable resources wisely while maintaining a level of comfort in an extreme climate.
 
“We believe you should be able to build a warm, healthy, energy efficient home that not only looks great but can save people money.”

The Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT) was created to manage and deliver affordable housing solutions to those vital to the community who can’t afford to buy on the open market. Initiated by the Queenstown Lakes /district Council in 2007 which recognised the affordability issue and acted upon it, the Trust is now an independent entity.