Benchmarks for Reduced Resource Needs

SHAC Teams met via video conference on 11 June 2008 to discuss technical targets for more sustainable housing.

The SHAC Judging criteria require teams to make progress by reducing energy and water use, waste production, and material use, while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment (IEQ), retaining affordability, and supporting a sustainable community.

Teams are questioning and verifying their visions of sustainable living by setting targets or goals for their houses in each of the SHAC categories. By stepping back to look at the underpinning requirements on resources, comfort, and community, teams can find that there are many ways to achieve their goals.

For example, some teams hope to reduce their house annual non-renewable energy consumption by 80% when compared to a typical house today. This may be achievable through methods as varied as insulation and passive solar design princples, to reducing the need for fossil-fueled travel or by providing a delighful house with a smaller volume to heat. Additionally, less fossil-fueled travel requirements and a smaller heated volume also can lead to improvements in other areas like material use and community quality.

The following slides show the Beacon Pathway High Standard of Sustainability. This is a minimum standard that most SHAC houses will far exceed.

Additionally, the University of Victoria team "The Plant Room" has provided some slides on New Zealand and international standards for Water use and Indoor Environmental Quality in residential housing.

Beacon High Standard of Sustainability (HSS)

Dr Megan Howell of Beacon Pathway explains the Beacon HSS. Megan has previously worked with the Auckland Regional Council and the Waitakere City Council The Beacon HSS is the minimum standard for SHAC houses.

Vic Plant Room NZ Water, IEQ Targets

By Jessica Bennett

Meeting Target References

Contributed by The Plant Room