ADarchitecture - who are we?ADarchitecture are a team of local building design professionals who are dedicated to providing the highest quality advice and Architectural Design services on the Kapiti Coast and throughout the wider Wellington region.In this regular column, designers Jon Ambler and Peter Davis will be providing their opinions on current building related issues that affect home owners and people considering renovations or new building.For comments, feedback or further discussion please find and like ADarchitecture on Facebook. What makes a healthy home?The recent nationwide news coverage of the tragic death of a South Auckland toddler living in a state owned property has highlighted in the most extreme way the importance for all New Zealanders to live in healthy houses.Traditionally New Zealand's houses often have been cold, damp and uncomfortable places to live in which is not only very bad for the inhabitants physical health but can also affect their mental wellbeing.Things have changed a little today with new houses being required to meet minimum building code standards. This will mean that over time the quality of our housing stock will improve but of course it does not address the issues present in older existing houses.There are a number of options available to homeowners which can easily be retrofitted into most existing houses e.g. adding underfloor and ceiling insulation, installing full length thermal curtains, retrofitting double glazing, installing energy efficient heating and install draft stops to doorsWe will explore these ideas in more depth in future articles.For further information organisations like EECA, Sustainability Trust, Homestar, KCDC's eco adviser and Consumer provide some very good resources. Local charity building projectADarchitecture are very proud to be involved in the design and documentation of a new charitable house project.When completed the house will be auctioned and the proceeds distributed to the newly established Kapiti Youth Achievement Trust. It will then be transported to the new owners chosen location by truck.We will be providing updates on a regular basis and encourage you to keep an eye on progress as construction is now underway on the Kapiti Road site at the entrance to the Kapiti Landing retail precinct.
