The purpose of the Superhome Movements Healthy Home Design Guide

The healthy home design guide (HHDG) is the first of its kind, created by over 70 professionals in the design and construction industry.

Who is this for?

This design guide was created for forward-thinkers in the construction and design industry. Those that are WANTING and READY to make a difference and start implementing changes in their practice to influence the industry as a whole. The guide is very extensive and provides the major considerations for each aspect of the design and implementation processes. Our ultimate goal is for these practices to become the industry standard. When this is the norm, the people of New Zealand will grow to understand the basic principles of what they should want and expect to see in their home designs, flushing out the old school designs that are poorly designed and harmful to our health.

Why is it needed?

It’s well-established that New Zealand’s building standards are over 20 years behind other developed nations. The vast majority of New Zealand homes (more than 95%!) use the New Zealand building code as the standard achievement, rather than the legal minimum requirement. Even more shuddering, almost all homes created at these standards would not be approved by The World Health Organization (WHO). I don’t know about you, but we feel that’s a pretty big red flag that our homes are NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

Because of the low home-quality standards that Kiwis have been subject to for generations, New Zealand has one of the highest childhood asthma rates globally, with 40% of children experiencing asthma by the age of 8. Eep. The implications of our drafty, damp homes can also cause respiratory illness, impair cognitive functioning, and lead to irreparable health concerns for you and your family.

Is this a rating tool? Does it replace the building codes?

In all the hype for the HHDG, some individuals have been uncertain what exactly this design guide is. To be clear, it is not a rating tool. And does not replace the existing building codes but rather aims to well-exceed these and push for a shift in New Zealand’s building code standards. This resource is a living g-u-i-d-e. Meaning that the Superhome team is committed to updating and refining this document as our technologies, methods, and best practices develop. To best help create a clear pathway for New Zealand to step into the future and catch up with the rest of the world.

Is your home full of H.E.R.O.E.S?

The healthy homes that the HHDG strives to create can be explained with H.E.R.O.E.S.

Healthy– promote optimal health through design, resilience and efficiency.

Efficient– make intelligent use of size and space, affordable and energy positive.

Resilient– resilient and durable against earthquakes, climate conditions and time.

On purpose– Intentionally designed with all aspects in mind.

Environmental– Socially, economically and environmentally sustainable to build and maintain.

Sustainable– Meeting the needs of our existing community without compromising the needs of future generations.

Are you committed to a healthier future for all? Get your FREE copy here!