Building controls update 105: Simple House Acceptable Solution
5 March 2010
Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson today launched the Simple House Acceptable Solution - a framework for architects, designers and builders to develop modest, affordable houses making the consenting process easier and quicker, without compromising design or quality.
The Simple House Acceptable Solution will meet industry preferences and government priorities for streamlined and simplified solutions for simple houses that meet the New Zealand Building Code.
With 200 pages and over 100 figures it is a complete, all-in-one document covering the relevant 26 Building Code Clauses that apply to simple housing and provides a straight-forward, deemed-to-comply route for the building consent process. It is for a whole building type.
It takes an all inclusive approach to earthquake, wind and snow loadings, includes a limited range of building materials and simplifies weathertightness detailing so that risk matrix scoring is unnecessary for a compliant design. And for the first time, this acceptable solution includes a conditions for expansive soils.
The Simple House Acceptable Solution may be regarded as being too limited to be useful to some residential designers. However those requiring a wider choice of materials or options than are provided for, may use other existing compliance documents or alternative design proposals.
The framework is the latest initiative under the Government’s Better Building Blueprint package - a series of measures that will make it easier and cheaper for New Zealanders to build good quality homes and buildings. In particular, it provides a standardised solution to deal with the simple, straightforward consent of a simple house.
It is aimed to support architects, designers and builders to come up with innovative and affordable solutions showing what can be achieved with limited resources.
For more information visit the Department of Building and Housing's website, call 0800 242 243 or download your copy of the document.