Simply affordable

Earlier this year, director of Auckland-based S3 Architects Limited Stephen Smith won a Department of Building and Housing competition challenging entrants to come up with a design for a cheap, easy-to-build house which complied with New Zealand building regulations. The first “Simple House” was unveiled by building and construction minister Maurice Williamson in Otara, South Auckland in October. Smith’s design has been developed into the “Simple House Acceptable Solution”, an online resource which collects together all the necessary information on how to build a version of the house. “The Simple House Acceptable Solution document is a guide to building innovative, affordable and easily consentable homes. Without compromising safety or quality it provides a framework for architects, designers and builders to develop affordable housing,” Williamson said. The Simple House scheme is chiefly intended to help first time buyers get on the property ladder, but may also appeal to expatriates who would like to build their own home, but lack the necessary advice and resources.