With house rental prices, housing demand and the cost of living skyrocketing in the Auckland area, Vision West Community Trust provides a beacon of light to low-income families. It's a holistic approach to social housing in West Auckland that provides not only a roof over people's heads, but a chance to transform their lives for the better. Training, counselling and budgetary services are just some of the resources available to get families back on their feet. Vision West Community Housing provides short term and long term supported rental housing in West Auckland. Their aim is to provide safe, healthy, affordable, quality rental housing for low-income families.

Although not zoned for medium density housing, the 2,200m² Triangle Road section was purchased with the vision of building as many units on the site as possible. After nine fraught months of feasibility studies, planning and consent, a ten unit plan, consisting of six two storey units and four single storey units, gained approval.

With the project budget being assigned in 2012 prior to the building boom, the subsequent rise in construction costs meant finding cost-effective solutions became the main driver for specification. "We needed to specify products that met budgetary restraints, but at the same time would produce healthy, warm, energy efficient houses," explains Pat de Pont, Director at SGA. "Once we calculated out how Ecoply Barrier could benefit the complete build with its bracing properties, speed of installation and weathertightness, it quickly became the obvious solution."

The rigid air barrier system was applied to all external walls, providing structural bracing, whilst forming a strong secondary line of defence against moisture penetration into the building envelope. Ecoply Barrier also significantly reduces air leakage. The result: a robust, healthier and more energy efficient home.

Pat adds, "It was also about getting things built quickly and this is where Stanley Group came in." 

Recognised for their prefab innovations, many of the modules were made the Stanley Group's premises in Matamata for transportation to site. Hayden Vile, Site Manager from Stanley Group comments, "Ecoply Barrier worked well with our schedule. It was quick, lightweight and easy to install, and the support we received from the CHH Woodproducts online library and technical team was incredibly beneficial. The technical support person who visited the site gave us some valuable pointers, saving us additional time and money."

Pat adds, "Ecoply Barrier is particularly useful when used in prefab construction. The rigid strength of walls and early close-in ensures no hold ups."

Hayden highlights the huge advantage of using the system. "The Ecoply Barrier system provided excellent temporary weather protection during a particularly wet winter. The early close-in also allowed us to continue with the installation of the GIB plasterboard inside, while we waited for the cladding materials to be delivered."

Another product specified by SGA was CHH Woodproducts' Shadowclad Ultra Texture panels. Selected for their design versatility, lightweight nature and speed of installation, they differentiate each dwelling. Pat concludes, "Our preference is a timber to timber solution. Ecoply Barrier and Shadowclad are often an integral part of that homogeneous solution."