June 21, 2024
Granny flat plan a squeeze
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A Māori architect is applauding the decision to double the size of granny flat builds.
The Government intends to change the Building Act to remove the need for building consents on homes under 60 square metres in certain areas.
Rau Hoskins from Design Tribe Architects says it will allow a wider range of affordable homes suitable for whanau, and his firm has already prepared designs.
“Ideally it would be a little bit bigger – for a granny flat/ whare kaumatua you need a second room for a mokopuna or a caregiver. Fitting two bedrooms into 60 m2 is a little bit tight. We’d prefer 65 so the submissions we will make will be to go a little bit larger,” he says.
Mr Hoskins would like to see government provide wraparound support via Iwi and Maori housing providers to help whanau roll out small whare not just in backyards but papakaianga and rural settings.