June 02, 2014
Innovation wins award
Ngati Hine Health Trust has won an award for its radical new early childhood education centre in Kawakawa.
Chief operating officer Maxine Shortland says being the joint winner of the innovation category at this year’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Awards was a big boost for the Northland hapu.
Te Mirumiru centre, designed by CASA architects, is the first commercial building in New Zealand to be built of mud brick walls within an earth bank and with a complete green roof.
It’s 67 percent more energy efficient than a standard building, and the higher construction costs will be offset by lower energy and maintenance costs over its lifetime.
Ms Shortland says it was a bonus to win a Highly Commended for the Community Award.
"It was in terms of the construction of Te Mirumiru but more the whanau. More their way in which they see this now that they are living within it. It's not just tamariki coming to the centre its much more than that its whanau being involved in that " says Maxine Shortland
Te Mirumiru shared the innovation award DNZ Property Fund’s Meridian Building on the Wellington waterfront, which uses just 28 percent of the average energy for commercial buildings.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MAXINE SHORTLAND CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MTg2NzM=
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