PASSIVE BUILD

By Natasha Parrant

The Chisholm family’s new home/office partially built in Prebbleton.

Angus Chisholm Builders’ environmentally friendly family home

Angus Chisholm Builders is a small family business formally established in July 2014 by Angus and Laura Chisholm.

Angus spent 12 years operating the business as a sole trader where he’d been contracting some housing companies, whereas Laura has been involved in the business for eight years. They both understand the trade sector well, as Laura is an engineer. Currently, the couple is working on a personal initiative, a Passive Home project on Birchs Road in Prebbleton in the Selwyn District in Christchurch. The project has been an ongoing design and build process, as they bought the section four years ago. During the past year, they’ve slowly started working on it and are getting onto the gib stopping stage now. The project is almost complete, but they’ve been working on it in between other projects. The new project on Birchs Road will become a show home once the Chisholm family has moved into their new house. They’ll be operating from their new office once the house is built. People are welcome to attend in the hopes for the couple to encourage others to build warmer healthier homes by promoting this niche passive concept. “Our goal is to generate likeminded people that want to build a passive home,” Angus says. The family finds it’s important to build homes that suit how New Zealanders should conventionally live in a way that improves health, well-being, and ongoing running costs. The team is using a passive design involving products such as Intello. Architect Luke Petrie designed the family’s Passive Home. Angus says Luke takes the time to discuss ideas, make a plan and assemble a package for clients while ensuring his flair and Angus and Laura’s input are also taken into account. “He’s really good in that respect,” Angus says. This isn’t the first time all three have worked together on a build, as the couple is currently working on their fourth project with Luke in Lincoln, a 260 square metre single-story Passive Home. Luke’s incredibly detailed drawings on the Passive Home design make it easier for Angus and Laura to understand and discuss refining the passive concept. Angus did an apprenticeship when he was younger and received a National Certificate in Carpentry (2003). He started the business straight after his apprenticeship, followed by receiving his Registered Master Builders and Licensed Building Practitioner. With Angus having over 20 years of experience in building and Laura’s engineering skills, they’re able to do it all.

Whether a project is big or small, the team can design and build Passive Homes, architectural, executive, single-story and two-story homes, townhouses, extensive renovations, repairs, kitchen and bathroom revamp, outdoor living areas, and the list goes on. They work on roughly three to four houses a year. As a team, Angus sorts out project management, health and safety, quality, talking to clients and sub-contractors, and programming. Laura sorts

the admin such as contracts, administration, accounts, pricing, and programming. Right now is one of the most challenging times they’ve seen for tradespeople, as the industry is in high demand and is somewhat busier than the earthquake period. “Everyone in the trade is stressed and the merchants are struggling to keep up with the demand and supply.” Regardless, he and his wife always enjoy a challenge and working through supply issues and unexpected cost fluctuations. What sets other competitors apart from the family business is Angus and Laura are building healthier homes with the aim to reduce other ongoing living expenses such as medical.

They say the passive concept has been around for years in New Zealand and is widely used overseas, but hasn’t been as popular to build due to initial costs.

Angus and Laura don’t predominantly focus on money-making or building the cheapest homes. They challenge themselves by introducing Passive Home systems to make more people aware of its longterm benefits. Angus Chisholm Builders 112 Birchs Road Prebbleton Christchurch Angus: 027 477 8270 Laura: 022 477 8270 anguschisholmbuilders@xtra.co.nz www.anguschisholmbuilders.nz

PROUD TO SUPPORT ANGUS CHISHOLM BUILDERS

550 Johns Road, Christchurch 0800 191 674 info@mcvicaritm.co.nz

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Tailored approach wins gold award

Locally owned and operated in Christchurch, NKR Builders Limited is a cut above the rest.

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Having an impressive slew of award-winning builds in their back pocket is the recognition of the A+ standard of build NKR delivers on.

The company’s accomplishments are a perfect example of how their values embody the speciality of the homes that they produce - a trusted small team constructing a handful of quality builds a year. NKR director and long-time experienced builder, Nathan Roberts, firmly believes in the power of a smaller building company. “We are not here to mass produce; our aim is delivering tailored, unique homes of the highest quality spec for the exclusive needs of the customer.”

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This special concept of building is certainly working out well for the fantastic NKR crew, having most recently won Gold at the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards for 2021 in the Canterbury region for a new build in North Brighton. House of the Year judges outlined the brilliance of the fresh features interwoven seamlessly against the coastal energy of North Brighton living. The extensive planning took into careful consideration the best way to maximise the light in the two spacious living areas and the main bedroom, also making sure to capitalise off the glorious afternoon sun which illuminates the gorgeous outdoor deck. The design details in the spacious kitchen and bathroom blending spectacularly with the ideals of a lifestyle by the beach. “None of our builds are ever the same, it’s always something unique that we bring to every single project-without fail.” This personalised approach and passion that Nathan and the rest of his tight knit team have for their craft is what sets them apart from other building companies. “I’m extremely proud and content with my small team and how everything is running.” Whether you’re after a new build, landscaping, renovations, commercial fit outs or bathroom modernizing, NKR has the quality craftsmanship and expertise to help with any of the evolving needs of you and your space. Regardless of location of your home, your budget, or the size of the job, they’ll be with you every step of the way and properly ensure that they bring to life your vision.

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Moving the earth for their clients

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