Ebode - sustainable housing

Ebode - sustainable housing

ebode is New Zealand's newest and, we believe, most sustainable housing company. Founded in 2008 by Niel and Jette de Jong, who have run a sustainable architecture practice for a number of years, ebode aims to go far beyond energy efficiency and ‘tacked on' eco technology to provide homes that have sustainability built in to every aspect of their design.

ebode's CEO, Niel de Jong, says that, while energy efficiency and smart use of technology are integral to all ebode homes, it is good design and careful selection of materials that really sets them apart.

"Because ebode homes are specifically designed and sited for passive solar heating and ventilation, they require much less energy than other houses to heat and cool, even before adding high levels of insulation, double glazing and active solar technologies, " he says.

This claim is borne out by a recent HERS (Home Energy Rating Scheme) assessment on two of ebode's standard designs, both of which received a rating of 8.5 out of a possible 10. HERS assessor Ben Bell explains;

"The average new home in New Zealand achieves a maximum rating of 4 or 5; older homes sit at around 2 or 3; and it's pretty difficult to score above 7 without very specific eco design. 8.5 is the highest I have seen a residential home rated - to achieve any more would require too many compromises in terms of lifestyle and aesthetics for the majority of people."
While sustainability is fundamental for all ebode homes, aesthetics is also a top priority - and Niel de Jong maintains that it is possible to be both stylish and sustainable.

"Many people imagine lumpy cottages and a distinctly ‘rustic' tone when you mention sustainable homes," says Niel, "but we have put a lot of effort into ensuring that ebode homes have an attractive, contemporary style and top class interior finishing that will add value and prestige to any property."

In addition to selecting materials that look good, the ebode team performs a thorough life cycle assessment of every key component in their homes - checking out where it has come from; how it was produced; and assessing its impact on the environment and the occupants of the home - before, during and after use.

"This means we can assure our clients that ebode homes are not only truly sustainable," says Niel de Jong, "but they are healthy and ethical as well."

Ethics is an important part of ebode's value system - which is why the Directors approached Prometheus for working capital funding to help get the company firmly established as New Zealand's truly sustainable housing company.

"Because we believe in supporting New Zealand companies by using locally made materials wherever possible, it made sense for us to partner with a company also investing in a sustainable future for New Zealand," says ebode Managing Director Jette de Jong. "Another advantage for us in forming a relationship with Prometheus is that they also provide finance to people wishing to build sustainably. When clients approach them to discuss finance for an ebode home, we know that Prometheus really understands the value of our homes over time - not just the greater financial value in terms of reduced running costs and increased capital value; but also the value added by an ebode's low environmental impact and improved health for its occupants."

They offer a range of standard designs, which can be built exactly to the design and specifications developed by the ebode team, or customized to suit different needs and tastes. ebode also offers a complete custom design service through ebode studio - the design hothouse where Niel de Jong has teamed up with well known eco architect Johann Bernhardt to produce all of the designs for ebode homes. The wider ebode team includes a resident environmental scientist, a German trained project manager, and several BBE (Building Biology & Ecology) trained designers and builders across the country.

To find out more about ebode, please visit www.ebode.co.nz or phone 0800 my ebode (693-263).