Products used: FlowPave
Summary:
The 140sqm, two-storey home in Addington, Christchurch was designed and developed by architectural designer Bob Burnett who is part of the SUPERHOME movement - an industry-led initiative to promote and normalise better quality and energy efficient homes that significantly exceed code minimum through open source sharing of design, new technologies and construction information. The target is 1,000 new homes around the country that achieve ratings of between 6 and 10 Homestar.
Starting from the slab, Bob chose energy efficient building concepts and products. “Energy efficiency, thermal comfort, a healthy indoor environment, sustainability and affordability should be basic requirements for a home – and Homestar’s independent rating is an important measure to demonstrate sustainability credentials,” he says.
“As we were nearing the end of the build we contacted Firth for the supply of a permeable paving solution to meet the strict Homestar requirements,” explains Bob. “Ninety percent of the site must be permeable.
Firth has several permeable options and we chose FlowPave 200mm x 100mm x 80mm in Black Sands as it has an enlarged nib on all four sides which creates very good drainage capability. It was a bit of a tight schedule in the end to get the house finished for the launch and Firth were very good in getting the pavers ordered, made and delivered in just two weeks.
We were very grateful to them for the supply of a really good product and the speed in which they delivered it. We also used one of their contractors, Kreisel Contracting, to lay the pavers and they also did an amazing job working around the clock to get it finished in time.”
Firth is one of New Zealand's best known and most trusted trade names in concrete. They have been developing, manufacturing and delivering concrete and concrete products to New Zealanders for almost a century.
90 year proud history
The history of Firth is part of the history of New Zealand. Firth's capability extends through the construction industry, roading & infrastructure, industrial and commercial projects to residential builds.
Industry leading
All of our products are formulated to meet strict NZ standards. Our engineers ensure Firth customers consistently receive delivery of the highest quality product that they can rely on. Our concrete products are tried and trusted so customers can be sure what we make, makes the grade. Always.
Our national, dependable brands include: Firth Certified Concrete®, Firth Masonry, Firth RibRaft® floors, Dricon® bagged concretes, mortars and sands.
Innovation that endures
From day one innovation has been at our core, but not at the expense of long lasting durability. In 1925, the 'original' Firth family with their entrepreneurial spirit created innovative concrete products that made life easier.
Today's wider Firth family still carries that same can-do spirit into today's market challenges. Our designers work alongside our engineers to ensure new designs will stand up to the rigors of time.
Kiwi Made
Like the people who manufacture them, our concrete ranges are all products of New Zealand. We employ 650 people spread across 70 plant sites throughout the country.
Firth's strength lies in its regional relationships delivering a quality service locally to loyal customers, every day.