Toi Ora High Street Co-housing Passive House Development

In 2013 the Urban Co-housing Otepoti was formed, and over a period of 6 years the group developed and refined their ideas and requirements into an economically viable, energy efficient co-housing development project.  The group purchased a 5,000 sqm site that was the former High Street Primary School and in November 2018, eHaus Otago commenced construction.  The project is New Zealand’s second largest co-housing development, and the first passive house certified co-housing development.

The development contains 21 Passive House homes including 2,3,4 & 5 bedroom homes. Built to the Passive House Standard, each home has triple glazing, thicker wall construction, superior insulation than new conventionally built houses as well as being designed to ensure they meet the Passive House air tightness standard. Combined with a mechanical heat recover ventilation system to ensure that fresh filtered air circulates the homes and keeping the temperature between 20-22 degrees all year round.