Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Ian Chamberlain has been a builder for nearly 40 years. He first learnt his craft as a cabinet maker and joiner in the UK before going on to gain experience across the construction sector, but nearly always working with wood. He’s been in New Zealand now for over two decades and Chamberlain Homes has made a mark in Taupo with some beautifully crafted homes.
Commentating on a standard New Zealand house when he first arrived, Ian stated, “This is not a house. This is how we build a garden shed in the UK.” He has since gone on to discover Passive House and he well appreciates the vast gap between a house built just to code and the performance of a well designed and carefully built home.
The Art of Joinery
The craft of cabinet making requires precision. There are very small tolerances in joinery and furniture making. Combined with attention to material selection, these skills have served Ian well, transferring to the detailed construction methods required to ensure a high performing home.
Ian’s skill as a joiner also allows him to provide a completely bespoke and unique service. The Chamberlain Homes portfolio of work is evidence of his own statement, “If you can’t buy it, we can make it.”
Passive House
Ian was introduced to Passive House, partly through Kim Feldborg of Valhalla Living. The two worked together on this energy-efficient, three-bedroom home in Taupo.
Tips for Building a Good Home
Creating a good home starts with site selection, says Ian. As a builder, he’d really like to be involved with the project as early as possible because sometimes it’s clear right from the start that building the client’s dream is going to be a challenge. Many building sites in scenic settings like the tourist town of Taupo, are optimised for the view, not the sun.
Fortunately, suboptimal site selection can be somewhat compensated for with airtight design and attention to detail. Ian also recommends increasing the specification of the windows, walls and other components. He refers his clients to ‘Upspec you Build’.
Ian suggests spending money on the outside of the building. External walls, windows, doors, the floor and the roof. These are all areas that you’re not likely to change. It’s much easier to change your bathroom and your kitchen later on.
How big do you need?
Finally, consider the size. Not just because bigger houses cost more to build and to keep warm, but they also cost more to maintain. You should budget 10% of the value of your home every 10 years for maintenance, suggests Ian.
This may seem like a lot if your house is any more than average, but as Ian asks his clients, “If you spent half a million dollars on a car, would you wash it? Would you service it? Why don’t you do that for your house?”
Airtightness
Having been guided by Kim Feldborg through the process of creating an airtight build, Ian now tries to incorporate airtightness into all his projects. He attributes much of the performance of the home to the inclusion of an airtight layer in the building envelope.
Chamberlain Homes
Through his company, Ian is now working on more Passive House projects and hopes to soon get one Certified. Like many experienced craftsmen, he knows the market his in and what he believes in. This means he knows the type of client he prefers working with, as well as those who he might suggest go elsewhere if they’re after little more than a garden shed.
See more of Ian’s work and contact him via his website.
Thanks to Enduro Builders and LAB Design for sponsoring this episode.
Leave a Reply