Year 8 College students Chris Dirks and Chris Manning have proven themselves to be future focussed by winning Genesis Energy’s SchoolGen Mean Green House competition. The boys were first in the intermediate (Year 7-8) section of the nationwide contest, which tasked students to investigate eco-house design from an energy conservation perspective. Students had to research, design and build a scale model of a ‘mean green’ house. Also included in the brief was to film a video that explains their creation.

The team decided on a smaller house, with Auckland’s lack of available land and compact living in mind. There are solar panels to harness renewable and sustainable energy. Grey water is collected from the house’s flat surfaces and directed into a storage tank underground. Recognising the environmental benefits of public transport, there is no garage for a car, replaced by space for bicycles. The walls are made of stone to contain solar heat during the day and release it at night. There is double glazing on most of the windows to reduce heat loss and the design makes use of an agricultural by-product by insulating the house with wool.

‘The team from Saint Kentigern combined thoughtful use of materials with creative design flair to develop their ‘iconic’ E house,’ says Rob Duff, SchoolGen team educator.

For their efforts, the students won a $100 Prezzie card for themselves plus two Polaroid mini action cameras for the College. Well done, boys!

Watch the video of their creation here: https://youtu.be/w10OVbpUIKU

Congratulations also to Year 9 student Leon Chaplow, who was highly commended in the secondary school division! 

Share this