08 November 2006
by Mr Richard Kells, for Air Force News #75
Modernising the interior of housing at Base Ohakea was one of the suggestions that came out of early Project Takitini planning, and, with CAF’s approval, a project was established to modernise two RNZAF houses in Bulls.
In developing the scope of the project, the methodologies that Housing New Zealand Corporation used for their Departments’ housing modernisation programme were considered. The NZ Army had also just completed a housing project so the Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) report for that project was helpful too. In addition, Defence Force Housing Standards were being re-written and these new standards provided for increased flexibility in design and décor not previously permitted within any Service houses.
It was therefore decided to expand the scope of the project to modernise the houses to the permissible maximum allowed within the draft new housing policy.
Two houses were chosen as a ‘Proof of Concept’ project to identify whether the proposed housing modernization project was being correctly scoped. I.e. was it too much, or not enough? T o resolve these questions, and before a construction contract was issued, an ‘open home’ was held at the houses.
For the trial we selected a two storey duplex unit and a single storey house, of three bedrooms each. People were invited to view the intended layout drawings make comments on the proposal.
After completing the reconstruction work, another ‘open home’ was held to allow people to view the results of the modernisation of these two houses.
Comments received have been mostly favorable, and of the suggestions made, some had already been identified or alternatively were personal preferences, however it was pleasing to note that almost all were complimentary and confirmed that the standard achieved was acceptable and therefore successful.
It is acknowledged that yes, these houses are still 50-odd-years old and probably smaller than desired. But they are solid and (following the modernisation programme) well insulated with modern economical heating systems supplemented with carpet and drapes.
The intention now is to evaluate the results of the ‘proof of concept’ contract and consider the viability of progressing a programme of work to cover all of the houses. In all of this planning Base Woodbourne has not been forgotten, and it is intended that Base Woodbourne houses will be included in any programme that comes out of the project.
If approved, modernising Service houses in the RNZAF will be a significant undertaking staged over several years.
Ends