We’re always pleased to be involved in projects that contribute to the community, and the recent Miller Street Housing Innovation Development in Invercargill is one we’re particularly proud of. Delivered for Invercargill City Council, it provides older residents with safe, warm homes and a place to feel connected.

The development comprises six one-bedroom homes on a cleared site where much older dwellings once stood. It forms part of the Council’s broader housing renewal programme, moving away from outdated stock toward homes that better support comfort, accessibility, and lower running costs for tenants.

The project was secured through an open tender process and as with most Council work, it was competitive. From our side, the strength of our submission sat in our experience and a clear, proven approach to delivery.

“A big part of our submission was showing what we’ve done before, and how we work,” says Project Head Francois Swarts.

Our experience with Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) construction was a key part of that. While housing renewal projects like this have been underway in Invercargill for some time, they haven’t typically been delivered using SIPs. For our team, it was an opportunity to bring a more advanced construction method into the local market.

We’ve delivered a number of SIPs-based projects across the South Island, building up a strong understanding of the system and its benefits. The panels allow for tighter building envelopes and improved thermal performance, resulting in homes that are warmer, drier, and more efficient to run.

The performance is in the detail
That expertise carried through into the build. We constructed the homes to meet strict air-tightness targets, and undertook blower door testing across all units. Several exceeded expectations.

“We had council-set targets we needed to hit,” Swarts says. “And in a number of the units, we actually achieved passive-level results, which is a great outcome.”

For our team, the project also marked an important step. It’s the largest build we’ve delivered in Southland to date, and an opportunity to demonstrate what we can do in the region. From the outset, we approached the project as a collaborative effort with Invercargill City Council and the architects at McCulloch. Francois’ focus from the outset was on the client, architect and build teams.

“The project team is a team, it’s not builder versus client,” Swarts says. “If you can get everyone aligned on the same goal, the job runs better.”

That thinking shaped how we worked day to day. We kept communication open, raised risks early, and created a project environment for honest input across the board.

“The architects at McCulloch were really good to work with,” he says. “They made it clear early on, if we found a better or more efficient way to do something, raise it. That was refreshing because we had the confidence to collaborate and suggest improvements where we could.”

A place for community and belonging
The end result is a development that performs strongly from a technical standpoint, while also delivering a high standard of living for its future residents.

The homes are arranged in pairs, creating a sense of connection without losing privacy. Shared outdoor areas, garden boxes, and simple additions like pergolas and compost bins contribute to a setting that encourages interaction and a sense of community.

“It almost feels like a wee village,” Swarts says. “You can imagine people getting to know each other, sharing what they grow, just having that sense of community.”

Inside, the finish reflects a level of care not always associated with social housing.

“It’s awesome. It’s not your typical state housing. There’s real thought behind everything – mid- market finishings, great spaces. I would happily live in one of them.”

It was a fantastic project to be involved in. “We love working on stuff that contributes to the community. It’s quite satisfying knowing you can do something with a bigger purpose, and this one in particular feels quite unique.”