As New Zealand faces a housing affordability crisis and growing urban populations, the need for housing intensification is more critical than ever. In Auckland, terraced houses and duplexes have become popular solutions, with over half of new building consents in 2023 dedicated to townhouses, flats, and units.

However, a recent survey by the Auckland Council of over 1,300 medium-density homes has revealed a significant issue: overheating. Poor design practices have led to many townhouses experiencing excessive heat during the summer months. Over half of the residents in these homes have had to make modifications to improve their living conditions.

This situation highlights the urgent need for better design standards to address overheating at the planning stage, reducing the reliance on retrofitted solutions. While most architects and builders understand the basic principles of thermal performance, there is a gap between theory and the actual performance outcomes of these design choices.

Fisher & Paykel Home Solutions has recognised this gap and released a comprehensive Overheating in Terrace Homes Solution Guide authored by Rajindh Fernando (BARCH, BE), Thermal Design Engineer at Home Solutions ​. This guide provides design guidance, supported by specific data and case studies, to demonstrate the impact of thoughtful design choices on the thermal environment of terrace homes.

Together, we can create homes that not only meet the demand for more housing but also provide a high quality of life for all.

NB: The medium-density housing projects shown in this article have been included as exemplary models for demonstrative purposes only.