Some newly built Auckland homes too hot, council study shows

Auckland Council's head of urban design has told developers medium-density housing must be liveable.

According to an Auckland Council study, some newly built terraces and duplexes in the city are getting too hot.

Council urban design manager Lisa Dunshea said a combination of poor window placement, minimal shade, and a lack of natural ventilation is resulting in homes overheating in summer.

"Some of the issues we heard are around windows not having wide openings.

"And the way windows are oriented - if they're large windows, they can attract a lot of heat."

The council surveyed 1337 medium-density housing (MDH) residents about their living conditions, focusing on homes built between 2016 and 2023 with code of compliance.

Dunshea said most MDH residents were happy with the temperature of their homes, particularly people in apartments.

But those living in upper levels of terraced houses and duplexes were dissatisfied with sweltering temperatures.

Dunshea said participants reported making changes to cool their homes often at a high financial cost, by installing fans and air conditioning units.

She said some kept their curtains closed and windows open at all times to beat the heat.

But Dunshea said there are other ways of cooling a MDH that those building them should consider.

"The natural environment is a big one."

"Trees have an important cooling effect.

"Council can make sure where there is space, particularly on the street, that landscape is provided."

She said it was also best to have architectural features on the outside of a home to stop the sun coming in.

"Lourves and eaves on the external part of a building provide shade.

"Having window placements set back a little bit enables shade to be cast across the glass when the sun's the most intense."

She said there had been a big increase in MDH since 2016 and it was important to create affordable housing in the expensive Auckland property market.

"It's a part of Auckland's growth, we're definitely going to see more of it."

MDH made up two thirds of consented homes last year.

Dunshea said insights about how well MDH is working is valuable for developers and architects who build the homes to get it right.

"Having homes that are well functioning and getting them to work right we advocate for.

"It's about us working with others to get the best quality and functionality."