Modular Wall Panels Feature in Winning Backyard Dw

In 2018 PrefabNZ launched the SNUG design competition; designers were encouraged to team up with an off-site manufacturer and a student to design a sustainable and accessible backyard dwelling. The aim of the competition was to start a conversation around alternative housing options, and in particular infill housing on existing land — “a home in my backyard” as it was dubbed by PrefabNZ.

First Light Studio, in collaboration with Metra Panel Systems and Victoria University student Brittany Irvine, designed the Flip House for the competition. The well thought-out transportable home design was recognised by PrefabNZ as one of six winning designs of the competition and also took out the People’s Choice Award.

In creating their winning design, First Light Studio worked closely to the brief, keeping in mind sustainability and accessibility in creating a compact yet comfortable home. “Ultimately we were out to nail the brief for the competition,” explains Eli Nuttal, Director, First Light Studio. “We aimed to create a really well designed backyard dwelling with a maximum 65m² internal floor area, targeted at Auckland.”

First Light Studio presented a detailed design concept with variations that cater to different site areas and client requirements. A 65m² two-storey vertical option maximises living space within a small footprint. By effectively ‘flipping’ the design 90 degrees, an accessible one-storey option is possible in sizes ranging from 40m² to 80m². Across all variations, the design is characterised by a sloping exterior wall, a sloped skillion roof and a range of accessible and sustainable features. The home is designed to be lightly fixed to the ground with slender screw piles, enabling easy removal and relocation.

For wall construction, First Light Studio specified Metra Construction Panels — a 36mm wall panel system which provides an alternative to timber frame and plasterboard construction. The frameless system saves time on site, with panels supplied prefabricated for ease of installation. “Not only is it durable and robust as a material to transport, but the panel itself is a prefab product, so we could not only make a transportable building, but also the parts that created the building could be manufactured off site too,” explains Eli.

An exciting outcome of the competition for First Light Studio is that they are now working towards making these homes a reality. “We’ve partnered with environmental engineers and project managers to form a company that’s out to deliver these Flip homes,” says Eli.

Bringing the design of the Flip House to reality has brought about challenges, but Eli is positive about the possibilities with the Metra Panel System. The system is currently being offered as an option for clients wanting an extremely robust wall system and the benefits of off-site construction for their Flip home. “It’s a really robust and transportable material,” says Eli. “We’re pushing beyond what it had been used for in the past, to use it for more flexible type of buildings.”

Visit the Flip House website to find out more

Metra Panel System

Metra Construction Panels

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The Metra Panel System is a house building system based on Metra Panel wall, floor and ceiling panels.

Homestar / Green Star

Lifemark Product Partner

NZ Made

NZ-Owned Business

Metra Panel can be used as a stand-alone product, or complimentary to other systems leveraging a hybrid approach. The system can be used in the following applications:

Residential (according to BRANZ Appraisal 364, single unit (detached) housing which meets the scope of Clause 1.1.2. of NZS 3604).
Transportables (including minor dwellings, baches, traditional farm style cottages, granny flats, classrooms and subdivided properties). In a factory built environment can deliver a 153sqm transportable house in 4-6 weeks.
Commercial (including internal office fit outs and partitioning, modular components such as bathrooms for high rise structures and purpose built factories, storage units and two storey apartment complexes and student accommodation facilities).
Retirement (including individual units, duplexes, multi-storey complexes, communal facilities and hospitals).
Education (including classrooms, gymnasium, scholl facilities adn student accommodation).

Very High WInd Zone

In the opinion of BRANZ, the Metra Panel System comprising Metra Panel wall and ceiling panels, and connections if designed, used, installed and maintained in accordance with the statements and conditions of the BRANZ Appraisal 364 (2015), will meet the following provisions of the NZBC: This is an appraisal of an Alternative Solution in terms of the NZBC

Clause B1 Structure: B1.3.1, B1.3.2, B1.3.4 The Metra Panel Construction System meets the requirements for loads arising from self-weight, imposed gravity loads, earthquake, snow and wind (i.e B1.3.3 (a), (b), (f), (g) and (h)). See paragraphs 8.1-8.8
Clause B2 Durability: B2.3.1 (a) not less than 50 years. The Metra Panel Construction System will meet this requirement. See paragraphs 9.1 - 9.3
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: F2.3.1. The Metra Panel Construction System will meet this requirement and will not present a hazard to peoples health. See paragraph 15.1 - 15.3

Structure

Durability

Hazardous Building Materials

BRANZ Appraised

Metra Ceilings

Metra Construction Panels

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Compatible with traditional timber framed buildings, MetraCeilings reduce falling-from-height issues in residential construction.

Lifemark Product Partner

NZ Made

NZ-Owned Business

MetraCeiling has been appraised for use as ceilings in timber-framed buildings subject to specific engineering design.
Trusses are the subject of specific engineering design following the information in the Technical Literature.
The safe working platform system comprises of separate panels supported by pre-certified scaffolding posts (props) along the edge and centre of each panel.
Free edges of the panel are attached to existing walls to give rigidity to the platform.
Ceiling panels are installed on the temporary props and fixed on top of the wall framing prior to the installation of roof trusses.
Roof space ventilation should be provided when using MetraCeiling.

Metra Panel Installers are responsible for the quality of the installation of MetraCeiling panels, the building contractor is responsible for the quality of installation of the roof, and the building owner is responsible for the maintenance of MetraCeiling.

MetraCeiling panels
Ceiling straps (CP1), 50x 1.2mm thick galvanised steel
Ceiling clips (CPC40), 60x40x50x 2mm thick galvanised steel right angle bracket
Ceiling U-channels, 600mm x 1.2mm thick galvanised steel
Ceiling square plates, 200x200x 2mm galvanised steel
Connection and fixing screws, adhesive, sealer/primer paint

In the opinion of BRANZ, the MetraCeiling if designed, used, installed and maintained in accordance with the statements and conditions of the BRANZ Appraisal 951 (2017), will meet the following provisions of the NZBC:

Clause B1 Structure: Performance B1.3.1, B1.3.2, B1.3.4. The MetraCeiling meets the requirements for loads arising from self-weight, imposed gravity loads, earthquake, and wind (i.e B1.3.3 (a), (b), (f), and (h)).
Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1 (a) not less than 50 years. The MetraCeiling will meet this requirement.
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Performance F2.3.1. MetraCeiling will meet this requirement.

Structure

Durability

Hazardous Building Materials

BRANZ Appraised

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