Increased demand for flexible design

Press, 17 July 1979, Page 27

Increased demand for flexible design

A nil population growth does not mean a nil demand for new homes in New Zealand, according to a home designer (Mr B. R. (Bryan) Airey. “Homes are falling down, getting pulled out for motorways and the increase of solo parents means a constant demand for new homes,” he said. Mr Airey is the general manager of Award Homes, Ltd, a firm which designs and builds homes throughout New Zealand. He is the first to admit, that the New Zealand building industry is suffering a decline. “It’s got to the stage where we need a complete restructuring of the industry if we are to survive.” Mr Airey said this restructuring would be helped if the Government ensured an even workload on all sectors of the building industry. To cater for the decline, his company offers homes that can range in price and style from economic to lavish. “In a time when the Minister of Housing (Mr Quigley) says more emphasis will be put into home renovations, Housing Corporation finance is definitely favouring new home owners,” said Mr Airey. “Many young couples come to me because existing homes just do not have the modem design adaptability that they want. “Builders nowadays have to provide the skeleton of a house so that the owners can mould the flesh to suit their needs,” he said.