Simple Sustainable Building
We are on a mission to establish a global framework for cultural, social and economic equity in housing.
We believe equity can be achieved if housing is community led, affordable, scalable and sustainable.
Housing is our primary method to remain connected to our tāngata (people), our whenua (land) and our whānau (families).
We recognize that communities are driven to address their own placemaking process. We provide access to a locally constructed, rapidly-built, sustainable high performance building system.
What is a Truss House™?
A Truss House™ is the bones of the house, the structural envelope, made from portal truss frames. These frame systems are manufactured by existing New Zealand accredited fabricators currently producing truss roof systems. The building envelope can be put together on site, within days, by small teams and finished using standard or high-performance materials.
We apply the efficiencies and advantages of a prefabricated roof truss to the WHOLE HOUSE!
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Rapid build system with 200mm to 600mm thick walls and space for LOTS of low density insulation.
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Available in every community in New Zealand.
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The cost of a Truss House is equivalent to a site built or OSM code minimum house.
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Truss houses are stronger, lighter and higher performing in Earthquake and high snow/wind zones.
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2030+ code performance as standard.
Key Features of Truss House™
Using a network of NZ based Frame & Truss (F&T) fabricators we are unique housing solution with;
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Zero barrier to market entry (no set up cost for the F&T fabricators) that are already certified and utilize a mature/stable supply chain can produce up to 5000 units a year
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No MVP limitations or scaling up/down costs (build 1, 100, 1000) using the established network of F&T fabricators. (Scaling down can be as risky as scaling up in the current economic climate)
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Passive design/Net Zero Ready as standard with low-cost insulation/air tightness options
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Ability to adapt existing ‘standard’ designs/floor plans to a frame-based solution or easily create new designs using standard frame profiles
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Zero interior load bearing walls for ease of universal design and a co-design process
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Solutions for concrete slab or pile foundations (all site options)
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Transfer of knowledge for a build process that is teachable and requires minimal community-based training
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Can be site built or assembled as OSM units
The Truss House™ Story
Truss House originated as the Aitken Frame Home system in Canada, developed by the founder after experiencing a personal need to house her family in a safe, cost effective and quick built home. She built 18 bespoke units in Canada as Aitken Frame Homes, from tiny houses to school buildings.
What Truss House makes possible is the community led design of high efficiency houses that are affordable, quick to assemble and available locally.
We chose not to create a construction company in New Zealand, focusing on an integration model for community led housing.
We are people who value connection. This website is an overview of our product and prefabrication process. For more information on community engagement, training, technical and design please contact us to set up a call: aitken@trusshouse.info