The research funding does not cover the cost of building the houses. The houses are being built on an existing development bycommercial developer Wilson Homes.

This has several major benefits. In addition to reducing the cost of the research, it ensures that:

• The design of the buildings is in line with current market demand

• The selected construction systems and finishes are suitable for current building practice

• The construction costs and processes are realistic

• Relevant research results can be readily adopted by industry.

To establish the relationship between the parties, the University of Tasmania, and Wilson Homes signed a memorandum of understanding for the design and construction of the houses. Under the agreement, Wilson Homes identified an existing development project at Auburn Road, Kingston, south of Hobart and has allocated three of the six units to be marginally adapted for the purposes of the project. The units will be sold on the open market at the completion of the first monitoring period with the developer recovering costs.

Sponsoring companies also contribute to the research in other ways, often providing expertise in the design and installation of their systems.