A small, complex footprint and raked ceilings created some challenges for certification of this ADNZ Regional Award-winning project in Wānaka. The experienced builder was key to the success of the project, achieving Passive House levels of airtightness. A highly-insulated ceiling helps to compensate for heat losses through the walls, which are 140mm stud with a 45mm insulated service cavity.

The brief was for a compact forever home. The design makes best use of the site, sun and views while creating an outdoor area sheltered from the strong prevailing winds and hot summer sun for outdoor living and food growing. To ensure the home is accessible, the garage and visitor parking were positioned to provide vehicle access to the raised site, with a ramp providing step-free access from there to the house.

Deep eaves shade the north windows and north-west veranda, and an external blind shades the west-facing bedroom window whilst retaining the lake and mountain views. High-performing windows with low-e triple-glazing from Thermadura both control solar gain and retain heat, helping to eliminate overheating risk. The slab and footings are fully-insulated with timber flooring laid directly over the concrete slab. The thermal mass of the concrete slab helps to regulate internal temperatures in the shoulder seasons when daytime temperatures can soar, but night-time temperatures are still low.

The judges for the Regional ADNZ Resene Kaitiakitanga Award described the home as “an exemplar in aesthetics and sustainability leadership.”

(Photo credit: Mickey Ross Photography)