A cosy window nook on the stair landing provides a quiet spot with morning sun for reading or studying, while hidden Shoji screens to the multi-function room open up to the living/kitchen/dining for gatherings or close it off to maximise relaxation.
An alcove connected to the social, open-plan space accommodates the owner’s classic pinball machine.
Green thinking The brief was for a comfortable, high performance, low emissions home that would greatly exceed the building code and be adaptable for future use.
Built to Superhome Healthy Home recommendations the home features slab-edge insulation, minimised thermal bridging, super-insulated Ecopanel walls, airtightness (1 air change/hr), and a mechanical heat recovery ventilation system.
In addition to the high-performance thermal envelope, solar panels linked to the hot water and underfloor heating have allowed for extremely low power bills.
An autumn power bill is between $3 – $5 per month.
Timber structure has been prioritised over steel to help reduce the carbon footprint, and the single steel portal frame has been positioned inside the thermal envelope to eliminate thermal bridging.
Recessed, thermally broken windows have argon filled, low-E Xtreme glass, which is a new, ultra-high performance double glazing that further improves the energy efficiency of the windows which are the weakest point thermally in a dwelling.
The study on the lower floor is set back into the form of the building to give this a secluded feel and minimise overheating from the west, while additional storage makes clever use of the extra space below the window.
The site was restricted by a flood management area and height restrictions, which has influenced the form.
With the narrow part of the site facing north, the solution was to open up the northern face with a gable form and double height living area to allow light to enter deep into the home.
Credit list
Kitchen designer
Shizuka Yasui
Interior designer
Shizuka Yasui
Joinery
General Joinery Co
Feature light fittings
ESC
Builder
James MacKay Builders
Kitchen manufacturer
James MacKay Joinery
UlltraClad Shadoline, from Ullrich Aluminium; European Larch
uPVC / NK Windows, High performance glazing, from Metro Performance Glass
Hydronic Underfloor heating, by WarmthNZ
Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Homes – Highly Commended
Designed by:
Bob Burnett Architecture
Story by:
Trendsideas
Photography by:
Kate Claridge
17 Jul, 2022