Embracing Diversity: Our Commitment to the Diversity Agenda

At Chaney & Norman Architects, we believe that diversity is not just a buzzword but a crucial aspect of building a better future for the architectural and engineering professions. That's why we're proud members of the Diversity Agenda, a movement dedicated to fostering inclusivity and diversity in our industry.

Embracing Diversity: Our Commitment to the Diversity Agenda At Chaney & Norman Architects, we believe that diversity is not just a buzzword but a crucial aspect of building a better future for the architectural and engineering professions. That’s why we’re proud members of the Diversity Agenda, a movement dedicated to fostering inclusivity and diversity in […]

The importance of a good architectural brief

Living room with small fireplace

A guide to writing a thorough architectural brief: A good architectural brief paves the way for a successful project, so the first stage of our architectural service is working closely with you to help establish your brief for your home. Every brief is different and allows us to understand your unique needs & ambitions, and […]

Thermally broken aluminium windows

Image of an alternative installation method to increase the thermal performance of windows, and increase the energy efficiency of your home

Careful detailing improves performance of thermally broken aluminium windows:   Windows play a big part in the overall thermal performance of your home, and it is becoming increasingly common for thermally broken aluminium window frames to be specified. What most people are unaware of, however, is that how these windows are installed will greatly affect […]

Certifying Energy Efficient Homes With Homestar

Homestar Assessor

Certifying Energy Efficient Homes With Homestar We are members of the New Zealand Green Building Council. We are proud to say that our entire team are now certified Practitioners and Assessors for the NZGBC Homestar rating scheme. So, why do we believe in certifying energy-efficient homes with Homestar? Certifying Energy Efficient Homes In New Zealand […]

The Benefits of an Energy Efficient Home

Building a high performance, energy efficient home   With increasing awareness of the environmental impacts of building, along with rising construction and energy costs, there is a shifting trend towards building homes that are smaller & smarter. We endorse this thinking, and work closely with our clients to create homes that are functional, well designed, […]

SIPs Installation

It has been a long time since the initial blog on the SIPs house in Wanaka, so I thought I would continue the story and show the ease of the installation of the SIPs panels.

Thermally Broken Slab & SIPs Preparation

Phenolic foam insulation as thermal break

Although the building code only requires the finished floor to be 225mm above finished ground level we decided that this new house should be raised up from the ground 400mm for several reasons.

Wanaka Energy Efficient SIPS House

We are well underway with the structure of a new energy efficient family home at 52 Dale Street in Alberttown. The house is for a typical Wanaka family of 4 with all the associated equipment that comes with a love of the outdoors whether this is at home, around Wanaka or further afield.

Northlake Wanaka : Plan Change 45

Queenstown Lakes District Council called for public submissions on the Northlake Plan Change by John Edmonds and Associates for the land owner Michaela Ward Meehan. The following is my rushed submission to QLDC.

Wanaka Haven Luxury Lodge

This design for a combined residential property and 5-bed visitor accommodation was challenging despite having a large 4-hectare site. The dedicated platform was relatively small, poorly orientated and came with a 5-metre height restriction. A number of configurations were considered before settling on separate wings of private and guest accommodation that are joined by the living areas facing the North.

Queensberry Hills Retreat: Project Update

The Queensberry Hills house is now under construction and first impressions are more than we had wished for. As a stand-alone object in the environment it feels well connected to the landscape with the precast concrete panels similar in tone to the local rock outcrops. The decision was made to eliminate the cantilevered walls on […]

Old School

My family and I took a holiday over Christmas and most of January visiting the Hawkes Bay and Gisborne region…

The study and influence of context

As chairperson of the Wanaka Urban Design Panel, it is frustrating to see proposals come past the panel that are designed as stand alone buildings without proper consideration of its neighbours let alone looking slightly further afield and responding to the character, scale and rhythm of the streetscape. I do not see how designers can […]

If the Italians had colonised Wanaka

I read in the Otago Daily Times that the Upper Clutha Environmental Society are appealing against a residential platform in Dublin Bay proposed by Annabel Langbein and Ted Hewetson.  While I applaud the efforts made by the Society to provide a check against unbridled development across the region, I do question the impact on amenity […]

Lake Dunstan House

I recently visited a project that I designed and documented as Director of my previous partnership to see how the house is settling into its environment. The owner has made good progress on the landscaping and external works which is often an area that gets neglected  as either the time, effort or money was not […]

Wanaka Town Centre Character Guideline

The Wanaka Town Centre Character Guideline was formally adopted by the QLDC Strategy Committee last Tuesday so it is now an operative document. Although it has no statutory standing it will inform future versions of the district plan particularly in terms of bulk and height limits within the town centre.

SustainaBULL

The much used term ‘Sustainability’ has been a great driver for awareness of the resource and environmental issues that face current and future generations but I believe its misuse or overuse is starting to dilute not only what is possible but what we should all be doing.  

Wanaka Town Centre Guidelines

I have been quite busy with changing from PC to Mac computers and completing a variety of projects ranging from landscape features, remodeling of older cribs; extensions to 1950’s brick houses and a new build residence designed to withstand a Design Wind speed of 216km/hour.

Queensberry Hills Retreat

A precast concrete panel house designed to withstand a harsh sub alpine environment while making the most of passive solar gain and ventilation.

Rural Zoning Discussion Document

The Queenstown Lakes District Council recently gave the community the opportunity to comment on the success of the current Rural Zoning. I am primarily concerned with the Rural Living Zones and in particular the Rural Residential Zone.