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, […]

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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.  

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.

Tried and Tested

After formally studying architectural history for many years and constantly reading books on architecture, it is great to come across architects that I have not heard of, architects who have not made the mainstream but have a body of work that is quite inspirational and refreshing.