Sustainable New Home Design

Two couples own a half acre section, which is a lovely bush clad site in the Waitakere Ranges in West Auckland. The site is a 40 degree slope, so almost everything done on site has been a challenge, with six flights of external timber stairs winding their way down the site to access the lower house. The site is also protected by layers of restrictive planning rules. An amendment to an existing resource consent was required, and significant engineering and unique skills to install the foundations.

Both houses are small to enable a cost effective build, and to touch lightly on a protected area of native bush. The lower one is a minor dwelling but has generous north and western facing decks to provide visual extensions to the open plan living area. A free standing wood burner, provides a sustainable way of heating in each home, that will keep them toasty on the limited occasions it is required. The abundance of wind fall timber, enables this method of heating to be good solution.

The houses needed to be low maintenance, to make keeping their durability sustainable in the long term, with access to the exteriors being more challenging once built. With two separate owners they needed privacy from each other, but wanted to capture the lovely bush views and sunshine on this north western facing ridgeline. Council required them to blend with the bush, and keep in mind the position they hold on a sensitive ridge in this pristine bush area.

The site had no council infrastructure, so using water collected from their roofs means the occupants are very aware of their water usage. It has to be managed sustainably, and dual flush toilets, low flow shower roses are a must, along with washing machines and appliances that consider water usage in their specifications.

At McCahon Place the client wanted a warm sunny home, suitable for a home business and to capture the bush and sea views. Living sustainably was a given for them, and so efficient thermal design was a key to this.

Solar penetration into the house was important, as enjoying a view from a sunny spot was part of the client’s brief. Window sizes and orientation were considered, with solar penetration checks done. As a result some external shades were designed to reduce over heating and balance the desire for sunny spaces.

The client’s home business as a personal trainer meant a robust low maintenance work out room was designed, with special structures designed to cope with equipment loadings for equipment.

Sufficient insulation along with a well orientated site made achieving good thermal environment easy.

A gas fire was installed for a living room feature, and a sustainable way to heat when required. The aesthetics’ of a real flame were important but resourcing a wood burner was not practical.

The house had lovely bush on two sides, and a peak of the Manukau Harbour from the upper floor. The project maximises the elevated site’s views while blending into the surrounding environment, creating a low-profile, energy-efficient dwelling that nestles into the hillside. The design allowed the occupants to catch a glimpse of these features as they moved around the house, with a private northern deck to further engage with the site.

The client had acquired a rear site behind an original family home that they wanted to make their forever home. It had to capture the lovely northern elevation aspect with views of the Waitakere Ranges, but be respectful of the existing house on the site.

The client wanted it durable, with low maintenance materials and durable, so spare time wasn’t spent keeping the house looking good. A stacked block base was selected with a low maintenance linear top floor.

Universal design was a key component, so a lift was installed to cover any future mobility issues. Doors and halls were made wider than usual, and plenty of storage was important, both inside and for additional vehicles and trailers outside.

There was an opportunity to develop two apartments above a new medical centre in Te Atatu South. They were 2.5 bedrooms, both north facing with glimpses of sea and Rangitoto views. Having homes with a small footprint means sustainable use of resources, and with building costs it has become an obvious solution to increase affordability.

The client wanted the apartments to be timeless and with durable materials. Being on the second floor they both have nice sunny decks off their living and master bedrooms, with clear glazed balustrades to maximise the views. Accessibility was important, again a way to ensure homes are sustainable for changes in occupants needs, with wide doors, level entry bathrooms as well as a lift.

The resource consent and building code required that noise from neighbours and general environmental noise were considered in the development of the structure. Insulation was required both for thermal and acoustic comfort, and glazing was modified to control visual and acoustic privacy.