Planning to build? We specialise in Passive House and high-performance architecture, including off-grid houses. That might sound daunting, here’s what we can offer you to make it all come together.
We work with home owners and developers as their architect and passive house designer.
Already have an architect or designer and looking for a passive house or low carbon consultant? Visit our Consulting page >
Already have an architect or designer and looking for a passive house or low carbon consultant? Visit our Consulting page >
Architecture & Design Services
Stage B1 Setup
Client – aspirations, brief & budget
Context – site constraints & opportunities
Compliance – council & developer constraints & requirements
Climate – comfort & energy efficiency inputs
Context – site constraints & opportunities
Compliance – council & developer constraints & requirements
Climate – comfort & energy efficiency inputs
Stages B2-4 Design
Concept – site layout, initial planning & sketches
Preliminary – plans, 3d’s & outline specification
Developed – plans, interior layouts & indicative construction details
Passive House – energy & comfort modeling
Preliminary – plans, 3d’s & outline specification
Developed – plans, interior layouts & indicative construction details
Passive House – energy & comfort modeling
Stage B5 Document
Consent – drawings, specification & documents
Construction – details for building & tendering
Passive House – pre-construction
Construction – details for building & tendering
Passive House – pre-construction
modelling, documents & submission
Other – Lifemark, Homestar etc
Other – Lifemark, Homestar etc
Stage B6 Procure
Tender – obtain tender prices from one or multiple builders
Negotiate – agree a contract with the preferred builder
Contract – contract documents, insurances etc
Negotiate – agree a contract with the preferred builder
Contract – contract documents, insurances etc
Stage B7-8 Construct
Contract Admin – instructions, variations, payments, compliance
Observation – regular site visits to observe progress and adherence to the contract
Passive House – observation, on-site testing & documentation
Observation – regular site visits to observe progress and adherence to the contract
Passive House – observation, on-site testing & documentation
All Stages
Coordinate – propose,manage & coordinate consultants & their input
Health & Safety – identify project risks, including client aspects & manage H&S in Design
Photo: Andy Spain
Treated Floor Area:
187
m2
Heating Demand:
12.0
kWh/(m2a)
Heating Load:
11.5
W/m2
Airtightness:
0.36
ACH
Certification:
Passive House Classic
Architecture & Design
Wheelhaus
Located on the hills overlooking Whitby, Wheelhaus is a certified Passive House designed by VIA architecture. The four-bedroom multi-generational home sits on a long section, with its narrowest boundary to the north. This required careful consideration of form and window placement, to optimise daylight and solar heat gain, and take advantage of the site’s stunning northerly views. These design goals are achieved through dynamic facade angles, which also reflect the contours of the Whitby landscape. Evoking a rocky outcrop on the hillside, the house uses a light grey exterior aluminium cladding. Interior finishes, in neutral colours and materials, include recycled timber flooring and timber-alu joinery. Large sliding doors connect the living space with a generous covered deck area, continuing the home’s visual and physical connections to its surroundings. Build by North Face Construction. Completed May 2021
Treated Floor Area:
238
m2
Heating Demand:
17.8
kWh/(m2a)
Heating Load:
10.4
W/m2
Targeting:
Passive House Plus
Architecture & Design
Southernthread Rd Off-grid Passive House
An off-grid Passive House in an extremely windy location in the Brooklyn hills with spectacular views across the valleys north to Karori. Set below the ridge to create shelter and opening up to the north for views and the sun. Targeting Passive House Plus. Due to start construction in summer 2023
Treated Floor Area:
270
m2
Heating Demand:
11.1
kWh/(m2a)
Heating Load:
11.8
W/m2
Targeting:
Passive House Plus
Architecture & Design
Ohariu off-grid Passive House
An elegant rural off-grid Passive House separated into north and south wings with gable roofs, connected with living spaces that create courtyards open to the east and west. Targeting Passive House Plus. Due to start construction in spring 2023.
