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 >
Architecture & Design Services
We offer the complete architectural services from project set up through to completion.
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Stage B1 Setup
Client – aspirations, brief & budget 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
Stage B5 Document
Consent – drawings, specification & documents Construction – details for building & tendering Passive House – pre-construction
modelling, documents & submission 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
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
All Stages
Coordinate – propose,manage & coordinate consultants & their input
Health & Safety – identify project risks, including client aspects & manage H&S in Design
A crisp, modern and compact Passive House on a narrow steep site with stunning views from the hills of Newlands over Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington harbour and city. Built by Mike Craig Builders. Completed February 2023
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