North Face Eco Residence.

The brief for the Beggs’ residence in Waikanae was to design a contemporary, sustainable house to showcase the DSHH (Digital Self Heating Home) system. The clients also wanted a contemporary layout to suit the needs of a modern family, as well as strong design features especially on the eastern side which is clearly visible from the street. The 2-storey with in-ground basement design was to be driven by the existing topography.

Sustainability was the key point of the Beggs’ house. It was designed to be self-heating by using the free and perpetual energy from the sun and only uses 10% of the energy of a conventional home. High insulation levels to walls and ceilings, thermally broken double glazed doors and windows and heated concrete slab floors ensure warmth and comfort throughout the year.

The house faces north and abundant light fills the first floor through the high windows. The ground floor was nested in the landscape with highlight windows providing light and ventilation. An open plan living area was designed which is easily accessible from the bedrooms and the ground floor. Featured exposed structural steel beams complement the light atmosphere of the living area. A timber slat deck along the north side of the house provides a lovely outdoor living area.

Hardwood timber rainscreens were featured at each end of the house and they proudly stand out from the other cladding materials used. Linea weatherboards bring out the living area, accentuated by the monopitch roof while titan panels nested between the rainscreens and the linea weatherboards, as well as the change in roof pitch help to setback the bedrooms. The roof itself was carefully designed to provide a platform for photovoltaic and solar panels.

The clients are extremely pleased with the result, as they now own a future-proof sustainable and energy efficient home which takes full advantage of solar energy, without affecting liveability.