Design Jann Hurley, Max Kostiuk Warren
This home west of Dargaville is based on passive design principals. Not to be confused with passiv haus without the E, no mechanical ventilation, heating or cooling has been required in the first year of comfortable living enjoyed by the owner. This home achieved a homestar 7 rating at the design stage.
Designed with careful orientation to the sun, this home captures the sun in winter and provides shade in the summer. Thermal mass to stores the winter sun's warmth and releases it when the outside air temperatures cool. Wide exterior wall framing allows a high level of insulation, which along with double glazed timber joinery and superior level of slab insulation retains the passive heat generated within the building envelope.
Trickle ventilation provides enough ventilation in winter, supplemented by large opening areas and a chimney effect from the double height stairwell for summer cooling.
Vertical macrocarpa board and batten provides a low toxicity cladding. The sustainability and self sufficiency of this home is further enhanced by a bank of photovoltaic solar panels with battery storage.
Homestar design and assessment has been done in house by Elizabeth Cotter.