90 | Partnership brings vision to life The owners wanted to capture panoramic views of Maungatautari Mountain and the Te Miro hills, creating multiple focal points throughout the home. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN The Architecture People: EHAUS T T Kelly Deeks “We focus on the architectural design, while eHaus ensures the construction of the home is going to make it perform as intended.” As the final touches are put in place, excitement builds for the completion of a passive house project in Cambridge, where boutique, design-led studio The Architecture People is taking another step forward in its mission to create thoughtful, high-performance homes that stand the test of time. Since its inception, The Architecture People has embraced a philosophy that blends aesthetics, practicality, and sustainability, forging a reputation for creating meticulously crafted homes that prioritise efficiency and liveability. Working on passive house projects since 2017 has influenced how the firm approaches all its designs, making the team more conscious of factors such as thermal performance, site orientation, and long-term liveability. Now, another ambitious project sees The Architecture People collaborating closely with specialist builder eHaus Waikato to bring to life a home that stands well above the New Zealand building code standards. More than just a residence, this is a passive house designed to operate at an astounding 90% greater efficiency than a conventional home. “Passive house design takes energy efficiency to another level,” says The Architecture People director/architectural designer Dean Baldock. “It’s not just about insulation and double-glazing; it’s a measured approach that ensures the home maintains comfortable temperatures year-round with minimal energy input.” The partnership between The Architecture People and eHaus Waikato has been instrumental in realising this vision. Known for their expertise in passive house construction, eHaus played a pivotal role during design in the thermal modelling of the home. This process allowed the team to fine-tune every aspect of the design to optimise energy efficiency, from the placement of windows to the thickness of the insulation. “This project has been a true collaboration,” Dean says. “We focus on the architectural design, while eHaus ensures the construction of the home is going to make it perform as intended. It’s a perfect synergy of design and construction expertise.” One of the key challenges of this project was its unique location. The owners wanted to capture panoramic views of Maungatautari Mountain and the Te Miro hills, creating multiple focal points throughout the home. “We had to balance these sightlines with functional living spaces,” Dean says. “The master bedroom, for example, is positioned separately from the other bedrooms, offering privacy while still maintaining a strong connection to the landscape.” The outdoor living space is another highlight of the design, featuring a planned pool area that seamlessly integrates with the home’s shared spaces. Large, well-placed windows and strategic shading elements ensure that natural light is maximised, while preventing overheating, a critical consideration in passive house design. For the homeowners, the decision to build a passive house was rooted in long-term comfort and sustainability. Their journey began with a focus on their preference for New Zealand wool insulation, but soon expanded into a deeper understanding of energy efficiency and holistic home performance. “This approach to architecture is very scientific,” Dean says. “It’s not just about aesthetics, it’s about how a space will perform over time. We use thermal modelling to predict how the house will respond to different conditions, ensuring it remains comfortable all year round.” The impact of passive house design extends beyond energy savings. Feedback from clients to The Architecture People has shown that occupants of these homes experience improved health and wellbeing, thanks to superior indoor air quality and consistent temperatures. “Architecture is more than just creating beautiful spaces, it’s about designing for the way people truly live,” Dean says. “This project embodies that philosophy, and we can’t wait for the homeowners to move in and experience it first hand.” thearchitecturepeople.co.nz W W W . C S R E L E C T R I C A L . C O . N Z ELECTRICAL | SOLAR HEATPUMP / AIR CONDITIONING Proud to work alongside The Architecture People
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