94 | BUILDING Ever Homes 193 Halswell Rd, Christchurch | 03 338 9199 | sales@halswelltimber.co.nz Proudly supporting Ever Homes Straw bale home grabs attention The completed home is certified to the internationally recognised Passive House standard, delivering exceptional energy efficiency and indoor comfort. T T Kelly Deeks Ever Homes director Everett Norris has turned a lifelong dream into reality with the completion of his Certified Passive straw bale home on Huntsbury Hill in Christchurch, showcasing the potential of combining natural building materials and cutting-edge science. The home, which featured on Grand Designs New Zealand, was designed by Everett’s wife Elizabeth and built by Everett through their business, Ever Homes. “I’ve wanted to build my own straw bale house since I was a teenager,” he says. “It’s one of the overarching goals of my life and the reason I became a builder.” His passion for natural building began more than 20 years ago after helping a family friend construct their straw bale home. “The science has come a long way since then. We now have energy modelling and building performance tools that allow us to combine natural materials with cutting edge building science.” The completed home is certified to the internationally recognised Passive House standard, delivering exceptional energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Elizabeth is a certified Passive House designer while Everett is a certified Passive House builder, allowing the couple to combine their expertise throughout the project. “Elizabeth led the design and I led the build, but we both contributed throughout the process,” Everett says. “A lot of people focus on what a house looks like, but so much of the important design work is behind the walls.” Perched on a hillside, the two-storey home combines contemporary architecture and traditional natural building techniques. Thick straw bale walls provide exceptional insulation, while a highly airtight building envelope helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature year-round. Large windows have been carefully positioned to maximise sunlight and capture expansive views across Christchurch. Natural materials feature throughout the interior, including clay-based plasters and timber detailing that create a warm atmosphere. Rounded wall edges soften the spaces, while handcrafted finishes add character rarely found in conventional homes. One of the home’s most distinctive features is the decorative sgraffito artwork incorporated into several walls. The traditional Italian technique involves scratching patterns into plaster layers to create a textured, three-dimensional finish. The project also reflects the couple’s commitment to sustainability. Reclaimed and surplus materials were incorporated throughout the build where possible, reducing waste while adding unique design elements. Its appearance on Grand Designs brought the home national attention, but the production creating additional timeline pressure during construction. The couple brought in extra labour and relied heavily on support from family and friends to meet filming deadlines. One of Everett’s favourite memories from the build was the community support. Friends, family, and volunteers gathered to help install hundreds of straw bales, creating what he describes as a memorable and rewarding experience. Everett says one of the key lessons from the build is the importance of not working alone on complex projects that demand significant labour input. “Working on your own for weeks on end is tough,” he says. “If you’re going to spend extra money anywhere, spend it on help. It makes a huge difference, and it’s no fun doing it by yourself.” The experience has reinforced the realities of natural building and the value of collaboration, with the finished home standing as a long-term example of what can be achieved when design, construction, and community effort align.
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