Business South November 2021

86 | ARCHITECTURE Team Green Architects Remarkable levels of energy- efficiency Kelly Deeks Q ueenstown’s Team Green Architecture is using industry-leading principles of Passive House design to bring homes with remarkable levels of energy-efficiency to some of the most beautiful locations New Zealand has to offer. Established by Siân Taylor and Mark Read in 2013, Team Green Architecture aims to make a real difference to the way buildings are conceived and constructed in New Zealand. “Passive House principles could really affect the lives of many New Zealanders who are living in poor standard housing and suffering as a consequence,” Siân says. “To adopt even the smallest change could make a huge difference to the quality of peo- ple’s lives, and dramatically reduce the energy usage of our country.” True quality is the result when a beautiful home works beautifully as well, being effort- lessly warm, dry, and healthy. By retaining heat, circulating air, and releas- ing moisture, Team Green Architects homes operate as if by magic, warm in winter, cool in summer, dry, and healthy. “It’s an approach that will reduce your energy consumption but more than that, will create an example of sustainable excellence that will last for generations to come.” Five years after designing their first Certified Passive House for a client, Siân and Mark now have their own. Their new family home has won the couple one of two NZIA Southern Architecture Awards in 2021, with their careful attention to detail and commitment to Passive House de- sign metrics producing a highly efficient home that is gratifying to live in. During its design, Siân and Mark envisaged a split level form, rising under a sloping roof to create the main home downstairs with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open plan kitchen and living space, while the upper floor would contain a one bedroom flat complete with bathroom, small kitchen, and open living space. However on moving in just prior to our first Covid lockdown, the upstairs flat was made into a temporary office, which quickly became Team Green Architects’ permanent office, with the rest of the team either working remotely or contracting. “It’s not something that would have hap- pened without Covid, but it’s working out great,” Siân says. “We’ve got a hot desk here but it’s normally just the two of us, and of course our clients can come in and find out exactly what it feels like to live in a Passive House.” Siân and Mark have made use of their large north facing section and their majestic view up to Coronet Peak, with a covered deck “It’s an approach that will reduce your energy consumption but more than that, will create an example of sustainable excellence that will last for generations to come.” beyond an almost fully glazed frontage, and an outdoor fireplace. No heating is required indoors. The overhang covering the deck works to prevent the home overheating in the height of summer, while also allowing the maximum amount of lower winter sun to come straight into the kitchen and living area. The whole house, including the upstairs flat, is one thermal envelope facilitated by a balanced heat exchange ventilation system. Incoming fresh air warmed by outgoing stale air goes to every single room of the home, and the temperature is equalised throughout. Siân and Mark have had two winters in their Passive House and says they have been amazing. “We never think about whether we’re going to be warm and comfortable because it’s already taken care of. We never have to light the fire or put the heating on to warm up the house when we get home, and it’s not costing us money to keep our home warm.” This home has been selected by NZIA South- ern Architecture Awards judges to compete in the national competition later this year. WINNERS OFTHE SUSTAINABLE ENERGYASSOCIATIONOF NZ “BESTGRID CONNECTED IMPLEMENTATION” (2021) “BESTSMALLBUSINESS” (2019) SEANZ Infinite Energy specialise in the design and installation of customised solar power and battery solutions. Back up power for resilience from grid outages or natural disaster. Electric vehicle charging; Peak demandmanagement. Take control of your energy future. Bespoke, architectural energy solutions.