South Head - Master Builders House of the Year 2012

National Winner 2012

This is a 100% sustainable house, completely unconnected to the power grid, that breaks all the sustainability stereotypes. Only 200m2 and predominantly made of sliding glass doors in a high wind zone, it is located in South Kaipara Head with sweeping views of the Tasman Sea, Lakes Kereta, Woodhill Forest and it's surrounding farmland.

With few exterior walls to brace the house it required complex engineering to resist the wind and provide sufficient strength to support the massive sliding doors.

While its radical zero energy design (highly unusual in a house made of glass, with central heating and 4 metre stud) required both a custom made insulation solution:

  • Low e glass
  • Double glazed skylights
  • R3.2 Pink Batts
  • Polystyrene under-slab insulation
  • High thermal storage through concrete floor

And a 100% renewable electrical energy system:

  • 3.5KW photovoltaic solar with 5 day battery storage
  • LED lighting
  • Renewable energy hot water system & central heating system (Evacuated tube solar hot water heating with integrated solar powered underfloor central heating& backup Henry Marshall hot water heater)
  • Roof top water collection
  • Own water & sewerage system

The design by Fearonhay Architects required extreme attention to detail with recycled Rimu finishes and extensive interior negative detailing throughout the gib, steel, and custom-made Rimu cabinetry in the Kitchen, bathroom, doors and panelling.

Energy efficiency

Zero energy home - 100% off grid power system with 3.5KW photovoltaic solar with 5 day battery storage; generates more power in a year than used 100% own water - roof top rainwater collection 100% on site waste water/sewerage disposal Evacuated tube solar hot water heating with integrated solar powered underfloor central heating, backed up with Henry Marshall water heater Passive solar design sited for maximal thermal gain while preserving views Ultra low wattage LED lighting and energy and water efficient appliance throughout.

Insulation/Energy efficiency

low e glass sliding doors that can be completely opened up to create a pavillion/tent like structure R3.2 pink batts insulation used throughout Double glazed skylights All sliding doors are constructed of low E glass - equivalent to double glazing in performance but allowing for much larger panes as lighter weight than double glazing Polystyrene under-slab insulation High thermal storage through the concrete floor, polished and finished with a Water based polyurethane.

Recycled Materials

Extensive use of recycled/recyclable building materials including:

  • Recyclable steel framing, glass and Aluminium joinery
  • Custom made Recycled Rimu cabinetry in kitchen, bathrooms and recycled Rimu panelling and doors throughout the home
  • crushed concrete fill reuseded to resurface driveway