Rocky Ridge House

Knowing their clients had lived in Te Anau for a long time, Fabric understood the importance of creating a place that enhanced everyday living by providing comfort and a strong connection to the local environment. Thus, the story of the Rocky Ridge home began. Mitchell says, “With clients who understood that this should be more than a house with great views, we set out to create a deeper sense of place with two key thoughts. Their home should blend with the surrounding landscape and be part of the rocky ridge it sits on. And, having spent most of their lives in the area, it should feel familiar, despite being brand new.” Te Anau’s extreme climate presented significant challenges, necessitating high thermal performance to ensure year-round comfort, while also maximising the impressive views the surrounding landscape had to offer. Mitchell adds, “Being in an extreme climate, high thermal performance was of top priority. The challenge with this house was the panoramic view directly to the west, giving the potential for overheating from the sun.” Fabric rose to the challenge by devising a design that would prevent overheating from the west. It opted for a narrow crosssection, allowing efficient airflow and incorporating high, operable windows to release heat. Thermal modelling ensures

the right balance of sunlight, heat retention and natural cooling. To enhance the home’s interior comfort and ensure efficient operation, the design includes high-performance detailing such as a solar-powered, in-floor hydronic heating system and a fully insulated concrete floor. The main living space and bedroom suite are situated around a central wood fire, with slats between the living and bedroom allowing for easy communication and an even temperature between rooms. Large areas of glazing were strategically positioned to maximise views without compromising the home’s thermal performance. A roof plays a critical role, both in the aesthetic appeal of a home and in its thermal performance. Choosing the right roof underlay and pitch significantly impacts a home’s thermal efficiency by influencing ventilation, preventing moisture build-up, and allowing for proper insulation placement. This assists in reducing heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, leading to improved energy efficiency and comfort levels within the home. Attention to detail, knowledge, and experience in installing roofs to the required standard in such a vast and extreme environment were crucial when choosing a sub-contractor for Fabric’s clients’ home. The roofing installer chosen was Cory McDowall, from McDowall Roofing Limited.