Waitaheke Wetland Home.

This eco home is located in an area which was once part of a substantial wetland system extending along the Kapiti Coast.

The wetland was drained and farmed in the 1940s, and recently sub-divided as lifestyle lots. The owners of this site were interested in building a new home that was as sustainable as possible and re-establishing substantial native vegetation to compliment it.

The neighbouring site has a restored wetland which has a QEII covenant on it due to its ecological importance.

Investigations on our site uncovered two natural springs which allowed us to restore the natural wetland system to complement the neighbouring site. The new home was designed in unison with the landscape to sit gently on the waters’ edge.

Materials for the exterior of the home were chosen to weather and mature with the landscape, to work together and blend with the natural wetland palette.

The form of the building and its materials were kept simple and take their cues from traditional rural structures.

The home has excellent orientation for solar gain to passive storage areas and shading to prevent overheating during summer months.

Energy efficient systems and sustainable design features such as passive thermal storage, natural cross ventilation, rainwater harvesting, grey-water recycling, solar water heating and a reed bed as the final stage in effluent treatment have been incorporated.

Awards:

• Winner: 2011 Resene ADNZ/Resene Regional Architectural Design Award for New Single Dwelling up to 250sqm
• Winner: 2011 Resene ADNZ/Resene Regional Architectural Design Award for Special Projects
• Winner: 2009 Resene ADNZ/Resene Regional Architectural Design Award for Residential Interiors
• Finalist: 2011 Resene ADNZ/Resene National Architectural Design Award for New Single Dwelling up to 250sqm