Current Projects

Here you can get a sneak preview as to the very latest projects that the Ecotect team are working on. Click on the project title or the thumbnail in the gallery to be taken to find out more about that project.
 

Stout Foote House

Alan and Carol approached me after buying a large flat rural property in Woodbury, a little settlement near Geraldine in South Canterbury. Moving from their existing home near Mosgiel Otago, they are downsizing and wanting a warm cosy energy efficient home. This plan was adapted from the Parker house plan in Mangapai near Whangarei; the similarity being with two bedrooms facing north at each of the building and set back slightly under the eaves for a reduction in winter sunshine to reduce overheating on sunny winter days - allowing easier sleeps. This new style from the Ecotect desk has now become the Solabode Mk3 plan design, see it also here.

This one was a challenge due to very restrictive land covenants which prohibited Shadowclad cladding and only just allowed James Hardie Monotek cladding with a texture coating – adding unnecessarily to building costs. I added horizontal timber battens to accent the horizontal lines and add interest to an otherwise plain finish. A 3 BR home with attached double garage totalling 174m2 and unlike every other house in the street, this one faces north! – Providing the large main space with 2.7m stud and high glazing, a passive solar direct gain heating ‘system’ for free! On rare cloudy days in Hawkes bay, the locally made Pyroclassic mini fire with wetback will keep comfort levels high for my clients. The rest is standard Ecotect fare; Maxraft slab exposed concrete floors, 140 thick wall framing, full levels of Terralana insulation, and double glazed Low E windows. Another high performance yet modest budget home for Hawkes Bay.

On the site of a demolished old house in Mangapai, south west of Whangarei, this 3 bedroom + Study family home with a versatile changeable living space using large sliding doors, is very compact at just 142 sq.m. Designed in the Califonian bungalow style under a simple roof line it features 2.7m ceilings in the main space, fully passive solar designed with extra roof shading for the north facing bedrooms so they don’t overheat in winter. Clad in Shadowclad and batten and a traditional corrugated roof. With all the Solabode features it will be the warmest house in the region, as even Northland gets some gloomy winter days.

Gordon and Christine acquired this family property alongside the mighty Clutha river just north of Roxburgh in Central Otago. There is even an old stone cottage ruin on the site. After some judicious tree felling, this site will be perfect for passive solar design with the same northerly aspect affording views up the Clutha valley. Featuring a mezzanine loft spare bedroom/study area that hovers over the main living space below providing high vaulted ceilings which are matched by alpine style gable end glazing to let the winter sun right into the building.

Stephen and Karen are building this new passive solar home on a lifestyle block in the Wairau Village area 25km south west of Blenheim, Marlborough. A separate shed is also being built as temporary accommodation on site while they build, this will also house the 4.6kW solar power system which will run the house and shed. Materials are simple board and batten weatherboard. A Maxraft floor with exposed coloured concrete will help keep the home warm in winter.