Having lived in many seriously cold houses together over the years, Josh and Amy, owners of 157 Point View Drive, knew they wanted to create a beautifully warm and dry home on this special 5008sqm site.
After deep-diving on the topic and undertaking years of extensive research, they decided to build a passive solar house, thermally engineered and designed to maintain a stable indoor temperature of 19-23 degrees all year round. It’s naturally warm in winter and cool in summer, with minimal energy input.
“A long time ago we heard about passive solar buildings – they’ve done a few down in Dunedin, where it’s really cold,” says Amy.
“We hate being cold, so it’s so nice to have a stable temperature. It doesn’t feel like heating can feel – it feels very comfortable.”
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The couple poured their heart and soul into the build, alongside a team that shared an aligned vision — builders Kanda Homes and architectural designer Chris Macpherson from Brick + Co.
Passive solar design has been achieved here with an extremely efficient building envelope, including above code insulation in the walls, ceilings and floor. A north-facing orientation captures sunlight into the dark concrete floors, which provide a thermal mass to store the heat over the day. Then the heat is released when the sun isn’t present.
Double-glazed aluminium windows are thermally broken, which stops cold from the outside metal travelling through to the inside metal, and are Low E, argon gas-filled. Thermal curtains and blinds aid in heat retention, doubling the performance of the window insulation.
“We had the opportunity to really consider every detail here. Everything works so well and is really liveable,” says Amy.
The main residence features four bedrooms and three bathrooms, including a private ensuite for the master bedroom and a second ensuite in the versatile fourth bedroom. This also has its own kitchenette and outdoor access, making it ideal for guests, extended family, or independent living.
At the heart of the home, the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area has an air-tight wood burner fireplace and flows out to sun-drenched outdoor spaces.
The homeowners says: “The house is made of a natural clay masonry block called Porotherm. It has a waffle pattern inside it and the air pockets inside create the insulation.” Photo / Supplied
At the heart of the main home is the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area which flows out to sun-drenched outdoor spaces. Photo / Supplied
“We do have a fireplace because in the middle of winter I still like to be able to walk around in shorts and a T-shirt” says Josh. “We don’t have to worry about kids being unhealthy or anything like that. It’s amazing.”
As well as thermal efficiency, Amy says that a focus on utilising natural, low-VOC materials and healthy living were key briefs of the design.
“The house is made of a natural clay masonry block called Porotherm. It has a waffle pattern inside it and the air pockets inside create the insulation. All the white plastering on the interior walls is also a natural lime plaster.
“The idea was that we didn’t just want it to feel warm, we wanted it to look warm, so we followed a Mediterranean theme to enhance that overall experience.”
Other notable detailing includes Italian terracotta roof tiles, oak flooring, macrocarpa ceiling beams and naturally resistant wool carpets in the hallway and master wardrobe.
The fully self-contained, two-bedroom minor dwelling across the driveway has its own outdoor living area as well as separate water, power and fibre. The elevated land and grounds have been given as much consideration and care as Josh and Amy’s home and are enveloped in regenerated native bush.
“I’m really interested in permaculture and I wanted to be able to create something that worked in with the garden and the house,” says Amy. “This land is the perfect contour for creating microclimates and you can plant all sorts.”
The 5008sqm site houses two residences, three 2000l water tanks and a thriving food forest. Photo / Supplied
The minor, two-bedroom, self-contained dwelling offers many alternatives such as rental income or multi-generational living. Photo / Supplied
Self-sufficiency can be easily enjoyed, thanks to the three 22,000L water tanks, a gravity-fed worm-based septic system, and a thriving food forest featuring more than 30 fruit trees, productive vegetable gardens and berry patches.
James McGregor, from Ray White, is marketing the property with Kris Khatri and says it offers fantastic options for multigenerational living and has been crafted to an exemplary standard.
“The two dwellings are completely separate and enjoy great privacy. Someone might even buy it who wants the rental income to help pay down the mortgage.
“The owners are incredibly detail-oriented and have been super fastidious in the way they have designed it. Nothing is by accident and they’ve been incredibly intentional about everything that they’ve done.
“It’s a lovely warm, dry, sunny home filled with beautiful natural materials.”
- 157 Point View Drive in East Tamaki Heights, Manukau, Auckland, is for sale, auction on July 1
