PORT HILLS HOUSE

Long and lean, sleek and keen, this new-build gazes over the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps beyond with the confidence of a home anchored to the landscape. The brief called for a high-performing, low maintenance house that maximised the view and minimised the prevailing northeasterly wind.

 

We answered the call with a single-level form that harmonises with the site’s topography. Crafted from natural, tactile, and resilient materials, a cantilevered living space protruding west forms a sheltered outdoor entertainment area, optimally positioned for sunset views. Designed to be as cool in the summer as it is warm in the winter, this home integrates numerous high-performance features:

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• Triple glazing and solar panels

• Mechanical heat recovery ventilation system

• Hydronic heating system

• Fully insulated slab and air-tight construction

• High levels of insulation

• Natural cross-ventilation

• Passive shading

• Locally grown and processed thermally modified timber cladding

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PHOTOS:

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Awaiting professional photos of completed project.​​​