Black Peak House, Wanaka banner

“E13 Windows excels, and are a delight to deal with." - Bryce Dunlop, Dunlop Builders

Architecture is an opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable society by promoting environmental design. The strategies involved in the sustainable design of the house Black Peak View project included designing for day-lighting, indoor air quality, passive solar heating, natural ventilation, energy efficiency, water preservation, renewable energy, and working with the contractor to minimise construction waste.

This property sits outside of the usual because it was built to airtight standards. This included building and internal tello wrap along with special breathable paper, taped-off on the inside with internal service cavities in the internal walls. The process is to then blow door test the property to suck air in or out of the house to ensure airtightness. The owners wanted this additional airtight feature due to the property’s location in Wanaka, and because air leakage is one of the biggest contributors to heat loss.

Airtight structures are energy-efficient. They ensure that the joint perform in an optimal manner. This reduces heating costs and CO2 emissions and is thus beneficial from both a financial and a climate-protection viewpoint.

We worked with the architect and owner at the design stage, and then the builder at the build stage to problem solve and work out the best way to incorporate our windows systems into their design. The final result is simply Wow!

The house has external doors that slide into cavities, for which we supplied detailed plans, along with internal courtyard joinery which had no corner posts, therefore it’s completely open. We also assisted with incorporating windows systems into their design. The thermal bridging of the glazing suite was a principle used for the positioning and detailing of the entire penetration. Windows are located in the “warm” part of the wall, not in the cavity, and were detailed with the Proclima airtightness system. The steel support structure was detailed to thermal break the bridge from the cold outside. The Pacific Thermal Suite used with Planitherm XN Low E double glazing, combined with the passive airtight construction to provide excellent thermal performance, will provide long-lasting comfort for the future.

Positioned and built for the Wow factor, this house has an abundance of natural light, as well as stunning lake and mountain views to the North and West. This property is a finalist in the NZIA Awards and is another impeccable quality project by Eliska Lewis Architects and Dunlop Builders.

Location - Wanaka
Architect/ Designer - Eliska Lewis Architects
Builder - Dunlop Builders
Fabricator - E13 Windows
Suites/Products - Pacific Thermal Suite
Industry Sector - Resdenital 

E13 Performance Windows
Otago
Black Peak House, Wanaka
Black Peak House, Wanaka
Black Peak House, Wanaka
Black Peak House, Wanaka

About the
Professional

Whether you are wanting greater thermal performance or building an architectural home, we've got more than 20 years of expertise and experience in delivering superior triple glazing window solutions throughout New Zealand.

A long-standing Otago business with family origins, Michael and Kathryn Brenssell has been hands-on in the business for 20 years and are proud of the reputation they have built for producing joinery that makes a difference. After operating as Vistalite Otago providing services from everyday residential homes to recreational and commercial properties, we felt it was time to recognise our achievements and develop the stand-alone brand E13 Windows for our future. 

We cater to the harsh climates of Central Otago and the South Island and the contrasting difference in parts of the North Island warmer climate. After starting a business with cottage building for architecture homes in Dunedin, Michael saw the potential in providing window and door solutions that added to the aesthetics of these homes while offering great thermal performance, a combination necessary in the South, home of spectacular views but harsh winters. With their ability to create airtight homes without compromising on the style proving a success in Dunedin and the greater Central Otago region, they are now offering sophisticated and versatile triple glazing window solutions throughout New Zealand.