Essex Avenue

Featured in the New Zealand Architecture Design and Interior HOME magazine this home was designed by architects as their family home and completed by Bennie Builders in a tight 16 weeks. The 4 bedroom house has the master bedroom wing at the eastern end of the building the living area in the centre and the remaining three bedrooms and bathroom at the western end of the building. The house is super insulated and cleverly built to be absolutely airtight. During building Bennie Builders had to seal every join in the building and then demonstrate that the house was 100% sealed by completing tests using a wind meter that measures air leaks through the building envelope. Fresh air coming into the house is heated through a manifold system by warm air being pumped out of the house. Air is replaced throughout the house every three hours. The result is a passive home that requires very little heating. Unusual in an alpine environment.