Live Lightly Haus

The owner was determined to showcase the benefits of the Passivhaus standard and that deep-energy retrofits of old buildings are viable. This old cottage was transformed.
Meet a little cottage on a huge block of land in NSW’s Central Tablelands. It was relocated here decades ago to a site where it offers beautiful views out to the south. Orange is inland and stands at considerable elevation and the result is a challenging climate. Summers see temperatures soar into the 40s while winter brings snow. But a determined deep-energy retrofit sees this old cottage turned into a comfortable, healthy place to stay no matter what is happening outside.
Wood fibre was the insulation material chosen to improve thermal performance, while locally assembled uPVC windows were specified to suit the original project timeframe. Window placement stayed the same. Some window openings were enlarged but the glazing ratio was carefully considered to find the right balance between preventing overheating in summer and bringing in warming winter sun.
The new extension is unashamedly modern and creates a bold contrast from the exterior, differentiated by its roof form, cladding and colour. Its timber cladding is echoed by the generous walkways and decking surrounding the cottage, constructed from Australian hardwood timber.
Inside, period features are retained in the original bedrooms, with their internal curved wall and feature plaster ceiling. The kitchen is modern and practical, opening to an open-plan dining and living room.
Everyone is happy that a beautiful pear tree shading the north-facing window could be kept. Enough sun filters through its bare branches in winter to provide the needed solar gain.
No project details available for this project.
Request more information from this professional.














Professionals used in Live Lightly Haus
More projects by Envirotecture
About the
Professional
At Envirotecture we design beautiful, sustainable buildings that work for you, your family or your business.
With over 35 years’ experience in sustainable architecture, we can offer you a full range of building design and consulting services to deliver the best possible built outcome for your build.
Facilitate and future-proof your lifestyle with our cost-effective designs that provide stylish design solutions. See our sustainable design portfolio.
We Design for Comfort
Our designs, using state-of-the-art materials and passive design principles, will keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.
We Design for Style
You want you to enjoy spaces that inspire your soul. We will design your building so that it not only works really well, it looks great too!
We Design for Value
We can give you the biggest bang for your buck. Our sustainable designs are an affordable alternative to traditional design and will significantly reduce your long-term operating costs.
We Design for the Environment
When you chose our sustainable architectural solutions your build will have a direct beneficial impact on the environment by helping to:
- protect the ecosystem
- reduce emissions
- improve air and water quality
- conserve water
- reduce waste
- conserve and restore natural resources
We Design for the Future
Our architectural solutions will help create you a responsive, beautiful, energy efficient home that will continue to work for you and your family as your needs changes.
Sustainable design will also optimize the life cycle of your building and increase your property value.
We use the latest technology to ensure clever, creative design solutions that last the distance.
We Design for Business
You want your commercial building to provide environmental, economic and social benefits to your business.
We can design your building to:
- help reduce your operating costs
- improve workplace environment
- optimize the life cycle of your building
- increase your property value
- improve your employee’s attendance and productivity
We Believe in Giving Back
At Envirotecture we always have a pro bono project, or ‘love job’ on the go.
The current Love Job is for the Read Triplets who are wheelchair bound with muscular dystrophy
Previous love jobs include:
- Wakisa Foundation's shelter for homeless pregnant girls in Kampala, Uganda
- the Laotian School project
We Believe in Sustainable Architecture
We have over 35 years’ experience in sustainable design, and our team are all leaders in their fields.
We each bring different skill sets to the business but we all are inspired by sustainable design because we see the difference it makes on so many levels.
- ArchiPro Member since2021
- Associations
- Follow
- Locations
- More information
Why ArchiPro?
No more endless searching -
Everything you need, all in one place.Real projects, real experts -
Work with vetted architects, designers, and suppliers.Designed for New Zealand -
Projects, products, and professionals that meet local standards.From inspiration to reality -
Find your style and connect with the experts behind it.Start your Project
Start you project with a free account to unlock features designed to help you simplify your building project.
Learn MoreBecome a Pro
Showcase your business on ArchiPro and join industry leading brands showcasing their products and expertise.
Learn More