Rocky Ridge House

Situated at the gateway to one of New Zealand's natural wonders, where Fiordland National Park meets Milford Sound, a home finds its place along the rocky ridge of Te Anau’s outskirts. This home stands as a testament to how collaboration, sustainability, and impeccable design can come together to create a space that can be enjoyed for generations.

In 2022, two Te Anau-based homeowners had recently completed a bach and were enjoying the experience of having a warm, purpose-built, and comfortable space to live in. Their old home was no longer up to scratch, lacking adequate shelter from the cold and extreme climate of the Southland. Seeking to create a new permanent residence, they reached out to Fabric, the architectural practice behind the bach they were enjoying as a temporary home. Fabric, an award-winning Christchurch architecture practice led by registered architect Mitchell Coll, prides itself on creating spaces that not only feel right for their clients but also connect them to their project's surrounding environment, as though it’s always been there. Knowing their clients had lived in Te Anau for a long time, Fabric understood the importance of creating a place that enhanced everyday living by providing comfort and a strong connection to their client’s environment. Thus, the story of the Rocky Ridge home began.

Mitchell Coll says, “With clients that understood that this should be more than a house with great views, we set out to create a deeper sense of place with two key thoughts: Their home should emulate the landscape and be part of the rocky ridge it sits on. And, having spent most of their lives in the area, it should feel familiar despite being brand new.”

Te Anau’s extreme climate presented significant challenges, necessitating high thermal performance to ensure year-round comfort, while also maximising the impressive views the surrounding landscape had to offer. Mitchell Coll explains further, saying, “Being an extreme climate, high thermal performance was of top priority. The challenge with this house was the panoramic view directly to the west, giving the potential for overheating from the sun.”

Fabric rose to the challenge by designing the house to prevent overheating from the west. They opted for a narrow cross-section, allowing efficient airflow and incorporating high operable windows to release heat. Thermal modelling ensures the right balance of sunlight, heat retention, and natural cooling. To enhance the home's interior comfort, the design includes high-performance detailing such as a solar-powered, in-floor hydronic heating system and a fully insulated concrete floor, ensuring efficient operation. The main living space and bedroom suite are also situated around a central wood fire, with slats between the living and bedroom allowing for easy communication and even temperature between rooms. Large areas of glazing were strategically positioned to maximize views without compromising the home's thermal performance.

A roof plays a critical role not only in the aesthetic appeal of a home but also in its thermal performance. Choosing the right roof underlay and pitch significantly impacts a home's thermal efficiency by influencing ventilation, preventing moisture build-up, and allowing for proper insulation placement. This assists in reducing heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, leading to improved energy efficiency and comfort levels within the home.

Attention to detail, knowledge, and experience in installing roofs up to standard in such a vast and extreme environment was crucial when it came to choosing a sub-contractor for Fabric’s client home. The roofing installer chosen was Cory McDowall, from McDowall Roofing Limited.

Dimond® Roofing was McDowall Roofing’s roll former of choice, ordering 430 linear meters of Corrugate. The "No. 8 wire" of roofing profiles in New Zealand, Corrugate, offers versatility in design and function. This profile pays homage to the rich history of corrugated iron used throughout New Zealand and its versatile use in both roofing and wall cladding applications.

To further enhance the roof's performance, the roofing system incorporated ColorCote®'s ZinaCore® substrate and MagnaFlow™ flashings for added protection against the elements. ColorCote®'s ZinaCore® is renowned for its durability and long-lasting performance, offering superior protection from corrosion and weathering. By opting for MagnaFlow™ flashings, the homeowners ensured an added layer of defence against the harsh climate, giving the roof an extra boost of protection and longevity.

The roof’s colour, Ironsand - a deep brown charcoal – supplied by Dimond® Roofing, adds a subtle yet seamless contrast to the home’s soft-toned cedar and birch plywood exterior. This accentuation not only enhances the home's form but provides a more easily understood silhouette from afar and visual interest up close. Careful terraforming and re-naturalization also ensure this home and its surrounding structures are part of the landscape.

Now completed, what was once a construction site, sits comfortably in the landscape with its ridge-like form as home. Fabric is a prime example of how collaboration, sustainability, and impeccable design can come together in architecture and be brought to life through the meticulous craftsmanship of Te Anau Homes Ltd and sub-contractors such as McDowall Roofing Ltd.

• Architect: Fabric
• Builder: Te Anau Homes Limited
• Roof Installer: McDowall Roofing Limited
• Roll Former: Dimond® Roofing
• Pre-coated Steel Supplier: ColorCote®