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Saddle Hill House

Nestled between twin knolls on the east Tawa skyline with commanding views over Tawa and Porirua, the Saddle Hill House receives a combination of raging wind and all day sun – perfect for the family intent on maximising renewable energy.

The house is dug partly into the hillside to avoid the southerly wind blast and faces almost due north which will help in the generation of up to 7Kw of electricity once the whole 200m2 Solar Rib roof is overlaid with amorphous silicon photovoltaic strips. Meantime, solar hot water panels combine with a woodfired stove wetback and electric backup element that feed the underfloor heating pipes on colder days.

Comfort control is further enhanced by the presence of a Soho Ventpac automatic ventilation system that opens 9 window sashes to release excess summer heat and also turns on a fan in the winter to transfer lounge woodfire warmth via ducts to cooler rooms. Heat from the owners’ pottery kiln will soon also be harnessed through a heat exchanger for even higher temperature warm air circulation.

Saddle Hill House is clad in stained macrocarpa weatherboards and plywood with gabion basket pillars using gold/brown rock from a nearby quarry. Interior finishes include heat absorbing dark floor tiles, ply ceilings and vibrantly painted plaster board walls.

Photography by Jason Mann 

About the
Professional

Aonui Architecture is a New Zealand Institute of Architects registered practice with a principal who is a Registered Architect listed with the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB). We were founded in 2003 by Richard Wright with the express purpose of providing architectural services that are focused on resilient design in general and low energy consumption, low carbon footprint building construction and smart building management systems in particular.

The practice now has a portfolio of completed sustainable design projects of all types throughout New Zealand and the Pacific and uses its accumulated data and experience to deliver increasingly efficient low-impact buildings for clients who have a shared commitment to smarter, warmer, drier, healthier accommodation being part of their future. We continue to work with the most enlightened and proactive consultants, manufacturers, suppliers and contractors to bring the goals of net zero energy consumption and carbon neutral building nearer to reality with every new completed project.

Our architecture seeks to capture the dreams of our clients, the spirit of their often enchanting sites and the joy of beautiful spaces in truly responsive buildings that will always be capable of nurturing and inspiring their occupants and owners.

Aonui Architecture
Aonui Architecture

Architecture & Design