Kirkwood Superhome

Meeting John and Vickie, it is immediately clear how this home represents who they are. Long-time fans of the 1909 Los Angeles House in Christchurch, their love for American Craftsman style architecture drove the design of this stunningly beautiful home they named The Big Cottage.

Avid travellers for many years, John and Vickie developed a love for Japanese Minka houses and sought to replicate the culture and feel of Japan in their home. Where the outside of the home showcases characteristic bungalow features like canted stone and timber walls, the Japanese influence on the interior floorplan is evident. Spaces flow from one to another, eliminating passageways and avoiding wasted space.

Beautiful carved timber ranma screens, timber joinery, and sliding doors reminiscent of shoji screens help to bring the space together with biophilic design. The tsubo niwa garden on the deck helps to blend the peaceful interior with the well-established gardens.

This home, designed by Bob Burnett Architecture, is a Superhome, including passive house features. It a fully insulated foundation, hydronic underfloor heating, Ecopanel walls (R5.5), engineered timber ceilings with warm roof (R5.5), timber look uPVC windows with triple glazing and low E with Argon gas, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery; 7KWh solar panels with 10KWh battery storage system. Grey water recycling and rainwater collection. The home is airtight and blower door tested at 0.6 ACH, well within Passive House standards of airtightness.