FERNDALE SUSTAINABLE HOME DESIGN

Ferndale is an environmentally responsible property development set on 15 hectares of rolling land between Waikanae town centre and the coast. SPACE Architecture Studio is proud to have been appointed architectural partners in this sustainable development and have been involved in designing one of the first homes to be constructed on the site as well as being involved in the development of the Ferndale Design Guide for the design of all homes to be built in the subdivision.

Ferndale is the first development in New Zealand to set such high criteria for building energy efficient, high performance homes.  All homes in Ferndale are required to achieve a minimum Green Home Scheme rating of 'Very Good' (70) and a minimum Home Energy Rating of 6 stars.

The Ferndale subdivision has a strong sense of connection to the land. Carefully planned landscape features have been designed to sympathise with and enhance the natural reserve areas. A childrens' playground and shared meeting places foster the subdivisions close connection with the landscape.

     Ferndale's sense of place is reinforced by the relationship between land use, dune topography, and vegetation cover, that combines to create a sense of seclusion and enclosure - the feeling of being 'at' and 'in' Ferndale

Ferndale Lot 1 has been designed by SPACE Architecture studio and is currently under construction.

The design of the new home has been carefully planned to meet the sustainability objectives of the development and exploits opportunities for passive solar heating, natural light and ventilation along with low tech energy conservation solutions.

The plan of the house is an 'L' shape orientated to the north to allow sun to penetrate the building during the middle of the day and to provide shading during summer months. The south-eastern area of the site has been utilised for service areas such as washing line, storage and organic recycling.  The floor plan incorporates flexibility for occupants and their ever-changing needs. It includes 3 bedrooms plus an adaptable fourth bedroom/study space. The fourth space is located in a position which can work equally well as a guest bedroom or office space. The number of bathrooms has been kept to a minimum in order to conserve water which aligns with the sustainability objectives of the development. The kitchen, dining and living spaces open onto a protected north facing outdoor living area maximising opportunities for natural light and a connection with the outdoors. A gallery space serves as the connection between living and bedroom spaces, it is a well lit main circulation spine which also provides an intermediate space for the collection of direct sunlight and solar energy for passive heating.  The house is well appointed and built to a modest budget. Collaboration with Right House on the design of energy efficient solutions for water heating, heating and energy conservation means that the house maximises opportunities for keeping energy consumption low.

Environmental features and strategies incorporated in the design of this home include:

• Thermal Mass - The wall along the gallery works as a 'solar wall' collecting energy from direct sunlight. Floors to the gallery, kitchen and dining areas are also exposed polished concrete and are insulated to act as solar energy storage. Large glazed areas to the north allow sunlight penetration into the building to maximise opportunities for passive solar gain heating and natural light.
• High insulation values to timber framed walls, floor and ceilings manage interior temperature and minimise the impact of external temperature variations.
• Low E argon filled double glazing increases insulation values of galzed areas and maximises heat retention.
• Solar water heating technologies.
• Rainwater harvesting (20,000ltr in-ground storage tank).
• Grey water harvesting. Grey water is reticulated to site for irrigation. Fruit trees are planted to the south-eastern area of the site and are irrigated from this supply.  
• Water Conservation through the use of low volumne toilet cisterns and low flow shower heads.  The toilet and laundry fixtures are supplied from the rainwater storage tank.
• Energy efficient environmentally friendly heating solutions. The solid fuel wood burner to the main living area has a heat transfer duct to the bedrooms.  Electric radiant ceiling panels to the main bedroom spaces provide a responsive energy efficient solution to heating.
• The home achieves a Green Home Scheme rating of 'Very Good' and a HERS rating of 6.

The resulting house design is a holistic solution to the design objectives of the Ferndale development, the site conditions and the desire to to balance healthy design principles with responsible environmental choices as well as creating a modern sophisticated and appropriate aesthetic which considers the natural and cultural character of the site.  

This home has also been featured in the Trends magazine. Click here to view the article and go to page 128-135.

Follow us on facebook