High-performance homes

My approach to high-performance homes is outlined higher up this page. I take the five passive house principles as a starting point, and build on that base, taking a more holistic approach to your home than home rating systems advocate. High-performance is about more than energy efficiency.

Designing and building a new high-performance home can take between 12 months to two years. 

• 3-6 months for design.
• 3-6 months for documentation and consents.
• 6-12 months for the build. 

Variables that impact on the time it takes to design and build your new home include how much design exploration you do, how long it takes to obtain consent, the accessibility of your section, whether it requires extensive work to lay foundations, and the complexity of your build.

Typically, architects’ fees for design, documentation and managing construction are 10% of the full cost of your project.

Most people building a new home have a budget. Some budgets are bigger than others, but everyone makes compromises. It’s good to be upfront about your budget. I’ll be frank with you about what you can and can’t afford. Some architects ignore budgets but that is not me. I’m a pragmatist and I want you to get your home built.

High-performance homes do cost more because they require higher quality structure, insulation, and windows. However, you can get more for your budget if you go small in size but big on attention to detail. To save money, reduce the number of rooms and use spaces in multiple ways, then elevate attention to detail in the spaces you have. Also think about where you want to use your wow materials. A little bit of luxury can make a big impact. Select materials carefully and cut your cloth to your budget.

I’ll also advise you on how much contingency to allow for the unforeseen. Almost all builds go over budget, so it helps to understand that at the start.

There are three ways to help your house stay on time and budget:

1. Bring contractors into the project early. When you get your engineers and builders involved early on, they can collaborate with us to propose more cost-effective solutions. 
2. Do all design changes in Stage 1. In Stage 2 it’s more complicated and expensive to change your design. And you really don’t want to be changing designs during construction. 
3. Consider your fixtures and fittings during the design phase. This allows you time to find solutions you love that fit your budget. There are hundreds of choices to make building a house, and if you leave them to the last minute, you may end up making rushed, expensive decisions.

I oversee the build because design continues during construction, often in a trouble shooting role. The design intent for a house only comes to life at the building stage, and there are almost always challenges to resolve. 

As your architect, I visit the site regularly to check quality of workmanship, make sure materials are the ones you specified, and resolve any questions and challenges with your builders. 

I also handle contract administration, certifying monthly progress payments to your builder, reviewing any time or cost overruns and changes in scope. I make sure health and safety standards are observed on site, resource and building consent requirements are complied with, and manage council inspections. My role is also to be an impartial mediator in any dispute with your builder.

An architect isn’t right for you. If you have a design you believe is fully resolved and simply need plans drawn up, a draftsperson will do a solid job. 

Architecture is so much more than drawing up plans – architecture is about designing beautiful, comfortable spaces where you can live your best life. A home that suits you so perfectly, that you’ll never want to move again. 

An architect is also a creative partner who can bring unexpected joy to your project. You ask for what you want, but a good architect will give you things you didn't know you wanted. That element of surprise is one of the delights of working with an architect.

That will almost certainly happen. And it’s a good thing. I’m a fan of robust conversations. The thing about design discussions is they're not about winning and losing. They’re about uncovering what's important to you. 

In every build there are choices and compromises. Robust discussions help you make better choices and the right compromises. 

When we take the time to build a great relationship, those discussions become easier, because we’ve established trust. Having your expectations exceeded means being open to new ideas. That requires a partnership, and for you to be comfortable questioning your own ideas. 

Architects can have a bad reputation for designing what they want and expecting their clients to accept it. There are architects like that. But that’s not me. I will never ride roughshod over your ideas and desires, even if I challenge you to question some of them along the way.

If you’re nervous because you’ve had a bad experience with other designers or architects, I’d be happy to put you in touch with some of my clients, so you can hear from them for yourself what it’s like to work with me.

Building a high-performance home may need the following consultants and contractors. 

• A geotechnical engineer to do a ground survey.
• A land surveyor to locate the boundaries and features of your site. 
• A structural engineer, who designs the engineering elements of your building. Not all houses require an engineer, but most do.
• A quantity surveyor to prepare a cost estimate for your build. Getting a quantity surveyor involved at design stage can be a helpful reality check. 
• A builder. Your architect and your builder need to have a good working relationship. It’s best if your architect, engineer, and builder have worked on projects together and have a tried and tested partnership.
• A landscape architect to design your grounds. I include hard landscaping in your plans, but planting schemes are not my thing.

I know a range of good consultants and contractors and can organise and brief all these specialists for you.

No. I can take care of all hard furnishings for you.

This includes:

• Your kitchen fit out.
• Your joinery, including kitchen, pantry, laundry, bespoke vanities, walk-in wardrobes, studies, shelves, built in storage, and entertainment units. 
• Plumbing and plumbing fittings.
• Door hardware.
• Light fittings.
• Colours and finishes for walls inside and out.
• Floor coverings.

When it comes to choosing plumbing fittings and light fittings, I can refer you to suppliers who have a wide range and helpful, informed staff. And I can come with you to help you choose. I’ve a library of joinery samples. I can also order samples of anything you want, from carpets to paint swatches. 

The only things I don’t help you choose are appliances, furniture, and soft furnishings.