Having lived on Waiheke Island for more than 20 years, architectural designer Claudia Lapp is familiar with its often challenging topography. But for this Oneroa site, the challenge was more in getting the most out of a home that would have a west-facing orientation to capture the sea views. 

Having seen work on the island by Claudia and fellow architectural designer Ole Toft, the owners of the site came to them with a specific brief for their home. “The clients were really clear about what they wanted to achieve,” says Ole. The clients wanted a home of around 200m² with the majority of the living spaces and bedrooms to face the western sea view, and for the home to have high sloping ceilings, clean and contemporary living spaces, and provision for artwork to be displayed.

An expressive roofing profile was part of the brief, as were contemporary building materials with a selection of cladding surfaces. The clients wanted an easy flow between the interior and the deck areas facing the sea, accessed by all bedrooms, as well as covered porch areas on the east and west elevations to create morning and afternoon outdoor spaces. An outdoor patio off the dining space was to be protected from prevailing southwest wind to provide an alternative entertainment area as well as access to the barbecue and vegetable and herb planters.

Passive solar features including the use of thermal masses were a key element as were efficient space and water heating systems. Two heat pumps service the under-floor heating and the hot water system.

Claudia says, “With a need to capture the sea views on the western elevation while optimising the passive solar aspects, a gullwing roof design provided the most desirable solution.” She says Dimond Roofing’s Solar-Rib was chosen to accentuate the roofline with its “attractive roofing profile offering a strong linear pattern.”

Solar-Rib can be installed with Photo Voltaic Laminate (PVL) solar panel technology, which then enables electric power generation. As a stand-alone profile, it also offers elegant looks. Solar-Rib can be installed initially without the PVL if required, with laminate able to be added onto the profile later.

All bedrooms and the rumpus room feature clerestory windows with eaves over, to allow the morning and midday sun to enter as required, and while the home's spacious kitchen/dining/living area is oriented towards sea views, there's also a private patio protected from south-westerly winds, which receives the morning sun. 

The home has been completed with a range of energy-efficient materials. “The concrete slab and concrete block walls serve as a thermal heat store providing a consistent ambient temperature," explains Claudia. "A gas fireplace features in the living room and can be used during the colder months. Together with the thermal insulation, which exceeds NZ Building Code requirements, and the use of low toxicity building materials, an even temperature and healthy living environment were achieved.”