About the project.
A Passive House is completely airtight, with air exchanged via a mechanical ventilation system, so it’s not possible to create penetrations through to the exterior. The homeowners were committed to using sustainable materials, and the house is designed to function off-grid if needed. The roof is equipped with numerous solar panels and batteries for energy storage, and rainwater is harvested for water needs.
Environmental considerations were central to the project and influenced the selection of products throughout. The design also took into account the homeowners’ specific needs, including the height difference between the parents and the fact they had already purchased most of the appliances.
The kitchen features a simple galley-style layout, with a wrap-around scullery at one end. This design allows for seamless flow between spaces, enabling the owners to work efficiently across multiple benchtops. Baking appliances, for example, are located in the scullery, which also includes two additional sinks.
We used sandblasted timber veneer cabinetry, stained in Miro Black with a matt finish, paired with an Absolute Nero Laminam benchtop for the kitchen sink area. This durable porcelain material, known for its low silica value, was also used for the scullery benchtop and splashback, in the Pietra Di Savia finish. The kitchen island features a stone top with dusky green veining, subtly echoing this color throughout the house.
Cockle Bay.
For the cooktop, we opted to position it on the island, encouraging interaction while cooking. A recirculating Elica rangehood above the island was chosen due to the inability to vent to the exterior.
The house includes four bathrooms and one powder room, each uniquely styled. The three daughters were involved in selecting the design for their respective bathrooms. Porcelanosa tiles were used throughout, chosen to ensure cohesion and avoid any visual dissonance as one moves through the home.
In the parents’ suite, the vanity cabinetry is painted in Resene Rose Gold, a dusky pink shade. The other bathrooms follow a similar aesthetic, with vanities painted in Resene Tusk (a taupe shade) or Resene Lemongrass (a light grey-green). One of the daughters’ Resene Tusk vanities is paired with a Caesarstone Rugged Concrete top and a terrazzo floor.
The laundry was designed as a more cost-effective space, featuring Melteca cabinetry in Provence Blue and a laminate benchtop. Functional Hettich hardware, including a drop-down drying rail, adds to the practicality of the design.
We also contributed to other areas, including a tiled shower adjacent to the sauna and the tiled spa room, both finished with magnificent tiles by Porcelanosa.