A good look
Recent projects by Bob Burnett Architecture are shaping the future of energy-smart, low-emission homes for New Zealanders.
PHOTOGRAPHY Lightforge Photography
Fifth Dimension Consulting Engineers were the structural engineers for this functional, two-storey, multigenerational home. The company carried out specific engineering design of the foundations and superstructure items to ensure seamless engineering that respects both the design and the performance of the Superhome. 5dce.co.nz
There’s an abundance of compelling reasons to consider an eco-friendly build, says Bob Burnett. As director of Bob Burnett Architecture and co- founder of the Superhome Movement, Bob is a passionate advocate for designing super-sustainable homes that are healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient.
Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Bob Burnett Architecture aims to set the standard for innovation, while remaining dedicated to environmental responsibility. Every home is warm and dry with very low ongoing running costs.
A core aspect of Bob’s work focuses on designing better homes that transform the way Kiwis live.
There are 10 main principles in the making of a Superhome, covering aspects such as thermal efficiency and low-carbon materials, with one fundamental aspect at the core: design.
“Design filters through all of those aspects,” says Bob. “High performance and delightful design can co-exist. While the technical specifications are crucial, a Superhome needs to be the best of both worlds: a holistic, well-designed home, first and foremost, with beautiful aesthetics and the best possible living environment.”
To Bob, a successful outcome is one that achieves both aesthetics and thermal efficiency, resulting in a home that is visually appealing and comfortable to live in. “With each new project we undertake, design and construction techniques continue to advance, supported by the growing availability of high-quality products and materials.”
For example, currently more and more people are shifting towards electric vehicles for efficiency, lower running costs and independence from traditional infrastructures. The real opportunity is extending that same thinking towards our homes, with roof solar systems powering both.
The homeowners in each of these pictured case studies are enjoying the results; reporting stable, comfortable environments regardless of weather and huge energy savings. For over two decades energy modelling has been part of the practice’s design process; a step that is often absent at the concept stage, but is vital in predicting energy use and the carbon footprint.
It takes a team to ensure every element of these ultra-efficient builds is just right, and Bob says his studio works alongside trusted suppliers and skilled tradespeople for all his projects.
Want to see more? New Zealand’s first Net-Zero Superhome is soon to be completed, and will be available for the public to visit mid-winter on a hosted tour.
Early project involvement for the interior design team at Ingrid Geldof Design meant they could help shape the space, enhancing the window placement and flow between the kitchen and lounge. Timber fins were repeated from the stair balustrade, bringing cohesion to the joinery. Kitchen finishes tie in seamlessly with the architectural detailing. igd.co.nz
This award-winning home is a modern interpretation of the California bungalow style. Prolam supplied PL8 glulam beams and posts for use both as verandah beams and as roof beams mid-span to support the Cross Laminated Timber roof panels. Prolam also often supplies PLX Portals for Bob Burnett Architecture projects, as a sustainable alternative to steel. prolamnz.com
Koffman European Windows and Doors provided triple-sealed and triple-glazed windows with standard argon and low-E glass. Koffman ticked all the boxes for meeting Superhome energy efficiency standards. Keeping high-quality, technically advanced windows affordable is its goal. koffman.co.nz
This high-end design on a hillside in Redcliffs, Christchurch, features a warm roof system by Sealco. It includes the WarmSEAL insulated membrane roof with EcoTUFF TPO, offering superior insulation, watertight integrity and outstanding resistance to New Zealand conditions, such as this coastal environment. sealco.co.nz
