Jessop architects Ltd

Jessop Architects designed a unique passive home allowing for maximum heat retention through thoughtful design and specification of materials, excellent ventillation and clever orientation to sun angles. The position of house is in a low lying bush area that was both beautiful in its native bush setting, yet predisposed to shade and damp. So taking advantage of sun was essential. The landscape design maximised the architectural passive design by thinning existing trees , reducing bulk and canopy to allow more filtered light to fall on living areas. This increased light to the home and to lower understory planting so that a greater variety of low growing species could be planted close to the deck areas. The planting was all eco sourced natives which would naturally grow in the area yet an artistic element was introduced with mass planting to create a more dramatic landscape result. The house was originally built for Tim Grocer othe New Zealand Trade Minister who was very supportive of the creation of a sustainable landscape to combine with the passive home, incorporating mini wetlands and the introduction of some rare native plants to reinforce his committment to the local environment. To that end, bird attracting plant species were specified, which brought in Tui , Wood Pidgeon and a variety of smaller birds foraging right up the the extensive deck areas. The decks designed by Jessop wrap thoughtfully around the northwest with a heated area and a feeling of accessibility to the bush environment. It was great to combine talents with Jessop Architects and be involved in a successful and unique building project.