Westmorland Vila

This Vila design is focusing on multiple possible uses depending on the family's lifestyle, growth of family and allow multiple changes to requirements. The initial thought is around the use of the fantastic section, exposure to the sun, great level access to the property, expensive views and the fact that this view can never be built out (reserve). This ensures all bedrooms and living area have exposure to the north sun. Children bedrooms are equally important as the master bedroom, this is why ensuring perfect orientation was the key.

A most important factor in Vila design was performance and durability. The construction system we selected is high performance, factory manufactured, structural insulated panel, SIP — proved to be the most successfully applied SIP in North America, Europe, and Japan, Codemark certified for compliance with NZ building code. The walls and roof are completely thermally broken, and super-insulated with R-value of: Walls = R4.3, Roof = R7.2. Foundation is concrete slab with hydronic in-slab heating using European type air-to-water heat pump.

Solar gain through the windows is absorbed by exposed polished concrete. The roof is designed with large overhang on the north side, which completely protects from the hot summer sun, but enables weaker winter sun to still light all corners of the rooms.